Articles from The Wesson Enterprise

Articles and Pictures From The Wesson Enterprise 1944, 1952, 1964

Founders Day Program, February 14, 1944

The Wesson Enterprise, February 18, 1944

History of Wesson High School Given Founders Day Here

Wesson High School Building Beloved by Thousands Looking Backward R. L. Landis, a former superintendent, gives more history of Wesson High School

Founders Day Program Original Board of Trustees of Wesson High School Those We Honor, Mrs. F. B. Hodges History of the P. T. A. J. S. Rea Presents Cup to P. T. A. First Annual Commencement Exercises – Program – June 2, 1893 Enterprise Editor Looks As He Looked 32 Years Ago

A Story about Wesson’s Great Mississippi Mills – Now Gone

The Wesson Enterprise, April 6, 1951

The Founder of Our Town: Col. J. M. Wesson

The Wesson Enterprise, February 1, 1952

Wesson to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

The Wesson Enterprise, March 27, 1964

History of Wesson High School Given Founders Day Here The Wesson Enterprise, February 18, 1944

By J. S. Rea

The first public school building in Wesson was a two-­‐room frame building that was built about the year 1875, and was located near the home of Mr. C. T. Furr.

A few years after the new Baptist Church was erected, the old Baptist Church that then stood just north of the Furr Gin was remodeled and was used as the school building. When one room was needed for the growing population of Wesson, the lower floor of the Clanton building was used for the primary grades. This building stood on the lot just west of the Town Hall. About the year 1887 or 1888 the work on a brick building began.

“The Wesson School Building Committee composed of A. T. Woodin, John Hopkinson, and J. G. Lyell (as appointed by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Wesson) met February 12th, 1889.

A. T. Woodin was authorized to give orders for necessary material for construction of City School Building to be erected.

J. G. Lyell was instructed to have certain Town Bonds (heretofore authorized by Act of Legislature) printed and issued as follows: 1000 dollars to be issued payable for each year from 1892 through 1897.

All bills for material and work on above building shall be made against Wesson School Building Committee and J. G. Lyell is authorized to draw on school fund for same after said bills have been passed upon by the building Committee.”

The first session in this building began about September 1889 and on December 18, 1890 that building was burned. The school for the remainder of that session had to move back to the old building that was formerly used.

Very soon after the fire, work began on a new school building on the same site of the one that had been burned, and the present building was completed in time for the school to occupy it either in 1891 or 1892, and this building has been used continuously since that time.

During the time the Mississippi Mills were in operation the town of Wesson raised $10,000 bonus and the site to secure the location of the state female college which, however went to Columbus, notwithstanding Wesson was the home of one thousand four hundred young ladies, drawn thither from various counties by the prospect of employment in the Mills. At that time there was a large and successful free school in session the entire year, besides several private schools. (The I. I. & C. was established at Columbus, March 12, 1884.)

In the two-­‐room school building, there were two teachers, Rev. E. P. Douglass and Miss Jane Wilkinson. The old Baptist Church which was used as a school later became the Union Boarding House. Miss Lizzie Block began teaching in the Clanton Building and continued in this profession, longer than anyone else here. One of our oldest residents, Mrs. Lillie Haliam Boyd, taught in the first brick building.

Some of the Superintendents of the Wesson High School before Co-­‐Lin opened were Messrs.

Tappan, Ravencroft, Hardy Wilson, T. J. Walker, S. C. Walker, J. Reese Lin, Hughes Powell, Young, Williams, and Landis.

Co-­‐Lin was established as an Agricultural High School in the fall of 1915 and Dr. R. L. Landis of the High School was the first President. In the summer of 1928 Co-­‐Lin was organized as a Junior College.

#

Further information concerning history of the Wesson Public School, in addition to that of Mr. Rea’s above, is the following written by one of the veteran teacher corps members still instructing at the historic Wesson teaching site, Miss Mable McIntosh.

The Wesson Public school once ranked second to highest in the state, being surpassed by Meridian. Graduates from our school – in its heyday – could finish at Whitworth and Blue Mountain in two years. These were four-­‐year colleges too.

The school had a well-­‐equipped laboratory for teaching physics. It had a large library.

The institution possessed a special building, adjacent to the main structure, where music, voice, and art were taught.

In those blooming days baseball was the chief sport, and several of the Wesson Public school players later made the big leagues.

The school used to have a faculty of 18 or 19 members,

Enrollment was 600 or 700 pupils, if not more.

Looking Backward

For devoting the best of their lives to the service of youth,

For Overcoming all hindrances and disregarding all attempts to dissuade,

For the Unremitting diligence of their unselfish labors,

For their Never-­‐failing courage in the face of all discouragements,

For the true Devotion they gave to their ennobling task,

For the shining Example their consecrated lives have bequeathed us,

For their effort to Right the wrongs of America’s children,

For the pure spirit of Sacrifice that endears them always to our memory:

Names of the Public school superintendents were: Professors Tappan, a Northerner; Ravencrost, from Georgia; W. R. Mabry, T. P. Scott, J. T. Walker, B. F. Hughes, H. T. Wilson, Foster, Williams, Powell, J. T. Rice, J. Reese Lin, R. L. Landis, Morris Perritt, J. G. Jacobs, McCloud, Mrs. W. D. Ross, Frank Oswalt, Ellis Buckley, R. P. Moore, E. L. Ragland, and Rather, who started the first football and basketball teams at Wesson High, strongly supported by D. R. “Buck” McKay of Wesson, and the present superintendent , Troy A. Funchess.

These names of teachers who have served on the faculty of the school are handed in. There are probably some left off but is the most complete list available:

Misses Lizzie Block, Mattie McCollum, Jeannie Rowan, Florence Tillman, Myra McGehee, Minnie Neely, Mrs. Mary Hamilton, Misses Florence Youngblood, Isola Varnado, Floy Beacham, Ella Wright, Mary McLaurin, Mary Lou Rea, Bessie Rea, Messrs. George Rea, Garland Lyell, Horris Allen Jones, A. W. Garner,

Misses Laura McIntosh, Mable McIntosh, Carrie Bennett, Clara Bell Bagley, Bell Till, Ethel Swett, Lizzie Lou Young, Tera Roberts, Alice Hutson, Mary D. Pierce of Virginia.

Misses Lois Martain, Mamie Seay, Rebecca Williams, Florence Landis, Ella Bethea, Willie Webb, Mamie Fairly, Kate Thompson.

Mesdames R. A. Breland, Morris Perritt, Vergie Mae Little, Mamie Buie, Mesdames Ken Patterson, Mary Ray, Ed Stolpe, Mae Furr Webb, Misses Willie Power Meteir, Mary Grafton, Kate Wilson, Lou Applewhite, Mrs. James Yowell, Mrs. Inez Mercier, Mrs. Mildred Fairchild

Perritt, Misses Edna Byrnes, Bessie Burns, Miller, Lillian Breland, Anna Hoggatt, Annie Childress, Bessie Smith, Alma Rea, Alice Sasser, Jeanie DeLoach, Inez Curtis, Lena Mae Smith, Messrs.

Lessie Smith, Ed Stolpe, Milton Williams, J. H. Hutchinson, Mrs. J. H. Hutchinson.

Miss Estelle Sexton, Miss Pattie Grice, Mr. Herring, Miss Clara Beacham, Miss Baker, Miss Blanche Blue, Mr. Tom Purser, Miss Sallie Gowan, Mrs. Claude Smith, Mrs. J. M. Ewing, Miss Nellie Willing, Miss Pearl Walden, Miss Esther Glancy, Mrs. W. R. Mabry, Miss Lou Hamilton.

Misses Maude Weathersby, Edith Little, Beulah Fitts, Nina Joe Hawkins, Mr. J. Ross Bell, Misses Effie Curry, Gladys Stubblefield, Bessie Lee, Mattie Jennings, Kate Smith, Grace Hughston, Florence Tillman, Tiny Youngblood, Catherine Patterson, Irene Walker, Miss Smylie, Lilly Hallam, Bertha Buckley, Miss Holton, Miss Turner, Mr. David Gruchy.

R. L. Landis, a former Superintendent gives more history of Wesson High School in a letter to Mrs. F. B. Hodges, as follows:

(Mr. Landis is presently living in Jackson, Mississippi, serving as editor and director of the executive committee of the department of religious education of the Presbyterian church in the U. S., Synod of Mississippi.)

“ I have recently learned that you have planned a celebration at Wesson High School on tomorrow what appears to me to be some kind of historical event of bygone days. All of which make me think of many things that occurred which is now so long ago. I woke up this morning thinking the biggest trouble I had was the “Anno Dominis.” The doctor can’t do anything for me or for my friends. However, when I look at the accomplishments by my friends in Wesson I can truly say that they have not labored in vain.

It is perhaps interesting to note that in 1912 Wesson High School had been marked off the affiliated list. This I learned soon after reaching the town in July of that year. I told it to the Wesson people that such was the case and they refused to believe it because the school had once held first place in the state of Mississippi. The cooperation of Parent-­‐Teachers Association and the leading citizens of Wesson restored Wesson to the list in 1913. The property was in a somewhat run-­‐down condition and by much pleading and cooperation considerable improvement was made. Since that time I understand that by continued support and cooperation that the property has been put into good condition.

It was largely due to the cooperation given by the P. T. A. and as I remember you were a leader (Mrs. F. B. Hodges) of the group that made the founding of Copiah-­‐Lincoln possible. I yet take pride in the fact that it was the first Agricultural High School, in fact, the only one, to open its doors with one year of college work in its curriculum. After about three years due to conditions of war the college work was discontinued for several years.

I trust I may be excused for reviewing this bit of history. My thoughts are with you and the two schools ever hold a treasured place in memory with me. Kindly give my regards to any friends of the days that are gone who yet remain and carry on.”

Following the establishment of the agricultural high school the four high school grades were transferred there, making it Wesson’s grammar school with eight grades.

Mr. G. J. Jacobs was elected superintendent followed by Mr. McCloud. After him, Mrs. Annabelle Rowan Ross, daughter of one of the first trustees.

Of Mrs. Ross it can be said she made one of the best superintendents in the school’s history.

With her outstanding teachers were Mrs. R. L. Breland, Miss Carrie Bennett, Miss Laura McIntosh, Miss Rebecca Williams. It can be truly said of these teachers – “Lives of great people ‘oft remind us – we should make our lives sublime.” In addition to the three R.’s they taught as for eternity.

All except Mrs. Breland have moved away, but they’ve carried with them the love and affection of all who sat under their teaching.

In 1938 the school grew up again. The four higher grades were reinstated, with Mr. T. A. Funchess, a former Wesson man, elected superintendent. Under his leadership the school has steadily grown in number and ability. Some 350 students are enrolled, and the school stands as grade 1-­‐A with affiliated high schools of the state. Close on to 50 fine young men have enrolled in the service.

#

During the time the Mississippi Mills were in operation the town of Wesson raised $10,000 bonus and the site to secure the location of the state female college which, however went to Columbus, notwithstanding Wesson was the home of one thousand four hundred young ladies, drawn thither from various counties by the prospect of employment in the Mills. At that time there was a large and successful free school in session the entire year, besides several private schools. (The I. I. & C. was established at Columbus, March 12, 1884.)

Upon its establishment in 1884, Mississippi University for Women became the first public women's college in the United States.

Then known as the Industrial Institute and College, the institution was created by an act of the Mississippi Legislature on March 12, 1884, for the dual purposes of providing a liberal arts education for women and preparing them for employment. The first session began October 22, 1885, with an enrollment of approximately 250 students on a campus formerly occupied by the Columbus Female Institute, a private college founded in 1847.

Founders Day Program, February 14, 1944

Singing together Auld Lang Syne, friends of the yesterdays, today, and the smaller tomorrow gathered in the Wesson High School auditorium, about 300 assembled, to pay tribute to our founders. Miss Mable McIntosh and Mrs. Homer Green presided at the registration desk.

Rev. William Cameron, pastor of the Methodist church, delivered the invocation, and Mrs. R. E. Middleton, program chairman, presented a broadcast, “The Harvest Home, “ participants being Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. Kelly B. Braswell, Mrs. R. E. Middleton, as readers and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Oswalt gave picture of national and state P. T. A. ideals and work with duties of various chairmen. One people working for the good of all children -­‐ the P.T.A. objective.

Mr. T. A. Funchess, superintendent of the school, gave a very cordial welcome.

Mrs. F. B. Hodges, president of P.T.A. invited the major and town board of aldermen and board of trustees to the stage together with Mr. John Thompson, Mr. Sed Lee, and Mr. Robert E. Rea, sons of the first board of trustees of the present school. Mr. Roy Smith, president of the school board, in a very appropriate way, introduced Mr. R. E. Rea, son of J. S. Rea (who because of a cold and the changing weather was not able to be present.)

Mr. Rea gave the history of the school as written by his father, with remarks to fit in. The cost of the present school building, considered the best between New Orleans and Memphis on the I.C.R.R., was $10,000.00. He displayed one of the original bonds from which the coupons had been cut.

“My Tribute,” by Mr. J. S. Rea, to the P.T.A. in 1931 was read by Mrs. F. B. Hodges, who in return presented Mr. R. E. Rea a basket of beautiful red roses, as a Valentine to his father, wishing him a long and happy life. At this time Mr. Lee and Mr. Thompson were presented.

Founder’s day gift collection was taken by Mesdames Lamar and W. H. Smith, A. B. Barlow, Curtis Youngblood, Clyde Furlow who also served as ushers for the occasion.

A contrast of nutrition projects was presented in skit form. With Mrs. James Perritt at the piano and Miss Carnes, music director, leading the singing of “School Days,” Mr. T. A. Funchess, Chancery Clerk Tom Funchess, and Mr. Curtis Youngblood went back to the dinner pail lunch, with their biscuits, quinine bottle of molasses, fried potatoes, boiled eggs, etc., and water served from dipper gourd from the water bucket, gave lots of fun for the audience. In contrast little Miss Billie Catherine Cameron and Lucile Watson had a table with the seven basic foods served with the best of silver and china.

Reminiscences by Miss Mabel McIntosh took time back in its flight as she spoke of depression being had then as now. Three-­‐fourths of a day for three days at 75 cents a day in 1893. Times got better in 1894. For 11 ¼ hours for 5 days at $1 a day. That was good money. The school

was always crowded, as many as 75 students to a teacher, and 15 to 20 teachers. But in spite of conditions the work was thorough. Wesson held second place in the state.

Former friends and teachers were mentioned. Letters were read from Mrs. Lilly Hallam Boyd, Mrs. Laura McIntosh Graham, Mrs. Laura Cook Dampeer, Mr. Tom McIntosh.

Dr. and Mrs. Little were presented and he gave a few well-­‐chosen remarks. Long a trustee and president of the board, his interest has always been others.

In closing Mr. Funchess presented his mother, a special guest of the evening, having come from her home near Hazlehurst for the occasion. The audience stood to recognition. With her were her daughters Maybelle Funchess Wade and Lily Funchess Allen, and a son, Mr. Tom Funchess, former students. Other students of yesterdays were Mr. Luther Magee and Mr. Bob Purser of Brookhaven, accompanied by their wives.

“My Tribute” closed the program:

The home, the school, the church combine, Mother, Father, Teacher mine, To touch the soul with life divine, Mother, Father, Teacher mine.

Oh grant us this – our hearts desire, To fill our souls with living fire Till each shall others’ lives inspire, Mother, Father, Teacher, mine!

(Tune: Maryland, My Maryland)

The guests were invited to the lunch room, a P. T. A. project, were Mesdames Dan Box, Prentiss Furr, James McKnight, and A. B. Barlow, lunch room director, served coffee, cookies, and orange juice. Spring flowers, the narcissus combined with red nandina were lavishly used, both upstairs and downstairs, and the artistic arrangement of Mrs. Wilmer Williams, Mrs. Paul Little, and Mrs. Jim Kennan drew much attention.

Pictured above is the original board of trustees of the Wesson High School which Monday celebrated the founding of the institution, along with the national parent-­‐teachers association’s founders day. Reading from left to right, they are, top row: Mr. J. S. Rea, the only living member; Mr. T. A. Lee. In the center is Mr. John Hopkinson; and below, left to right, Mr. John F. Thompson and Dr. J. A. Rowan.

It is in remembrance to this group and other founders of the Wesson High School that the day was commemorated Monday night, especially for their part in obligations undertaken nobly, discouragements endured resolutely, and unselfish service – they who “builded better than they knew.”

Signally honored is Mr. J. S. Rea, eldest living trustee and member of the first board of trustees, a patron of the school who had ten children to attend its halls of learning.

Other noteworthy points of interests of board members include the late Mr. Walter Weathersby, who served as chairman of the board for a number of years; also Mr. F. B. Hodges, who served as trustee and chairman for 25 years; and Dr. W. L. Little, president a number of years.

Current members of the board of trustees are Messrs. Clyde Furr, Lamar Smith, Rex Pearce, Curtis Youngblood, Frank Rice, Jim Jackson, and Luther Day.

Town Officers, 1944:

Mayor, Mr. W. W. Robertson Marshall, Mr. T. N. Butler Town Treasurer, Mr. R. E. Rea

Aldermen: J. S. Youngblood Mr. R. E. Middleton Mr. Geneal Graham Mr. Lonnie Freeman Mr. W. C. Westbrook, alderman-­‐at-­‐large and clerk

Board of Trustees of Wesson High School, 1944:

Mr. Roy Smith, President Mr. Clyde Furr Mr. Curtis Youngblood Mr. Rex Pearce Mr. Lamar Smith Mr. Frank Rice Mr. Jim Jackson Mr. Luther Ray

Teachers of 1944:

Mr. T. A. Funchess, Superintendent Mr. D. E. Patterson, Principal Rev. W. M. Tabb Rev. W. S. Cameron Mrs. J. G. Brown Miss Gregoria Gruchy Mrs. E. H. Green Mrs. R. E. Middleton Miss Mable McIntosh Miss Myrtle Buie Mrs. Fletcher Brumfield Mrs. T. A. Funchess Miss Carnes

Officers of the P.T.A. 1944:

Mrs. F. B. Hodges, President Mrs. A. B. Barlow, Vice-­‐president Mrs. Geneal Graham, Secretary Mrs. L. A. Storey, Treasurer Mrs. R. E. Middleton, Program chairman Mrs. Dan Box, Hospitality chairman Mrs. Bill Watson, Membership chairman

Those We Honor

Mrs. F. B. Hodges, local and district

president of P. T. A.

Mrs. F. B. left, another

Hodges,

is serving

term a s p resident o f t he W esson P .T. A . w hile

also

acting as president of the McComb-­‐

Natchez d istrict o f parent-­‐

teachers.

It is to her the entire credit for this founder’s day edition of the P.T.A. should go, for it was Mrs. Hodges who conceived it and diligently worked to bring the Enterprise all the pictures and materials in raw for publication – a gigantic task within itself.

Finding the school had no records of the past, having become lost in some manner, she undertook to have this part of its history and founders day embodied in print and it is to go onto the town record books as she has asked Mr. W. C. Westbrook, town clerk and alderman-­‐ at-­‐large, to have it printed pages recorded there.

As all of you in Wesson and the surrounding communities know, it has been the same tireless and unceasing effort of Mrs. Hodges in any role she starts that has seen it well done; therefore, one finds the Wesson High school singled out for praise by the state parent-­‐teachers time and again in her administration and finds it gaining national recognition with its lunch room.

No praise could be too high for Mrs. Hodges in her worthy accomplishments in presenting a founders day of Wesson High school, an institution loved by all the town; so when you see her, give her a “pat” on the back and a word of encouragement for this much appreciated job and for the bigger one she is doing for youth of today.

Congratulations and orchids to you, Mrs. Hodges. -­‐-­‐-­‐P. L. R.

History of P. T. A.

The parent-­‐teacher association may be likened to the oak tree which is the symbol of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. The roots go down deep into the community. The tree itself is nourished by the community, and its structure is determined by the sustenance it receives from its environment. If well nourished, it will become a landmark of which the community may be proud. It will give beauty and character to the locality. Under its shelter the citizens of the community will gather for refreshment and recreation. Here the children will congregate & play in happiness and security, gaining meanwhile in health and social development.

The parent-­‐teacher association is essentially a product of the community, made possible by volunteer service and cooperative effort. It unites the forces of the home, the school, and the community and directs them into fields of useful activity for the welfare of children & youth.

The state congress of Mississippi parent-­‐teachers association was organized in Hattiesburg in 1909, at the home of Mrs. R. B. Stapleton, a native of Crystal Springs.

From that small beginning a total of 20,000 quota will be reached by March, 1944.

Wesson parent-­‐teacher association was organized in 1910 by Mrs. Jeff Dampeer, now of Sanatorium. Mrs. W. B. Weathersby next served for several years, followed by: Mrs. Eugenia Breland, Mrs. Charles Stringer, Mrs. C. M. Furlow, Mrs. Mae Middleton Webb, Mrs. Noah Wallace, Mrs. Buford Rollins, Mrs. Geo. Stitts, Mrs. F. B. Hodges.

Several of these ladies served over a continued period of years, during which time HEALTH, SANITATION, and NUTRITION have been projects in which they achieved highest success: namely, making immunization from disease popular, cooperating with county and state health authorities to the extent communicable diseases have almost become a thing of the past.

Installation of indoor sanitary equipment, complete. Ranking first in the state and receiving national recognition is the nutrition project, which to achieve had to have high requirements of equipment, management, well-­‐planned, carefully cooked and served meals. It is still holding to place in school lunch rooms.

Some questions for members to ask themselves:

Has our program resulted in material benefit to the children of the community?

Has it increased the members’ understanding of child nature and their skill in child guidance?

Has it tended to raise the standards of home life?

Has it stimulated an interest in parent education?

Has it brought about any change in parent-­‐child relations?

Has it interpreted the school program to the public?

Has it helped to develop high standards of public education?

Has it promoted public support for an adequate program of education?

Has it stimulated a desire to improve community conditions or to provide a more wholesome environment for child growth and development?

Has it brought to the community a better understanding of the value and responsibilities of the democratic way of life?

Has it contributed to the development of responsible citizenship?

Has the work of the organization been carried on in a democratic manner, with all elements of the community assuming a fair share of the responsibility and sharing in the benefits?

Presents Cup to P.T.A. Mr. J. S. Rea

Members of the Parent Teachers Association, Teachers & Pupils and Friends of the Wesson High School:

Notice was given me this morning that it would be my privilege to present your Association a LOVING CUP in commemoration of the First Annual Commencement Exercises of the Wesson High School, which took place on June 2, 1893.

This honor has been conferred on me because I was chosen by the Board of Trustees at that time to present the Diplomas to the Graduating Class.

As I think of the personnel of the program and the names of the Trustees in 1893, it makes me sad to note how many of them have passed away. The Trustees at that time were Mr. John Hopkinson, Mr. T. A. Lee, Dr. J. A. Rowan, Mr. John F. Thompson, and myself. I am the only remaining member of the Board of that date. The Graduates were -­‐ Malcolm Lyell, Orie Oliver, and Misses Lois Martin, Willie Ellis, Eliza Hopkinson, and Katie Smith. I think all of these are still living except Orie Oliver and Malcolm Lyell.

After a lapse of 38 years, I can not recall just what I said to those young people, but I feel sure that I congratulated them on their success in having secured Diplomas, and I doubt not that I urged them to greater diligence in their further efforts to acquire greater knowledge. If my memory is correct, I endeavored to encourage them to make the good resolution as given by the great Apostle in Philippians 3-­‐13-­‐14:

“This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

As my closing remark, I want to commend this good resolution to each of you.

It gives me pleasure to present this CUP to your valued Association.

First Annual Commence Exercises Of the Wesson High School Wesson, Mississippi 1893

Program

Friday, 7 P.M. June 2d, 1893

Prayer

Rev. P. Gowan Piano Duet Willie Ellis, Willie Moore Oration….Dignity of Labor Malcolm Lyell Essay….”Honor and Shame from no Condition Rise; Act well your part, there all the Honor Lies.”

Queen Esther – Part I Essay, Progress of Civilization Miss Lois Martin Essay, Night Brings out the Stars Miss Willie Ellis Queen Esther – Part II Oration, “Our Country” Orie Oliver Essay, Beyond the Alps Lies Italy Miss Katie Smith Queen Esther – Part III

Presentation of Diplomas Mr. J. S. Rea Remarks, School Trustees Dr. J. A. Rowan Remarks, City Aldermen

Address to Class Principal C. Q. Tappan Queen Esther – Part IV

Benediction Rev. R. H. Purser

Commencement Sermon Rev. T. B. Holloman

Queen Esther – Dramatis Personae King Ajasuerus. . . . .Mr. J. G. Lyell Queen Esther. . . . Mrs. S. A. Hammons Haman. . . . Prof. P. A. Lindrose Zeresh. . . . Mrs. W. Newsome Mordecal. . . . Mrs. Wilson Newsome Prophetess. . . . Mrs. W. F. Scales Scribe. . . . Mr. C. Q. Tappan Guards. . . .Messrs. Clark & Ueber Queen’s Attendants: Miss Minnie Collier, Miss Myra McGehee, Mrs. J. G. Lyell Hegai. . . .Mr. P. B. Raiford Semi Chorus of Persians, Jews and Medes. . . . School Children

Class of ‘93

Mr. Malcolm Lyell

Miss Lois Martin

Miss Katie Smith

Miss Willie Ellis

Miss Eliza Hopkinson

Mr. Orie Oliver

Heart of Town of Wesson in 1906

Right c enter, note the e dge of t he building.

In 2 014 this building is the o nly remaining building from the Mill.

Water trough sits in f ront of C opiah B ank.

Mississippi Mills, Wesson, Their History Given

By Mrs. Charles Phillips

Note: Mrs. Charles Phillips, author of this article, is the granddaughter of the late Captain William Oliver, her mother being the late Mrs. Rilla Oliver Rea. Mrs. Phillips was before marriage, Miss Mary Lou Rea. She has two sons, Charles and Robert, both in the service.

Shortly after the War Between the States, a group of men established a cotton mill at what is now Wesson, Mississippi. It has been said that this was, at that time, the only cotton mill South of Boston. Among these men was Colonel Wesson, for whom the village was named. Two other men who were associated with him were Colonel Hamilton and Major Hallam. All three had been officers in the Confederate army. After all the years there is in the town a family which represents each of these founders.

Early in 1871, a group of New Orleans businessmen came into possession of the property and sent Captain William Oliver, a cotton factor of that city, to take active charge of the mill. He, too, had served as an officer in the Confederate army. The original building was burned shortly after Captain Oliver took charge but was rebuilt immediately into what later became known as

Mississippi Mill No. 1. Like the original owners, Captain Oliver is represented here by descendants.

Colonel Richardson who had become the cotton king of the South was one of the controlling owners of the new mill. It has been said that he, upon being asked why he did not establish the mills in every state to duplicate the success of the Mississippi Mills, said that he could not duplicate William Oliver. However that may be, it is true that the largest factory south of the Mason and Dixon Line was phenomenal. In rapid succession, the first mill of three stories which seemed to form a nucleus around which development took place, was followed by Mill No. 2.

The structure rose to four stories, a great height for that period, and was connected with Mill No. 1 by an eight foot tower for the storage of 20,000 gallons of water for the use of the mill and for inside fire protection. Mill No. 3 was larger and taller than its predecessors, rising to five stories with two six story towers, for the storing of additional water, connected with automatic sprinkling systems. The fourth mill was a two story building connected with the large weave shed, the latter roofed with glass. A building not connected directly with the four mills, which were joined to make one composite whole, was the cotton warehouse with a capacity of 6,000 bales of cotton. The wool was stored in the basement of the loom room.

Just here may be the place where it should be said that the mills got their water supply from Ford’s Creek, a strong, pure stream two miles east of town. Wesson, today, get its water from the same place. Pumped into town, the water not stored in the towers of the mill was kept in a cistern of 115,000 gallon capacity. This gave sufficient pressure for the use of strong fire hose all over the town.

To use the 6,000 bales of cotton and the two million pounds of wool annually, 25,000 spindles and 800 looms were kept whirring and humming every day of the year, and often, every night, with extra shifts. There were 1,000 employees. All these developments which took place in less than 20 years were financed by the earnings of the property. At the time of Captain Oliver’s death the stock of the company brought four to one on the open market.

All this, which has been discussed may be called the mechanic of the town. Such mechanics if managed efficiently make for steady employment of the people. But they alone, however well managed, cannot make a good place in which to live and rear children. Most of the people who did rear their children here agree that it did provide proper conditions for that task. It is well to look further for the reasons for this.

One of the basic reasons will be found in the fact that, although Wesson was a mill town and nothing else, its people were not mill people in the sense in which that term is used to describe some of the people of the industrial centers of the East. These people came into Wesson in steady streams as more and more work opened up to them. The war had ended only six years before and had left them destitute on their once prosperous farms. Some of them came because that same war had left them widowed or disabled. They were for the far greater part of good Anglo-­‐Saxon blood and they held fast to the traditions and faith of their fathers. This meant that they held definite standards for decent living and that they cherished deeply an

ambition that their children should have opportunities which had been denied to them, because of conditions which accompany pioneering and war. We are prone to forget that there was no railroad in this part of the state, until many of the people who were working in the mill in its earlier years, and even later, were 15 years old. We forget that they could get sugar and flour and coffee only by hauling it from Grand Gulf, 50 miles to the west or from Jackson, almost 60 miles to the north. Some of us are only a generation removed from that time. When Captain Oliver came to Wesson, he went to Lake Ponchartrain where his train stopped and he took a crude ferry boat for the northern side of the lake. There another train waited for the passengers.

The people being what they were, it was possible for the manager of the mills to carry out easily his ideal that the town should belong to the people and not the people to the corporation, and that the people should be given opportunity to educate their children. The school board, the board of aldermen, and the churches were for the most part in the hands of the workers, who had a deciding vote in their management. With the assistance of the mills churches were erected, the greatest of these being the Baptist with more than 1,000 members.

A large school was built with tax monies allocated to the school fund, the cost being $20,000.00. It made provisions for 1,000 children to go through twelve grades under efficient teachers. This building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt at once with surplus money in the school fund.

One hears much these days of the ideal of the government that workers had land upon which they may raise foods to supplement their wages. Settlements have been established near cities at enormous cost to the government, as an experiment along this line. In Wesson, each mill house had behind it ground sufficient for the raising of vegetables for the family and for the keeping of a cow, pig, and chickens. Since the people were as has been said, from the farms, there was added to the fare of most families butter, milk, eggs, and meat. In the front yard were plots of gay flowers, many of them of rare and valuable species. As one rides about the grounds of those houses which not are no more, one sees in out-­‐of-­‐the-­‐way spots gay daffodils and snow-­‐flakes or clumps of crepe myrtle and cedar. Sometimes, the truck growers who now use the lands will leave in the middle of the field, once a gay little garden, an old tea rose with its delightful fragrance.

By modern standards, the hours of labor in the mills were too long as were hours in all lines of work whether in factory, store or school room. But, for the most part, the people were a healthy and happy people, going about their work with willingness and skill. And spending their leisure in decent diversion.

There is not today one brick upon another where the five large mills stood. The buildings were demolished and the bricks cleaned and shipped to many parts of the state to go into the upbuilding of other structures. Some of them went into a dormitory for the Copiah-­‐Lincoln Junior College of which the town and counties are so proud. This seems a fitting use for that material. Far to the west of the town where street upon street of houses with their well-­‐kept grounds once spread from the mill, one sees fertile truck fields, for the houses, like the mills

were demolished and scattered, their pieces going into the upbuilding of the state at some other point as did the brick.

It was Victor Hugo who said that the spirit of a business was the spirit of the man who made it.

That when the man died the business died. It is true that the mills are dead, these many years.

But the town is not dead, although four of the five thousand people have been forced to go elsewhere to seek a living. One might stop here to say that it is reasonable to believe that these people like the brick and the lumber are adding their part to the upbuilding of a good state. It is true that those who have remained have kept established what can with honesty be called a good town.

Wesson has her sound bank and her weekly paper which have served the people unfalteringly through times that were bad. She has her modern stores and, following her tradition, she has her exceptionally good schools. At the Wesson public school a child can get twelve years of training. Or the child can attend four years of high school at Copiah-­‐Lincoln, and at an unbelievable small cost, he can secure two years of college training.

Wesson is a comfortable place in which to live, with electricity, gas for cooking and heating, and a system which supplies an abundance of pure water. At the same time, it is probably the cheapest place where one can live with modern conveniences, and first class educational advantages. To thoughtful people, the fact that the town is free from many of the immoral influences so prevalent now, add much to its attractiveness. There is an interesting peculiarity of the deeds of the town. Any deed deriving from the mill holds a clause which stipulates that if the owner of the property conveyed by the deed sells intoxicants upon that property, he forfeits his deed. Whiskey was never allowed in the town under the management of the mill.

Until the depression, there were shipped from Wesson $75,000.00 worth of truck crops, to the eastern markets. Each day, now, 5,000 gallons of milk and more go from the town in truck and refrigerator cars. There is an established ginning business and a cooperative curing plant to be established in the near future. So, it may be seen readily that Wesson is by no means a dead town. It should be said just here that there are very live and active fraternal and civil organizations as well as church groups.

The Bible tells us truly that we shall know a man by his fruits. Just as truly, may you know a town, which is, after all, only an aggregation of men. Judged by that just and righteous standard, Wesson can prove her past and her present. People who have watched the town pass through the years, have been amazed at the number of distinguished and worthwhile men who have gone out from the place. The ratio is very high, much higher than the average. These men have made high places for themselves in banking, in finances, in transportation, in the arts and in all professions, including that of the ministry. Best of all, the people who have left the town whether in its earlier or its later days, have been known as good citizens in their new homes. These things do not happen by accident. One does not gather figs from thistles.

And so it is that one may say without any fear of contradiction, that Wesson has served her people in the past and that she is still serving them, since those people are sending their children out into the world to do its work and to do it with courage and competency.

Enterprise Editor As He Looked 32 Years Ago

Above is a picture of Mayor Walter W. Robertson, editor of the Wesson Enterprise, which he founded in 1899, and is published upon request of the Wesson P.T.A.

Mr. Robertson, at the time of the above photo, was serving as a member of the town board of alderman, having occupied a seat in this official body as alderman of ward three and alderman-­‐ at-­‐large for sixteen years, and is now rounding out his twentieth year as mayor of Wesson.

From 1908-­‐1912 he was a member of the state legislature from Copiah, during which time among many laws he helped sponsor was the bill in the extra-­‐ordinary session of 1911 which created agricultural high schools. He introduced the first bill for the creation of a state pardon board, defeated then; but a similar bill passed, 30 years later, by the legislature.

Editor Robertson has always encouraged and promoted community interest, giving space generously to every worthwhile project, and as a group, the P.T.A. feels deeply indebted to him.

P.T.A. understands the Wesson Enterprise has the largest small-­‐town circulation of any paper between Memphis an New Orleans. It is a connecting link with many who lived here in days gone by, and to the boys in service, it is a personal letter from home.

The P.T.A. extends its sincere thanks and best wishes for the continued success of both, the editor and the Enterprise.

Officers of the P.T.A.

A Story About Wesson’s Great Mississippi Mills—Now Gone

Editor’s Note: The following story of the famed Mississippi Mills, once located in Wesson, was issued in booklet form by the late Mr. John P. Richardson, its president, and Mr. Wm. Oliver, its secretary-­‐treasurer and general manager, and is so full of wonderful reading and facts about Wesson that when we saw a copy of it, we decided to reproduce it in full. So often students and others have asked us for a history of Wesson. We can think of no more complete early history of Wesson than that contained herein. It is well written, based on true facts, and is worthy of your scrapbook. The booklet is owned by Mrs. Bob Smith of Wesson, who has had it about sixty years. It was handed to us by Mr. John Spears who thought it was wonderful.

Later, the additions to the big mills here spoken of as forthcoming in the booklet were added. We hope you enjoy the story, which is as follows:

The Wesson Enterprise April 6, 1951

Mississippi Mills Wesson, Mississippi

These Mills are located at Wesson, Mississippi, about 135 miles north of New Orleans and 45 miles south of Jackson, on the Illinois Central Railroad. A few years ago, this was but a pine forest, worth at most, one dollar per acre, and now there stands here one of the most substantial towns anywhere along this line of railroad. Wesson, today, has a population of about 4,000 and a valuation of property over one and one-­‐half million dollars. The Mississippi Mills alone pay taxes this year on nearly one million dollars worth of property, and they have a large investment exempt from taxation for ten years, which will bring their property alone to nearly one and one-­‐half million dollars. It might be interesting to those who do not know

anything about this large enterprise to know some of the particulars concerning it, and we here give a synopsis of the size and number of Mills and their production.

There are three Mills, all of brick, as follows: No. 1, three stories, 50 x 350 feet; No. 2, four stories, 50 x 212 feet; No. 3 (new building) five stories, 50 x 240 feet, two towers, six stories high, 20 square feet, with 5,000 gallon water tanks and automatic sprinklers throughout. The tower between No. 1 and No. 2 is eight stories, with a 20,000 gallon water tank, which lead throughout every part of the works automatic sprinklers, effectually obviating the danger of destruction by fire. A fourth building is 40 x 100 feet, 2 stories high, besides which the loom shed just erected is one story and basement, 175 x 340 feet.

In these buildings there are 25,000 cotton spindles, 26 complete sets of woolen machinery and 800 looms, the latter increased to about 1,200 in the near future Besides the facts mentioned, there is an abundance of machinery used in dyeing, finishing, etc. It requires 4 engines with a combined force of 1,000 horse power to furnish the necessary motive power.

In connection with the above buildings, the Mills have a large cotton warehouse, capacity 6,000 bales of cotton; which is about their requirements annually. In the basement of the loom shed they have a storage capacity of two million pounds of wool, and it will require almost this much after this year to supply their wants. The system of water works of these Mills is excellent. They have a 115,000 gallon cistern, connected with fire pumps and a 6-­‐inch water main and standpipes at convenient points for attaching hose, which form an efficient system of water works, driven by two Worthington pumps capable of forcing water over the highest building. The supply is taken from a spring creek, one and one-­‐quarter miles distant and is inexhaustible.

One of the reasons for the success of these Mills is the great variety of products. There is hardly any article in staple goods, made of cotton and wool, but what they can supply. The following is a list of their products:

Cassimeres

Jeans

Doeskins

Tweeds

Linseys

Flannels

Wool Knitting Yarn

Cotton Knitting Yarn

Cotton Rope

Cotton Warp Yarn

Cottondales

Flannelettes

Gingham Plaids

Cheviots

Checks

Plaids

Stripes

Hickory

Brown Sheeting

Shirting

Drilling

8 ounce Osnaburgs

Ticking for Feathers and Mattresses

Sewing Thread

Sewing Twine for Bags and Awnings

Wrapping Twine

Honey Comb Towels

Awning

Balmoral Skirts, Etc.

Samples and prices of all our Goods will be cheerfully furnished on application.

Very soon they will be running knitting machinery which will turn out hose and underwear of a superior quality. These goods have a reputation of excellence that is not surpassed by the products of any Mills in the world, and the trade for them is drawn from almost every State and Territory in the Union.

These Mills now employ about a thousand hands, but will have almost double that number when all the new machinery is started up. The present monthly payroll is from 18 to 20 thousand dollars, which will be almost doubled when the increase of hands is required. These employees are for the most part taken right from the surrounding country and adjoining counties. One of the blessings of this great enterprise, is its benevolence in supplying employment for women and children that would be almost helpless without some work of this kind. Our people are happy and contented, and everything moves a long harmoniously. In order that any who may have a desire to immigrate this way, may see what inducements we have to offer, we attach hereto an article from our Board of Immigration, which offers inducements to homebuilders to come to our vicinity, well worth considering.

Wesson and Its Resources What we Have and What We Need “Wesson, Mississippi, is the thriftiest town in the South. With undivided money and means they have built a factory in the cotton belt covering six acres of ground, from three to five stories high.

This is the largest manufacturing institution South of the Ohio River, and is very properly called the Lowell of the South. The town is located on the Illinois Central Railroad, 135 miles from New Orleans and 45 miles south of Jackson. It is in the pine belt of Mississippi where fruits and

vegetables are raised in the greatest perfection and abundance. It is in the same county (Copiah) that Crystal Springs is in, from which latter point nine car loads of vegetables were shipped daily last year.

It has a black sandy, loam soil, with a splendid clay sub-­‐soil. Its elevation is about 500 feet above the level of the sea. Its pine scented breezes from the adjacent forest seem to be a never failing preventive of malarial and yellow fever. The population of Wesson is mostly composed of white people who are willing to extend a cordial welcome to capital and immigration. Northern and Western immigrants who are tired of their rigid winters, can find no other place in the whole South better adapted to the pursuit of their avocations whatever they may be, than in our section of country. The invigorating rays of the sun and the gentle breezes make it unsurpassed in health & comfort. School and church edifices erected in our town is another emblem of morality and prosperity. The trustees have just completed a $20,000 brick school house, with a seating capacity for 1,000 students. The school is conducted by a large and able corps of teachers, ten months in the year, giving alike to the scholars, rich or poor, free access and proper attention. This public school is the pride of our town, and a great many of our country neighbors have moved here for no other purpose but for the education of their children. Besides this well patronized school, we have other private institutions of learning, among them, the Hall in the Grove, under the discipline of Mrs. Chrisman, a lady teacher of many years experience. Wesson has five churches of different denominations, conducted by the leadership of eminent divines. These churches have large memberships and are usually well attended at all services.

The merchants and business men of Wesson are anxious for a bank, and will contribute capital and energy to supply this want. Among other industries that Wesson needs is an ice factory. This could be operated at a nominal cost and its output consumed by Wesson and adjoining towns. Not very far from the business portion of the town a beautiful stream emerges from springs that would abundantly furnish water for this business. Another is a sash, door and blind factory, that would undoubtedly be one of the most profitable industries in which capital could be invested. All the necessary materials and timber being largely manufactured and shipped from here to other enterprises of like kind. Wesson is rapidly increasing in population. From the Mills’ tower you can count a hundred or more new houses under construction.

Cotton Receipts The town handles 12,000 bales of cotton yearly worth $500,000. As the largest portion of this cotton is manufactured in the town, thereby saving all freight, insurance, storage and commission charges, our merchants are enabled to give a better price for cotton than any other town on the Illinois Central Railroad. All other country produce, such as butter, eggs, milk, vegetables, wool, hides, etc., find a ready sale in our midst. Several farms adjoining the town, with abundant water supply and pasturage, could be converted into dairy-­‐farms with a local demand for all their products.

A wagon and buggy factory, also a furniture factory could be operated here and supplied with material, such as hickory, oak, beech, ash, poplar, gum, cherry, and pine, in fact nearly all the soft and hard woods are abundant in the forests adjoining the town. All these forests will be developed by our new railroad which we hope to soon have under construction, and which is to extend from some point on the Mississippi River to the coal and iron fields of Alabama.

Another of the wants of Wesson is a Jeans Pants factory in which our local business men would take stock. With the prestige the Mississippi Mills has for making the finest Jeans in the United States, there would be no trouble in selling these goods made up into pants.

There is abundant labor here awaiting employment in such an institution. One of the greatest inducements for capital to come into our town and country is our minimum tax rate, $17 per thousand, covering State, County, and School levy. With this levy our school is run ten months during the year.”

Stock Raising Stock raising can be made a paying industry a few miles from town, where large farms on Bayou Pierre are especially adapted for this business; pasturage being abundant in summer and sufficient switch cane to keep cattle in winter, which is unusually mild. Large amounts of grass hay and Lespidezer (Lespedeza) hay can be reaped from the broad flats – more than ample for winter use for all cattle and other stock. Our people are taking more interest in the raising of cattle than formerly, & some very fine specimens are in our midst, of Jersey, Holsteins, Devon, etc., which do well in this climate. Mules are also easily raised here.

Temperature of our Climate Our temperature ranges from 32 Fah. In winter, to about 98 Fah. In July and August. A sun-­‐stroke is unknown in our State. During the warm season we have frequent showers, refreshing everything and modifying the heat to a great extent.

Health The health of our climate is good, as compared with other sections either North or South. Diptheria (Diphtheria) , pneumonia and catarrh which are so fatal and disagreeable in the North and West, are seldom seen here and then only in mild forms. Out of a population of 4,000 we had only ten cases of pneumonia last winter, and every one of them recovered. We have most of our sickness in the months of August and September. The most prevalent diseases being bilious remittent fever, which when continued is called typho-­‐malarial fever. Infants are subject to bowel troubles here as everywhere when teething. Have never had a case of yellow fever in the town of Wesson; and epidemics do not occur oftener than once in ten years in the South.

Our death rate is lower than most any town in the South, owing to our elevation (500 feet above sea level) and splendid water and excellent drainage.

Prohibition Wesson is now and always will be a prohibition town, and is in a prohibition county.

Insects These pests which are so troublesome on our sea-­‐coasts, & in different parts of the North & West, hardly form a disturbing element here. Many of our best families never use mosquito bars during any season of the year.

Box Factory For Shipping Fruits and Vegetables

This would be a paying institution in the town of Wesson. Bayou Pierre swamp, four miles away, can furnish gum and poplar for a lifetime, for the manufacture of these goods, which are so largely in demand.

We have raised 500 bushels of tomatoes per acre in the corporate limits of Wesson. Our soil is the home of the peach, pear, and grape. There is an extensive vineyard four miles South of town, yielding annually, 2,500 gallons of wine, equal to any of California’s production. All varieties of strawberries do well here—yielding, in favorable years, from $100 to $300 per acre. Hence, the great need of a factory to make boxes in which to ship fruit and vegetables.

Canning Factory From what we have said above with regard to the prolific growth of vegetables in this section, it will be readily surmised that a canning factory would be a paying investment here to use the surplus produce which it does not pay to ship to Northern markets. If we had a canning factory to consume the late crop, our people would engage much more extensively in raising vegetables, and receive more handsome profits for their crops. We feel sure if there was a canning factory, there would be ample quantities of fruits and vegetables to supply it for three or four months during the vegetable season.

Lumber Industry The immense pine forest East and West of Wesson, will furnish lumber for sawmill men, for years to come. Our forest of long leaf pine will cut from 10,000 to 20,000 feet of lumber per acre. These forests can be bought into ready use by means of tramroads or narrow gauge railroads by extending as far as five to twenty miles back into the interior, where the timber lies in unbroken bodies. Pearl River is about twenty miles East of this point, and a valley railroad route to some natural lakes on this stream, would furnish logs for milling industries for years to come at a minimum rate, by rafting them down Pearl and Strong Rivers for forty to fifty miles, if necessary to go that far.

Valuation of property in the corporate limits of Wesson, Mississippi, is about $1,500,000. Out corporate limits embrace two square miles. Good residence lots can be had from $100 to $200, say from 100 to 200 feet square. Farm property can be bought from five to ten dollars per acre for two to five miles from town, and unimproved land at one to two dollars per acre about two and a half miles to five miles away. All necessary encouragements and inducements to home-­‐builders, will be given by our people, regardless of religious or political views.

Persons in the North and the West wishing to exchange their mountains of snow and forty degrees below zero weather for gentle southern breezes, their drouths (sic) * arid plains for well distributed seasons and fertile valleys, their strikes and turmoils, for peaceable, thrifty and hardworking associates can do no better than come to Wesson, where a cordial welcome and hearty hand shake awaits them.

Wood Industry and Mineral Waters About ten miles northwest of Wesson is located the celebrated Brown’s (mineral) Wells, which are noted throughout the Southern States for their healing properties; there exists within an area of two acres, mineral Wells, highly impregnated with lime, sulphur, magnesia, iron and potash. These waters have been found very beneficial in bowel complaints, liver and kidney diseases, and have effected some cures, hardly short of miracles. A branch railroad could be extended out Bayou Pierre valley to these Wells, without any considerable grading, and through one of the finest pineries in the Southern States, which can be purchased for a nominal sum. The lumber from these pineries could be sold in Wesson and the tops of the trees could be utilized as fuel for the Mississippi Mills which consume fifty cords daily, for which they pay two dollars per cord delivered. Private residences during the winter months consume about twenty-­‐five cords per day of hardwood, which is

obtainable along the line this road would open up, making in all seventy-­‐five cords per day or say $150 from the wood industry, aside from the freight & passenger income to these Wells which are open Winter and Summer, and are now largely attended even without railroad facilities.

The Founder of Our Town Col. J. M. Wesson

The Wesson Enterprise February 1, 1952

Editor’s Note: It has been some months since the Enterprise promised readers a story on the life of the town of Wesson’s founder, Col. J. M. Wesson. However, it has taken some weeks to get material together and also we’ve waited for an expedient time to use the article.

Our very sincere thanks go to Col. Wesson’s only two surviving grandchildren, Mr. R. H. Bostwick of New Albany and Mrs. Kate B. Reaben of McComb, who supplied material. We feel all Enterprise readers will enjoy this story about their town and her founder and will preserve it in scrapbooks, along with the schools of the town which may like to place it in their libraries. The Enterprise is glad to present to you the following story. – Paul L. Robertson

Col. J. M. Wesson was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina April 14, 1815.

His great-­‐grandfather Wesson, with two brothers, departed from Wales to this country when they were young men. One of them settled in Rhode Island, & a large number of mercantile and other businesses still bear the name of Wesson in that state.

The third brother (great-­‐grandfather of Col. Wesson) settled in Virginia from whence the descendants have scattered over the South and West. Colonel Wesson’s father, Isaac Wesson, married in Brunswick, Virginia and moved to Rockingham, North Carolina. He was a frugal and industrious man. Col. Wesson’s mother was Miss Seward. Her grandfather, with two brothers, came over from England (about the time the Wesson brothers came to America) and settled in New York. Very little is known about them but it is understood that W. H. Seward of New York was a descendant of one of the brothers.

When J. M. Wesson was about eight years of age he attended an old field school for a few months in each year for several years. He was a hand on the farm. His father, though of meager finances, was well-­‐informed, and subscribed to the Raleigh Register and other papers of that time. He was an old-­‐liner of the Clay and Webster school. Under his teachings his son acquired a very good knowledge of the primary essentials of education.

This remarkable man commenced his career before he had attained the age of nineteen. At that time he left the paternal roof to face the rugged realities of life he had not a dollar in his pocket. His worldly goods consisted of a horse which his father had given him and a saddle and bridle which he, himself, had purchased with the money he had realized from a small tobacco crop – cultivated at odd moments. Although he was a minor & without money, still his father’s reputation for honor and honesty enabled him to buy a quantity of tobacco and have it manufactured on a credit. Having shipped his tobacco to Columbus, Georgia, he bought horses

and a wagon and started to Columbus to drum for himself, and had his tobacco distributed by cotton wagons. The first year he realized about one thousand dollars. Then he engaged in merchandising. At the end of two years there were two thousand two hundred dollars on the books to his credit. He continued to prosper from this time to the civil war. He spent the greater portion of his time out of business hours in reading (medical among other things) and studying. These studies were carried on under the supervision of Drs. Holt and Persons.

When he was about 28 he married Mrs. Hardy of Summerville. Owing to the change from country to city life, he became dyspeptic, and in order to regain his health he formed a company (of which he was president) in Columbus, in 1847, to migrate to Mississippi, and build a cotton & wool factory. Before locating he visited this state, making extensive examinations of the advantages and disadvantages and finally located in Choctaw County at equal distances from the navigable waters of the Tombigbee and Yazoo.

He arrived in Choctaw County on the 17th of the month, & settled upon McCurtin’s creek, called his home Bankston, which very soon became a place of note. He built a sawmill (in order to saw lumber for the factory) and sent competent men East to buy machinery for the factory which had to be shipped by the Yazoo river to Greenwood, and he hauled from there, a distance of sixty-­‐five miles. Nine miles of that being through the Yazoo swamp, he had to build many bridges to hold up his heavy machinery – his boiler weighed nine thousand six hundred pounds.

In 1848 he started the first spindle and spun the first yarns that were ever made in Mississippi by steam or water power. The same year, in connection with the factory he built a flour mill, which was doubtless the first in the state. The first year he ground only four bushels of wheat; the second he ground very little more; the wheat having been killed by a very heavy frost on the 16th and 17th of May; but having introduced new varieties, in three years the success in wheat growing in that section of the country was so great that at one time he had four thousand bushels of wheat in the mill and forty wagon loads in the yard; thus proving the soil in Mississippi to be adapted to extensive wheat growing as well as cotton. He put in operation a custom Woolcard, and encouraged farmers to raise sheep; wrote several articles on the treatment of sheep. He also put in operation a machine shop for making cotton machinery, built a church, established a Sunday school, and organized a Masonic lodge. He was master of the lodge for eight or nine years and superintendent of the Sunday school about fifteen years.

The manufacturing company was eminently successful and declared a dividend of 37 ½ per cent per annum for several years in succession, and held a large reserve fund; stocks had increased to $350,000.00 and the company was prospecting for a location for another mill when the booming cannons drove them back to the old fort. On the night of December 30, 1864, the mills were one mass of angry flames, whose bright tongues leaped higher & higher overlapping each other thus affording GRAND FIREWORKS for the Federal cavalry. The morning of December 31st dawned bright and clear, and where once stood the mill of Bankston all was ruin and desolation.

During the war, Col. Wesson had a very laborious work on his hands; for the first years he had under his supervision all of the hide and tan-­‐yards in the state; had the hide tanned and made into shoes for the soldiers; was an assistant of Maj. Mims & held his ‘carte blanche,’ but refused to accept compensation. He never used a cent of the government money, but furnished his own horse and paid for his own expenses, bought everything he saw that he might help with.

The enthusiasm with which many areas sprang to arms at the beginning of the war caused many to leave their families underprovided for; but the position which the company occupied enabled them to do great good in feeding and clothing destitute families, as well as furnishing clothing for soldiers in the field. Notwithstanding, EVERY MEMBER of the company was OPPOSED TO THE WAR, yet, when war WAS DECLARED THEY CONTRIBUTED without stint to the Lost Cause. Col. Wesson made it known far and near that no soldier’s wife should come to him for a bushel of meal without getting it; he kept that promise most sacredly. Their ability to furnish them with flour and bacon was circumscribed to the wants of the army; but during the year 1864 alone the company distributed among the families, 160,000 pounds of flour. Having two plantations near the railroad, they exchanged the corn on those plantations with the Quartermaster for corn in Choctaw County, which they turned over to the commissioners for the poor with prescribed rules for distribution. Last but not least of their aid was supplying the people with salt.

WESSON FOUNDED

Soon after the close of the war, Col. Wesson set about establishing another manufacturing enterprise, and organized a company for that purpose. While he was East buying machinery, other members were out looking for a suitable place for the location of a new factory. Going to Copiah County they selected the present site of WESSON, situated on the New Orleans, St. Louis, and Chicago Railroad, giving it the name of WESSON, in honor of its founder.

Wesson, like her sister Bankston, was wilderness before being touched by the magic wand of industry. They had the town incorporated. They prohibited whiskey, seventy-­‐five operatives’ houses were built, and in 1866 the Wesson Mills began operation, &, as was very appropriately said in a sketch of Col. Richardson’s life, “The animated rattle of thousands of spindles succeeded to the melancholy moan of the pine forest which environed Wesson.”

Besides building the mills many company homes were erected in Wesson, housing the employees, also residences for officials of the company. The Colonel’s first residence was on the site of the present Mrs. I. J. Williams grounds & was a much more pretentious structure than the one now standing. The one now standing he built after the first structure was destroyed by fire. He lived there during his ownership of the homestead and until this property in connection with the Mississippi Mills passed out of his hands. His property actually almost consisted of all the town of Wesson.

In the beginning, after the purchase of the land which was afterwards incorporated as the town of Wesson, Col. Wesson gave to the three religious denominations – Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist – land for the building of their churches and contributed much to the buildings.

Colonel Wesson, himself, was a Methodist, and the first Methodist church was down on the corner of the Main street, where at that period Becker-­‐Lyle & McGrath stood. (Co-­‐Ed Dress Shop and Pannell’s News Stand & Taxi are now located at this spot.) This early church along with most of the other old landmarks was destroyed by fire.

In the days when the town of Wesson was incorporated there were open saloons and Col. Wesson had a clause written in the charter that there should not be a saloon in the corporate limits of the town of Wesson. Copiah County was dry and Lincoln County was wet. (2014 Note: Lincoln County was created April 7, 1870, from portions of Lawrence, Pike, Franklin, Copiah, and Amite counties.) By natural boundaries Wesson was & would have been in Lincoln County, but Col. Wesson had a nitch cut down into Lincoln, as you will note on graphic maps, throwing Wesson in Copiah County but surrounded on three sides by Lincoln.

After the burning of Bankston the company still had enough left to have made a good beginning under civil government. But despotism and enterprise are directly antagonistic, and when you make it a military despotism, no enterprise can live under it, as was fully proved, for every enterprise in the state of Mississippi as consumed; not one was left to tell the tale. Col. Wesson made one million dollars by manufacturing under the civil government; but it was all consumed under military despotism, and at fifty years of age he was again left without a dollar; he even gave up his dwelling (which Captain Oliver occupied) to pay the debts of the company, but like all other bankrupt estates, the effect, though ample, for the wants of management failed to pay the debts.

In 1865 Col. Wesson was in the Eastern States, and was thrown in contact with all classes of the community – the hotel keepers, streetcar drivers, conductors, mechanics in the shops, operatives in factories, the owners of the mills and machine shops, bankers, commercial and political men, in fact he was thrown in contact with people in all the walks of life. He interviewed them with reference to their feelings toward the “rebels,” and saw that poison itself was a weak diluted composition in comparison to the hatred and malice they bore on us.

He knew that the South would have to drink the cup to the very dregs, and common sense taught him that it would be best for her people to realize the situation & make the best of the circumstances in which they were placed. With these views and a deep feeling of the responsibility which rested on all intelligent men to act promptly in order to save the Southern people from a still deeper degradation, he went to Jackson and submitted a letter on the situation to the Judge William Yerger, Hon. E. Barksdale, and others probably. His views received their endorsement. Its effect advised prompt reconstruction upon the terms prescribed in the Constitutional Amendments. To convince the people that this course was the true policy, he wrote a series of papers for the CLARION which earnestly cooperated with him in its editorial columns. Soon afterwards letters embodying similar views were published in that paper from Judge Yerger, W. P. Harris, Fulton Anderson, and T. J. Wharton. Their authors

brought down upon themselves a storm of abuse. Following up on the plan Messrs. Yerger, Wharton, Barksdale, and others organized what was called a Conservative Reconstruction club at Jackson. Judge Yerger was president of the club, & Gen. W. F. Fitzgerald of Vicksburg, at that time scarcely of age, secretary. The authors of the movement received but little encouragement at the time, but they afterwards had the satisfaction of realizing that the entire white population of the South saw and confessed the wisdom of their counsels.

Their advice, however, was disregarded at the opportune time, and the Constitutional Convention, which might have been controlled by the best of men of the state, was turned over to carpetbaggers. This Convention adopted a constitution so odious that when it was submitted to the people it was rejected, but the Convention had provided for such a contingency by entailing upon itself a committee to sit until the vote was taken, and , in the event it was voted down, to throw out votes enough to change the results, which they very easily by summoning a few Negro witnesses and examining them privately – refusing all opponents to be present or to cross-­‐examine the witnesses. The Constitution was so odious that even the extreme Radicals at the North refused to sanction it, and Congress passed a law authorizing the President (Gen. Grant) to strike out the objectionable features & refer it again to the people.

Col. Wesson had seen the President, took him a copy of the Constitution and pointed out the most odious features in it, and used his influence to get him to strike them out, and re-­‐submit it to the people, and was the one put in force.

Col. Wesson’s Family

As stated above, Col. Wesson was married to Mrs. Charles Hardy, who before her first marriage was Emily Reynolds. She died in 1871 during the yellow fever scourge at Jackson. By this marriage he had three children, and these were the only children he ever had. They were James W. Wesson and his twin Laura Wesson who married Mr. Earns; and Kate Wesson, who married Mr. Bostwick.

James Wesson had five children who are all living. Mrs. Fred Nalty (Laura) lives in Brookhaven.

The others live at a distance.

Mrs. Laura Earns had four children and the only surviving one it is believed is Mrs. Maude Redding of Jackson.

Mrs. Kate Bostwick had five children. Ruth Bostwick was Col. Wesson’s first grandchild & was born in 1870 at Wesson in the I. J. Williams house now standing in this town; Mr. R. H. Bostwick, now of New Albany; and Mrs. Kate B. Reaben of McComb are the only members of this family now living.

The only remaining descendant in Wesson of Col. Wesson was his granddaughter, a sister of the Bostwick children above, the late Mrs. J. E. Patterson. Those remaining to live in Wesson of Mrs. Patterson’s family are: Mr. J. Kennedy Patterson and Mrs. Norman Peets, who are great-­‐ grandchildren of Col. Wesson and Mrs. Peets’ two sons who are great-­‐great-­‐grandchildren of Col. Wesson; and children of one of these sons who are great-­‐great-­‐great grandchildren of the Colonel and founder of our town. All reside in Wesson in 1952.

When the Mills at Wesson passed into other hands, Col. Wesson located at Bogue Chitto on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he actively engaged in a large & prosperous lumber business.

Having had the misfortune to lose by death the companion of his earlier years, in January 1881, he married Mrs. H. C. Collier, with whom he enjoyed the pleasures of contented and happy home until his death.

Colonel Wesson died in 1899 & is buried in Jackson, Mississippi. He and another Wesson pioneer, Col. John P. Richardson, great builders, both, but business competitors in many branches, are buried side by side.

Note: 2014, This article appeared in the February 1, 1952 edition of The Wesson Enterprise. This paper is on microfilm roll #7137 at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History in Jackson.

Wesson to Celebrate 100th Anniversary Wesson Enterprise, March 27, 1964

One hundred years ago, a Town was born!

“Section 1. Charter of Incorporation – Be it by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi that the territory included in the each half of section 33, and west half of section 34, in township nine of range eight west, in the County of Copiah, is, and the same is hereby incorporated as the Town of Wesson. Approved March 31, 1864.” Thus our beloved Town of Wesson was born.

A Biographical and Pictorial Guide to the Mississippi Mills

the

book, “A

History

Mississippi

From of Cotton Mills and Mill Villages” by Narvell Strickland; October 1998 as a side note book first printed February 1995 under title "A History of Mississippi Cotton Mills and Sanders Magnolia Mill Village. "Revised and reprinted October 1998 under current title.

The Civil War, unfortunately, was to destroy the state's four textile

mills along with most of its other small industry. In 1863 General

and his troops d estroyed the W oodville, Jackson, and GRANT

Penitentiary mills; but because of its isolated location, t he Bankston

Mill survived a

w hile l onger.

F ederal t roops l ater l earned

of the

Bankston M ill.

O n D ecember 3 0, 1 864, a

f oraging p arty

under the

command of General Benjamin H. GRIERSON raided the defenseless

village and burned the cotton and wool mill, the shoe factory, and the

being fired. flour mill while the inhabitants slept and without a shot

Soon after his mill was destroyed by fire, Colonel WESSON set out to

Besides the building of the cotton mills, many company were erected in Wesson; these homes of both homes

employees and officials of the company were built of the fine pine timbers found in the area. The Colonel’s first residence was on the site of the present Mrs. I. J. Williams grounds and was a much more pretentious structure than the one now standing. The one now standing was built by Col. Wesson after the first structure was destroyed by fire. He lived there during his ownership of the homestead and until this property in connection with the mills passed out of his hands. At one time his property actually consisted of almost the entire town of Wesson.

Captain William Oliver came to Wesson in 1871 and became one of the owners of the Mississippi Manufacturing Company.

Above the house that is known today as the Oliver House.

Left – Captain and Mrs. Oliver

Captain Oliver died in 1891.

The “Mississippi Manufacturing Company” at Wesson was operated by Col. Wesson until 1871. In that year the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. The company was then sold to Captain William Oliver and John T. Hardy, businessmen of New Orleans. Captain Oliver moved to Wesson and assumed management of the factory until it was destroyed by fire in 1873. Mr. Hardy then sold his interest to Col. Edmund Richardson, the largest cotton planter in the world. Captain Oliver and his associates made immediate plans to rebuild the mills on a much larger scale; soon the new buildings, later known as Mill No. 1, was erected on the site of the original mill. The name of the business was changed to “Mississippi Mills.” Success crowned the efforts of the new owners. Col. Richardson and Captain Oliver were, respectively, President and General Manager of the company.

John P. Hopkinson, the only foreigner –

an Englishman – in the Mills, was superintendent and a splendid asset.

Colonel Edmund Richardson (1818-­‐

1886), the largest cotton planter in the world, bought John T. Hardy’s share of the mill and rebuilt it after

the f ire of 1 873.

It was C ol. Richardson who built the

new and famed Mississippi Mills at

Wesson in 1873, after the original

mills built by Col. Wesson had been

destroyed

. The magnificent mill structures

together with hundreds of mill homes

were erected by Col. Richardson.

Captain William Oliver became his

right-­‐hand man. Col. Richardson

once remarked that the reason he did not build other

places, he could not find another Captain Oliver.

(Wesson Enterprise,

July 6, 1951.)

Left -­‐ Colonel Edmund Richardson

and his son, John P. Richardson

Col. Richardson and his son, John P. Richardson, and Captain Oliver held a prominent and paramount part in Wesson’s early history and growth. One of the landmarks still standing they built then known as the Richardson House, is the Wesson hotel. Mr. John Richardson was assistant superintendent of the Mills & after the death of his father became president.

The sudden death of Col. Edmund Richardson was a severe blow to the great Mills here.

He left a vast fortune of over two million dollars to his heirs. When Captain William Oliver also died suddenly a short while afterwards as did John P. Richardson, the great Mississippi Mills passed into other hands and it was not long before their inspired and magnificent leadership was sorely missed, and the great manufacturing plants and system that was the greatest in the world at that time soon for various reasons failed. The leaders had died and with them died the spirit and leadership. The truly colossal plants and thriving business Wesson enjoyed through their efforts closed and finally perished from the town’s rich earth.

Captain Oliver has three granddaughters who still reside in Wesson: Mrs. Sarah Rea Anderson, Mrs. Mary Lou Rea Phillips, and Miss Ella Rea, their mother, now dead also, being the daughter of Captain Oliver.

The Wesson Enterprise

July 6, 1951

Walter W. Robertson, Editor

Col. Wesson was extremely supportive of the religious activities of the citizens of Wesson. At the beginning of the town, after the purchase of the land which was afterwards incorporated as the town of Wesson, Col. Wesson gave to the three religious denominations – Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian – land for the building of their churches; he also contributed much to the buildings. The Colonel himself was a Methodist. The first Methodist church was down on the corner of the main street, where at that period Becker-­‐Lyle and McGrath stood. This early church, along with most of the other old landmark

Top Left – Wesson Baptist Bottom Left – Catholic Below – Presbyterian – being the only church surviving in 2014 Bottom Right – Episcopal