Wesson 1864 - 1964

Wesson  1864  –  1964  

 By  Miss  Evelyn  Williams  in  collaboration  with  Mrs.  Paul  Little  

    One  hundred  years   ago  on  March  31,   1864,  Wesson  was   incorporated  as   a   town.     Its  history  had  begun  only  a  short  time  before  when  Col.  J.  M.  Wesson,  having  had  his  mills  (cotton  and  woolen  and  a  flour  mill)  in  Choctaw  County  destroyed  by  a  Union  Army,  built  a  lumber  mill  at  this  site.    This  was  the  first  step  toward  building  a  cotton  and  woolen  mill  to  replace  the  mills  he   had   lost.     He   organized   a   company   for   the   project.     While   he   was   in   the   East   buying  machinery,   other  members   of   the   company   chose   this   site   located   on   the   New   Orleans,   St.  Louis  and  Chicago  Railroad.    It  was  named  Wesson  in  honor  of  Col.  Wesson.           In  1866  Col.  Wesson  with  associates,  two  of  whom  were  Major  W.  H.  Hallam  and  Major  James  Hamilton,  erected  a  cotton  mill,  known  as  the  Mississippi  Manufacturing  Company,  and  built  seventy-­‐six  operatives’  houses.     It  was  expedient  to  extend  the  corporate  limits  and  that  was   done   by   the   State   Legislature   on   October   30,   1866.     This   Mississippi   Manufacturing  Company  was  operated  under  Col.  Wesson’s  management  until  1871  at  which  time  it  was  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   sold   his   interests   to   Col.   Edmund   Richardson.     Captain   Oliver   and   his  associates  made  immediate  plans  to  rebuild  the  mill  on  a  much  larger  scale  and  soon  the  new  building,  later  known  as  Mill  No.  1,  was  erected  on  the  site  of  the  original  mill.    The  name  of  the  business  was  changed  to  the  Mississippi  Mills.  Success  crowned  the  efforts  of  the  new  owners,  Col.  Richardson  was  President  and  Captain  Oliver  the  General  Manager.       In  1877  the  State  Legislature  redefined  the  boundaries  of  Wesson  and  1884  changed  the  corporate  limits  to  exclude  portions  on  the  west  side  of  town.           In   the   1870’s   and   1880’s  Wesson’s   growth   and   prosperity   centered   around   the  Mills,  whose  growth  was  phenomenal.     It  was  stated  that  “the  best  single  example  of   the  post-­‐war  period  was  the  Mississippi  Mills.”     In  1885  Mill  No.  2  was  built  and  in  1887  Mill  No.  3.    At  the  completion  of  the  third  mill  the  plant  employed  about  1200  and  the  population  of  Wesson  had  grown   to   4000.     At   the   peak   of   activity   the  Mississippi  Mills   were   described   as   “the   largest  manufacturing  institution  south  of  the  Ohio  River.       After  the  death  of  Captain  Oliver  in  1891,  the  mills  did  not  seem  to  prosper  as  formerly.    The  plan  of  management  in  which  every  detail  was  centered  in  Wesson  was  changed  to  one  in  which  all  buying  and  selling  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  brokers  of  New  York  City.    Labor  troubles  began  to  develop.    The  Mills  never  did  recover  from  the  Panic  of  1893.    The  hey-­‐day  of  the  Mills  was  over.    

  In  1906  the  mills  went  into  receivership  and  in  1910  ceased  operation  entirely.    In  1911  they   were   sold   to   the   original   bondholders   and   later   to   S.   Odenheimer   and   Marks   of   New  Orleans.     In   1919   they   sold   the   building   to   a   group   of   businessmen   in   Copiah   County,   who  resold  them  on  January  9,  1920,  to  a  New  Orleans  wrecking  company.    The  closing  of  the  mills  was  a  severe  economic  blow  to  the  town,  resulting   inevitably   in  the  closing  of  some  business  establishments  and  a  loss  in  population.    

Town  Seeks  New  Industries  and  Enterprises    

  Wesson  businessmen  began  to  seek  new  industries  and  enterprises.    One  result  of  their  efforts  was   the   development   of  Wesson   as   a   Dairy   Center.     This   proved   a   good   venture   for  farmers   and   businessmen.     By   1959   the   shipment   of   milk   from   this   locality   amounted  approximately  to  $3,000.00  per  day.    Wesson  is  no  longer  the  Dairy  Center  but  many  dairymen  operate   in   this   area;   a   number   of   persons   are   engaged   in   raising   beef   cattle.     Industries   are  locating  in  our  little  city,  four  plants  being  the  Potter  Company,  which  manufactures  electrical  equipment;  the  Monticello  Manufacturing  Company,  a  garment  plant;  Ashley’s  Concrete  Block  Plant;   and   Copiah   County   Co-­‐Op.    Wesson   continues   to   ship   forest   products.     Today   (1964)  Wesson  is  going  forward.     Its   inhabitants,  many  of  them  descendants  of  the  people  who  lived  here   in  the  Mill  era,  are  actively   interested  in  the  town’s  economic  development,  educational  opportunities,  social  well-­‐being,  and  spiritual  growth.    They  find  employment  both  at  home  and  in   the   neighboring   towns   of   Hazlehurst   and   Brookhaven   and   some   commute   to   Jackson   and  McComb.    They  have  pride  in  their  town  and  as  individuals  and  as  club  members  strive  to  make  Wesson   a   healthier,   more   beautiful,   and   prosperous   place   in   which   to   live   and   rear   happy  families.    

Water  Supply    

  The  Mississippi  Mills   got   their   water   from   the   spring-­‐fed   Ford’s   Creek,   about   2  miles  from  town.    The  water  was  pumped  into  town  where  it  was  stored  in  a  cistern  of  115,000  gallon  capacity.    The  Worthington  pumps  were  capable  of  forcing  water  over  the  highest  mill  building  (six  stories).    There  was  sufficient  pressure  for  the  use  of  strong  fire  hose  all  over  town.    After  the  closing  of  the  Mills  people  had  to  depend  on  dug  or  bored  wells  on  their  premises.       Today   (1964)   our   water   supply   again   is   the   springs   at   Ford’s   Creek.     A   recent  improvement  has  been  the  erecting  of  a  new  storage  tank  of  150,000  gallon  capacity  and  within  a  few  months  we  shall  have  a  new  reservoir  of  150,000  capacity.    

Lights    

  In  the  early  days  of  Wesson  the  streets  were  lighted  by  kerosene  lamps.    At  every  street  corner  there  was  a  wooden  post  upon  top  of  which  was  a  kerosene  light  enclosed  in  glass;  each  lamp  held  just  enough  oil  to  burn  through  the  night.    Each  afternoon  the  “ole  lamplighter”  went  about  his  task  of  refilling  and  lighting  the   lamps.    Mr.  Scott  Short,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Florence  

Short   Rollins   and  Miss   Allie   Short,  was   one   of   the   lamplighters.     Later   arc   lamps  were   used.    New  carbon  had  to  be  put  into  the  lamps  every  two  or  three  days.    Mr.  Granberry  tended  the  lights.    Mr.  Bob  Purse  owned  and  managed  the  first  electric  light  plant.    Later  the  light  plant  was  owned  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Harvey  with  Mr.  “Bully”  Gordon  as  operator.    The  plant    operated  only  at  night.     It   is   believed   that  Wesson   had   the   first   electric   lights   in  Mississippi   and   even   before  Chicago.    (Note:  Chicago  installed  arc  lights  in  1883;  it  took  an  additional  year  before  the  power  plant  was  constructed.)    The  Mills,  electrically  lighted,  were  described  as  a  “Wonderful  sight  to  see.”    Passengers  on  trains  gazed  in  wonderment  and  people  came  from  far  and  near  to  see  the  “little  light  in  a  bottle.”       After  the  closing  of  the  mills  people  again  had  to  use  kerosene  lamps.    Later  a  local  plant  supplied  electricity,  several  managers  being  Gayle  Williams,  Jim  McKnight,  Walter  Williams,  and  Harry  Weathersby.    Now  the  source  our  electricity  is  the  Mississippi  Power  &  Light  Company.    

Roads,  Streets,  and  Camps    

  The  roads  of  dirt,  usually  very  dusty  and  muddy,  were  heavily  traveled  by  the  ox-­‐teams  and  mule-­‐drawn  wagons.    The  circular  watering  tank  located  in  front  of  the  Davis  Shell  Service  Station  and  now  used  as  a  flower  bed  is  a  daily  reminder  of  the  olden  days.    The  sidewalks  were  made  of   planks   and  a  number  of  wooden  bridges   for   pedestrians   spanned   the  deep   ravines.    One  foot  bridge,  which  led  to  the  hill  on  which  set  the  house  of  Dr.  John  Beavers,  Sr.,  was  20  feet  high;  road  traffic  passed  underneath.       The  State  Legislature  in  1877  approved  an  act  stating,  “That  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  said   town   (Wesson)   shall   have   power   to   require   all   persons   residing   within   corporate  limits…liable  to  road  duty  to  work  not  exceeding  six  days  in  each  year  on  the  streets  or  public  highways  within  the  corporate  limits  of  said  town.”       A  map  of  Wesson   in   the  early  1880’s  showed  the  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  and  New  Orleans  Railroad  dividing  the  town  into  two  parts.    On  the  west  side  in  the  business  section  the  streets  varied  in  width.    Factory  Street  being  100  feet;  Spring  Street  60  feet  and  Church  Street  55  feet.    Streets   in   the   residential   areas  on  both   sides  of   the   railroad  were  approximately  60   feet  but  some  were  forty  feet.    Wesson  Street  was  100  feet.       In  1964  most  of  our  streets  are  blacktopped,  including  the  main  streets  in  the  cemetery;  the  sidewalks  are  of  concrete.    Few  persons  know  the  names  of  the  streets  but  memories  are  stirred   and   smiles   are   seen  when   some  mention   is   jocularly  made   of   “Pig   Alley,”   “Buzzard’s  Wing,”  “Peach  Orchard,”  and  “Silk  Stocking  Avenue,”  the  nicknames  for  certain  streets.         There   were   camp   sites   for   the   oxen   drivers,   teamsters,   and   their   animals,   who  sometimes  remained  in  town  for  as   long  as  a  week.    The  cotton  had  to  be  sold  and  unloaded  from  the  long,  flat  wagons  and  supplies  loaded  for  the  return  trip.    Mr.  Charlie  Hartwell  was  the  buyer  of   the  cotton.    Stories  are  told  of   the  divers  practicing  the  snapping  of   their  whips  and  

having  contests  that  lasted  until  late  hours  at  night,  disturbing  the  slumbers  of  those  who  lived  near  the  camps.    

Real  Estate;  Liquor    

  The  Mississippi  Mills  owned  nearly  all  the  real  estate  in  and  around  Wesson.    Whenever  a  piece  of  land  was  sold  Captain  Oliver,  who  was  a  strong  prohibitionist,  wrote  a  clause  in  the  deed  that  if  alcoholic  liquor  was  ever  sold  on  the  premises  illegally  the  title  to  the  said  property  would   revert   to   the   grantors.     Many   of   these   deeds   are   on   record   at   the   Copiah   County  Courthouse.       Also,  Captain  Oliver  was   instrumental   in  having  the  State  Legislature  change  the  south  boundary  line  of  Copiah  County  by  dropping  down  one  mile  square  in  order  to  have  the  entire  town  of  Wesson  in  Copiah  County,  a  “dry”  county.    Lincoln  County  was  “wet.”    In  those  days  the  “local  option”  plan  was  in  effect.    Today  (1964)  Wesson  is  still  bound  by  Lincoln  County  on  three  sides.     On   March   9,   1888,   the   State   Legislature   approved   an   act   stating,   “That   it   shall   be  unlawful  for  any  person  to  sell  or  to  give  away  to  induce  trade,  any  vinous,  spirituous  or  malt  liquor,  or  other  drinks  which  if  drunk  to  excess  will  produce  intoxication,  within  five  miles  of  the  corporate  limits  of  said  town  of  Wesson  and  Beauregard,  Copiah  County,  Mississippi.”       Good  residence  lots  could  be  had  from  $100  to  $250  for  100  to  200  square  feet.    Farm  property  could  be  bought  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre,  2  to  5  miles  from  town;  unimproved  land  2  to   5   miles   from   town   could   be   bought   for   $1   or   $2   per   acre.     The   property   valuation   in  corporate  limits  in  Wesson  was  $1,500,000.       Today,   the   town’s   assessment   amount   to   approximately   $688,000,   the   total   for  Personalty  (sic),  Realty,  Public  Service,  and  Automobiles.    

Banking    

Al  of  the  banking  of  the  town  was  transacted  through  the  Cotton  Mills  Office  until  the  Bank  of  Wesson  was  organized  on  January  5,  1893.    The  Bank  of  Wesson  has  always  been  soundly  and  efficiently  operated;  even  in  the  years  of  the  Big  Depression,  which  began  in  1929,  our  people  boasted  proudly  that  the  Bank  of  Wesson  was  “as  strong  as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar.”    The  feeling  was  that  Mr.  R.  E.  Rea  was  on  the   job  and  “all  was  well.”    Presidents  of   the  Bank  have  been:    Messrs.  T.  A.  Lee,  Garland  Lyell,  J.  S.  Rea,  and  R.  E.  Rea.    The  present  President  is  Mr.  Edward  Berry,  who  came  to  use  from  Jackson,  where  he  was  affiliated  with  the  First  National  Bank.       In  1957  the  Bank  of  Wesson  moved  into  a  new,  modern  structure,  described  as  up-­‐to-­‐date  in  every  detail.    

Business  Establishments    

In   the   days   of   Col.   J.   M.   Wesson’s   regime,   the   Company   had   its   own   commissary   for   its  employees,   but   after   the   plant  was   sold   independent   stores  were   established.     A   partial   list  follows  of  the  1880’s  and  1890’s:    Carey  &  Earns,  later  known  as  Earns  &  Lyell;  Wimberly  &  Rea;  Wm.  Oliver,  Son  &  Company;  Dampeer,  Riley  &  Company;  Lee,  Somerville  &  Boyd;  Earns,  Fant  &  Long;  Oliver,  Wimberly  &  Patterson;  Lee  &  Lillie;  Williams’  Brothers;  Becker,  Lyell,  McGrath  &  Company;  T.  H.  Wellman’s;  S.  A.  Hammons  &  Company;  Atkinson  &  McDonald;  Alford  &  Price  Drug   Store;   Sam   Bloom’s   Drug   Store;   J.   E.   Patterson’s   Hardware;   McDuff’s   Barber   Shop;  Wright’s  Barber  Shop;  Harvey’s  Ice  Plant;  Purser’s  Power  Plant  and  Pettigrew’s  Café.    All  those  names  are  no  longer  in  existence.    B.  F.  Youngblood  &  Company  closed  its  doors  in  recent  years  due  to  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Curtis  Youngblood  and  his  wife,  Edith  Little  Youngblood.    The  last  of   the   old   establishments   to   sell   out   was   McKay’s   Pressing   Shop   and   that   was   due   to   the  retirement   of   Mrs.   Rudolph   McKay;   her   husband,   popularly   known   as   “Buck,”   has   been   an  invalid  for  several  years.       Our  citizens  had  their  pictures  taken  by  Mr.  Morris,  a  photographer,  or  at  the  W.  H.  B.  Hardy’s  Art  Gallery.    Ladies  purchased  their  hats  from  Mrs.  R.  A.  Torrey’s  Hat  Shop,  Miss  Adelle  Hamilton’s  Hat  Shop  or  from  a  millinery  department  of  the  larger  stores.    Dr.  Charles  Thompson  was  dentist  and  Mr.  R.  L.  Hamilton  had  a  lumber  office.       Most  of  the  business  houses  had  two  stories,  were  built  of  brick  and  had  either  metal  or  slate  roofs.       There  are  several  interesting  records  about  the  W.  W.  Dampeer  building  that  was  built  on  the  same  premises  as  his  dwelling,  which  faced  Spring  Street.    It  was  described  in  1888  and  1889  as  “in  part  a  cow  stable  and  in  part  an  ice  cream  room.”    Another  record  stated  that  it  was  used,  “in  part  as  a  stable;  in  part  by  Monroe  Smith  for  storage  of  coffins  and  burial  caskets,  and  in  part  by  Monroe  Smith  as  a  candy  shop.”     It   seems   that  Mr.  Smith  also  kept  sashes,  doors,  blinds,  and  transoms  there.    In  1890  the  building  was  “occupied  as  a  stable,  in  part  by  D.  F.  Ford  as  a  carpenter  shop,  and  in  part  by  J.  H.  Carlisle  as  a  market  house.”       The  S.  Sexton  Building  was  described  in  1890  as  a  “two-­‐story  brick,  metal-­‐roof  building,  occupied  as  a  drug  store,  family  grocer,  general  store,  printing  office,  and  dentists’  offices.    This  is  the  only  privately-­‐owned  commercial  two-­‐story  building  of  the  Mills  Era  that  still  stands.    It  is  owned  by  Messrs.  Lonnie  Freeman  and  Lester  Furr,  who  operate  the  Wesson  Pharmacy  in  the  corner  portion  of  it.       The  Mississippi  Mills   owned  a  warehouse,  which  was  described   as   a   “two-­‐story  brick,  metal  roof  building,  occupied  for  storage  of  goods,  packing  and  sample  rooms,  and  secretary-­‐treasurer  office,  fronting  on  Main,  Factory  and  Spring  Streets.”    This  is  the  only  Mississippi  Mills  building  still  standing  in  the  business  section  of  town;  and  for  years  it  was  occupied  by  Becker  Lyell  McGrath  &  Company  and  more   recently  by   the  Wesson  Hardware,   the   latter  moving   in  1964  to  the  vacant  B.  F.  Youngblood  &  Company  store.    The  Wesson  Post  Office  and  the  Bank  of  

Wesson  for  years  occupied  the  old  warehouse  building.    Both  have  moved  into  new  structures  build  for  their  special  activities,  the  Post  Office  in  1950  and  the  Bank  of  Wesson  in  1957.    The  building,  in  recent  years  called  the  Beall  Building,  is  now  owned  by  Jesse  Granberry.       Many  of  the  older   inhabitants  of   the  community  remember  Furr’s  Bakery  which  made  delivery  of  fresh  bread  to  the  homes.    The  children  listened  for  the  ringing  of  “Old  Bob’s”  bell  so  that   they   could   run   with   saucers   and   spoons   to   his   wagon   to   buy   delicious   home-­‐made   ice  cream.    Some  of  the  seamstresses  in  the  early  1900’s  were  Miss  Lillie  Coker,  now  Mrs.  Morris  Waddell,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Flippin,  Mrs.  Amanda  Graves  and  Mrs.  G.  W.  Montroy.    Sid  Craft  and  W.  A.  Decell  operated  livery  stables.    Mr.  G.  W.  Montroy  was  a  night  watchman  of  the  Mills’  property  for  15  years  without  losing  a  night.    His  period  of  service  included  the  time  when  the  Mills  were  closed.    

Business  Establishments  –  1964    

Business  followed  by  owner  or  proprietor    

Donis’   Beauty   Shop,   Mrs.   Wilbert   Pickett;   Watch   Repair   Shop,   Olin   Shows;   Perritt’s  Grocery  Store,  Mr.  M.  H.  Perritt;  5  &  10  cent  Store,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Jones;  Wesson  Cleaners  &  Men’s  Wear,  Jesse  Granberry;  Wesson  Pharmacy,  Lonnie  Freeman  and  Lester  Furr;  The  Dollar  Store,  S.  F.  Hailey;  Wesson  Hardware,  R.  E.  Drane;  Smith  Mercantile  company,  Lamar  Smith  and  Frank  Lowery;  Tyson’s  Grocery  &  Market,  E.  F.  Tyson;  Ashley’s  Barber  Shop,  A.  L.  Ashley;  Pure  Oil   Service   Station,   Garland   Case;   Ashley’s   Supermarket,   James   Ashley;   (The   super  market   is  located  on  the  side  of  the  old  cotton  warehouse.)  

    Cities   Service   Oil   Company,   John   (Buddy)   Springs;   Copiah   County   Co-­‐Op   AAL,  

Ralph   Smith,   manager;   Cowen   Chevrolet   Company,   Hollis   Cowen,   Sr.;   Davis   Shell   Service  Station,  Curtis  L.  Davis;  Furr’s  Gulf  Service  Station,  Kenneth  Furr;  Hamilton’s  TV  &  Appliances,  John  T.  Hamilton;  Harrison’s  Cleaners,  R.  L.  Hamilton,  Jr.;  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  Archie  Phipps,  Station   Agent;   Johnny’s   Auto   Repair,   Johnny   Newman;   Keenan’s   Barber   Shop,   J.   S.   Keenan;  Monticello   Manufacturing   Company,   J.   E.   Dickey,   manager;   Pannell’s   Service   Station,   J.   M.  Pannell;  The  Potter  Company,  Paul  Reuter,  Foreman;  Purvis  Dental  Office,  Dr.  M.  D.  Purvis;  Rea  Insurance   Agency,   Lewis   J.   Weeks,   Jr.;   Rice’s   Drive-­‐In,   John   Rice;   Vanity   Beauty   Shop,   Mrs.  Lucille   Shehea;   Willie’s   Beauty   Shop,   Mrs.   Willie   Spell;   Wesson   Auto   Parts,   Ben   Adams,  manager;   Wesson   Café,   J.   E.   Fortenberry;   Wesson   Egg   Farm,   Ralph   Smith;   The   Wesson  Enterprise,  Paul   L.   Robertson,   editor   and   owner;  Wesson   Insurance  Agency,   Charlie   King   and  Jesse  Granberry;  Wesson  Motor  Company,  Brown  Brothers;  White’s  Florist,  Mrs.  Grover  White;  The  Hobby  &  Gift  Shop,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Curtis’  Covington’s  Syrup,  H.  H.  Covington;  Higg’s  Shoe  Repair  &  TV  Service,  T.  M.  Higgs;  Smith  Produce  &  Furniture,   J.  F.  Smith;  Roberts  Welding  Shop,  Mr.  Carl  Roberts;  Wesson  Pool  Hall,  Lee  Roy  Granberry;  Berry  Grocery,  Lee  Will  Berry.  

Health    

Wesson  has  always  been  a  healthy  community.    In  the  old  days  it  was  believed  that  our  elevation  of  500  feet  above  sea  level,  good  water,  and  excellent  drainage  contributed  to  a  low  death  rate  among  our  people.    There  was  never  a  case  of  yellow  fever  in  town.    Mrs.  Wimberly  recorded  in  her  diary  that  once  trees  were  cut  behind  her  house  (known  as  the  J.  E.  Patterson  house)   to   keep  away   yellow   fever  mosquitoes,  which   the  people   thought  would  be  blown   in  from   Natchez.     The   mill   workers   were   paid   $1.00   per   month   for   medical   care   and   had   the  privilege  of  using  the  doctor  of  their  choice.  

   Some   of   the   doctors   of   the   early   days  were   Doctors:   R.  W.   Rea,   E.   A.   Rowan,   Luther  

Sexton,  John  Beavers,  Sr.,  Alex  Fairly,  and  W.  F.  Scales;  later  there  were  Doctors:  Albert  Rowan,  Preston   Ware,   John   Beavers,   Jr.,   W.   L.   Little,   and   Miller.     At   the   age   of   80,   Dr.   Little,   who  practiced  medicine  in  Copiah  County  for  60  years,  was  named  “outstanding  general  practitioner  of  Mississippi”  by  the  council  and  house  of  delegates  of  the  Mississippi  Medical  Association.  

 The  Country  Doctor  –  Sixty  Years  Ago  

 I  have  passed,  another  milestone  On  the  long,  long  road  of  life,  

And  sixty  years  of  that  was  spent  As  country  doctor’s  wife.  

 I  have  watched  the  wheels  of  progress  

Bring  improvement  by  the  score  To  ease  the  toiling  masses,  

Helping  people  more  and  more.    

And  that  onward  march  of  science  That,  in  medicine  along,  

Thrills  the  hearts  of  the  profession,  Just  to  know  what  it  has  done.  

 Then  no  rapid  moving  auto  Could  be  traveling  our  road,  

With  the  mud  up  the  hubcap—  A  hard  pull  without  a  load.  

 If  Doc  took  a  ten  mile  journey,  ‘Twould  consume  about  all  day,  He  would  think  that  he  was  lucky  

If  it  were  not  a  longer  stay.      

And  the  doctor  took  a  lantern,-­‐-­‐  Just  to  keep  his  cold  feet  warm  In  the  buggy,  while  old  Traveler  Took  him  to  the  distant  farm.  

 I  am  sure  the  title  “patient”  Suited  well  the  sick  who  wait,  

While  the  doctor  hitched  old  Traveler  Most  securely  by  the  gate.  

 Homeward  bound  he  did  not  guide  him,    

For  the  horse  was  smart  indeed,  For  he  knew  just  where  to  go  to  And  the  place  he  got  his  feed.  

 Now  the  roads  are  smooth  and  level,  

And  the  cars  that  go  so  fast  Make  Doc  feel  so  very  thankful  

That  all  that  is  in  the  past.    

Don’t  inquire  about  the  housewife,  Varied  and  numerous  were  her  tasks,  

I’ll  not  add  them  to  these  verses  I’m  too  glad  that  they  are  passed.  

 1952  –  The  poem  was  written  by  Mrs.  W.  L.  Little,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  L.  Little,  when  he  had  

practiced   sixty   years   as   “a   country   doctor,”   and   the  Mississippi  Medical   Association   honored  him  by  electing  him  as  “outstanding  General  Practitioner  of  Mississippi.”  

 Dentist,  who  had  offices  in  Wesson,  included  Doctors  Van  Zant,  Patterson,  and  Charles  

Thompson.    Today  we  have  only  one   resident  physician  and  one  dentist,  Dr.  Burton  Freeman,  and  

Dr.  M.   D.   Purvis,   respectively.     A   new   brick   building   houses   a   branch   of   the   Copiah   County  Health  Center;  it  is  open  one  day  a  week.  

 Churches  

 The  first  church  erected   in  Wesson  was  a  Methodist  church,  which  was   located  at   the  

northwest   corner   of  Main   and   Church   Streets   in   front   of   the   present   resident   of   Colman  M.  Furlow.    Col.  Wesson  was  a  Methodist  and  it  is  very  probable  that  he  played  a  large  part  in  the  erection  of  this  building,  which  later  was  destroyed  by  fire.  About  1886  the  Methodists  erected  a   new   frame   building   on   the   east   side   of   Beech   Street   at   the   present   site   of   the  Methodist  parsonage,  built  in  the  1950’s.    Rev.  B.  F.  Jones  was  the  minister  at  the  time  of  the  construction  

of   the   second   church;   Miss   Lillie   Hallam   (later   Mrs.   J.   A.   Boyd)   was   the   first   organist.     On  September   1,   1946   the   Methodist   dedicated   their   new   modern   brick   structure,   which   they  named   in   honor   of   Bishop   Lloyd   Decell,   who   grew   up   in   Wesson   to   manhood.     Rev.   W.   S.  Cameron  was  the  minister  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  this  church.    The  air-­‐conditioning  of  the  church  and  the  laying  of  new  carpets,  which  are  recent  improvement,  can  be  attributed  in  part  to  Mr.  Davis  McCall,   a   former  Wesson  boy,   now   living   in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.     The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Rod  L.  Entrekin.  

 The  second  church  building  to  be  erected  was  a  Baptist  church,  which  was   located  on  

the  west  side  of  the  railroad  on  a  lot  north  of  the  building  that  was  the  W.  W.  Decell  Feed  Mill.    About  1880     the  Baptist  erected  a   frame  building  on   the  east   side  of   the   railroad  on   the  site  now  owned  by  Johnny  Newman.    The  groundbreaking  for  a  new,  modern  brick  structure  took  place  on  April  17,  1949.    This  new  building  stands  on  the  site  once  occupied  by  the  Mississippi  Mills,  fronting  Highway  51.  

 The  church  has  air-­‐conditioning.    A  black-­‐topped  roadway  on  three  sides  of  the  church  

provides  good  parking  facilities.    The  present  minister  is  Rev.  Bobby  Shands.    On  the  fifth  Sabbath,  December  31,  1871,  a  group  of  people  met  for  the  organizing  of  a  

Presbyterian  church  in  Wesson.    “After  a  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  M.  W.  Traweek,  the  Rev.  W.  Burges   as   Moderator   invited   all   of   the   congregation   who   desired   to   unite   in   the   proposed  organization   by   letter   or   on   profession  of   faith   to   come   forward   and  present   themselves   for  that  purpose.”    The  following  twenty-­‐six  became  applicants:    R.  G.  Latting,  R.  G.  Latting,  Jr.,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Latting,  Mrs.  E.  Van  Mabre,  James  Hamilton,  Mrs.  Maria  Hamilton,  John  W.  Dickson,  Dr.  W.  C.   Tillotson,   R.   S.   Tillotson,  Mrs.   J.   M.   Tillotson,  Miss   F.   T.   Tillotson,  Wm.   Oliver,   Mrs.   Mary  Oliver,  B.  D.  Hartwell,  Mrs.  Mary  Hartwell,  R.  B.  Hartwell,  Jas.  S.  Fithie,  “Arch”  Fairly,  Mrs.  Alice  Burns,  Miss  Martha  Burns,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Hadley,  Dt.  T.  P.  Gary,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Gary,  Miss  Mina  Gary,  W.  H.  Phillips,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Easterling.    

 The  service   just  described  was  held   in  “the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  through  

the   courtesy   of   those   brethren.”     The   church   building,   the   third   erected   in  Wesson,   had   its  corner  stone  laid  in  1877  and  the  first  regular  service  in  the  sanctuary  of  this  new  edifice  was  on  March   24,   1878.     The   exterior   of   this   frame   building   is   similar   in   architecture   to   the   New  England  interpretation  of  the  Christopher  Wren  churches.    It  is  simple  in  design,  has  a  beautiful  steeple  and  Gothic  windows.    The  J.  S.  Rea  Annex  was  attached  to  the  church  a  few  years  ago.    In  1963  the  steeple  was  badly  damaged  when  it  was  struck  by  lightning.    Since  then  the  church  has   been   painted   and   the   interior   has   been   redecorated.     Only   seven   ministers   have   had  pastorates   here:   namely,   Reverends   J.   Woodridge,   Russell,   Gowan,   J.   M.   Williams,   Norman  Flowers,  A.  W.  Duck,  and  John  Degges.  

 Wesson   at   one   time   had   seven   churches:   Methodist   Church   South,   North  Methodist  

Church,  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Episcopalian,  Catholic  and  the  Last  Chance.    Today,  we  have  three  churches,  which  are  the  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Presbyterian.  

Newspapers    

  Wesson  has  had  four  newspapers.    The  first  was  the  Wesson  Herald  edited  by  Dr.  E.  A.  Rowan.    It  is  not  known  when  the  paper  first  started  but  the  Bank  of  Wesson  has  a  copy  of  an  “Extra”  edition  dated  November  9,  1881.    The  Copiah  Signal  was  edited  by  Mr.  Nick  Hawkins;  the  Wesson  Mirror,   by  Mr.   J.   B.  Adams  and   later  Mr.   Parker.    All   these  newspapers   failed   to  survive.    Without  a  publication,  Walter  W.  Robertson  established  the  Wesson  Enterprise  in  May,  1899,  and  it  survived.    The  founder  edited  and  published  the  paper  from  its  founding  until  his  death   in   1955.     His   son,   Paul   L.   Robertson   succeeded   his   father   as   editor   and   owner.     The  Enterprise  is  the  oldest  business  institution  in  Wesson  still  owned  and  managed  by  the  founding  family.      

 Recreation  

 Years   ago   the   height   of   evening   entertainment   was   for   citizens   to   go   to   the   Opera  

House,   where  melodramas   given   by   traveling   players   delighted   the   audience.     Silent  movies  made   their   appearance   and   were   well-­‐attended.     Miss     Florine   McKnight   and   later   Paul  Robertson   performed   at   the   piano   for   the   silent  movies.     Rowan   Park   was   the   scene   of   ice  cream   festivals   and   picnics.     Ringling   Brothers’   Circus,   to   the   delight   of   young   and   old,  occasionally  pitched  tent  in  the  pasture  behind  the  present  home  of  Mr.  G.  F.  Cowen,  Medicine  shows,  minstrels,   balloon   ascensions,   carnivals   and   summer   Chautauqua’s  were   some   of   the  forms  of  entertainment  that  thrilled  and  pleased  the  people.    Baseball  was  the  chief  sport  and  Wesson  had  some  very  fine  players.  

 Today,  our  people  enjoy  the  football  and  basketball  games.    Our  two  bands,  the  Copiah-­‐

Lincoln  Junior  College  and  High  School  Band  and  the  Red  Knights,  the  Public  School  Band,  are  an  asset  to  the  town,  being  an  important  and  colorful  part  of  every  parade,  performing  at  football  games,  and  giving  musical  programs.    During  the  school  year  there  are  plays,  musical  programs,  and  other  types  of  programs  given  at  the  college  and  the  Elementary  School.    In  the  homes  the  television  set,  the  radio  and  the  hifi  have  their  enthusiasts.    The  young  folks  enjoy  dancing.  

 Railroad    

 On  March  31,  1858,  Copiah  was  first  served  by  rail  with  the  building  of  the  New  Orleans,  

Jackson  &  Great  Northern  Railway.    The  completion  of   the   line   from  New  Orleans   to  Canton,  Mississippi,  was  the  occasion  for  a  celebration.    It  has  been  stated  that,  “a  gold  spike  was  driven  to  signify  the  completion”  at  a  point  eleven  miles  south  of  Crystal  Springs.    Wesson  at  that  time  was  a  heavily-­‐wooded  area.     In    “The  Cavalier,”  written  by  George  W.  Cable,  he  described  his  ride   through   unbroken   pine   forests   between   Hazlehurst   and   Brookhaven;   this   was   in   the  1860’s.  

 One   of   the   Laws   of   Mississippi   passed   in   1877   that   concerned   the   town   of   Wesson  

referred  to  the  “New  Orleans,  St.  Louis  and  Chicago  Railroad.”    A  map  of  the  town  in  the  early  

1880’s  referred  to  the  railroad  as  the  “Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans  Railway.”    Evidently  the  names  used  above  were  “a  manner  of  speaking”  and  a  formal  name  for  the  railroad  was  not  used.  

 On   June   13,   1882,   the   Illinois   Central   bought   the   railroad   operating   through   here,  

securing  a  right  of  way  of  100  feet.    The  present  north  bound  track  is  the  site  of  the  original  line  and  constitutes  the  center  of  the  100  foot  right  of  way.    In  1884  the  Illinois  Central,  recognizing  the  “continual  prosperity”  of  Wesson,  built  “a  beautiful  three  room,  all  brick  passenger  station.    It  was   one   of   the   first   passenger   stations   using   brick   in   its   overall   construction.”     The   south  bound   track  was   constructed   in   1902.     Today,   the   trains   are  much   longer   and   are   pulled   by  diesel  engines.    Two  popular  railroad  employees  at  the  station  a  number  of  years  ago  were  Miss  Bacot,  telegraph  operator,  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Drane,  station  agent.    Mr.  Frank  Johnston  was  in  charge  of  the  “section  gang.”  

 Recently,   the  Copiah  County   Co-­‐Op  has   erected   an   automatic   system  using   a   fan   and  

elevator  for  loading  and  unloading  railroad  cars  or  trucks;  it  is  located  just  north  of  the  station.    The   Co-­‐Op   has   rented   the   old   station   platform   and   converted   it   into   two   storage   rooms   for  seeds   and  hulls;   a   similar   automatic   system   (described  above)   is   used   for  one  of   the   storage  rooms.    

 Mr.  Archie  Phipps  is  our  present  station  agent.    

The  Mississippi  Mills,  1873  –  1910      

Early   in   1871,   a   group  of  New  Orleans  businessmen,   including  Mr.   R.   B.  Hardie   (2014  Note:  this  is  the  correct  spelling  –  most  other  references  will  have  his  name  spelled,  Hardy)  and  Captain  Oliver,  purchased   the  cotton  mill,   known  as   the  Mississippi  Manufacturing  Company,  which  had  previously  been  owned  by  Col.  J.  M.  Wesson.    In  1873  fire  destroyed  that  plant  but  soon  a  new  mill,  erected  on  the  same  site  of  the  original  one,  began  operations  under  the  new  name   of   the   Mississippi   Mills.     This   new   building   being   known   as   Mill   No.   1   and   the   two  succeeding  structures  as  Mill  No.  2  and  Mill  No.  3.    Mill  No.  1  had  three  stories,  50  x  350  feet;  Mill  No.  2,  50  x  212  feet  had  four  stories  and  connected  with  Mill  No.  1  by  an  eight-­‐story  tower  used   for   the   storage   of   20,000   gallons   of   water   for   the   use   of   the   mill   and   for   inside   fire  protection.    Mill  No.  3,  50  x  240  feet  had  five  stories  with  a  six-­‐story  tower  at  each  end  of  the  building   for   the   storing   of   additional  water.     All   the  water   towers   connected  with   automatic  sprinkling  systems.  

    A  fourth  building,  40  x  340  fee,  was  a  two-­‐story  building  that  connected  with  a  

one-­‐story   loom   room,   175   x   340feet,   that   had   a   serrated   or   saw-­‐tooth   glass   roof   to   provide  ample  light  to  operate  looms.    A  building  not  directly  connected  with  the  four  mills,  which  were  joined  to  make  a  composite  whole,  was  the  cotton  warehouse  which  had  a  capacity  for  6,000  bales  of  cotton,  the  approximate  amount  needed  annually  for  production.    The  wool  was  stored  in  the  basement  of  the   loom  room,  which  had  a  capacity  for  2  million  pounds.    Another  Mills  

building  was   the   two-­‐story  warehouse  used   for   the   storage  of  goods,  packing,   sample   rooms  and  the  office  of  the  Secretary-­‐Treasurer.    It  is  the  only  building  left  standing.  

 In  the  Mills  there  were  25,000  cotton  spindles,  26  complete  sets  of  woolen  machinery,  

800  looms,  and  an  abundance  of  machinery  for  dyeing,  finishing,  etc.    It  required  four  engines  with  a  combined  force  of  1,000  horsepower  to  furnish  the  necessary  motive  power.  

 The   system   of  waterworks  was   excellent.     A   115,000   gallon   cistern,  which   connected  

with  five  pumps  and  a  6-­‐inch  water  main  and  standing  pipes  at  convenient  points  for  attaching  hose,  formed  an  efficient  system.    The  two  Worthington  pumps  were  capable  of  forcing  water  over  the  highest  building.  

 One  reason  for  the  great  success  of  the  Mills  as  an  industry  was  the  great  variety  of  their  

products.    There  was  hardly  an  article  in  staple  goods,  made  of  cotton  or  wool,  that  could  not  be   supplied.     They   produced:   Jeans,   Cassimers,   Doeskins,   Tweeds,   Linseys,   Flannels,   Wool  knitting   yarn,   Cotton   rope,   Cotton   warp   year,   Cottondales,   Flannelettes,   Gingham   plaids,  Cheviots,  Plaids,  Stripes,  Hickory,  Brown  sheeting,  Skirting,  Drilling,  8  ounce  osnaburgs,  Ticking  for   feathers   and   mattress,   Sewing   thread,   Sewing   twine   for   bags   and   awnings,   Wrapping  twines,  Honey  comb  towels,  Awning,  Balmoral  skirts,  etc.  

 It  was  stated  that  “these  goods  have  a  reputation  for  excellence  that  is  not  surpassed  by  

the  product  of  any  Mills  in  the  world  and  the  trade  for  them  is  drawn  from  almost  every  State  and   Territory   in   the   Union.”     Later   knitting   machinery   was   installed   for   making   hose   and  underwear  of  a  superior  quality.  

 At  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the  third  mill,  1,200  persons  were  employed.    The  40-­‐

hour  week  was  unheard  of  in  those  days;  the  50  and  60-­‐hour  weeks  were  quite  common.    The  mills  at  their  busiest    had  to  operate  at  night,  using  extra  shifts.    Permission  from  the  Insurance  Company  used  by  the  Mills  had  to  be  secured  for  operating  the  Mills  at  night;  for  example,  the  Mills   had   to   pay   $14.49   for   the   privilege   of   running   No.   1  Mill   from  November   23,   1889   to  January  23,  1890  all  night.  

 Many  factors  contributed  to  the  closing  of  the  mills  in  1910.    About  1919-­‐1920  the  great  

Mills  were  torn  away  brick  by  brick.    Their  virgin  timbers  were  sold  far  and  wide;  the  splendid  machinery  was  wrecked.    The  hundreds  of  mill  houses  were  sold  for  as  low  as  $10  to  $40  and  people  moved  them  away.    In  1964  all  that  is  left  of  the  famed  Mississippi  Mills  is  the  two-­‐story  brick  warehouse,   which  was   used   for   the   storage   of   goods,   packing,   displaying   samples   and  having  the  secretary-­‐treasurer’s  office.    It  is  located  west  of  the  Bank  of  Wesson.  

 Insurance  

 The   J.   S.   Rea   Insurance  Agency  of  Wesson  was   created   in   1881,   becoming   the   first   in  

Wesson  and  the  second  to  be  established  in  the  State  of  Mississippi.     It   is  still  active  and  only  recently  took  over  the  Insurance  Agency  of  E.  F.  Anderson,  retired.    The  Liverpool  and  London  

and  Globe  Insurance  Agency  has  been  with  the  Rea  Agency  since  its  beginning  in  1881  and  the  Underwriter’s  Agency  since  1882.    The  policies,  written  by  Mr.  Rea,  especially  in  the  1880’s  and  1890’s,  reveal  interesting  facts  about  the  town,  the  people,  and  their  possessions.    In  his  notes  he  drew  diagrams  of  houses,  in  some  instances  gave  the  dates  of  their  erection,  and  he  made  an  excellent  map  of  the  town.  

 It  was  customary  in  that  period  for  policies  to  name  the  articles  insured.    AN  interesting  

example   of   such   a   policy   states   that   one   person   insured,   his   bedroom   set   consisting   of   a  bedstead,   armour,   dresser,   table,   washstand,   towel   rack,   two   rockers,   bedsprings,   mattress,  climber  &  toilet  sets,  two  lamps  and  two  trunks,  in  the  Wesson  Hotel  known  as  the  Richardson  House,  J.  N.  Cooke  proprietor  (building  owned  by  the  Mississippi  Mills).”      

 People   insured   dressing   cases,  wardrobes,  wearing   apparel,   jewelry,   silverware,   china  

and  glassware.    One  notion  made  about  a  policy  stated  that  M.  M.  Hallam  (an  associate  of  Col.  Wesson  

in  1866)  built  his  house  in  1870  and  painted  it  in  1880.    A  permit  was  granted  to  Wm.  Oliver  “to  use  coal  oil  and   insurance  oil   for   light.”     John  

Hopkinson  could  use  “oil  &  candles  for  light.”      

The  Richardson  House    

The   Richardson   House   (Wesson   Hotel),   located   on   the   east   side   of   the   railroad,  commands  a  full  view  of  Spring  Street,  the  center  of  town.    It  is  a  two-­‐story  structure,  consisting  of  twenty-­‐eight  rooms,  each  opening  onto  a  wide  hall  or  a  long  porch.    In  the  old  days  on  the  north  side  there  were  a  parlor  and  six  bedrooms.    On  the  south  side  there  was  an  office-­‐lobby,  a  sample  room,  two  bedrooms,  and  a  very  large  dining  room  with  a  cellar  below  it.    Fifty  feet  behind   the   dining   room   was   a   building   in   which   the   kitchen   and   servants’   quarters   were  housed.     Four   bedrooms  were   on   the   second   floor.     Some  of   the   bedrooms   have   now  been  converted  into  bathrooms.    The  steep  front  stairwell  leads  not  only  to  the  second  floor  but  to  the  attic  where  there  are  four  additional  rooms,  three  evidently  used  as  bedrooms  and  a  fourth  very   large   room   reputedly  used   surreptitiously   as   a  plush  gambling   casino.    At   a   later  period  that  room  was  used  for  playing  poker.    At  each  end  of  the  L-­‐shaped  and  the  reversed  L-­‐shaped  porches  at  the  back  of  the  building  there  is  a  very  steep  stairway,  consisting  of  30  steps.  

 About  twenty  feet  northeast  of  the  Richardson  House  is  a  house  that  was  a  part  of  the  

hotel   property   and   likewise   owned  by   the  Mississippi  Mills.     In   the   1880’s   and   1890’s   it  was  rented   to   the  Rev.   J.  Woodbridge,   the  Presbyterian  minister,  until   the  manse  was  built.    Rev.  Woodbridge   used   a   small   building   on   the   premises   for   this   study.     That   part   of   the   hotel  property   is  not  owned  by  Mrs.  W.   L.  Beall.     The  Richardson  House   is  owned  by  Mrs.  Kelly  B.  Braswell.      

The  Richardson  House  being   located  near   the   railroad   station,   drew  many   customers,  especially  drummers.    Some  rooms  were  rented  for  long  tenure.    A  familiar  figure  who  met  all  passenger   trains  was  a  Negro  porter,   John  Wade,  who   lived  on   the  hotel  premises.     It   is   said  that  he  possessed  a  keen  sense  of  hearing  that  enabled  him  to  hear  an  approaching  train  long  before  anyone  else  could.    He  was  seldom  without  a  cigar,  the  gift  of  a  white  friend.    He  was  a  faithful  attendant  at  the  Presbyterian  Church.  

 Boarding  Houses  

 Boarding   and   rooming   houses   of   the   past   were   the   Latting   house,   Union   Boarding  

House,   the   Blue   Front,   Palmer  House,   Smiley  House  which   later   became   the  Douglas  House,  Hotel  Home  which  became  Wilson  Hall  when  it  was  converted  into  additional  dormitory  space  for  some  of  the  boys  attending  the  Agricultural  High  School.    Mr.  Jim  Pannell,  an  instructor,  was  in   charge   of   the   boys.     The   building  was   called  Wilson   Hall   in   honor   or   President  Woodrow  Wilson.     The   Palace  Hotel,   the   name   applied   to   a   long   two-­‐story   building   located  where   the  present  Post  Office  and  Wesson  Enterprise  are,  had  a  hotel  on  the  second  floor  and  a  variety  of  stores,  the  post  office,  and  printing  office  on  the  first  floor.    The  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1914.  

 Education  

 Private  and  public  schools  met  the  educational  requirements  of  the  children  of  Wesson  

during  the  Mills  era.    Some  of  the  teachers  of  the  private  schools  were  Miss  Minnie  Collier,  Mrs.  Mary  Gertrude  Hamilton  Long,  Miss  Lois  Martin,  Mrs.  Christman  and  her  daughter  Agnes,  and  Professor  Dickerson.    Miss  Minnie  Gordon  conducted  a  kindergarten.      

 The  first  public  school  building  was  a  two-­‐room  frame  building  constructed  about  1875  

and  located  near  the  present  C.  T.  Furr  home.    A  few  years  later  when  a  new  Baptist  Church  was  erected  east  of  the  railroad  a  school  was  conducted  in  the  old  church  building,  remodeled  for  the  purpose.    It  was  located  north  of  the  building  known  as  the  W.  W.  Decell  Feed  Mill.    When  more  room  was  needed  for  the  growing  population  of  Wesson,  the  lower  floor  of  the  Clanton  Building,  located  west  of  the  City  Hall,  was  used  for  the  primary  grades.      

 A  new  brick  building,  which  was  erected  in  1889,  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  December  18,  

1890.    A  new  building  arose  on  the  same  site  and  was  put  into  use  in  1891  or  1893.    This  two-­‐story  building  with  a  tower  at  each  end  of  the  long  porches  remained  in  use  as  a  school  building  until   1960,   at   which   time   the   public   school   activities   were   transferred   to   a   new   structure  erected  on  the  Lyell  property  on  Grove  Street.    The  old  building  is  now  being  restored  and  is  to  be  used  as  a  community  center.  

 The  Wesson  Pub  School  once  “ranked  second  highest   in   the  state,  being  surpassed  by  

Meridian.     Graduates   from   our   school   could   finish   at  Whitworth   and   Blue  Mountain   in   two  

years  even  though  they  were  four-­‐year  colleges.    This  school  had  a  well-­‐equipped  laboratory  for  teaching  physics  and  a  large  library.”  

 The  following  data  will  summarize  the  school  developments  over  a  period  of  years:  1891  

or   1892   –   a   new   brick   building   put   into   use   and   occupied   until   1960   educating   several  generations  of  Wesson’s  boys  and  girls.    1893  –  First  graduates:  Malcolm  Lyell,  Orie  Oliver,  and  Misses   Lois  Martin,  Willie  Ellis,   Eliza  Hopkinson  and  Katie  Smith.    1915  –  Establishment  of  an  Agricultural  High,  a  joint  project  of  Copiah  and  Lincoln  counties.    The  high  school  department  of  the  Wesson  Public  School  was  transferred  to  the  new  school.    1928  –  Establishment  of  Copiah-­‐Lincoln   Junior  College  and  High  School.    1938  –  The  High  School  department  was   restored   to  Wesson   Public   School;   later   it   again   was   transferred   to   the   college   campus.     1960   –   A   new  modern  $300,000  school  building  was  put  into  use,  causing  the  closing  of  the  building  erected  in  1891.    1964  –  N.  B.  White  is  the  principal  of  the  Wesson  Attendance  Center  of  Copiah  Center,  a  public  school  of  eight  grades.    Mr.  F.  M.  Fortenberry  is  the  President  of  Copiah-­‐Lincoln  Junior  College  having  succeeded  Mr.  J.  M.  Ewing  several  years  ago.    Mr.  Ewing  had  succeeded  Mr.  L.  Russell  Ellzey,  founder  and  first  president  of  the  junior  college.    Mr.  J.  M.  Lewis   is  principal  of  the  high  school.    1964  –  Mrs.  Kate  Smith  Tillman  conducts  a  kindergarten  which  is  located  in  the  Baptist  Church  building.  

 The  Wesson  Library  

 The  Wesson  Public  Library  contains  around  6,000  volumes,  kept  up-­‐to-­‐date  by  frequent  

additions  of  new  books  from  the  Copiah-­‐Jefferson  Regional  Library  system,  local  funds,  and  the  State  Library  Commission.  

 It  is  located  in  the  City  Hall  building  and  since  its  enlargement  and  redecoration  in  1960,  

has  modern,  attractive  equipment.    Miss  Grace  McMillan  is  the  cheerful,  efficient  librarian.    

Houses    

Many  company-­‐owned  houses  were  erected  for  the  employees  and  the  officials  of  the  Mississippi  Mills.     Those   for   the  employees  were  much  alike  and  were  built   to  accommodate  two  families.    A  wooden  partition,  reaching  from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling  divided  the  porches  to  provide  privacy.    Each  house  “had  behind  it  ground  sufficient  for  the  raising  of  vegetables  and  for  the  keeping  of  a  cow,  a  pig  and  chickens.    In  the  front  yard  were  plots  of  gay  flowers,  many  of  them  of  rare  and  valuable  species.”  

 One  of  the  oldest  houses  and  reputed  to  be  the  first  one  built  here   is  the  one  located  

near  the  north  entrance  of  the  cemetery.    Many  people  recall  it  as  the  home  of  “Aunt  Fannie”  Marshall,  who  lived  to  be  over  one  hundred  years  old.  

 The  house  now  owned  by  Miss  Evelyn  Williams  was  built  for  the  manager  of  the  Mills.    

This  house  is  substantially  built  of  cypress  and  certain  parts  of  select  pine.    The  original  rooms  

were  16  x  17  ½  feet  with  12  ½  foot  ceilings.    The  windows  are  9’  42”.    In  two  of  the  rooms  in  the  center   of   the   ceiling   are   plaster   of   Paris   medallions   that   were   made   by   Jules   la   Branch,   a  Mullato  bricklayer  at   the  Mills.    At   the   rear  of   the  house  are   two   small   rooms  build  of  brick.    One  room  has  a  large  fireplace,  high  mantel  and  built-­‐in  cabinets  on  each  side  of  the  fireplace.    The  other  room  has  a  large  window  with  big  iron  bars  across  it.    The  house,  97’  5”  long  and  with  a   depth  of   98’   4”   on   the  north   side,   has   caused   some  wags   to  describe   the  house   as   one   in  which   “elevators   run  horizontally.”     The   front  porch,   running   almost   the  entire   length  of   the  house,  is  10’  4”  wide  and  has  its  original  flooring  as  is  true  of  most  of  the  house.    To  roof  this  house  110   squares  of   shingles   are   required.     In   the  old  days   there  were   formal   flower  beds,  beautifully  planted.    

 The  house  of  Miss  Decima  Rea,  built   in  1878,   is  a  very   large,   spacious  one.    The   long,  

wide  back  porch  is  unique  in  that  it  completely  encloses  a  square.    The  dug  well   is   located  on  this   latticed  porch.     The   servants’   quarters   and   the  bard   are   still   standing   behind   the  house.    The  flower  beds  are  laid  much  as  they  were  years  ago.    A  deep,  concreted  flower  pit,  no  longer  with  the  glassed-­‐in  room  above  it,  is  in  the  side  yard.  

 “The  Highlands,”  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  R.  L.  Hamilton,  was  built  in  the  1880’s  by  George  

Hamilton   for   his   mother,   the   wife   of  Major   James   Hamilton.     This   house,   consisting   of   two  stories  and  a  cellar,  was  made  of  select  long  leaf  yellow  pine.    The  house  is  in  good  condition,  seldom  needing  repairs.      

 In  December,  1874,  Dr.  Robert  W.  Rea  and  Miss  Rilla  Oliver  were  married.    As  a  wedding  

gift,   her   parents,   Captain   and  Mrs.   Oliver,   had   a   home   built   for   them.     It   is   now   commonly  known  as   the  Dr.  Rea  home,  which   is  now  occupied  by  their   three  daughters:  Mrs.  Mary  Rea  Phillips,  Miss  Ella  Rea,   and  Mrs.   Sarah  R.  Anderson.    Dr.   and  Mrs.  Rea   spent   the   first   year  of  their  marriage   in   the  home  of   her   parents,   the  home  now  known  as   the   I.   J.  Williams  home  (2014  –  Oliver  House).    The  home  was  built  of  the  best  materials  available  anywhere  and  while  it  has  been  in  use  90  years,   it  still  retains   its  study  construction.     It   is   located  in  the  center  of  town  at  South  Main  and  Church  Streets.  

 Across  Highway  51   from  the  Dr.  Rea  home   is   that  occupied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coleman  

Furlow.    It  was  built  by  the  Mississippi  Mill  for  its  Superintendent,  John  P.  Hopkinson,  the  only  foreigner  (an  Englishman)  employed  by  the  Mills,  occupied  this  house  for  a  number  of  years.    A  few  years  ago  the  house  was  moved  over  a  number  of  feet  to  make  way  for  the  new  highway.    Since  it  was  so  well  built,  it  suffered  no  material  damage.  

 “Old  timers”  recall  the  home  of  Captain  Lyell  as  one  of  the  more  pretentious  houses.    It  

was   located  on   the  property  now  owned  by   the  Wesson  Consolidated  School  District.     It  had  two  halls  and  spacious   rooms,  which   included  a  drawing   room  with  a  pier  mirror  and  a   large  library  with  massive   horsehair   chairs   and   divan.     The   yard  was   landscaped,   a   special   feature  being   the   fountain   containing   water   lilies   and   gold   fish.     Wrought-­‐iron   furniture   graced   the  lawn.    This  lovely  home  was  destroyed  by  fire  a  number  of  years  ago.  

Dr.  W.  L.  Little’s  home  was  built   in  1892.    Some  of  the  2”  x  4”  pieces  are  over  30  feet  long.    There  is  not  one  knot  in  the  lumber.    A  number  of  other  homes,  built  in  the  Mills  era,  still  stand;  some  of  the  gracious  homes  have  either  burned  or  have  been  torn  down  to  make  way  for  modern  structures.  

 There   was   a   period   when   no   new   homes   were   built.     Dr.   John   Beavers,   Jr.,   is  

remembered  as  saying  that  after  he  built  his  house  another  was  not  built  for  35  years.    In   the   last   10   years,   a   number   of   new   homes   have   been   erected,   especially   along  

Highway  51  and  on  Beech  Street.    New  faculty  homes  dot  the  Copiah-­‐Lincoln  campus.    In  north  Wesson,   there   are  new  homes.    Many  old   houses   have  been   remodeled  or   redecorated   and  made  more  attractive.  

 Houses  Built  in  Recent  Years    

 Dr.   Burton   Friedman,   G.   E.   Cowen,   Hollis   Cowen,   Sr.,   Bob   Greer,  Mack   Pickett,   Jesse  

Granberry,  James  Ashley,  C.  D.  Mullican,  Ken  Patterson,  J.  C.  Ashley,  Conn  James,  John  Gruchy,  R.  G.  Dube,  Earl  Ellison,  E.  G.  Graham,  Ralph  Smith,  Burdette  Rutland,  The  Methodist  Parsonage,  The   Baptist   Parsonage,   Wilbert   Pickett,   R.   E.   Drane,   J.   W.   Curtis,   J.   M.   Pannell,   Rev.   W.   E.  Derrick,   Jesse   Sandifer,   Johnny   Newman,   Frank   Newman,   F.   C.   Graham,   Preston   Ray,   Clint  Rankin  

 Contents  of  a  Letter  Written  by  Mr.  Virgin  Youngblood  of  Brookhaven,    

On  Request  About  His  Recollections  of  Life  in  Wesson    

“These   things   I   remember   –   At   the   tender   age   of   five   years   and   three  months,  I  attended  school  at  the  building  that  burned  on  the  site  of  the  present  vacant  brick  building.    Later,  while  the  present  school  was  being  built,  under  the  supervision   of   Mr.   Woodin   and   with   Jules   La   Branch   as   foreman   of   the  bricklayers,   the   primary   grades   were   taught   in   a   wooden   building   that   stood  where  the  Co-­‐Op  Feed  Mill  is  now  located.    Two  teachers  who  taught  there  were  Mrs.  Mary  Hamilton  and  Miss  Lizzie  Bloch.    Later,  I  attended  primary  school  in  a  building  on  the  west  side  of  the  I.C.R.R.  just  north  of  what  we  always  knew  as  the  Jerusalem  crossing.    Then  back  to  the  new  brick  building;  I  especially  remember  Prof.   B.   F.   Hughes,   Prof.   Walker,   Geor.   Rea,   Miss   Jeanie   Rowan   and   Miss  DeLoach,  who  all  made  contributions  to  my  school  days.”  

 “Copiah-­‐Lincoln  is  very  close  to  my  heart.    I  remember  the  summer  Mr.  R.  

McDonald,  I.  J.  Williams,  Robert  E.  Rea  and  Prof.  Landis,  Paul  Burt,  and  I  met  time  after  time  in  the  afternoon  after  business  hours  and  planned  for  this  institution,  to   be   known   as   an   Agricultural   High   School.    We   secured   the   services   of  Mr.  Chester   Beacham   and   he   and   Mr.   Landis   canvassed   both   counties   to   get   an  election  ordered   to   establish   the   school   and   then   to   authorize   a  modest   bond  issue   to   begin   construction.    We  only   had   a   $10,000  bond   issue;  with   that  we  

bought   the   present   site   known   as   the   Smith   Quarters,   and   began   the  construction   of   two   modest   frame   buildings.     Mr.   Landis   was   appointed  Superintendent.     He   secured   a   small   faculty:  Mr.   Russell   Ellzey   and  Mr.   James  Ewing  were  among  the  first  members  of  the  faculty.    This  modest  beginning  has  developed   into  one  of   the   finest   Junior  Colleges   in   the   state.    About   this   time,  Miss  Fannie  Callender  and  Miss  Lula  Stevens  became  members  of  the  faculty.”  

 Business   –   No   one   who   lived   in   Wesson   in   the   latter   part   of   the   last  

century  and  the  first  decade  of  this  century  can  ever  forget  the  Mississippi  Mills.    A  number  of  most  excellent  families  came  to  Wesson  with  Col.  Wesson  or  shortly  thereafter.    It  would  take  more  time  and  space  than  I  have  available  to  list  them.  

 Steam  was   the  power   for   this  mill  and  the  boilers   to  provide  the  steam  

were  fired  with  four-­‐foot  lengths  of  long  yellow  pine,  almost  extinct  now.    During  that  time  many  people  who  lived  near  town  made  their  living  cutting  and  hauling  this  wood  for  fuel  to  the  mills.    Actually,  hundreds  of  cords  were  stacked  in  what  was  known  as  the  wood  yard.  

 At   the  World’s   Fair   at   Chicago   in   1893,   the  Mills   secured   several   blue  

ribbons  for  cloth  that  was  displayed  along  with  cloth  from  older  manufacturing  plants   in   the   north.     As  many   as   1,200   people   were   employed   at   times.     The  hours  were   long,   from  6  a.m.  to  6  p.m.    Wages  were   low  and   living  costs  were  also  low.  

 Due  to  the  Mills  buying  both  wool  and  cotton  in  great  quantities  the  town  

became  noted  as  a  cotton  market  and  farmers  from  as  far  away  as  Perry,  Jones  and   Covington   Counties   bought   their   cotton   to   Wesson   to   sell.     In   the   Fall  months,  people  came  with  their  families  bringing  almost  anything  you  can  name  that  is  produced  on  a  farm  and  offering  it  for  sale  or  barter  –  cotton,  wool,  cow  hides,  beeswax,  tallow,  chickens,  eggs,  just  to  name  a  few.    Often  they  left  home  on  Sunday  afternoons,  driving  two  or  three  yoked  ox-­‐teams,  camped  on  the  road  and   usually   reached  Wesson   on  Wednesday.     Sometimes   the   streets   were   so  crowded  with  ox  teams  and  wagons  that  one  could  not  drive  a  buggy  down  Main  Street.     Alas,   the   picture   changed.     The   wood   was   burned,   price   of   lumber  advanced,  the  Mills  had  to  begin  the  use  of  coal  and  due  to  transportation  costs,  the  operation  became  unprofitable.    The  Mills  changed  hands  several  times,  had  more  or  less  labor  troubles,  and  finally  was  declared  bankrupt.      For  a  number  of  years   the  Mills   stood   idle   and   vacant.     The   town   lost   population;   at   one   time  4,500  to  5,000  people  resided  in  town  and  nearby.  

 A  few  years  after  the  First  World  War,  I  became  associated  with  Hon.  J.  S.  

Sexton,  Dr.  Luther  Sexton,  and  Mr.  J.  S.  Wise  and  we  bought  the  entire  holding  of  the   whole   plant   as   well   as   the   real   estate,   contracted   with   a   New   Orleans  

wrecking   company   to   demolish   the   Mills,   and   this   great   landmark   became   a  memory.  

 At   one   time   the  Mills   acted   as   a   bank   for   the   businessmen;   however,  

early  in  this  century,  the  Bank  of  Wesson  (note  –  it  was  in  1890)  was  established.    Capt.   J.   G.   Lyell   became   President   and   at   his   death   Mr.   Robert   E.   Rea   was  executive  officer  until  his  death.    This  bank  has  always  been  a  financial  bulwark  and  through  depressions,  panics  and  crop  failures  remained  open  and  continued  to  grow.  

 During   this  period   there  were  a  number  of   strong  mercantile   firms   that  

carried   on   what   is   known   as   a   furnishing   business;   financing   farmers   to   grow  crops,  mostly  cotton.    Finally,  the  boll  worm  changed  the  agricultural  economy.      For  a  time  a  considerable  business  was  developed  in  the  growing  and  shipping  of  early  vegetables:  tomatoes,  cabbage,  beans  and  English  peas.    This  also  became  an  unprofitable  endeavor  and  later  the  dairy  business  was  developed.    This  has  been  a  source  of  steady  income  for  many  farmers;  timber  also  became  of  more  value  and  with  diversification,  the  farmers  as  a  whole  became  much  more  stable  in  their  operations  than  when  they  depended  only  on  cotton.  

 Some   of   the   old   firms   were   Becker,   Lyell,   McGrath   &   Company,   Wm.  

Atkinson  and  McDonald,  Earls,  Long  &  Co.    My  father  came  to  Wesson  in  the  Fall  of   1890,   entered   in   a   small   way   with   Mr.   J.   T.   Suddoth   in   what   is   now   a  wareroom  for  the  present  drug  store.    He  later  moved  to  what  was  known  as  the  John  Marion  Building  and  later  bought  the  location  that  was  finally  occupied  for  more   than   forty  years;   it   liquidated   recently.    Mr.  S.  P.  Bloom  operated  a  drug  store,  later  moved  to  Brookhaven  as  did  also  Mr.  H.  C.  Price  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Alford.  

 This  request  has  awakened  happy  memories  of  a  goodly  part  of  my  life,  

spent  in  Wesson.    I  remember  its  fine  families,  the  host  of  friends  that  I  grew  up  to   know   and   love,   the   fine   Christian   spirit   that   pervaded   its   activities,   the  fellowship  among   the   various   church  denominations.     These   things   that   I   have  written   are   just   those   that   come   to   mind   as   I   write   and   certainly   do   not  encompass  all  the  fond  and  hallowed  memories  of  forty  years  of  my  active  life.    If  they  are  of  any  help  to  you  in  writing  your  story,  I  shall  be  well  repaid.    

 Sincerely  V.  D.  Youngblood    

The  Cemetery    

The  Mississippi  Mills  accepted  the  sum  of  $1  for  the  land  it  granted,  “to  be  used  only  for  burial  purposes  and  the  proceeds  of  all  sales  of  lots  to  be  used  exclusively  for  the  improvement  and   keeping   in   order   the   cemetery.”     This   deed   was   signed   on   October   29,   1895   by   Jas.   S.  Richardson,  President  of  the  Mississippi  Mills  and  R.  E.  Williams,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Mississippi  Mills.  

The  land  granted  for  cemetery  use  consists  of  40  acres;  18  acres  are  in  use.    There  are  3,600  graves  in  this  large  cemetery.    A  number  of  families  in  the  old  days  erected  wrought-­‐iron  fences  around  their  lots.    There  are  markers  of  many  types.  

 Mr.  E.  F.  Anderson,  as  Secretary-­‐Treasurer  of  the  Cemetery  Association,  gives  freely  of  

his   time   in   supervising   the   up-­‐keep   of   the   cemetery.     Never   before   in   the   history   of   the  cemetery  has   it  been  kept  so  well.    The  grass   is  kept  mowed,  the   iron  fences  freshly  painted,  and  unsightly  dead   limbs   from  shrubs  and   trees   removed.     The  main   streets   in   the  cemetery  have  been  blacktopped  (May,  1964.)    Any  person  who  owns  a  lot  or  has  a  loved  one  interred  is  automatically  regarded  as  a  member  of  the  Cemetery  Association.  

 Clubs  

 The  Masonic   Lodge   in  Wesson  was   named   the   J.  M.  Wesson   Lodge  No.   317   A.F.   and  

A.M.  for  Col.  Wesson.    Likewise,  the  Eastern  Star  Lodge  was  named  the  Wm.  Oliver  Chapter  for  Captain  Oliver.  

 The   Wesson   Garden   Club,   organized   in   1934,   is   a   member   of   the   Garden   Clubs   of  

Mississippi,  Inc.  and  of  the  National  Council  of  State  Garden  Clubs,  Inc.    Other   organizations   in   the   community   are   the   Lions   Club,   YMCA,   PTA,   Band   Aids  

(Sponsors  of  the  Red  Knights,  the  elementary  school  band),  4-­‐H  clubs,  Girl  Scouts,  Boy  Scouts,  Home  Demonstration  Club,  American  Legion  and  Legion  Auxiliary  and  the  Touchdown  Club.      

 Spots  of  Beauty  

 The  garden  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.   Johnny  Curtis   is  one  of   the  most  outstanding  plantings  of  

our   town.     The   abundance   of   azaleas,   roses,   daylilies,   columbine   and   other   flowers  make   it  attractive  at  any  season.    A  lake  with  its  island  center  and  large  magnolias  with  heavy  shade  are  inviting  during  the  hot  summer  days.  

 Mr.   and  Mrs.   Frank  Oswalt’s   garden   attracts  many   visitors  who   admire   the   variety   of  

trees,  roses,  phlox,  and  bulbs  in  season.    A  large  group  of  bird-­‐foot  violets  invite  the  passer-­‐by  to  come  in,  and  the  birds  find  a  special  sanctuary  awaiting  them  each  spring.  

 The  wide,  colorful  border  of  Mr.  R.  L.  Hamilton’s  spacious  yard  is  always  a  spot  of  beauty  

which   is   appreciated   by   those   traveling   the   highway   as   well   as   the   local   citizens.     “The  Highlands”  is  well-­‐groomed  at  all  times  at  all  times  and  visitors  are  welcome  to  enjoy  it.  

 Town  Officials  

 The  governing  body  of  the  town  of  Wesson  is  made  up  of  a  Mayor  and  five  Alderman,  

one  Alderman  from  each  Ward  and  one  Alderman-­‐at-­‐Large,  elected  by  the  people.      

Since  we  do   not   have   complete   records   on   the   following,  we  have   done   the   best  we  could.    Some  of  the  former  Mayors  were:  Captain  Garner,  Judge  Bridewell,  John  F.  Thompson,  Sr.,   W.   W.   Robertson,   Archie   Ramsey,   Carroll   Robert   Smith,   and   R.   E.   Middleton.     Former  members  of  the  Board  were:  Frank  Johnston,  Mr.  Marsalis,  John  Youngblood,  C.  O.,  Wright,  Joe  Fairchild,  Walter   Furr,  W.   E.  Westbrook,  G.   E.   Cowen,   A.   R.   Peets,   Sr.,   Ken   Patterson,   Lonnie  Freeman,  J.  S.  Keenan,  W.  L.  Bradley,  Lamar  Smith,  and  Mrs.  Rene  W.  Curtis.    (Mrs.  Curtis  being  the  only  woman  in  Wesson  to  hold  an  elective  office.)    The  present  town  officers  in  1964  are:  Mayor  –  R.  E.  Drane;  Alderman:  James  Ashley,  E.  F.  Anderson,  M.  M.  Munson,  Burdette  Rutland,  and  Curtis  Youngblood.      Clerk  –  Clyde  T.  Furr;  Fire  Chief,  Kenneth  Furr;  Day  Marshall  –  Andrew  Hartley;  Night  Marshall  –  W.  B.  Carlisle.  

 List  of  voters  in  Town  of  Wesson,  Mississippi,  1920:    (Note  –  most  of  these  people  were  

voters  in  1914  when  Wesson  passed  her  50th  anniversary)  –  L.  L.  Anding,  E.  F.  Anderson,  W.  H.  Anderson,   Jr.,   J.   L.   Abbott,   Paul   S.   Burt,   Dr.   J.   H.   Beavers,   W.   B.   Bagley,   C.   C.   Barlow,   Ben  Buckley,  Jno.  M.  Box,  J.  A.  Boyd,  J.  S.  Burns,  W.  H.  Clark,  A.  N.  Carter,  Sam  Cobb,  Y.  D.  Coker,  A.  J.  Causey,  P.  P.  Channell,  Y.  A.  Coker,  G.  W.  Davis,  J.  F.  Dungan,  W.  A.  Decell,  Martin  M.  Decell,  A.  J.  Drane,  F.  H.  Dent,  N.  P.  Dunaway,  Willie  W.  Decell,  J.  D.  Dampeer,  J.  J.  Furr,  C.  M.  Furlow,  C.  L.  Ferguson,  H.  H.  Furr,  Ed  Fuller,  J.  M.  Flippin,  J.  M.  Furr,  T.  S.  Ford,  Brown  Ford,  W.  J.  Finch,  W.  L.  Hammons,  R.  L.  Hamilton,  G.  L.  Hayes,  R.  L.  Harrison,  J.  D  Harrison,  S.  K.  Hartley,  K.  R.  Hodges,  R.  P.  Johnson,  M.  C.  Jones,  F.  W.  Johnston,  A.  H.  Little,  Jr.,  Dr.  W.  L.  Little,  M.  M.  Lyell,  B.  H.  Lofton,  W.  L.  Magee,  J.  T.  Miller,  T.  J.  Moore,  H.  I.  Mullican,  C.  D.  Mullican,  S.  Moody,  Dr.  C.  R.  McKee,  W.  J.  McKinney,  D.  R.  McKay,  J.  C.  Magee,  S.  P.  Nix,  T.  R.  Patterson,  J.  M.  Perritt,  J.  C.  Pettigrew,  J.   E.  Patterson,   J.  K.  Patterson,  H.  E.  Price,   J.  W.  Perritt,  H.  M.  Perritt,   E.   F.  Pierce,  Sam  Price,  Mack  Price,  T.  B.  Patterson,  W.  E.  Patterson,  J.  C.  Pickett.  

 R.  W.  Rea,  L.  Riddle,  J.  S.  Rea,  Robert  E.  Rea,  W.  W.  Robertson,  R.  C.  Ray,  J.  P.  Sandifer,  

Lee  R.  Smith,  P.  L.  Scott,  J.  S.  Stringer,  John  W.  Spence,  S.  G.  Sorrells,  R.  W.  Smith,  T.  B.  Sandifer,  W.  R.  Slay,  H.  Swinney,  Dr.  C.  L.  Thompson,  John  F.  Thompson,  W.  R.  Tyson,  C.  G.  Thompson,  W.  F.  Thurman,  B.  F.  Talbert,  J.  W.  Thompson,  George  W.  Varnado,  L.  L.  Wallace,  Robert  Watson,  James   Wallace,   H.   E.   Wellman,   W.   H.   Wallace,   John   E.   Williams,   W.   F.   Williams,   W.   B.  Weathersby,  J.  K.  Williams,  I.  J.  Williams,  H.  Wilks,  W.  S.  Woodall,  Noah  Wallace,  Tom  White,  W.  E.   Westbrook,   H.   R.   Williams,   C.   O.   Wright,   Joe   C.     Youngblood,   Curtis   Youngblood,   V.   D.  Youngblood,  Harry  Youngblood,  B.  F.  Youngblood.  

 The  End    

Above  is  Main  Street  Wesson,  Mississippi  in  the  horse  and  buggy  days  before  the  turn  of  the  century.    This  view  is  from  the  north  looking  south.    The  first  building  is  where  t  a  big  store  stood,  the  biggest  store   in  this  block  being  the  Williams  Bros.  Store.    This  entire  block  was  wiped  out  by  fire  in  the  1920’s  and  all  buildings  in  this  block  were  then  rebuilt  and  presently  stand.    The  roads  were  dirt  and  gravel  in  those  days.    Below  is  another  view  of  the  Main  street  at  the  turn  of  the  century.    It  looks  north  and  gives  another   front   view   of   the   great   Cotton   and   Woolen   Mills.     It   also   shows   the   Wesson  watering  tank  or  trough,  and  a  wagon-­‐master  atop  his  wagon  of  cotton  giving  his  animals  a  drink.    Most   all   the   pictures   used   here  were  made   by   the   late  Mr.  W.  B.   Hardy,  Wesson  photographer.    The  shots  were   those   the  Enterprise  editor,  W.  W.  Robertson,  paid  him  to  make  and  which  we  found.  

The  following  pictures  accompanied  the  above  article  in  the  June  5,  1964,  Wesson  Enterprise.  Descriptions  are  from  that  edition  of  the  Enterprise.  

In  1884  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  honored  the  town  of  Wesson  by  building  this  beautiful  three-­‐room  railroad  station.    It  was  one  of  the  first  passenger  stations  in  the  United  States  using  brick  in  its   overall   construction,   railroad   historical   files   reveal.     Today   this   same   railroad   station   still  stands.    What   a   treat   is   in   store   for   Centennial   visitors   as   they   once   again   walk   into   this   old  building.    The  Mills  can  be  seen  belching  smoke  in  the  rear.        The  buildings  below  are  no   longer  here.    They  housed  the  Wesson  Oil  Mill.    The  big  building  on  the  left  was  the  oil  mill  house,  where  the  Ashley  Block  Plant  now  stands.    The  white  building  was  the  office  with  Mr.  J.  A.  Boyd,  manager,  now  deceased.    Next  was  the  big  cotton  gin,  and  behind  it  the  brick  building  that  was  part  of  the  big  plant.    The  railroad  was  in  the  rear  and  spur-­‐tracks  to  the  building.    The  road  in  front  led  to  Brookhaven,  the  road  that  now  leads  to  Co-­‐Lin.  

Above:  No  picture  the  Enterprise   is  carrying  this   issue  will  touch  as  many  heart-­‐strings  as  this  one.    It  is  a  picture  of  the  upstairs  study  hall  of  the  old  Wesson  Public  School,  the  building  that  is  now  being  restored.     It  will   look  much   like  this  when  restored  again,  except  the  wonderful  old-­‐fashioned  desks  are  now  gone.    They  were  sold,  we  understand,  when   the  new  grammar  school  was  built.    Everyone  who  comes  home  for  the  Centennial  will  want  to  walk  over  this  hall  again.    Below:    This  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  beautiful  streets  in  Wesson.    The  two  homes  shown  were  originally  the  McDonald  and  Sam  Moody  home  (if  memory  serves  us  correctly)  now  the  Munson  home.    Next  is  the  home  built  by  a  former  Wesson  editor,  Mr.  Adams,  now  the  home  of  the  Floyd  Funchesses.      

Here  is  the  Richardson  House,  built  by  John  Richardson.    Today  it  is  known  as  the  Wesson  Hotel.    It  can  be  seen  from  the  heart  of  town,  and  is  only  a  few  paces  across  the  street  from  the  railroad  station.    It  was  the  mecca  for  traveling  men,  and  people  who  stopped  in   Wesson   in   those   heydays   of   railroad   travel.     It   was   widely   known   for   its   excellent  meals  and  nice  rooms.    It  was  always  full.    This  is  where  the  Centennial  Museum  Rooms  will  be  on  display.      Below:    Here  is  a  picture  that  will  bring  fond  memories  to  some.    It  is  the  Hollingsworth  Boarding  House,  and  is  site  of  the  present  Jim  Kennan  home.    This  was  one  of  the  noted  hotel  houses  of   the  era.    Note   the  nice  electric   lights.    Also   the  home  south  of   it,  now  torn  away.    Only   the   lower  floor   remains   today   in   the   form  of   the  Keenan  home.     The  little  girls  in  front  are  part  of  the  Hollingsworth  family.    Miss  Janie  Hollingsworth  still  lives  and  resides  in  Jackson.  

This  is  a  building  no  longer  here.    It  was  the  W.  A.  Decell  and  Son  Livery  Stable.    Known  as  Mr.   “Pig”   Decell,   this   spot   was   one   of   the   busy   ones   in   the   old   horse-­‐and-­‐buggy   days.    These   buildings   stood   in   the  block  where   the   home   of  Mrs.   Jerome   and   son   Percy   now  stands.     And  where   the   old  Wesson  water   tank   now   rests.     This   is   the   street   that   runs  behind  the  Enterprise  office.    The  railroad  crossing  on  the  east  side  is  closed.    Mr.  Decell’s  son,  Albert,  still  resides  in  Wesson.    Here  is  an  interesting  view  of  the  Mississippi  Cotton  &  Woolen  Mills  here,  which  we  found  in  Editor  W.  W.  Robertson’s  files.    It  shows  the  rear  of  the  Mills.    This  is  looking  east  from  the   former  Mrs.   Emma  Barlow   home   and   at   the   corner  where   Carroll   Robert   and   Ruby  Pearl  Smith  now  live.    There  was    a  sidewalk  and  road  as  well  in  those  days.    The  road  still  remains  and  is  in  use.    Part  of  the  rear  of  the  great  building  is  where  Ralph  Smith’s  Co-­‐Op  stands  today.