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The Augusta Riot — 54 Years Later
Singer James Brown Called to the Rescue
The following excerpt is from my book, “Against All Odds—The Donnie Hixon Story: Burt Reynolds’ Stunt Double in ‘The Longest Yard.’” — Stan Byrdy
Monday, May 4th, 1970, is a date that lives in infamy in American history. In the wake of mass protests and heightened tensions over the war in Cambodia, Ohio National Guardsmen fired into a group of protesters at Kent State University.
Sixty-seven shots rang out over 13 seconds. Four students were killed, and nine others were wounded in the shootings. The university closed for six weeks. America was on edge.
Donnie Hixon also remembers May 4th, 1970, as the date he underwent surgery at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, to remove torn cartilage in his left knee.
Hixon spent the weekend in rehab at his residence. The shootings at Kent State were top of mind in the news. Little did he know that events in Augusta would soon rock the city.
Dark Day in Augusta History
On Saturday, May 9th, 1970, a 16-year old, mentally ill black youth, Charles Outman, was found brutally murdered in the Richmond County jail in Augusta.
City councilman Grady Abrams subsequently viewed the teen’s body at Mays Funeral Home, and…
