Controversial conference idea rejected again

Academic Council not interested in exploring "imaginative history"

For the third time in as many months, the University's Academic Council denied funding for Dr. Charles Lowry's controversial conference entitled "Reconstructing the Civil War: If the South Won…"

At a meeting Monday night in the Law Center, Dr. Lowry, professor of Civil War studies at Ole Miss, presented the third draft of his proposal for a four-day, university-sponsored conference that would attract scholars of American history and war to study the potential effects of the United States and the world had the Confederate army won the Civil War.

The Academic Council — comprised of a specially selected board, faculty members and a student panel — spent little time rejecting Lowry's proposal on the basis that it lacked intellectual merit.

"As I've said before, that claim is ridiculous," Lowry stated to a room of 45 delegates and nearly 50 supporters, skeptics and students. "There is a wealth of merit to be found in exploring the flipside of the coin. Why do we study scientific theories and hypotheses? Why are we interested in the Big Bang Theory or wormholes in outer space? Are we only to investigate that which we know to be true, that which is easy for us to understand?"

Council chairman Brett Matthews responded, "What you're proposing is an imaginative history, Dr. Lowry. I think I speak for everyone when I say that our university and the rest of the academic world would benefit far more by focusing on actual history, the sort which our ancestors fought and died to make a reality and which continues to affect our views today."

"I think the academic world would prefer you not use your lack of foresight and your rampant patriotic clichés to decry progressive education," Lowry replied sharply.

After a call to order, Lowry was reprimanded for his behavior, and the proceedings continued in other matters.

After the meeting, the observers' opinions were divided.

[T]he University of Mississippi is not interested in propagating the idea that the South should have won the war.

Academic Council Chairman Brett Matthews

"I'm as true a Southerner as anybody, but some of the things Lowry wants to do are just plain crazy," said Trey Bradford, a junior political science major from Biloxi who was present at the meeting.

"Some of his ideas are quite intriguing," said Phillip Jenkins, professor of history. "I know I would be front and center for the re-enactment of the Battle of Shiloh, where Beauregard runs Grant out of town and the South blocks the Union advance on the Mississippi River."

Aside from the battle re-enactment, Lowry's conference proposes such lectures and panel discussions as "Hall of Southern Presidents: Imagining the Model for Strong Western Leadership," "Hog Jowls and Corn Whiskey: Hosting the 20th Century World Party" and "Civil Rites: The Evolution of Slavery."

Many noted scholars have already pledged their participation in the conference, which was scheduled for mid-July of next year.

"We have no doubt that Lowry could concoct an interesting conference. If you've read his books, you'll see he has many fantastic theories and ideas about the Civil War," said Matthews in a post-meeting interview.

"But it comes down to the fact that the University of Mississippi is not interested in propagating the idea that the South should have won the war or that the South's interests in the war are worthy of glamorization," Matthews continued. "We'll leave that to the numerous Confederate organizations and rednecks who won't let go of the South's loss."

Lowry, however, stands by his proposal.

"Obviously, Matthews and the rest of the so-called Academic Council have very little understanding of the Civil War and the Southern stance in that war," Lowry said in response. "But their reaction to my proposal is typical. People shun and denounce what they don't understand, even in a setting of higher learning such as this."

Added Lowry, "Part of my hope for this conference was to cure some of this misunderstanding about the Civil War and to explore how it affects us so many generations later."

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Arrest in severed hand murder

Victim's in-laws voice support for accused killer

A mild-mannered nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital was arrested yesterday evening for the July 4 killing of mechanic Andrew Fine, whose body was found buried in a field on Reagle Farm Road more than a week later.

Dudley Brinkman, 39, was arrested for murder at his home in Oxford. Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's investigators say Brinkman shot Fine in a pre-dawn attack at an abandoned farmhouse near the crime scene.

Brinkman and Cynthia Fine dated in high school but had not been in close contact recently, investigators say.
 
Cynthia Fine reported her husband missing after the holiday weekend ended and he failed to return home for work Monday morning, said Elizabeth Jones, information officer for the department.

A night of violence

Jones declined to specify the evidence against Brinkman but did say investigators are confident they know what happened the night Andrew Fine was murdered.

At a brief press conference announcing the arrest, assistant district attorney Calvin Dollarhide said Brinkman had allegedly been stalking Andrew and Cynthia Fine for an extended period including on the night of the murder.

That night, Dollarhide said, Brinkman allegedly followed the Fines to their Yocona house where he later shot Andrew Fine to death.

A source close to the investigation said Brinkman claims he was acting in defense of Cynthia Fine when he shot Andrew Fine, but Jones would not comment on whether detectives have found any evidence supporting that claim.

History of spousal abuse?

Although Andrew Fine was never cited for domestic abuse, his violent treatment of Cynthia Fine was well known, according to Robyn Campbell Dykman, Cynthia's sister.

Dykman has pledged to contribute to Brinkman's legal defense, saying the circumstances of the crime warrant a reduced charge.

"It's terrible Andy was murdered — no one deserves that — but I can't say I want him back," she said.

Cynthia Fine declined to be interviewed, but released a one-sentence statement, saying, "I will always love my husband and believe he deserves the Lord's mercy and a place at His side in heaven."

An unlikely killer

Dudley Brinkman, now behind bars

Brinkman has no prior criminal record, and colleagues at the hospital reacted in shock to the news of his arrest, describing him as competent, gentle, and compassionate.

"He never talked much, but people would calm right down with him," said emergency room nursing supervisor Annette Cleary, who worked with Brinkman. "Being in the cardiac unit can be painful and stressful for the patients and their families, but he had a way of soothing them."

A call to the residence where Brinkman lives with his mother was answered by a man who identified himself as Reverend Gideon Horner of Trinity Church. Rev. Horner said Mrs. Brinkman was too distraught to speak to anyone and asked for privacy and prayers in this difficult time.

The district attorney's office has not determined whether to seek the death penalty in the case and refused to speculate on the possibility of a plea bargain or the credibility of the alleged mitigating circumstances.

A preliminary hearing is set for August 11, 2014.

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Body found on area farm identified

Victim had been missing for a week

The body unearthed last week near a field off Reagle Farm Road has been identified as that of Andrew Fine, 40, of Oxford, the sheriff's department confirmed this morning. Fine had been reported missing on July 7, 2014.

The body was found on the property of Johnny Reagle, who was arrested July 14 after brandishing a severed hand at Duffy's Bar & Grill.

Reagle led authorities to the body, which was buried in a shallow grave at the edge of his field.

Subsequent tests have confirmed that the remains and the hand belong to the same person, said Elizabeth Jones, public information officer for the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Jones said the case was being pursued as a criminal investigation, but declined to comment further.

Fine worked as a mechanic at Laughlin Automotive and Body Shop. A 1992 graduate of Yoknapatawpha County High School, he served for two years in the U.S. Navy before returning to Oxford in 1994.

Surviving him are his wife, Cindy, and a brother, Carl, both of Oxford; his mother, Grace Fine, of Gainesville, Fla.; and a sister, Antoinette Walton, also of Gainesville.

Cindy Fine, interviewed by telephone, confirmed that she had helped investigators identify the remains as her husband's and said she was in "absolute shock" over his death.

An active member of Trinity Church, she said her deep faith and the friendships she'd formed through the church were helping sustain her.

"I've always viewed suffering as a test, and this is the biggest test of all," said Fine.

Carl Fine, the victim's brother, could not be reached for comment.

Burial will be private, and Cindy Fine requested donations to Trinity Church in lieu of flowers.

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Body Found on Area Farm

Connection to severed hand unknown

The scene on Reagle Farm Road

Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's investigators reportedly uncovered a body buried on an Oxford area farm.

The body was found late Monday on property belonging to John Reagle, a local farmer who was arrested Monday in possession of a human hand.

The Sheriff's Department confirmed Wednesday afternoon that although Reagle later claimed it was only a strange root, he did, in fact, have a human hand in the plastic storage container he brought to Duffy's Bar & Grill the night of July 13.

Neighbors of the Reagle Farm say several members of the Sheriff's Department spent most of the day Monday at a location along the private dirt road known as Reagle Farm Road.

Authorities were apparently excavating an area alongside Reagle's cotton field and Reagle was reportedly present during the excavation.

Sheriff's Public Information Officer Elizabeth Jones declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body or on whether the body found on Reagle's farm is connected to the hand Reagle had in his possession when he was arrested.

Jones refused to release any details about the body, but said an autopsy would be performed to determine the identity and cause of death.

Reagle, who was released on bail this morning, did not return calls requesting comment.

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YCSD seeks witnesses

Authorities asking for public's help in missing persons case

The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department says Oxonian Andrew Fine was reported missing by his wife, Cindy, on Monday, July 7, 2014.

Fine, 40, is 5' 10", 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a light colored short-sleeved shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes when last seen.

Fine's last known whereabouts were at Duffy's Bar & Grill, 2201 Jackson Avenue West the night of July 3.

However, sheriff's investigators say they have an unconfirmed report Fine was seen in the Papa John's parking lot at the corner of Jackson Avenue West and Hathorn Road around 1:30 a.m. on July 4.

Investigators are asking anyone who was at Duffy's Bar & Grill the night of July 3 or who was in the area of Jackson Avenue West and Hathorn Road on July 4 between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. to contact them at 234-XXXX. All calls will be kept confidential.

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Area farmer arrested after brandishing severed hand

Whereabouts of rest of body, alive or dead, unknown

Local cotton farmer John Reagle was arrested Sunday night at Duffy's Bar and Grill after displaying what he claimed was a human hand to other patrons. Reagle, 43, is a longtime resident of the Oxford area and was described as a regular at Duffy's.

The Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department verified Monday morning that they had taken Reagle into custody, but declined to provide details on the charges.

Public Information Officer Elizabeth Jones said by telephone that the alleged hand had been taken into evidence for further analysis.
Jones would not say whether the hand had been confirmed as human, or if it is human, whether investigators believe the person it belongs to is still alive or may have been the victim of foul play.

Duffy's bartender, Patrick Mulvaney, said he contacted authorities after observing Reagle showing the hand to several customers.

"He had it in one of those plastic containers like you keep leftovers in," said Mulvaney. "He kept showing that thing to people, and at first, I thought it was just a joke. But some people were getting upset, and when I got a look at it myself, I knew something just wasn't right."

Several Duffy's employees said Reagle had told them that the hand belonged to his former girlfriend, who reportedly has not been seen in Oxford since June.

The same employees added that the hand did not appear to them to be a woman's hand, but said they did not get a close enough look to be sure because Reagle never took the hand out of the plastic container or opened the container to let them get a closer look.

Witnesses who had seen the hand described it as "dirty" and "a weird color." One Duffy's customer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Reagle had opened a corner of the container for him and "the smell was so bad, I almost puked right there on the spot."

Reagle's first court appearance is scheduled for later today.

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