Category Archives: History

Pen & Ink drawing by Jeffrey Yentz

The answer to today’s trivia is (C.) Charles Evers.  Special thanks to local artist/architect, Jeffrey Yentz, for being kind enough to draw another portrait and write another narrative for our trivia!

You can hear Mr. Evers on the airwaves of West Jackson-based WMPR (90.1 FM) on Wednesday nights from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

More trivia coming your way next week!

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JAMES CHARLES EVERS

James Charles Evers (September 11, 1922) and younger brother Medgar were
born and raised in Decatur, Mississippi.  They then served in the U.S. Army in
World War II and returned back home afterwards.

During his tenure in the military, Charles fell in love with a Filipino
woman, but the relationship was unrequited since (because of her “white” skin
color) he could not return to Mississippi with her as his bride.

[NOTE: Charles resolve was based on the prevalent Jim Crow Laws.  Two such
laws were:
INTERMARRIAGE: The marriage of a white person with a Negro or mulatto or
person who shall have one-eighth or more of Negro blood, shall be unlawful
and void.
PROMOTION OF EQUALITY: Any person ... who shall be guilty of printing,
publishing or circulating printed, typewritten or written matter urging or
presenting for public acceptance or general information, arguments or
suggestions in favor of social equality or of intermarriage between whites
and Negroes, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fines or not
exceeding five hundred (500.00) dollars or imprisonment not exceeding six
(6) months or both.]

Upon their return from the war, the brothers began organizing voter
registration drives, focusing on trying to mobilize the vote for the 1946
elections but they were turned away at the polling station by armed whites.
Such a reaction at the time was to be expected, but such an event was bound to further solidify the Evers’s passion for civil rights.

This prompted the brothers to realize the benefits of furthering their education and so they both attended the Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University located in Lorman, Mississippi).  Both brothers graduated in 1950.  Medgar was a newlywed.  He and his bridge moved to Mound Bayou and Charles relocated to Philadelphia, Mississippi (about 26 miles North of Decatur).

In 1951 both brothers became active on the Regional Council of Negro
Leadership (RCNL).  The RCNL was a civil rights organization that promoted self-help and business ownership to African-Americans.  Charles often spoke at the RCNL’s annual conferences in Mound Bayou, MS on a variety of issues but more often than naught on voting rights.

Charles became involved in a variety of jobs ranging from cotton picker to
dishwasher to bootlegger to short order cook all the while becoming both
interested and involved in the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP).  Around 1956, Charles got in a modicum of trouble in Philadelphia (primarily on his civil rights activism) and ended up relocating to Chicago, Illinois.  He remained there until an assassin
murdered his brother in 1963 at which time Charles relocated back to
Mississippi and took over Medgar’s position as State Field Secretary for the
NAACP’s Mississippi chapter.

During this time Charles and other prominent civil rights leaders such as
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer, Mr. Aaron Henry, Ralph
Abernathy, and many others worked to break down the barriers of segregation, poverty, and racism throughout the South.

In 1969, Charles ran for and was elected mayor of Fayette, Mississippi
(about 9 miles South of Lorman).  He became the first post-Reconstruction
African American mayor in the State’s history.  He served as mayor for the
next 12 years, then attempted an unsuccessful 1971 run for governor of
Mississippi and then ran in 1978 for Senate seat (placing third in the
vote).  Lastly, in 1985, he successfully ran for mayor in Fayette.

[NOTE:  The NAACP named Charles 1969 Man of the Year and John Updike
mentioned Evers in his novel; Rabbit Redux.]

An interesting aside to Charles is that he served as an informal advisor to
a diverse group of politicians.  President Lyndon Johnson, President Ronald
Reagan, Senator Robert Kennedy, Governor George Wallace, etc.

In November 1987 (after his stint in political office), Charles affiliated
with and became station manager of WMPR 90.1 FM.  He brought a wealth of
experience, knowledge, and expertise to the Jackson community.  This role is
not too far fetched since he was a disc jockey in 1949-1950 for
Philadelphia, MS radio station WHOC.  He hosts the weekly “Let’s Talk” show
featuring a call in segment as well as local and national guests.

Charles and B.B. King sponsor the three-day annual Medgar Evers Homecoming Festival held the first week of June.  The gala features parades, gospel festivities, and a blues show celebrating the life and times of the late
civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
_________________

I hope you enjoyed the drawing and narrative.

Jeffrey

Moses B. Salter Hall on the campus of Campbell College (Photo: MDAH)

Once upon a time, two colleges sat literally across the street from each other. One was Jackson State College, and the other was the answer to today’s trivia–(B.) Campbell College.

Campbell College began in Vicksburg in 1890 as a project of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Classes were originally held in Bethel Hall–a space located at the rear of the church–and the college eventually developed the first industrial arts curriculum for African Americans in the State of Mississippi.

In 1899, the African Methodist Episcopal Church decided to move Campbell College from Vicksburg to Jackson, Mississippi. A 1938 report from the Works Progress Administration describes the campus as

“composed of two brick buildings three stories in height and several frame buildings, including the residence of the president…It has a high school department and offers a four-year college course leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree.”

Students at Campbell College were active in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1960, student body president, Charles Jones, led students in a boycott of businesses on Capitol Street. The following year, the College opened its doors to many of McComb’s Burgland High School students who had been arrested for a peaceful protest and expelled for refusing to sign a letter that would bind them from participating in future protests.

The arrests and expulsions had blacklisted the students from enrolling in other school districts for the rest of the year, and Campbell College saw to it that the students still received an education.

Campbell College occupied the northern side of John R. Lynch Street as Jackson State College occupied the southern side for many years. In fact, Campbell College was in West Jackson before Jackson State moved across the street (Jackson State moved onto Lynch Street in 1904). Nevertheless, Campbell College gradually grew financially weaker and in 1964, the campus that had become deteriorated and in debt, was seized through eminent domain by the State of Mississippi. The land from this seizure was turned over to Jackson State College, thus merging the two campuses.

That’s it for this week’s Black History edition of WESTerday Trivia. Y’all come back later, ya hear?

Sources:

Mississippi Black History Makers by George A. Sewell and Margaret L. Dwight
Campbell College by the Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center
Mississippi: The WPA Guide to the Magnolia
History of Higher Education Annual by Roger Geiger

Pen & Ink Drawing of Medgar Evers courtesy of Jeffrey Yentz

Which renown civil rights leader had an office in the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge (Masonic Temple) at 1072 John R. Lynch Street and had a funeral in the same Masonic Temple in 1963? That would be none other than (B.) Medgar Wiley Evers.

As the first Field Secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi, Evers had an office right here in West Jackson on John R. Lynch Street.  The headquarters for the Mississippi Conference of the NAACP is still located within this building.

The drawing above and the narrative below are provided courtesy of local artist/architect, Jeffrey Yentz.

_________________

Spring

Located in the county seat of Newton is the town of Decatur, MS.  The town
is and has been pretty much one square mile in size (all of it land).  Back
in 1925, James and Jessie Evers lived on a farm just outside the town’s
limit.  This is where, on July second that Medgar Wiley Evers was born …
becoming the couple’s third child.  Over the next few years the family would
grow to five siblings.

Although school was several miles from the farm and the only mode of
transportation available to young Medgar was walking, this is what he did,
day in and day out.  Persevered he did and Medgar successfully completed
high school.  On the cusp of receiving his diploma, he and his older brother
Charles were inducted into the army.  During World War II, he fought first
in France and then in the European Theatre until being honorably discharged
in 1945 with the rank of Sergeant.

The following year Medgar, Charles, and four friends returned to Decatur.
After a couple of years at home, Medgar enrolled at Alcorn College in
Lorman, MS majoring in business administration.  The 150 mile separation
between Lorman and Decatur meant not a lot of time was spent visiting home.
So in his “spare” time Medgar was on the debate team, played football, ran
track, and sang in the school choir.  Oh (possibly in lieu of sleeping) he
was voted Junior Class President and he married classmate Myrlie Beasley on
24 December 1951!

Summer

Located in Bolivar County is Mound Bayou.  Founded in 1887 the city is best
known as an independent African-American community founded by former slaves (led by Isaiah Montgomery).  Similar to Decatur in that it’s size is no more then one square mile (all of it land).

Upon graduating from Alcorn College with a BA degree, the couple moved to
Mound Bayou where Medgar began his professional career selling insurance for Magnolia Mutual Life Insurance Company.  The founder of Magnolia, T.R.M. Howard was also president of RCNL (Regional Council of Negro Leadership) and it was he whom mentored Medgar on the organization’s precepts of civil rights and pro self-help.

Through his increasing interest and involvement in the RCNL, Medgar became more involved as well as receiving training in activism.  This commitment led to him helping to organize a boycott of service stations that denied African-Americans restroom access.  Then, in February 1954, he applied to the University of Mississippi Law School.  Predictably, the application was rejected because Universities were all segregated.  However, serious with the desire to attend law school, Medgar filed a lawsuit.  While the suit fell of deaf legal “ears” his effort did receive the NAACP’s attention and
they began a campaign to desegregate the school.

Fall

Because of his participation in the RCNL and the courageous lawsuit the
NAACP’s national office suggested Medgar become Mississippi’s first NAACP
field secretary and on 24 November 1954 he was so appointed.  With this new
opportunity Medgar and his family relocated to Jackson.

Medgar began his new role traveling throughout Mississippi recruiting new
NAACP members.  Once the membership drives were underway, Medgar then began organizing voter-registration efforts, demonstrations, and economic boycotts of white-owned companies that practiced discrimination.  He also diligently worked to investigate crimes perpetrated against African-Americans.  The most challenging and controversial of which was the case where 14 year-old Emmit Till was handed because he had allegedly talked to a white woman.

His role as field secretary put Medgar in the spotlight and into one of the
most visible civil rights leaders in the state.  The price that notoriety
cost was he and his family receiving numerous threats and violent actions
over the years.  Nevertheless, his family stood by him and Medgar spoke
constantly of the need to overcome hatred as well as to promote
understanding and equality between the races.  Suffice it to say, this
message was not one that all citizens of Mississippi were keen on hearing.

[NOTE:  The University of Mississippi segregation formally ended in 1962
with the enrollment of James Meredith.  This decision resulted in a massive
campus riot resulting in two deaths.  After the riot, Medgar became involved
in the follow-up investigation which brought about white supremacists'
hatred and death threats against him.]

Winter

1963
+       May 28  a Molotov cocktail was thrown into Medgar’s carport
+       June 7  a car nearly ran down Medgar as he was leaving the Jackson
NAACP office.
+       June 12 upon returning home from a meeting with NAACP lawyers Medgar
was shot in the back in his driveway.  He staggered several feet before
collapsing.  He was pronounced dead fifty minutes later at a local hospital.
+       June 19 buried in Arlington national Cemetery where he received full
military honors.
1964
+       June 23 Byron De La Beckwith, a Ku Klux Klan member was arrested for
the murder of Medgar Evers.
+       that year       An all white male jury, were twice (1964) deadlocked
on De La Beckwith’s guilt.
1992
+       June 28 City of Jackson erected a statue in honor of Evers
1994
+       Feb 5           De La Beckwith (based on new evidence) was again
brought to trial.
+       Feb 15  De La Beckwith was convicted of murder and given a life
sentence.
2001
+                       De La Beckwith died in prison at the age of 80
2004
+       Dec 15  Jackson City Council changed airport’s name to Jackson-Evers
International Airport.
2009
+       October Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the naming of the USNS
Medgar Evers (a Lewis and Clark – class dry cargo ship).

[NOTE:  Medgar's widow, Myrlie, became a noted activist eventually serving
as NAACP chair.  His brother Charles returned to Jackson in 1963 and briefly
served in his brother's place and then continued to remain involved in
Mississippi civil rights activities.]

+++++++++++++++++++

I hope you enjoy the drawing as well as the narrative.

Peace.

Jeffrey

Dr. Martin Luther King pictured here in Jackson, MS during Medgar Evers's funeral. The buildings in the background appear to be the COFO Headquarters and Streamline Cafe located on John R. Lynch St.

Which Civil Rights Movement icon founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (one of the organizations involved in West Jackson-based COFO) and in 1963, visited the Masonic Temple on John R. Lynch Street to attend Medgar Evers’s funeral?

Well, on Monday, we celebrated a national holiday for this iconic figure; so in the spirit of celebration, today’s answer is none other than (b.) Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I honestly don’t have to go into detail about Dr. King. He has become the face of the civil rights movement. However, many were involved in the movement including the aforementioned Medgar Wiley Evers–the NAACP field secretary who had an office in the Masonic Temple at 1072 John R. Lynch Street. (NOTE: Rest assured that Medgar Evers name will appear as a WESTerday question in the very near future!)

Dr. King was in attendance at Evers’s funeral, but, as founder of the SCLC, he also made other appearances in West Jackson. Namely, he visited the volunteers and staff of the Council of Federated Organizations in 1964. COFO was an umbrella organization that combined the efforts of the NAACP, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), SCLC, and various other groups into one organization. For more on COFO, make sure check out the WESTerday post for COFO.

Photographs of his visit to COFO can be found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s Reading Room, courtesy of another civil rights activist, Reverend Ed King (no relation to Martin Luther King, Jr.).

Thanks for participating in today’s WESTerday Trivia. Until next time! Love, peace, and SOUUUULLLLLL!

Gulfport Streetcar, similar to those in Jackson. (Photo: Southern Traction Magazine and Mississippi Power Company)

So what form of transportation helped to fuel West Jackson’s population boom in the early 20th century? That would be (c.) the streetcar/electrified trolley. You know, something similar to cool train-looking thing that still runs through New Orleans.

Prior to 1899, Jackson’s citizens would travel by a mule-drawn rail car system that was installed and operated by the Jackson City Railroad Company. The Jackson City Railroad Company, founded by the owner of the Edwards House, charged patrons ten cents per ride from the Edwards House to the Capitol Building. Within the first five months of operation, the Jackson Railroad Company reported that 38,675 riders had used the service.

Perhaps in an effort to overcome the crawling speeds of mule-drawn cars (I’m sure the mules had a little funk too–and I ain’t talking about George Clinton & the Funkadelics either!), the city of Jackson entered into an agreement with S.T. Carnes and H.H. Corson to upgrade the city’s trolley system. The agreement expressed the city’s desire for trolleys “propelled by electricity or any other known or unknown power (except animal power)” that would not exceed 20 miles per hour.

Thus, electrified trolleys were implemented in 1899. These trolleys, similar in function to today’s light rail systems, fueled residential growth in West Jackson neighborhoods such as Poindexter Park and Duttoville, as well as other areas in the city such as Bailey Avenue, Belhaven Heights, Belhaven, and Fondren.

Thanks for reading and we’ll be back with more trivia next week! Cue the music!

P.S. Check out the blog post below from our friends at Preservation in Mississippi to view a citywide streetcar map from 1912.

Remember that post a while back about streetcars and how they came and went in Mississippi with hardly any physical reminders or even decent maps to show where they had been? Well, over the holidays, I picked up a publication that I’ve used as a reference but have never actually read straight through, “From Frontier Capital to Modern City: A history of Jackson, Mississippi’s built environment.” Actually I still haven’t read it all the way through … Read More

via Preservation in Mississippi

Andrew Young (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Which U.S. Ambassador visited West Jackson in February 2010? That would be (c.) Andrew Young.

Ambassador Young began his career in public service as a civil rights activist and close friend to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1973, he began his term as Congressman for Georgia’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Young as the 14th Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Young was the first African American to hold the position and served as Ambassador until 1979.  In 1982, Young began the first of his two terms as Mayor of the City of Atlanta.

In recent years, Ambassador Young has been hard at work with his Andrew Young Foundation–a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance Young’s vision of equality, justice, and peace “for all of God’s Children.” He will also be honored at the 2011 Emmys with the Trustees Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center, located on the Campus of Jackson State University, is preparing for the 2011 Martin Luther King Convocation. This time, the event will feature a free concert by the Mississippi Mass Choir and performances by Poetry Out Loud winners Amber Rose Johnson (National Winner) and John Eze Uzodinma (Mississippi Winner). The convocation takes place on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium on the campus of Jackson State.

There will also be a Luncheon on Friday, January 14th,  which will honor Freedom Rider Hank Thomas, College of Liberal Arts Dean Dollye M.E. Robinson, and the Mississippi Council of National Negro Women. The Luncheon, which will take place in the JSU Student Center, is sponsored by Attorney Isaac Byrd and is free with limited seating.

That’s it for this week’s Westerday Trivia. Have a great week and have a Happy New Year!!!

P.S. Celebrate safely tomorrow!

Willie Heidelburg, Running Back, University of Southern Mississippi, 1970, 1971 (Photo: Student Printz)

So, which Lumberton, Mississippi native and West Jackson resident was the first African-American football player at the University of Southern Mississippi? If you answered (b.) Willie Heidelburg, then you are absolutely correct! Heidelburg was recruited as a running back for the Eagles in the Spring of 1970 and quickly received the nickname “Wee Willie”–a name that referenced his small stature. You see, in a sport that is filled with giants, Heidelburg stood 5′ 6″ tall and weighed 147 pounds.  Nevertheless, he proved that the meaning of the word “giant” was relative as Southern Miss faced the fourth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels and their Heisman Trophy-nominated quarterback, Archie Manning.

Southern Miss, undoubtedly the underdog in this matchup, went on to defeat Ole Miss 30-14. Nearly half of Southern Miss’s points were attributed to the quickness of Heidelburg (not to mention the two touchdowns he scored).

Willie Heidelburg now lives in West Jackson and is an Assistant Football Coach at Belhaven University.

For more information on Willie Heidelburg, you should definitely read the March 2009 Student Printz article by Tyler Cleveland.

Thanks for participating in this week’s trivia! We’ll see you next time!