DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Student protests, May-December 1971 | 1971-05-13 Des Moines RegisterArticles: ""Friendly Students Praise Patrol Efforts at U of I"" Page 2

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Student protests, May-December 1971

1971-05-13 Des Moines RegisterArticles: ""Friendly Students Praise Patrol Efforts at U of I"" Page 2

"Friendly Students Praise ..." DMR 5/13/71

versity property from the clash continued to mount. 
The greatest dollar damage was inflicted upon 48 U of I parking meters located in the men's dormitory complex. University officials estimated total damage to the meters at $3,120. Each meter costs about $65. 
Some 35 meters not damaged were removed from the area Wednesday morning by U of I physical plant personnel. 
Members of the mob apparently smashed the meters to raise money for a bail fund to gain release of those arrested early Wednesday morning. Police reported eight arrests were made during the three hour incident. 
U of I officials said money from the damaged meters had been collected late Tuesday evening - before any sign of trouble had developed - so little money was taken by the vandals. 
U of I dormitory officials estimates a total of $1,290 worth of damage was inflicted on the dormitory buildings. This was in addition to the $1,000 damage caused by disorders on Monday night in the same area.
Also, about $150 damage was done to retaining walls in the area where young people dug up hunks of concrete to heave at highway patrolmen and at some 30 members of the press. 
Traffic Signs
Iowa City Public Works Director Ralph Speer estimated that between $800 and $1,000 in damage was caused to three traffic signals and traffic signs at the intersection of U.S Highway 218 (Riverside Drive) at the Burlington Street Bridge, just in front of the dorm complex. 
The amount of damage to private automobiles parked in the area is unknown. 
The rampage had little, if anything, to do with an anti-war protest. Once, when highway patrolmen grouped on the Burlington Street Bridge before moving up a hill to the dormitories, people began shouting antiwar slogans. 
The taunting and harassing, instead, was aimed directly at the lawmen for what had occurred Monday night.
At that time, Johnson County sheriff's deputies and Iowa City police led charges into groups of students, routing them with tear gas. Many sleeping men students - unaware that there was trouble on campus - were awakened by the tear gas fumes. 
Police aimed tear gas canister and "pepper gas" directly inside the residence halls, angering most of the people who live there. 
Few Complaints 
Although the Highway Patrol used at least five canisters of tear gas outside the dormitories in the early Wednesday morning clash, there were only a few complaints from students about the manner in which the patrolmen broke up the melee. 
Iowa City police were on hand - at one time they massed in a street near the dorms with carbine rifles in hand - but were not called into action. Johnson County sheriff's deputies were not in the immediate area during the night. 
The sound of exploding fireworks created a warlike atmosphere. Observers said the barrage of missiles from dormitory rooftops and windows was unparalleled in recent campus unrest here. 
"You can't compare what happened last year and what is happening now," said Patrol Captain Dickinson. "This is much more severe."
Dickinson promised a "get tough" policy if any further disorders developed. 
"I think they're playing games." he added. "There will be no more playing games on the part of the Highway Patrol."
Patrolmen Hurt 
At least 16 patrolmen suffered injuries during the incident. Six were treated at University Hospitals and another 10 received minor injuries requiring no medical attention. 
Patrolman Richard Weidman of Griswold suffered a shoulder injury when struck by a piece of concrete. Dickinson said the patrolman's shoulder may be immobile for up to three weeks. 
Trooper Jerry Lewis of Greenfield suffered an eye injury when a firecracker exploded in his face, Dickinson said. 
At least three students were treated at University Hospitals for injuries suffered during the night. 
University officials also confirmed that no bomb was discovered in Hillcrest men's dormitory during the night. 
A bomb threat was called in about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, necessitating the evacuation of Hillcrest and the Quadrangle. Hundreds of persons poured outdoors and soon were being tempted into the streets by young people shouting. "Come join us."
Set Up Barricades
About 150 marched to the highway, setting up barricades constructed of concrete blocks, pipes and lumber being used for a sewer project in the dorm area. Following those putting up barricades were students who cleaned up the debris in the streets. 
As many as 1,000 persons watched the mob in the intersection toppling traffic signals and pulling down traffic signs. Some offered moral support by cheering the mob, but most watched in disbelief. 
Those arrested, according to police, included David McCuskey, who reportedly was picked up by officers in his car near the bridge. Police identified him as the U of I's wrestling coach. He was charged with intoxication. 
Others arrested and the charges against them:
Stephen Quick, assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Stanley J. Mortenson, 22, of Iowa City, disorderly conduct; Roger Bishop, Mitchellville, disobeying a police officer; Mark Schumacher, 20, of Iowa City, assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Keith Barringer, West Bend, Wis., assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Donald C. Lee, 28, of Iowa City , reckless driving, and Frank D. Fines, 19, of Iowa City, drunken driving. 
Police said the windows in Lee's car all were shattered when he was arrested. He allegedly drove his car through the barricade and the students. His car was pelted with rocks. 

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"Friendly Students Praise ..." DMR 5/13/71 versity property from the clash continued to mount. The greatest dollar damage was inflicted upon 48 U of I parking meters located in the men's dormitory complex. University officials estimated total damage to the meters at $3,120. Each meter costs about $65. Some 35 meters not damaged were removed from the area Wednesday morning by U of I physical plant personnel. Members of the mob apparently smashed the meters to raise money for a bail fund to gain release of those arrested early Wednesday morning. Police reported eight arrests were made during the three hour incident. U of I officials said money from the damaged meters had been collected late Tuesday evening - before any sign of trouble had developed - so little money was taken by the vandals. U of I dormitory officials estimates a total of $1,290 worth of damage was inflicted on the dormitory buildings. This was in addition to the $1,000 damage caused by disorders on Monday night in the same area. Also, about $150 damage was done to retaining walls in the area where young people dug up hunks of concrete to heave at highway patrolmen and at some 30 members of the press. Traffic Signs Iowa City Public Works Director Ralph Speer estimated that between $800 and $1,000 in damage was caused to three traffic signals and traffic signs at the intersection of U.S Highway 218 (Riverside Drive) at the Burlington Street Bridge, just in front of the dorm complex. The amount of damage to private automobiles parked in the area is unknown. The rampage had little, if anything, to do with an anti-war protest. Once, when highway patrolmen grouped on the Burlington Street Bridge before moving up a hill to the dormitories, people began shouting antiwar slogans. The taunting and harassing, instead, was aimed directly at the lawmen for what had occurred Monday night. At that time, Johnson County sheriff's deputies and Iowa City police led charges into groups of students, routing them with tear gas. Many sleeping men students - unaware that there was trouble on campus - were awakened by the tear gas fumes. Police aimed tear gas canister and "pepper gas" directly inside the residence halls, angering most of the people who live there. Few Complaints Although the Highway Patrol used at least five canisters of tear gas outside the dormitories in the early Wednesday morning clash, there were only a few complaints from students about the manner in which the patrolmen broke up the melee. Iowa City police were on hand - at one time they massed in a street near the dorms with carbine rifles in hand - but were not called into action. Johnson County sheriff's deputies were not in the immediate area during the night. The sound of exploding fireworks created a warlike atmosphere. Observers said the barrage of missiles from dormitory rooftops and windows was unparalleled in recent campus unrest here. "You can't compare what happened last year and what is happening now," said Patrol Captain Dickinson. "This is much more severe." Dickinson promised a "get tough" policy if any further disorders developed. "I think they're playing games." he added. "There will be no more playing games on the part of the Highway Patrol." Patrolmen Hurt At least 16 patrolmen suffered injuries during the incident. Six were treated at University Hospitals and another 10 received minor injuries requiring no medical attention. Patrolman Richard Weidman of Griswold suffered a shoulder injury when struck by a piece of concrete. Dickinson said the patrolman's shoulder may be immobile for up to three weeks. Trooper Jerry Lewis of Greenfield suffered an eye injury when a firecracker exploded in his face, Dickinson said. At least three students were treated at University Hospitals for injuries suffered during the night. University officials also confirmed that no bomb was discovered in Hillcrest men's dormitory during the night. A bomb threat was called in about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, necessitating the evacuation of Hillcrest and the Quadrangle. Hundreds of persons poured outdoors and soon were being tempted into the streets by young people shouting. "Come join us." Set Up Barricades About 150 marched to the highway, setting up barricades constructed of concrete blocks, pipes and lumber being used for a sewer project in the dorm area. Following those putting up barricades were students who cleaned up the debris in the streets. As many as 1,000 persons watched the mob in the intersection toppling traffic signals and pulling down traffic signs. Some offered moral support by cheering the mob, but most watched in disbelief. Those arrested, according to police, included David McCuskey, who reportedly was picked up by officers in his car near the bridge. Police identified him as the U of I's wrestling coach. He was charged with intoxication. Others arrested and the charges against them: Stephen Quick, assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Stanley J. Mortenson, 22, of Iowa City, disorderly conduct; Roger Bishop, Mitchellville, disobeying a police officer; Mark Schumacher, 20, of Iowa City, assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Keith Barringer, West Bend, Wis., assault with intent to commit great bodily injury; Donald C. Lee, 28, of Iowa City , reckless driving, and Frank D. Fines, 19, of Iowa City, drunken driving. Police said the windows in Lee's car all were shattered when he was arrested. He allegedly drove his car through the barricade and the students. His car was pelted with rocks. p.2 (of 3)