The Destination Freedom episode "The Story of 1875," aired on August 29, 1948, as episode 10 on Chicago’s WMAQ radio. Written by Richard Durham, it dramatizes the life of Senator Charles Caldwell, an African-American Reconstruction-era politician and militia leader in Mississippi who fought for civil rights and against white supremacist violence. The 29-minute episode highlights Caldwell’s defiance of the Ku Klux Klan and his tragic assassination in 1875, reflecting the broader struggle for racial justice during Reconstruction’s collapse. Known for its bold storytelling, the series aimed to challenge stereotypes about African-Americans.
(00:47) Introduction to Destination Freedom
(01:09) The Story of Charles Caldwell Begins
(04:07) New Year's Night and the Reconstruction Vision
(08:07) Challenges to Reconstruction
(12:12) The Growing Threat of Violence
(16:57) Organizing for Defense and Education
(19:06) The Crucial Election and Its Aftermath
(24:34) The Assassination of Charles Caldwell
(27:34) Legacy of Charles Caldwell