Tell us a story about your Mississippi town/city.

[Maddy McCall]

Tell us a little bit of history or folklore about the town in which you live. While you're at it, tell us why we should visit your area--any good attractions (I'm a history buff, so I like visiting historical areas.)

Here's a little something about my area:

When the "great tornado of 1975" ripped through southwest Mississippi, it left many people homeless in its wake. Elvis heard about it and did a benefit concert (he paid all expenses) for residents of this area. Then, he handed over all proceeds to a committee of local folks to distribute to the needy. He's a hero here--not for his music, but for his generosity. (Wonder if my DU friend ForrestGump's radar will be picqued by this Elvis post.) :-)

In Freedom Summer 1964, Pike County, Mississippi, was "the bombing capital of the world," as the Klan terrorized black and white people alike by setting off pipe bombs all over town. I have been told that evening entertainment consisted of sitting on the porch and hearing the daily bombardment. You could see the flashes on the horizon as the bombs went off. If you want to read a good book about civil rights in Mississippi, pick up Dittmer's "Local People".

Great place to visit if you are a Mississippian and want to take a short weekend trip: Percy Quin State Park. Rent a historic cabin. They were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp and the Works Progress Administration. Relish an architectural artifact of the FDR administration. :-) Here's a photo of Percy Quin State Park:




I've got more stories, and a little folklore, but I'll save it for later---now it's your turn. Tell us something about your town.

[bobbieinok]

1. I had 2 friends in grad school who took part in Mississippi Summer 1964

It's only in the last 3 or so years that I learned most people call this period Freedom Summer.

I didn't see MS Burning, but I understand most people who know anything about the period dislike the movie because it makes the FBI the heroes.....when actually the FBI under Hoover was extremely anti civil rights and MLKing.

Also, 2 years ago I found out a local minister had worked in MS Summer.

[Maddy McCall]

2. You are right about Mississippi Burning...

It is not a realistic picture of the era--for the reasons you stated.

I have many black friends who took part in Freedom Summer--local people who are still here.

At the University of Southern Mississippi several years ago, a reunion of participants in Freedom Summer was held. People from all over the US attended. It was fabulous--very moving to hear the stories and to see people who had not seen each other in decades embrace and reconnect.

[merh]

3. Here is some Mississippi trivia

Our famous cheerleader/Senator Chester Trent Lott, while in college and a member of a frat, armed himself and joined other "brothers" as they gathered to protest the admission of the first black to their college, Ole Miss. Like our prez, he has admitted to poor choices as a youth and has reformed(?)

Ronald Reagon kicked off his campaign in Mississippi in Pike County.

We have had four (4) mysterious hangings in Mississippi this year alone. (One, in Wilkinson County, the man was found hanging from a tree with a pillow case over his head. The "official" findings are that his hanging was consistent with suicide. I guess this fellow just covered his head to protect his face from the sun.)

Another, a man being chased by deputies, allegedly jumped a fence and hanged himself, don't know how he got the dog bites (that have not been reported in the press).

Another, a hanging in the jail run by the same SO as those involved in the fence hanging, happened just a few days after the accidential hanging. Both were blacks from GA. Coincidence?

And the fourth, a hanging in the Moss Point jail, is still being investigated.