This article was originally published in the Nov. 19, 1954, Houston Chronicle. "Honey Hush" was written and recorded by Kansas City, Missouri, bluesman Big Joe Turner in 1953. The article does not make clear if the version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was Turner's or Bill Haley's version, both released in 1954. The Clovers -- better known for their 1959 hit "Love Potion No. 9" -- recorded "Little Mama" in 1953. HPD Chief Jack Heard was elected Harris County sheriff in 1972.

The boy was shuffling his feet to the rhythm of a bop tune when the cops walked in.

He was just one of 50 to 75 Lanier Junior High School students, most of whom were holding an impromptu bop session in the watermelon stand at 1800 Westheimer, across from the school.

Curb on teen-agers

The cops were crime prevention division officers, out checking the activities of juveniles. Chief Jack Heard has standing orders that a closer curb be kept on the city's teen-agers, part of a program to curb delinquency among minors.

The kids were feeding nickles to the jukebox, which responded with such tunes -- identified by the youngsters -- as "Shake, Rattle and Roll," "The Little Mama," and "Honey Hush."

No dancing permit

The boy watched as the officers checked John Hatcher, 56, for his dancing permit. Hatcher didn't have one. The cops arrested him.

They took six of the kids in to make statements. The boy was among them. They made the statements. Hatcher made a $25 cash bond on a corporation court charge of allowing dancing in an "unlawful place."

Couldn't dance

The boy with the nervous feet was slightly embarrassed.

Just before his parents, along with the parents of the other five, came for him, he told why.

"I can't really dance," he confided. "I just went there to watch."