Readers of Summary Justice will remember Charles Nutter, the 20-year-old journalism student who stayed next to James Scott during the dreadful hour when Scott was marched to Stewart Bridge and lynched. Nutter is high on my list of unsung heroes. He pleaded with the mob that night, trying to save Scott's life. He then reported honestly on what he saw in articles in the Columbia Missourian; and at the trial of George Barkwell (a leader of the mob) he gave firm, courageous testimony. He was thoroughly hated by many Columbians for this good behavior and was undoubtedly in physical danger.
As a member of the James T. Scott Monument Committee, I've been searching for Nutter's descendants, hoping to find one who could be publicly thanked and recognized for what Nutter did back in 1923. Last night I had the pleasure of talking with Charles W. Nutter, Charles P's son. It was a remarkable conversation for several reasons. Charles P. Nutter didn't discuss the Scott lynching with his family, and Charles W. knew about it chiefly through a single newspaper article that tells only a fragment of the story. He was pleased to hear that we would be able to flesh out the picture for him, and pleased that his father would be recognized for his character and courage. But Charles W. could tell me a good deal I didn't know about his father's courage in later life. He told me about a confrontation with Joseph Stalin and a meeting with Agosto Sandino, godfather of the Sandinista movement.
Charles W. is now trying to rearrange his schedule so that he can come to the April 30 event where his father will be recognized and a proper monument will be placed on Scott's grave. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
