710. ELDRIDGE CLEAVER (1936-1998) Black American social activist. Sent to prison in 1958 on a charge of assault with intent to kill, Cleaver served nine years and wrote "Soul on Ice," a series of powerful essays outlining his views on race in America. Cleaver also became a founding member and information minister for the Black Panthers, but after being wounded by police in a shootout, he fled overseas. Cleaver returned to the U.S. in 1975, embraced Christianity, and became an ardent anti-communist. Outstanding A.Ms. (unsigned), 1p. 4to., April 6, 1987, a diary entry noting the anniversary of the death of fellow Black Panther Bobby Hutton. In part: "This is the anniversary of the shootout in which Bobby Hutton was killed. Ulhurn House is staging a Free Huey [Newton] Rally featuring Omali Yeshitela, Charles Gary and Dollie Mae Hutton...sponsored by African People's Socialist Party...I will not be there -- because they reject me, not vice-versa. One wonders: Will there ever be a day of reckoning for all the lies and twisted information put out against me by the noble reformers of the left..." On April 6, 1967, Black Panther members (including Cleaver and the deceased Hutton) became involved in a shootout with the Oakland Police in which three policemen were severely wounded. In the melee, Cleaver was wounded and Bobby Hutton was killed. Later, startling testimony by Oakland police officer Lt. Hilliard, revealed that Hutton was Hilliard's prisoner and that he was handcuffed from the back when placed under arrest. Testimony from other Oakland policemen corroborated Hilliard's statement and supported the theory that Hutton was murdered by rogue cops while in custody. Cleaver faced up to 82 years in prison for his involvement in the shootout, but the case fell apart when the truth behind Hutton's death was revealed. Accompanied by an unpublished Polaroid photo of Cleaver in a beret and army jacket. Very good. $700-900