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Swimmer You are a new reporter on The Freeport News and are on general assignment, and this morning you are handling obits. The Prewitt Mortuary has dropped off a notice of the death of Albert F. Swimmer, and as you look it over, one of the older hands remarks that Swimmer was an interesting character.
You glance through Swimmer's file before going up to the city editor to ask him how much he wants on Swimmer.
He tells you that Swimmer was a "controversial character" and that his obituary is worth at least 1,000 words.
"Don't write one of these deadly death notices," he tells you. "Give me a good story. I want to use some art with it." | Prewitt Mortuary | | 840 Stanford Avenue | | Name: | Albert F. Swimmer. | | Birth Date: | Jan. 25, 1915, Birmingham, Alabama. | | Address: | 1405 Sunset Drive. | | Cause of death: | Cirrhosis of the liver. | | Where died: | Fairlawn Hospital. | | Time: | 5:45 a.m. | | Organizations: | Legion Post No. 156, VFW Post 22, Optimist Club, NAACP, Urban League, Phi Beta Kappa. | | Church: | Freeport First Baptist. | | Survivors: | Wife, Ada Ruth Johnson Swimmer, second wife; son, Sam; daughter, Linda, by his first wife, Mrs. Martha Lupton, deceased; sister, Mrs. Dodge Henry, Birmingham; three nieces and six nephews.
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Morgue clip, June 29, 1933
Arthur Monde and Albert F. Swimmer shared scholastic honors last night at the Freeport High School graduation. Monde, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip C. Monde, of 1145 High St., was the valedictorian and Swimmer was the salutatorian. Swimmer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Temple Swimmer, of 303 Manley St.
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Morgue clip, July 16, 1933
BERKELEY, Calif.—The University of California announced today it has granted the Thomas E. Roselle scholarship to Albert F. Swimmer, of Freeport. The scholarship was established by Mr. Roselle, a graduate of the University who practiced law in Freeport for 42 years prior to his death in 1920. It is awarded to a Negro high school graduate who intends to pursue pre-law courses.
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Morgue clip, Aug. 3, 1933
Word was received here today of the arrest in Alamagordo, New Mexico, of Albert F. Swimmer of this city on a charge of disturbing the peace.
Swimmer, 18, apparently was on his way to California to enroll in the University of California. His parents said he left here 10 days ago for the coast with limited funds. He had received a scholarship to the University of California.
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Morgue clip, Aug. 6, 1933
Albert F. Swimmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Temple Swimmer of this city, was sentenced to 10 days in county jail in Alamagordo, New Mex., for disturbing the peace.
His parents said he was on the way to the University of California where he was to have enrolled next week. Mr. Swimmer said his son told him there was an altercation in a local restaurant. Swimmer had pleaded not guilty.
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Morgue clip, Dec. 13, 1936
BERKELEY, Calif.—(API)—A talented California fullback and a tough line combined to upset highly favored Stanford 7–0 today.
The game's only score came on a 101-yard runback of the kickoff opening the second half. Al Swimmer, big fullback for the University of California, scampered the length of the field.
But the lead was in peril all during the remainder of the second half. The California line had to hold off repeated thrusts of the Stanford team which managed to get down to the California 20 with ease but could never penetrate beyond the 17-yard line.
Stanford was a two touchdown favorite.
Albert Swimmer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Temple Swimmer, 303 Manley St., and is attending the University of California on a scholarship. He was a well-known football player at Freeport High and graduated second in his class with an A-average.
The senior Swimmer is employed by Houk's Barber Shop. Mrs. Swimmer is a teacher in the G.W. Carver Grade School. They will visit their son this Christmas as the result of a gift to the Swimmers by the Freeport Junior Chamber of Commerce.
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Morgue clip, June 6, 1937
The University of California student newspaper yesterday reported the marriage of Albert Swimmer, a graduate of Freeport High School who is attending the California institution, to Miss Martha Stratton.
The newspaper reported Miss Stratton and Mr. Swimmer eloped. She is the daughter of Robert Stratton, a former governor of the State of Washington. The couple was married in Arizona. California has a law against interracial marriages.
Swimmer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Temple Swimmer, of 303 Manley St. Swimmer will graduate next week. During his last three years at the University he was the starting fullback. He was the second leading ground gainer in the school's history and averaged 4.5 yards a carry.
His father said his son has been offered a contract by the Chicago Bears but may attend law school instead.
The elder Swimmer said his son, who was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary scholastic fraternity, has a fellowship from a national organization to the law school at the University of Iowa.
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Morgue clip, March 13, 1940
Albert F. Swimmer, of 140 California Ave., and F.T. Macdonald, of 32 Brighton Ave., were among the 235 persons who passed the state bar examination.
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Morgue clip, Sept. 15, 1941
Albert F. Swimmer was the main speaker at the Freeport Kiwanis Club at noon today. He spoke on "An Untapped Human Resource, the Negro Worker."
Swimmer said that "discrimination and racial bigotry" keep Negroes in low-paying jobs. He said federal figures reveal that Negroes have an average income of about half the average white worker's. Swimmer recently passed the state bar examination and is in practice with State Sen. Robert Wright.
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Morgue clip, Nov. 7, 1941
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Swimmer, of 140 California Ave., today announced the birth of their first child, Linda. Mrs. Swimmer is the former Martha Stratton. Mr. Swimmer, a local attorney, enlisted in the U.S. Navy last month and is a recruit at the Bainbridge Naval Training Station in Maryland.
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Morgue clip, April 16, 1943
HONOLULU—Steward Second Class Albert Swimmer of Freeport has been awarded the Navy Cross for heroism while on duty aboard the U.S.S. Covington, the Navy News Service reported this week.
Swimmer was the only man on an anti-aircraft detail who survived an enemy airplane attack. Despite serious leg wounds, Swimmer directed a makeshift crew which destroyed one attacking aircraft and damaged another. His commanding officer, Commander Frank C. Barnes, said Swimmer stayed at his post for six hours while the Covington was under attack.
Swimmer is in a base hospital at Pearl Harbor.
Swimmer is the husband of Mrs. Martha Swimmer, of 140 California Ave., and was on his third tour of duty with the Covington.
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Morgue clip, April 18, 1946
Albert F. Swimmer became the first Negro to serve on the city council in Freeport's history. He led the successful Veterans Group in a sweep of the five council seats.
Swimmer defeated Morgan B. Simms 2,345 to 2,088 in a bitterly contested campaign in the Second District. Swimmer had accused Simms, the incumbent, of "complete inability to react to the times." At one time he referred to Simms as "our Stone Age councilman."
The Second District is a residential area, long considered Freeport's finest. Swimmer was the target of some resentment when he moved into the district last year. But a bi-racial citizens group was formed and the opposition died down.
The other successful candidates ...
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Morgue clip, May 19, 1950
The author of several unsuccessful bills to eliminate discrimination in public places in the city, Councilman Albert F. Swimmer said in an interview today his faith remains strong in the "essential goodness" of Freeport residents.
Swimmer, the only Negro ever to serve on the council, said that with summer weather near he hopes to have the council adopt an ordinance that would prohibit local swimming pools from keeping Negroes from using their facilities.
"When I was a child I used to stand outside the gates on hot August days and watch kids from my school splashing in the pool," he said. "I don't want any more youngsters to suffer as I did, and I think my fellow councilmen will ..."
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Morgue clip, Oct. 3, 1952
Albert Swimmer, long active in the Democratic Party, announced his support of Dwight D. Eisenhower, at a luncheon of the Freeport Democrats for Eisenhower today.
Swimmer said he based his decision on "the inability of the Democratic Party to cope with the paramount issue of our times, civil rights."
Swimmer has been elected to the city council four times as an independent but has been closely connected with Democratic party affairs. Last year, he was unsuccessful in an attempt to push through the council an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in hotels, restaurants and other establishments offering their services to the public. At the time, he said his proposal was defeated because "local Democrats who had promised assistance refused to take a stand when the going got rough." At the luncheon, Chairman Robert F. Rockford, said ...
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Morgue clip, Aug. 3, 1954
A car driven by City Councilman Albert F. Swimmer of 69 Harvey St. struck a telephone pole and overturned last night on U.S. 43 north of Freeport.
Swimmer suffered head injuries and was reported in good condition in the Fairlawn Hospital. A passenger, Ruth Humphrey, of 42 Broad St., was treated for cuts and released.
Freeport police cited Swimmer for reckless driving.
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Morgue clip, Oct. 26, 1954
Magistrate Ann Rogers today dismissed reckless driving charges against City Councilman Albert F. Swimmer, 69 Harvey St., on motion of District Attorney Thomas Chambers.
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Morgue clip, May 15, 1955
City Councilman Albert F. Swimmer today was appointed to the city board of education by Mayor Sam Weale. He is the first Negro to serve on the board....
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Morgue clip, Sept. 7, 1956
A family squabble that began with a glass of spilled milk ended with pistol shots and the hospitalization with chest wounds of City Councilman Albert F. Swimmer, 69 Harvey St.
Police said Swimmer was found unconscious in the kitchen, his sobbing wife at his side. Police said Mrs. Swimmer told them that her husband had come home late last night and had asked her to get out of bed and prepare his dinner.
When she handed him a glass of milk, it slipped from his hand. He became angry and beat her, police said Mrs. Swimmer told them. Swimmer then took a pistol from his pocket and waved it at her. When she struggled with him the gun went off and a bullet struck him in the chest.
Police said Swimmer had been drinking heavily at a meeting at the George Washington Carver Club before he left for home.
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Morgue clip, Nov. 10, 1957
District Court today granted an uncontested divorce to Mrs. Albert Swimmer, 69 Harvey St.
Mrs. Swimmer had accused her husband of "habitual drinking, mental cruelty and behavior that embarrassed the family."
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Morgue clip, April 15, 1958
The George Washington Carver Club today presented its annual Good Citizen award to Albert Swimmer, 1405 Sunset Drive.
Swimmer was honored for his "constant work in behalf of better understanding between the races."
Dr. Frederick Y. Herbert, who made the award, said that Swimmer had been chosen because he represented the "new generation which is striving for equality of opportunity for Negroes so that they can move out of their poverty into the sunlight and share in the wealth of this country."
Swimmer is serving his seventh consecutive term in the City Council.
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Morgue clip, March 1, 1960
This is a campaign biography of Swimmer, a candidate for re-election to the City Council for his eighth term on the Fusion ticket:
Swimmer, 45, is an active attorney in Freeport. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and many civic clubs. In the service of his country he lost his right leg. He won a Navy Cross in World War II. He is the father of Linda, 18, a freshman at the state university, and Sam, 14. A star football player on the high school team, he was graduated from the University of California, where he also played football, and the School of Law at the University of Iowa.
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Morgue clip, April 17, 1960
The Fusion party retained its control of city hall by easily winning four of the five district races.
Its only defeat came in the Second District where Martin Gabel trounced Albert Swimmer, 7,503 to 4,654. The campaign in the district was described as the most bitter in the memory of local politicians.
Gabel had accused Swimmer of being "incapable of sober judgment." In turn, Swimmer had charged Gabel with "turning his back on the real problems of Freeport."
Swimmer, a veteran of local politics, had served seven consecutive terms on the city council. In his last term he had often constituted a minority of one in council votes. He had urged higher taxes and city-financed projects to stop what he described as the "growing decay of the city core."
In his campaign, he accused Gabel of "representing the lily whites of suburbia whose interests are barbecue pits, golf and bridge."
In the other district races ...
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Morgue clip, Dec. 15, 1965
The George Washington Carver Club today announced it will send four Freeport youngsters to Disneyland in California.
Albert F. Swimmer, the Club president, said the children, ages 8–12, were picked by teachers in the public schools. Their entire expenses will be borne by the Club.
"Most of these children have never been out of Freeport in their lives," he said....
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Morgue clip, July 5, 1969
Albert F. Swimmer, a local attorney, told members of the American Legion Post 156 last night that the "patriotism that is confined to flag saluting but not to patriotic acts is anti-American."
His remarks were made at the annual July 4 ceremonies at the Legion Hall. Swimmer, a decorated World War II hero, defined patriotic acts as ...
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Morgue clip, Sept. 21, 1971
Gov. William Buckley announced today he will appoint Albert F. Swimmer to the State Board of Education. Buckley said the board needs "new perspectives, new ways of looking at some of our persistent problems." Swimmer would be the first black to serve on the board ...
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Morgue clip, Nov. 25, 1975
A local attorney paid a return visit to the Freeport Kiwanis Club today after an absence of 35 years, and his speech touched off a harsh debate.
Albert F. Swimmer, former city councilman, political activist and decorated war hero, bluntly told the club members the day is not far off when "a huge social, economic and political revolution will take place.
"I'm talking about a revolution that will be caused by the unemployed, the poor and the oppressed who are now without a voice but won't be long finding one."
Swimmer recalled he had spoken in 1941 to the club about the failure of U.S. industry to use blacks.
"I reread that speech the other day and I found that the same things I said then could be said now. The only difference is that there are more than only black people involved, there is an entire group of abused, underused and forgotten people who will not stand for much more."
In the question period, Swimmer was asked to set a date for "the revolution." He replied:
"That kind of idiotic question indicates the attitude you men have toward this problem. Either you cannot or you will not take this matter seriously.
"Well, gentlemen, it's your turn now. But it won't be for very long."
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Morgue clip, May 3, 1976
Albert F. Swimmer, a local attorney and long a maverick within the Democratic party locally, today urged his fellow party members to support Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"He's a winner," Swimmer said in telegrams sent to members of the Democratic State Central Committee, of which he is a member. "We must get aboard the victory train now or be left behind when our needs must be considered," he wired....
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Morgue clip, Nov. 1, 1978
Albert F. Swimmer, a local attorney and former city councilman, said he will fly to New Jersey tomorrow to spend the last days of the campaign working for Bill Bradley, a former basketball player who is the Democratic candidate for United States Senator.
Swimmer said he intends to campaign "among the people Bradley can help most, the minority groups." He said he met Bradley several years ago on a business trip to New York City when Bradley was playing for the New York Knicks.
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Morgue clip, Dec. 12, 1983
Albert F. Swimmer, a local attorney, said today he will open headquarters here for the presidential campaign of Walter F. Mondale, the vice president under President Jimmy Carter.
Asked why he had decided to support Mondale, Swimmer replied, "The country has seen enough of Ronald Reagan and his utter disregard for the poor and the afflicted. We need a man of understanding and compassion back in the White House."
He added that he hoped that "my old friend, Bill Bradley of New Jersey, will be Mondale's running mate." Bradley was elected to the U.S. Senate on the Democratic ticket in 1978. Swimmer went to New Jersey to campaign for Bradley.
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Morgue clip, Jan. 14, 1987
Albert F. Swimmer, former city council member and long a Democratic Party local leader, said he is considering running for the city council.
He said local government "needs someone who will try to stop the almighty dollar from being the dominant voice in city hall." He said he referred specifically to the "steady pressure on the elderly and the working people that is forcing them out of their homes."
Swimmer was a member of the city council for ...
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Morgue clip, Feb. 18, 1987
Albert F. Swimmer today took himself out of the race for city council.
Swimmer, 72, said that he saw little chance that "Freeport would support a person who sees race and class as destructive." In an interview, Swimmer, the city's first black councilman, said his election in 1946 "was a sign of hope, an indication the people wanted to solve these persistent problems.
"But now, some 40 years later, those hopes are gone. I am leaving the campaign more in sadness than in anger...."
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Morgue clip, Feb. 9, 1988
Local Democratic leaders appear to favor the presidential candidacy of Michael S. Dukakis over his leading opponents.
An informal poll of political opinion shows that Dukakis has at least half of the city's party leadership behind him with several others indicating their support will soon be announced.
Among the 20 Democratic leaders interviewed, Dukakis had 10 definite supporters, four probables and two swinging his way. Sen. Albert Gore had three behind him and Jesse Jackson trailed with one, Albert F. Swimmer.
Swimmer was the most outspoken of those interviewed.
"Of course, I'm the only one in the party establishment who will come out and say Jackson is the only candidate fit for the presidency," Swimmer said. "Everyone in the establishment is scared silly that a black man at the top of the ticket will wreck the party.
"Also, they know that Jackson is not going to play ball with them because he is tuned in to those who have never had power before...."
Note in file from Bob Phelps, reporter. 3/18/88
Swimmer tells me he is under a lot of pressure to stay with Jesse Jackson but figures Jackson "will never get the nomination." "Why chase a rainbow?" he said. Keep in touch with him.
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Morgue clip, Nov. 24, 1989
Martha Lupton, 69 Harvey St., died last night at her home after a long illness. She was 72 years old and had been hospitalized for cancer of the liver until a week ago when she returned home.
Mrs. Lupton was the former wife of Arthur F. Swimmer, and two years after their divorce in 1957 she married Arthur Lupton, a retired executive with the B. C. Krebs Manufacturing Co....
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Morgue clip, Jan. 25, 1990
Freeport politicians and citizens turned out last night to pay tribute to Albert F. Swimmer on the 75th birthday of the civic leader and civil rights pioneer.
Mayor Sam Parnass described Swimmer as a "local treasure of national stature." More than 250 people dined on chicken kiev at the $150 a plate dinner at the Regis Hotel ballroom. Proceeds were donated to local child care centers at Swimmer's request.
Swimmer, still vigorous and outspoken, warned his listeners: "We still have enormous work to do in eradicating that seemingly permanent stain on the American character, racism. The question before us is whether it is indelible. I grow less optimistic with the years...."
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Morgue clip, Oct. 5, 1992
Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton will campaign in Freeport Oct. 25 after he completes a California tour.
Albert F. Swimmer, head of the local Clinton headquarters, said Clinton had agreed to make the unscheduled stop in response to a personal plea Swimmer made.
"I told him that Freeport is a model of great achievements in racial harmony and in the enormous work that remains to be done," Swimmer said, "and that it is a symbol of what Clinton can do with his message of healing...."
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Morgue clip, Jan. 25, 1993
Albert F. Swimmer, former city councilman and major local Democratic leader, today said President Bill Clinton has promised to return to Freeport later this year.
Swimmer, Clinton's guest at the inauguration in Washington, said Clinton was grateful for the large vote he received locally and in the state....
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Morgue clip, May 10, 1995
Long-time Democratic Party leader Albert F. Swimmer said yesterday his party "might have to foresake President Clinton for renomination."
In a luncheon talk at the Kiwanis Club, Swimmer said the party "needs a stronger voice to oppose the heartless, greed-driven opposition." But Swimmer left the door open for Clinton: "If the president returns to the populism that marked his run for the presidency in 1992, and that he reaffirmed in his visit to Freeport the following year, then we will have a fighter for the principles the Democratic Party has always stood for."
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Morgue Clip Dec. 23, 1998
Albert F. Swimmer, the local Democratic Party's senior statesman, today called on party leaders to "begin now the hunt for a national leader who will embrace traditional Democratic policies."
Speaking at a fund-raising dinner, Swimmer said, "We see in the people a hunger for good education for their children, safety for social security, a thriving economy and fair play for all members of society. This is what we call a liberal political policy."
He said that too many people cannot afford good health care and that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing.
"The Democratic Party has been drifting toward the middle of the spectrum," Swimmer said. "We have forgotten our heritage of populism and the New and Fair Deals."
In an interview following his talk to the $100-a-plate diners, Swimmer would not endorse a specific candidate....
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Morgue clip, Feb. 14, 1999
Albert F. Swimmer, long-time local Democratic leader, said today the "nation now must unite behind its leaders in the White House and Congress."
He described the impeachment and trial of President Clinton in a news release as "our partisan nightmare." Swimmer said, "The nation can give thanks sanity prevailed."
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Morgue clip, April 6, 2002
Albert F. Swimmer, Freeport's elder political statesman, is turning his back on politics.
"I've had it," he said in a lengthy interview at his home. "I just cannot become engaged any longer. What I see, what I read and what I hear is too depressing," the 87-year-old patriarch of Freeport Democratic politics said.
"We are witnessing the complete takeover by the special interests. Where is the anger? Where is the political will to speak out against those who would despoil our land, air and water? How can we rest easy when so many children are born into poverty, so many families have no health coverage?..."
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Morgue clip, Aug. 16, 2004
The Joshua Baptist Church awarded Albert F. Swimmer its Lifetime Achievement Award in ceremonies yesterday in which Swimmer was lauded as "the spokesman for the unheard."
In accepting the award, Swimmer, who has practiced law in Freeport for more than 60 years with time out for service in World War II, said his work remains undone.
"Need I remind you that we have an administration in Washington that camouflages its reactionary agenda with a sheen of morality," he told more than 100 in attendance.
Swimmer said, "A polarization is taking place because we have an administration that does not believe in uniting its citizens but in dividing them along social, religious and political lines."
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Morgue clip Nov. 4, 2004
The Freeport News asked leading Democrats and Republicans in Freeport for their comments on the re-election of George W. Bush as president:
Felix Parrington, chairman of Bush for President:
"The issue of moral values was paramount in the minds of voters. People heeded the words of faith. They also believe in a strong America, a strong leader who will keep this country safe." …
Albert F. Swimmer, long-time Democratic Party leader:
"The results prove that more Americans believe in the Virgin Birth than in Darwinian evolution. And it is a worrisome sign of the lack of interest in politics by the 18-24-year-olds, the majority of whom failed to exercise their right to vote. Something is amiss in our educational system." …
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Morgue clip July 19, 2007
Albert F. Swimmer, long-time Democratic party leader in Freeport and outspoken civil rights leader, was hospitalized last night with an undisclosed illness...
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In search of anecdotes and some background material you call the president of the George Washington Carver Club, Matthew Bennington Rogers, who tells you: Al used to have a wonderful sense of humor, but in the last few years he was more and more worried. You fellows didn't cover a talk he gave here three months ago, but none of us who heard it will forget a few of the things he said. Wait a minute, I think I jotted it down and put it in a drawer. Yes, here it is: He told us that he was in despair that African Americans were the victims of racism that infects the entire society.
Incidentally, not many people know this—and your people refused to carry it when we sent in an announcement two years ago—but Al set up a $1,000 college scholarship award to the best African-American student in town. Said it was a repayment of a sort for his scholarship. He told me it was his move toward "compensatory payments" that he hoped would catch on. Guess it didn't. We're cooperating with the First Baptist Church tomorrow at 11 a.m. services. He will be buried in our cemetery, Carver Cemetery, at 2 p.m. that afternoon. By the way, in your story last month about the Black Parents Association wanting the schools to ban several books, you remember that Al voted against the association. He got a lot of criticism from blacks for that. He was a man of principle. You call Gabel, Swimmer's 1960 election opponent, who says: Al Swimmer was an unprincipled character, I'm sorry to say. I don't like to speak ill of the dead, but he drank too much, was intemperate and had regard only for himself. You notice how well he lived? Check the cost of his place—he paid $60,000 when a dollar was worth something. You notice the Cadillac he drove around? Did you know that he was earning twice as much as most lawyers in town with that colored practice? He bled in public for blacks, but in private he bled them. Sure, it's sad he had to go like he did. But he knew what he was doing and could have stopped any time. Say, don't quote me on any of this. Just say that Freeport has lost a sincere and beloved public servant. |