{"sEcho":1,"iTotalRecords":100,"iTotalDisplayRecords":100,"aaData":[{"bok_id":1,"bok_title":"Table of Contents","bok_image":"book-21_pg-000.jpg","bok_text":"

Table of Contents<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n
LEXINGTON \"Where the Hills Meet the Delta\"<\/span>\u00a0\u00a01<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
EDUCATION<\/span>\u00a0\u00a02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
MEDICAL SERVICES<\/span>\u00a02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
MEDIA <\/span>\u00a03<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
INDUSTRY <\/span>\u00a03<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
CHURCHES<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Asia Baptist Church<\/span>\u00a03<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0First Baptist Church<\/span>\u00a04<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0First Presbyterian Church (PCA)<\/span>\u00a04<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0First United Methodist Church<\/span>\u00a04<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St. Mary's Episcopal Church<\/span>\u00a05<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St. Thomas Catholic Church<\/span>\u00a05<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Temple Beth-El<\/span>\u00a06<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
ORGANIZATIONS<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Holmes County 4-H<\/span>\u00a06<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lexington Main Street Association<\/span>\u00a07<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Holmes County Arts Council<\/span>\u00a07<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Order of Eastern Star<\/span>\u00a07<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Other Organizations<\/span>\u00a08<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
THE ARTS<\/span>\u00a08<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
ARCHITECTURAL GEMS<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Governor Noel House: \"Oak Hill\"<\/span>\u00a09<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Walker Brooks House<\/span>\u00a010<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Judge Gus Drennan House<\/span>\u00a010<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Flower House<\/span>\u00a010<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Holmes County Courthouse<\/span>\u00a011<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Holmes County Farm Bureau Building<\/span>\u00a011<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porter & Sons' Funeral Home<\/span>\u00a011<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Rayner Building<\/span>\u00a012<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St. Paul's Church of God in Christ<\/span>\u00a012<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Swinney Bujilding<\/span>\u00a012<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Blue Boy<\/span>\u00a013<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
CONTEMPORARY NOTABLES<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Robert G. Clark, Jr.<\/span>\u00a014<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Saul Haymond<\/span>\u00a016<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Phillip Watson<\/span>\u00a018<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
PAST NOTABLES<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Walker Brooke<\/span>\u00a018<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arenia Mallory<\/span>\u00a018<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Charles Harrison Mason<\/span>\u00a019<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Edmond F. Noel<\/span>\u00a020<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lonnie Pitchford<\/span>\u00a020<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hazel Brannon Smith<\/span>\u00a021<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Milton Lee Olive III<\/span>\u00a021<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0James Snedden<\/span>\u00a022<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n
ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS<\/span>\u00a024<\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n


Select the page number from the above table to begin viewing the selected section. To return to this page select the 'Page Links' menu item and then 'Table of Contents.'<\/p>"},{"bok_id":2,"bok_title":"Page 1","bok_image":"book-21_pg-011.jpg","bok_text":"

LEXINGTON \u201cWhere the Hills Meet the Delta\u201d<\/h4>\r\n

Originally home to Choctaw Indians, Lexington, Mississippi was founded in 1833 for the express purpose of serving as the county seat to the newly formed county named Holmes. Lexington is located at the geographical center of Holmes County and was named in honor of the famous Revolutionary War battleground in Lexington, Massachusetts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lexington was incorporated as a town on February 26, 1836 with a population of approximately 400. By 1905 the town\u2019s population had grown to 2,134 residents, and the town was officially designated to the status of a city. Otha Beall and Samuel Long each donated sixty [thirty] acres for Lexington\u2019s incorporated area. The city was carefully planned with parallel streets emanating from a central square. Long had been allotted a reservation of land on Little Black Creek under the treaty of Dancing Rabbit for his wife Felicity, of Choctaw descent and sister of Greenwood Leflore.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

As the county seat, Lexington continues to be the hub of county government. The original courthouse was a rustic log structure. Renowned architect William Nichols designed the second courthouse; Nichols was the architect for Mississippi\u2019s Old Capitol and the Mississippi Governor\u2019s Mansion. The second Holmes County Courthouse burned in 1893, and there are no sketches or photos of this structure available. The present courthouse was designed by a Knoxville, TN firm and was erected in 1894 in seven months at a cost of $22,000. It is located in the center of Lexington\u2019s Court Square. On December 2, 1908 the Confederate Monument was unveiled on the Holmes County Courthouse west lawn with an elaborate ceremony and address by Judge Sydney McCain Smith, a Lexingtonian, who later was appointed Chief Justice of the MS Supreme Court. It is important to note that Holmes County was named for David Holmes, last Territorial Governor and first State Governor of Mississippi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lexington escaped the ravages of the Civil War virtually unscathed in property damage. During Reconstruction, following the Civil War, a proposal was made to combine Holmes County and adjacent Attala County and move the county seat from Lexington to Durant, MS. This effort was successfully thwarted through the leadership of black Holmes County representative H.H. \"Buck\" Truhart.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On September 2, 1907, seven to eight thousand people gathered at \u201cTerrystone\u201d for a barbecue to celebrate the election of Lexington native, Edmund Favor Noel, as governor. His home still stands, is currently occupied by the Barrett family, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":3,"bok_title":"Page 2","bok_image":"book-21_pg-012.jpg","bok_text":"

EDUCATION<\/h4>\r\n

In April 1960 a newly constructed Lexington Municipal Library opened. This facility was made possible by a gift from Mr. And Mrs. H.L. Nichols. The library became a useful educational tool and eventually outgrew its location. In 1998 a new library was constructed on the site of the old Lexington Elementary School, which had burned. The new structure is four to five times larger than the former facility. It currently has a large children\u2019s literature section with hand painted murals on the walls, an adult literature and resource section, and a bank of computers available to patrons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Early schools in Lexington included The Lexington Male & Female Academy, which was incorporated in 1844 with the name being changed to Central Mississippi Normal College in 1854. It was housed in a two-story brick structure of classical Greek styling, which was designed by renowned architect William Nichols. While working in Lexington in 1853, Nichols died and was buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Other early schools included The Lexington Male Academy, established in 1859; and the Lexington Normal College, which was established in 1889.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Currently Lexington is the home of Lexington Elementary School, Holmes County Vocational Center, and Central Holmes Christian School. Just outside the city limits are J.J. McClain High School and Saints Academy, the first privately owned black boarding school and junior college in the nation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1918 Miss Pinkie Duncan began the Saints Home School for Negro Boys & Girls in the basement of St. Paul\u2019s Church of God in Christ. Professor James Coats directed the school from 1920 to 1926. Dr. Arenia Mallory moved to Lexington in 1926 and her leadership resulted in the establishment of Saints Industrial and Literacy School, later known as Saints Junior College and Saints Academy. The Jubilee Harmonizers, a musical group from the school, directed by Dean E.M. Lashley, entertained President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House in 1938.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

MEDICAL SERVICES<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

In May 1931 Holmes Community Hospital moved from a frame structure to a newly constructed $50,000 brick facility. Fifty years later in 1981, a newly constructed three-story hospital began operation. Originally it was under county supervision, but then was bought by Methodist Hospitals and renamed Methodist Hospital of Middle Mississippi. It is currently under operation by the University Medical Center in Jackson and has been renamed University Hospital and Clinics of Holmes County.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Since 1993, Dr. Arenia C. Mallory Community Health Center, Inc. has been working to assure that all persons, regardless of their ability to pay have access to quality, comprehensive, cost effective primary health care services. Established in Lexington, the Center now serves the region with four additional clinics in Mississippi: Canton, Tchula, Vaiden and Durant.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":4,"bok_title":"Page 3","bok_image":"book-21_pg-013.jpg","bok_text":"

MEDIA<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

The Lexington Advertiser celebrated 100 years of continuous service with a centennial edition in 1937. Its last publication was in 1983. In 1964 Mrs. Hazel Brannon Smith, editor of the Lexington Advertiser, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her editorial journalism during the Civil Rights era.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1959 the Holmes County Herald newspaper was established and began a weekly publication; it continues publication (www.holmescountyherald.com).\r\nLexington\u2019s first radio station, WXTN, aired its first programming in October 1959 and still operates today with an additional FM station, WAGR 102.5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

INDUSTRY<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

On January 29, 1954 Lexington Industries, Inc. (Henson-Kickernick) opened, with an initial employment of seventy-five and construction costs of $100,000. Lexington Uniforms occupied this space after Lexington Industries closed, which eventually moved into a vacated facility with more floor space. Fleetwood Mobile Homes had three plants in Lexington, but closed all three in 2002.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 2004, Lexington Homes, Inc. was established, purchasing Plant One from Fleetwood Homes. This industry was financed through local investments. In 2005 Lexington Homes successfully negotiated the purchase of Plant Two from Fleetwood. This industry is locally owned and operated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

CHURCHES<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Lexington has seven churches within the city limits which are on the National Historic Register. All these congregations continue to be active. Additionally, there are several other churches in Lexington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Asia Baptist Church<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Asia Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1871 after the merging of two groups of people, one of which after many years of worshiping under a \u201cbrush arbor\u201d called Mt. Pleasant, merged with those of Asia Missionary Baptist Church in Lexington, MS. With this great victory won, they realized that in order to move forward and be successful doing God\u2019s work, they needed a strong and determined administration.<\/p>\r\n

The pioneer pastor of this great group of worshipers was Rev. R.G. Moody, pastoring from 1871 to 1903. During the pastorate of R.B. Gayden the first Men & Women\u2019s Day Program, Old Folks Day Program, and Youth Day Program were established. continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":5,"bok_title":"Page 4","bok_image":"book-21_pg-014.jpg","bok_text":"

A two-story brick and stone educational building of sixteen rooms was added to the existing church complex and dedicated in 1945 under the leadership of Rev. A.L. Hill.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

First Baptist Church<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

On September 1, 1846, the Baptist Church of Lexington was organized with twenty-two members. Soon after the church was organized in 1846, Mr. Otha Beall donated the lot upon which the church now stands. Immediately a small frame building was erected which served the church until 1890, when the current sanctuary was constructed. The 1890 building had a balcony and four Sunday school rooms; when the building was brick veneered and the Educational annex was erected in 1929 and 1930, these were removed for the present choir loft & baptistery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1916 the pipe organ was installed, in 1965 the baptistery was renovated and a memorial window was installed. In 1965 a church library was organized, and in 1968 the Stigler Building located at the rear of the property was replaced with an education annex.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

First Presbyterian Church (PCA)<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The Lexington Presbyterian Church was organized on May 1, 1834, with twelve charter members. Samuel Long, husband of Felicity Leflore and brother-in-law of Greenwood Leflore, donated the lot for the original church building.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

During the pastorate of Rev. J.B. Hutton, a new sanctuary in the Gothic style with stained glass windows and bell tower was dedicated on June 17, 1894.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1911 a Manse adjacent to the sanctuary was completed and used as such until fire damage in 1968, at which time a new manse was purchased.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The damaged manse was renovated for use as an educational building and served as such until 1989 when replaced with the Allen Educational Building.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1924 the current sanctuary building was constructed, providing additional Sunday School rooms. It was renovated in 1975 with new stained glass windows, light fixtures, and an elevator. The downstairs Sunday school rooms were completely renovated in 2001.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On June 3, 1973, the congregation voted unanimously to ask the Presbytery of Central MS (PCUS) for dismissal to the Presbytery of the MS Valley (PCA). Permission was granted on July 19, 1973.<\/p><\/p>\r\n\r\n

First United Methodist Church<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

On February 27, 1836, at a Quarterly Conference at Ebenezer Methodist Church, a building committee was appointed to build a church in Lexington, MS. In 1844 a one-room frame building was constructed approximately three blocks from the current church site. At this time... continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":6,"bok_title":"Page 5","bok_image":"book-21_pg-015.jpg","bok_text":"

...the church was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1844 the church name was changed to Methodist Episcopal Church South.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On June 22, 1897, a building committee was appointed to construct a new church building on the current site; the new church was dedicated on March 6, 1898. In 1903 the Lexington church became a station church.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The current educational building annex was constructed in 1930 during the pastorate of Rev. J.E. Stephens. In 1939 the name of the church was changed to the Methodist Church. A parsonage was built on the original church site in 1941. In 1968 the church name was changed again to First United Methodist Church. The sanctuary was completely renovated in 1974.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

St. Mary\u2019s Episcopal Church<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

St. Mary\u2019s Episcopal Church congregation was organized in the 1840\u2019s. On December 22, 1855, a church building was consecrated by priest-in-charge Benjamin Halstead on property called \u201cWanalaw\u201d approximately 12 miles from the current church\u2019s location and was called Calvary Church. At that time, the congregation included seven families and twelve communicants. Services were held every Sunday at Calvary and also once a month in Lexington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

After a fire that totally destroyed the Calvary Church, its congregation diminished and that in Lexington increased. The decision was made to erect an Episcopal Church in St. Mary\u2019s Parish in Lexington. The new church was dedicated in 1880, and received a church bell in 1882 that continues to this day to summon worshipers to services.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1894 the church was completely destroyed by fire. But on March 11, 1900, a new St. Mary\u2019s church was dedicated. In time, the bell was elevated and placed into a belfry over the front of the church. Later a vicarage was constructed adjacent to the church.\r\nIn 2000 the Parish House was remodeled & expanded to include office space and Sunday School rooms, and a sacristy was completed adjacent to the rear of the sanctuary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

St. Thomas Catholic Church<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

St. Thomas Catholic Church in Lexington is the only Catholic Church in Holmes County. In 1880 a Mission Church was organized for the many Irish Catholic peddlers who had made Lexington their home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Rev. M.F. Grignon served until 1879, at which time Father Lonergan took charge of Lexington as a mission and took steps to construct a permanent church structure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The new church building was dedicated on April 24, 1887, with approximately 100 communing parishioners. It grew to 172 at its peak. continued on next page<\/em><\/p>"},{"bok_id":7,"bok_title":"Page 6","bok_image":"book-21_pg-016.jpg","bok_text":"

In 1908 the original church and priest\u2019s house burned to the ground. The present church structure was built and dedicated in 1920, and a statue of the Blessed Virgin was given to the church by J.W. Conway. The present parish rectory was built in 1968. The first parish Council was established in March 1970 under the direction of Father Daniel Novak.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Temple Beth-El<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

In 1904 the Jewish citizens of Lexington formed a congregation. A lot was donated by Morris Lewis and Sam Herrman, and on that site a Temple was built.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On November 1, 1905, Temple Beth-El was dedicated. Mr. Henry Rosenthal was the first president of Temple Beth-El and was succeeded by Mr. Lewis. In 1906 a cemetery was established.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The congregation numbered 88 members at one point, and there were eighteen young men from the congregation who were in the service during World War II.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Temple is affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and the Sisterhood is a member of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

ORGANIZATIONS<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Holmes County 4-H<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Historically, Holmes County is known as the birthplace of the 4-H Club movement. On February 23, 1907, William Hall \u201cCorn Club\u201d Smith (the Holmes County Superintendent of Schools) invited boys, their fathers, other interested Holmes County citizens, and Professor Perkins of A & M College to an organizational meeting of the first Corn Club. He had heard of such efforts to organize corn clubs in Illinois as early as 1899, but in none of these was there a systematic outline for the boys to follow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\u201cCorn Club\u201d enrolled 120 boys from throughout the county and provided members with literature and personal guidance with their corn projects. About 60 percent of the enrollees produced a crop and exhibited their corn at a show in the fall. Local businessmen provided prizes for those who produced the biggest yield, the most ears to the stalk, and the largest ears. Some of these yields ran as high as 120 bushels per acre.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Smith did not ignore the girls - he organized them into a Home Culture Study Club. These members devoted themselves to sewing and baking. At the show in the fall of 1907, there was an important visitor, Dr. Seaman A. Knapp, a special agent to the Southern States to promote agriculture from the USDA. He was so impressed with the show and the boys\u2019 demonstrations, that he appointed \u201cCorn Club\u201d collaborator of the USDA and paid him a token salary of $1.00 per year so he could carry on communications about club activities - Thus, the Holmes County Club became the first federally-sponsored club for boys in the United States, and Smith became... continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":8,"bok_title":"Page 7","bok_image":"book-21_pg-017.jpg","bok_text":"

...the first federal agent for club work. The movement quickly spread throughout the South, and later the nation, under the name of 4-H Clubs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Holmes County\u2019s Corn Club won the 1910 Mississippi State Fair for the \u201cBest County Record in Boys Club Work,\u201d winning a Ford Model A for the county Superintendent of Education, their Club Leader at that time, John M. Kimbrough. Mr. Kimbrough\u2019s son, John Kimbrough, Jr., was instrumental in fostering the 4-H Youth Livestock Program in Holmes County in the 1960\u2019s, and his children went on be active 4-H\u2019ers at the county, state, and national levels. Mr. Kimbrough\u2019s granddaughter, Elizabeth \u201cBetsy\u201d Kimbrough Padgett, serves as the present County Extension Director and 4-H Youth Agent in Holmes County.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

4-H asks youngsters to \u201cMake the Best Better\u201d and gives them the guidance to reach their goals. 4-H is family and community oriented - just as it was when started in 1907.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lexington Main Street Association<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Lexington Main Street Association (LMS) exists for the sole purpose of revitalizing Lexington\u2019s downtown and surrounding business district through providing organization, economic development, design, and promotion to the district.<>\/p>\r\n\r\n

LMS was organized in July 2001 with 21 board members representing all segments of the community: religious, business, civic, public service, and volunteer. Currently the board includes its maximum of thirty members.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Annual LMS events include TASTE BUDS Cooking Competition, the organization\u2019s annual fundraiser; Awards Banquet & Annual Meeting; hosting Holiday Open House; Directors\u2019 Training; Breakfast With Santa; multiple retail promotional events and advertising campaigns; and community improvements projects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Holmes County Arts Council<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The Holmes County Arts Council (HCAC) was established in 2002 under the leadership of an interested group of local patrons. Lexington Main Street Association donated the c. 1905 Flowers Mercantile Store to HCAC, and the organization immediately began fund-raising efforts to acquire matching funds for a Mississippi Arts Commission grant of over $150,000 to renovate the structure. Phase I of the renovation has been completed, and work is well underway on Phase II. The Holmes County Arts Council holds an annual Arts Gala each February as its primary fund-raising event, and has successfully raised approximately $100,000 thus far.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Order of Eastern Star<\/h5>\r\n\r\nThe Order of the Eastern Star, an organization for female relatives of Masons, has its roots in the Little Red Schoolhouse south of Lexington at the Richland community. Lexington continues to have an active Masons lodge.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":9,"bok_title":"Page 8","bok_image":"book-21_pg-018.jpg","bok_text":"
Other Organizations<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Other community organizations include the Boy Scouts of America, Community Culture & Resource Center, Friends of the Lexington Public Library, the Girl Scouts of America, Holmes County Arts Council, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Rotary Club, the Magnolia Garden Club, the Preservation Singers, the Red Hat Club, & Triad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

THE ARTS<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The Lexington area lays claim to many successful musicians, authors, artists, and artisans:\r\nMusicians include the Preservation Singers which is made up of volunteer musicians from across the area, accomplished vocalist & musician Ora Catherine Reed (http:\/\/www.orareed.com\/bio.html<\/a>); \u201cLucille\u2019s\u201d owner B.B. King, who lived in Lexington when he was fifteen and continues to have family connections in the city; Jesse Robinson, who spent many hours with his grandparents in Lexington and is currently in negotiations to assist Lexington establish an annual Blues Festival in 2008; Grammy Award nominee the late Bill Ginn, who was a keyboardist, composer, arranger, & conductor; blues man Otis \u201cBig Smokey\u201d Smothers; and renowned blues musician and skilled instrument maker the late Lonnie Pitchford.

\r\n\r\n

Authors include Billy Ellis (Tithes of Blood); Melany Neilson (Even Mississippi, which received the Lillian Smith Award, the Mississippi Authors Award, the Gustavas Myers Outstanding Book on Human Rights, and a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize; & The Persia Caf\u00e9, which was published in 2001 to wide praise.); and the late Jonathan Henderson Brooks (The Resurrection and Other Poems Collection available at the University of MS Library).

\r\n\r\n

Artists include Saul Haymond, Jonnie Crelan, the late Dick Temple, Beth Yates, and Barbara Parrish.

\r\n\r\n

Artisans include Bubba Barton (Ole Bridge Pottery), Billy & Kitty Ellis (Indian Bluffs Pottery), and Robert Holleman (Robert Holleman Pottery).

\r\n\r\n

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Architectural information from the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service, NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, Lexington Historic District, Lexington, Holmes County, Mississippi, November 2000.

\r\n\r\n

Lexington boasts over 225 contributing buildings & homes on the National Register of Historic Places and has six sites listed as MS Landmark structures including the Holmes County Courthouse, Holmes County Jail (no longer in use as such), the Chancery Clerk Building, the Confederate Monument, the Masonic Bldg on Court Square, and the Holmes County Arts Council Complex (aka Flower Mercantile) which is currently being renovated by the Holmes County Arts Council, due in part to a grant from the MS Arts Commission and generous private donations. continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":10,"bok_title":"Page 9","bok_image":"book-21_pg-019.jpg","bok_text":"

Antebellum development in Lexington showed the relative prosperity of the first settlers. Still standing are many homes that date back to the mid-1800\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lexington\u2019s public buildings from this time period, now all non-extant, were even more impressive than the houses still standing. After using a small, log courthouse for a few years, the citizens of Holmes County reputedly hired the famous architect William Nichols around 1850 to design a brick courthouse to take its place. The building stood until 1893, when it burned and was replaced with the current structure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lexington suffered little or no damage during the Civil War, no doubt due to its lack of railroad and other transportation-related resources, although according to the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Union troops marched through the town at least twice, and according to local tradition, a small skirmish took place between Lexington teenagers and these troops. Thus, the citizens of Lexington did not find it necessary to re-build their fledgling town after the War.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Governor Noel House: \u201cOak Hill\u201d<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1875 Governor Noel House was built in 1875 by John Edgar Gwin, prominent landowner and attorney. Mr. Gwin lived there until his death in 1898. His estate conveyed the house to Mrs. Margaret Ann Noel, the mother of Edmond Favor Noel, Governor of Mississippi from 1908 to 1912. E. F. Noel inherited the house at the death of his mother in 1904. During his ownership, it is said that Governor Noel played host to President Theodore Roosevelt when \u201cTeddy\u201d was in the area for his now legendary bear hunt near Onward. When Noel married Alice Tye Neilson of Pickens, MS in 1905, it is said that by the time Noel had filed the homestead declaration for the house that year that Mrs. Noel had named the estate \u201cOak Hill.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The house was originally constructed with the massing and many of the details of the Queen Anne style of architecture that was in favor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The house was irregularly massed, with a series of gables and dormers extending from a central hipped roof. Its fa\u00e7ade featured a two-story bay at the right of the fa\u00e7ade and double porches with turned cut-work posts, brackets, spandrels, and baluster and decorative wood shingles and cut-work details in gable ends.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The house is an outstanding example of the Late Victorian Queen Anne style of architecture that was modified in the early 20th century into the Neo-Classical style. It faces west from the center of a deep, landscaped yard fronting North Street. Its hipped and gabled roof is covered by the cementitious slate from its early 20th century remodeling. Its fa\u00e7ade is five bays wide, with a two-story hip-roofed porch on the center and left bays. The porch has massive wooden Ionic columns under an entablature with metopes and dentil molding on a plain frieze with a layered base. The porte cachere and the balcony are supported on smaller reeded, wooden Ionic columns with molded bases. Engaged columns at the porch edges are half-columns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The gabled wing at the right of the fa\u00e7ade has tri-partite windows at both levels and a fixed, circular light in a surround with a molded top and keystone centered in the gable. continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":11,"bok_title":"Page 10","bok_image":"book-21_pg-020.jpg","bok_text":"

The home remained in the Noel\/Neilson family till it was sold to an investor and subsequently to Pat Barrett, Jr. in 1989, who completely renovated it. He and his wife Janice have recently completed additional renovation work and open it occasionally to visiting tour groups.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Walker Brooke House<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1850 Walker Brooke House was built for Walker Brooke, who was later a Mississippi state senator and a U. S. senator (1952-1853).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The house is a clapboard structure with a central, front-gabled, two-story section flanked by two side-gabled, one story wings. The central section\u2019s pedimented gable shelters a two-story, undercut porch. The second-floor porch features jig sawn brackets and boxed columns, slightly battered, topped by ornate jig sawn capitals resembling palm fronds and connected with punched and jig sawn balustrade.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In the early 1850\u2019s Brooke sold the home to Joseph Marlowe, who was a Hungarian immigrant and merchant in Lexington. In pursuant years the home was owned by Dr. J. R. Watson, an Autry family, Dr. Pierce from Greenwood, and the Montfort Jones family. The present owners are Jane and Holt Smith. Both the Smiths have Holmes County roots dating to the 1840\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Judge Gus Drennan House<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1870 Judge Drennan house is two-story, clapboard & drop-sided bayed house with Italianate and Colonial Revival details. The hipped and cross-gabled roof is sheathed in metal or asbestos cement shingles. The front-gable is to the right on the fa\u00e7ade, featuring a raking cornice with returns and carved consoles, with a round-headed, 2\/2 window in the gable end, a paired segmental-headed window with pedimented surround in the second story, and a bay window in the first story. The bay, decorated with carved brackets, is under a separate hip roof.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The house has had few owners, and was purchased by the current owner in 1985.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe Flower House\r\n\r\n

The Flower House is a c. 1920 one-story brick Craftsman bungalow and was originally the home of the Flower family, who owned the adjacent Flower Mercantile Building. After being vacated by the Flower family, it served for many years as the office of the Holmes County engineer, J.C. Patton. It was later converted for use as a local flower shop and recently has been renovated for use as the law offices of Clark & Clark, PLLC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Robert G. Clark III and Bryant W. Clark purchased the abandoned Flower House and completed a total interior renovation, keeping the historical integrity of the structure wherever possible with the authentic Craftsman-style fireplace & restored mantel fronted with a Craftsman-style fireplace screen; the original Craftsman front entry door; historically correct paint colors throughout the interior and on the exterior trim work; and restoring the ceiling moldings, facings, and window trim. continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":12,"bok_title":"Page 11","bok_image":"book-21_pg-021.jpg","bok_text":"

Robert G. Clark III and Bryant W. Clark are the two sons of former Representative and Speaker of the MS House of Representatives, Robert G. Clark Jr.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Because of the Clark\u2019s commitment to the preservation of the history of Lexington, Lexington Main Street Association is honored to nominate the firm of Clark & Clark, PLLC for the Mississippi Main Street Association 2007 Downtown Revitalization Awards \u201cAdaptive Re-Use Project\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Holmes County Courthouse<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1894 Holmes County Courthouse, designed by architect W. Chamberlin & Co., is a Mississippi Landmark building. It combines elements of both the Romanesque and the Queen Anne styles. A rectangular, two-story, red brick structure with tan brick & stone trim, it is bilaterally symmetrical. It was designed with entrances on all four sides, each side facing on the four points of the compass. At each corner is a square, pyramidal roof tower that projects out slightly from each wall plane. A tall, working clock tower dominates the building at the center of the roof atop a polygonal dome capped by a lantern and weather vane. Each facade of the building is centered on a tetra style portico, the columns of which are cast iron. The building was completely renovated in 2004.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Holmes County Farm Bureau Building<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1885 (old) Bank of Commerce is the oldest commercial building in Lexington. It is a two- story, red & brown-brick commercial structure on a corner lot with a side-gabled roof of asbestos-cement or slate shingles. The fa\u00e7ade parapet is shaped and features a steel capital. A concrete or stuccoed signboard is in the upper wall above the four bays of the second floor. A canvas awning shelters the transom and storefront areas and wraps around to the south elevation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Holmes County Farm Bureau (HCFB) currently occupies the building. In 2006 HCFB completed a complete interior and exterior restoration of the property at a cost of over $80,000.v\r\n\r\n

Porter & Sons\u2019 Funeral Homr<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1920 bungalow on Vine Street is currently home to Porter & Sons\u2019 Funeral Home, which was established in 1979 by Mr. Lindbergh Porter, Sr. Instrumental in the renovation of the structure were Mr. Porter and his children: Lindbergh Jr., Pat Noel, Byron C., and Bonita.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The business was incorporated in 1999, following the death of Porter Sr. and today is run by Byron and Bonita.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The structure is a one-and-a-half story, drop-sided bungalow with a hipped roof of asphalt shingles and a brick-pier foundation infilled with brick. A small, gabled dormer pierces the center of the front slope and has tow sing-light windows. Rafters are exposed in the wide, open eaves and triangular knee braces decorate the gabled dormers. An undercut porch, originally full-width, now covers two-thirds of the west fa\u00e7ade, with the other one-third having been enclosed.  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":13,"bok_title":"Page 12","bok_image":"book-21_pg-022.jpg","bok_text":"

Sheltered under the porch are a glazed, wood door with 1-light transom and a paired 1\/1 double-hung window in a wood frame to the right. In the enclosed section, a large, plate-glass window is on boxed columns with molded capitals. A brick chimney is on the interior, on the center ridge of the roof. The chimney is central to tripartite hearths, each with its original c. 1920\u2019s tile work and original mantels. The door frames and casings are original to the house.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Rayner Building<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1915 Rayner Building is a three-story, brick commercial building with a flat roof and parapet capped by concrete. Six rectangular recessed areas - smaller than normal signboards - adorn the parapet, above a heavy, pressed-metal cornice. \u201cRayner Bldg 1915\u201d is spelled out above the third-floor windows. The first, second, and third stories are separated by concrete string-courses stretching across the fa\u00e7ade. The first floor features a three-bay storefront \u2014 two display areas of plate-glass flank a central, recessed entrance of three glazed, wood doors. Storefront windows have wood sills and wood bulkheads. Three groups of tripartite, multi-light, leaded glass windows form the transom area and are delineated by two wood pilasters rising up from the storefront level. A flat, metal awning spans the fa\u00e7ade, sheltering the first floor under the transom, supported on metal chains. A painted sign can still be seen on the west elevation in the upper wall, reading \u201cFincher Co. Hardware, Furniture.\u201d \u201cFincher\u201d is spelled out in the tile leading to the recessed entrance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The building was completely refurbished in 2001 and houses Barrett Law Firm PLLC. The renovation, supervised by award-winning architect Belinda Stewart & Associates, received The Mississippi Heritage Award of Merit in 2002.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

St. Paul\u2019s Church of God in Christ<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The Churches of God in Christ in the United States and foreign countries had their origin in Lexington, MS. The first organized Church of God in Christ congregation, St. Paul\u2019s COGIC, is known as the \u201cMother Church\u201d and originally met in an abandoned gin house while under the pastorate of Elder C.H. Mason, Sr. This gin house was located near the spot where the current church building stands today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Rev. Mason, a former member of Asia Missionary Baptist Church, organized the church in 1897 with the assistance of Rev. C.P. Jones and Rev. W.S. Pleasant and had a congregation of 50-60 organizing members. The first baptismal service was performed in March 1897.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The church began to grow beyond Lexington, and in 1907 the First Assembly of the Church of God in Christ was formed in Memphis, TN. The denomination now boasts worldwide membership of over 8 million members.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Swinney Building<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

The c. 1908 Swinney Building is a two-story, painted brick commercial building on a corner lot, topped by a flat roof hidden behind a stepped parapet with brick and concrete capitals. The...   continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":14,"bok_title":"Page 13","bok_image":"book-21_pg-023.jpg","bok_text":"

...central portion of the parapet on the north fa\u00e7ade is raised above the roof line with a molded concrete capital and metal decoration. \u201c1908 Swinney\u201d is carved in concrete plates just beneath this section. The cornice features three-course corbelling and dentils delineated with solder-course brick. A long, recessed signboard is outlined above and below with a string course. The chamfered-corner entrance on the northeast corner remains intact with fluted iron pilasters flanking the entrance and a non-fluted, iron column at the corner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Blue Boy<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Information contributed by Don Barrett<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Blue Boy was built in 1928 at Long Beach, California, for the owner of the 7-Up Bottling Corporation. In 1930 it was confiscated by the Internal Revenue Service. Apparently it was being used to smuggle rum from Mexico up to Long Beach; federal agents found hidden rum tanks under a false hull and chopped the boat up getting to those tanks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Within seven or eight months, William Randolph Hearst, apparently a friend of the original owner, bought the remains of Blue Boy and restored it to its former grandeur. He took the vessel to the Pacific Coast Marina nearest to his San Simeon castle and kept it there for thirteen years. There it was known as the Little Yacht, and was a favorite of Hearst\u2019s because he could operate it himself. He loved to take his movie star friends out for sunset cruises. Some of his artifacts are still on board, including a trophy he won in 1933 and a couple of photographs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1943 he donated the Blue Boy to the Navy, which used it as a VIP tender for the Capital ships in Long Beach Harbor. After the war the boat was sold to a Hollywood agent, and from there it went through several Hollywood-type owners for several decades. Barbara Stanwyck once owned the boat, as did the \u201cgreatest movie star of all time,\u201d Renaldo Duncan (the Cisco Kid).<\/p>\r\n\r\nProbably the most famous story about the boat is that it was the vessel on which President Kennedy entertained Marilyn Monroe. On still nights one can sometimes detect just the faintest whisper of her voice, or so some people say.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Blue Boy is currently owned by Don Barrett and moored on Lake Katherine just outside of Lexington.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":15,"bok_title":"Page 14","bok_image":"book-21_pg-024.jpg","bok_text":"

CONTEMPORARY NOTABLES<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Robert G. Clark, Jr.<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE<\/p>\r\n\r\n

2003 Regular Session<\/p>\r\n\r\n

To: Rules<\/p>\r\n\r\n

By: Representative Ford, Brown<\/p>\r\n\r\n

House Resolution 43<\/p>\r\n\r\n

(As Adopted by the House in the Legislature of the State of Mississippi)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ROBERT GEORGE CLARK, JR., FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Robert George Clark, Jr., Speaker Pro Tempore of the Mississippi House of Representatives, is completing his ninth consecutive term as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 47, which includes Attala, Holmes and Yazoo Counties; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark, a native of Holmes County, Mississippi, was born on October 3, 1928, in Ebenezer, Mississippi, later earning an undergraduate degree from Jackson State University and a master\u2019s degree in administration and educational services from Michigan State University, in addition to studies at Mississippi Valley State University, Florida A & M University, Western Michigan University and as a 1979 teaching fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark began his journey of contribution to Mississippi by becoming a teacher, coach and principal in our state\u2019s school system where he fell in love with Mississippi\u2019s future - its children, setting aside his initial ambition to become an attorney; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark also dreamed of becoming a missionary in Africa, but when calls to that vocation were presented to him, he decided that there was more than enough \u201cmissionary\u201d work to do for the children of Mississippi; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, during his teaching and coaching career, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark instilled in his students the values of courage and knowledge, challenging them to learn and to play sports with the same principles that they should live by; and  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":16,"bok_title":"Page 15","bok_image":"book-21_pg-025.jpg","bok_text":"

WHEREAS, recognizing that the parents of his students could better contribute to the education of their children if they could assist their children with their schoolwork, in 1966, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark sought to create an adult education program in the school district in which he was teaching; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, his entry into the political arena began when the local school board denied his request to start the adult education program, and in disapproving his request, the board promised that if the local superintendent of education would approve of such a program, the board would endorse it, whereupon Speaker Pro Tempore Clark announced his candidacy for the office of superintendent; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, before the next election for superintendent, the Mississippi Legislature enacted a law changing the superintendent\u2019s position from elected to appointed, prompting Speaker Pro Tempore Clark\u2019s decision to run for the Mississippi House of Representatives; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives and began his service as a member of the House in 1968, becoming the first African American elected to the Mississippi Legislature since Reconstruction and since that time, he has become known as a fair and honest leader; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, over the years since his election to the House, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark has gained his stature as a statesman, rising from freshman lawmaker to House Education Committee Chairman and culminating in his 1992 election by his colleagues to the Office of Speaker Pro Tempore, the leadership post second only to the Speaker of the House; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, as Chairman of the Education Committee, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark led the House to pass many important education acts, most notably the 1982 Education Reform Act, the 1984 Vocational Education Reform Act and the recent Education Enhancement Act; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, as Speaker Pro Tempore, he serves as Chairman of the House Management Committee, which oversees the vital internal business and personnel affairs of the House, and he is the patriarch of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark was one of the founding members of Central Mississippi, Inc., an antipoverty program in Central Mississippi, which has been instrumental in preparing rural children to enter the mainstream public schools; helped organize the Milton Olive III Memorial Corporation of Holmes County, an antipoverty program designed to provide essential medical care to individuals; served as Director of Project Second Start at Saints Junior College, an organization that focused on giving adults an opportunity to develop vocational skills; and organized the Fine Housing Enterprise Program which allowed numerous poor families in the county to afford decent housing; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark has received numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Alumnus of the Year Award from Jackson State University, the Award of Distinction and Outstanding Leadership Award from the University of Mississippi and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Education in Mississippi; and  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":17,"bok_title":"Page 16","bok_image":"book-21_pg-026.jpg","bok_text":"

WHEREAS, currently, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark is involved with Holmes County 21st Century Commission, an organization which he organized for the purpose of preparing county residents for the 21st century through education, skill development and examples of successful work ethic; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark is the subject of a new book, Robert G. Clark\u2019s Journey to the House: A Black Politician\u2019s Story, by Will D. Campbell, which reflects on Clark\u2019s political career and his contributions to contemporary politics and culture in our state; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark has been praised by many for his vision and constructive leadership, called a \u201ctrue champion\u201d by Speaker Tim Ford who also notes that Speaker Pro Tempore Clark \u201c...has always been the type...to sit down and work things out and he\u2019s been...a tremendous asset....\u201d; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, in addition to his career as an educator and statesman, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark has been a businessman and rancher, a faithful member of the Baptist Church and the Elks, and all during his life he has been a dedicated family man, raising his two sons by his deceased wife Essie on his own before his union with his lovely and gracious wife, the former Jo Ann Ross, who has lovingly supported him and their children, LaLeche, Robert George III and Bryant Wandrick, in all their endeavors; and<\/p>\r\n\r\n

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark has indicated that he will retire at the expiration of his present term, and the members of this House wish to express sincere appreciation to Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore for his dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and the personal sacrifices that he has made on their behalf:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That we do hereby commend our friend, colleague and leader, Robert George Clark, Jr., for all that he has meant to the Mississippi House of Representatives and for his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Former Representative Robert Clark continues to be actively involved in the community, and is a continual encouragement to his son Bryant, who now serves Holmes County in the House of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi. Both Robert Clark III and Bryant Clark are attorneys in Lexington, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Saul Haymond<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Saul Haymond Sr. is from Ebenezer, MS, a small community near Lexington. Haymond is a self- taught artist, and his paintings hang in homes, businesses, and governmental buildings in the United States and from Australia to Europe to South Africa. Each painting is distinctive; each has a history and a story; and his technique and style are unique.  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":18,"bok_title":"Page 17","bok_image":"book-21_pg-027.jpg","bok_text":"

Saul Haymond has been recognized by the Museum Atelier A\/E of New York City and in school textbooks as a unique talent of the 20th and 21st centuries. He has been acclaimed with multiple fellowships: the Mississippi Arts Commission in both 1993 and 1998, the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation of New York City in both 1994 and 1999, the Southern Federation of Atlanta in 1994, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation of Hancock, Maine in 1994, the Pollock- Krasner Foundation of New York City in 1995, and the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation of New York City in 1999. Each fellowship carries with it a cash award restricted to the purchase of arts supplies and materials and also the recognition associated with the fellowship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Haymond began his career by doodling at the age of six or seven. Because of his talent in working with his hands, in his late teens he traveled to Lantz, Maryland, as a representative from Holmes County, MS in the Jobs Corps. This provided him the opportunity to receive formal art lessons, but because of his talent, he was soon the instructor. In 1964 Haymond exhibited his artwork in the Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington, DC, at Hagerstown Museum in Hagerstown, Maryland, and at both St. Mary\u2019s College (women\u2019s) and St. Joseph\u2019s College (men\u2019s) in Baltimore, Maryland. During this period, he crossed paths with such people as President Lyndon Johnson, Sargent Shriver (President Kennedy\u2019s brother-in-law), and Morris Udall. Shriver and Udall each purchased Haymond\u2019s paintings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Those who were instrumental in assisting Mr. Haymond with his career during this time were Anson Peckham, Warner Cheek, Jack Wheat, and Ed Like. Haymond credits Clarence B. Rice with teaching him to read. Rice was connected with Howard University and tutored Haymond for two years, becoming both a mentor and devoted friend. Haymond affectionately refers to him as \u201cmy blue-eyed friend.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1968 Haymond said that he was ready to \u201ccome back South,\u201d and in 1969 he returned to Holmes County after a five-year absence during which time he traveled the globe working with the Jobs Corps and Peace Corps, using his skills to teach others ways to improve their quality of living.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Twenty years ago, Haymond\u2019s artwork took a decided change in approach. He began painting each canvas black to filter out the light before adding color. Haymond stated, \u201cPainting the canvas black makes the contrast better.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Haymond says of his artwork, \u201cMy paintings reflect our history. It was hard for some of us, but it made us who we are today. Hard work doesn\u2019t hurt us; it teaches us to appreciate what we\u2019ve got.\u201d Haymond paints from his heart - his memories, his dreams, his visions, the stories he\u2019s heard over the years from his relatives. The genuineness of his work is refreshing. Haymond is the last in his family to pursue any type of art career and currently resides in Ebenezer, MS with his wife. He has five children and four grandchildren.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":19,"bok_title":"Page 18","bok_image":"book-21_pg-028.jpg","bok_text":"

Phillip Watson<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

Phillip Watson, of Phillip Watson Designs, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, is a Lexington native and returns to his hometown annually to oversee the annual Garden Seminar sponsored by the Holmes County Arts Council. It feels \u201clike a family reunion,\u201d according to Watson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

With a BS in Horticulture from Mississippi State University, his specialty is pattern gardens (parterres, knots, mazes). Mr. Watson designs and installs gardens throughout the country, but often returns home to his roots for inspiration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He is currently a garden host on QVC Shopping Network where he promotes plants for Cottage Farms of Mobile, Alabama.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Times of London, Southern Accents, Horticulture, House and Garden, Veranda, and Southern Living magazines. His work has also appeared in the film, \u201cThe Stepford Wives\u201d and the CBS reality show \u201cWickedly Perfect\u201d. As a frequent lecturer all over the world, Mr. Watson has spoken at a wide range of American venues, as well as, The Rosemary Verey Symposium in London, England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

PAST NOTABLES<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Walker Brooke<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1813-1869<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Senator Walker Brooke was born at Page Brooke, Virginia, and was the son of Humphrey Brooke and Sarah Walker Page. He attended the public schools in Richmond, VA and Georgetown, D.C., graduated from the University of VA at Charlottesville in 1835, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1838, moving to Lexington, MS and opening his law practice. He was a member of the MS House of Representatives in 1848 and of the MS Senate in 1850 & 1852.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brooke was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry S. Foote and served from February 18, 1852 until March 3, 1853; he was not a candidate for re-election and resumed the practice of law. In 1857 he moved to Vicksburg, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brooke died in Vicksburg in 1869 and was buried in Vicksburg Cemetery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Arenia Mallory<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1905-1983<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Dr. Arenia Mallory was born in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1905. In 1927 she earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from Simmons College of Kentucky, later a master\u2019s degree from Jackson State…  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":20,"bok_title":"Page 19","bok_image":"book-21_pg-029.jpg","bok_text":"<\/p>University, in 1950 a master\u2019s degree from the University of Illinois, and in 1951 a doctorate of law from Bethune-Cookman College.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>Mallory founded Saints Industrial and Literary School in Lexington, Mississippi. The historically black school was renamed and is currently called Saints Academy. She served as president of the school from 1926 until her death in 1983. It is run under the Church of God in Christ. Mallory was an active member of the COGIC church and participated in the Women\u2019s Department and was the leader in the national church.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>She served as the Vice President of the National Council of Negro Women from 1953-1957, was a member of the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, a consultant for the United States Department of Labor in 1963, and the first woman and first African American elected to the Holmes County Board of Education. Mallory also has two facilities named after her; the Arenia C. Mallory Community Health Center in Lexington, Mississippi and the Arenia Mallory School of Religion located in Miami, Florida.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>Dr. Arenia C. Mallory Community Health Center (MCHC) is named to honor her memory as a well known educator and champion of human causes. She inspired young minds regardless of their race, economic or social status to \u201cWalk in Dignity, Talk in Dignity, and Live in Dignity\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>She is remembered by her former students as a women of high integrity, establishing loving but strong discipline, and a teacher of the highest caliber.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Charles Harrison Mason<\/h5>\r\n\r\n<\/p>1866-1961<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>Bishop Charles Harrison Mason founded the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in 1907 when he preached on the south steps of the Holmes County Courthouse after having been expelled from Asia Baptist Church in Lexington, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>There were those who were uncomfortable with his preaching, and he was subsequently incarcerated. The cell in which he was held is in the basement of the Holmes County Courthouse. In 1997 painted murals on the wall of the former cell, where he depicted the events that led up to the establishment of the Church of God in Christ.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>After being released, Bishop Mason was able to continue services in the home of Mr. John A. Lee. These living room services were so well attended that a Mr. Watson suggested that Bishop Mason transfer services to a spacious, abandoned Cotton Gin House near the bank of a little creek in Lexington, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>Land was soon bought on Yazoo Street from Mrs. John Ashcraft just beyond the corporate line, upon which was built a little edifice 60x40. These charter members formed a Pentecostal body known as St. Paul\u2019s Church of God in Christ, the \u201cMother Church\u201d of the denomination.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":21,"bok_title":"Page 20","bok_image":"book-21_pg-030.jpg","bok_text":"
Edmond F. Noel<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1856-1927<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Edmond Favor Noel, the thirty-seventh -governor of Mississippi, was born to Leland Noel and Margaret A. (Sanders) Noel near Lexington, Mississippi on March 4, 1856. His education was attained at a high school in Louisville, Kentucky. He married Loula Hoskins on June 4, 1890 (died 1891) and later Alice (Tye) Neilson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1877, after which he established his legal practice in Lexington, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Noel first entered politics as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (1881-1882). He served as the district attorney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in 1887, and was a member of the Mississippi State Senate from 1895 to 1903, where he wrote the Mississippi Primary Election Law, as well as the \u201cNoel Amendment,\u201d which made all elective offices four-year terms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Noel secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and was elected governor by a popular vote on August 22, 1907. He was sworn into office on January 21, 1908, and served as the first chairman of first conference of governors in 1908.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

During his tenure a state livestock sanitary board was formed, a child labor law was sanctioned, a pure food law was passed, a teacher\u2019s college was planned at Hattiesburg, an agricultural high school system was created, a state charity hospital at Jackson was established, and a statewide prohibition law was authorized.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Noel left office on January 16, 1912. He continued to stay politically active, winning re-election to the Mississippi State Senate, a position he held from 1920 until his death. Governor Edmond F. Noel passed away on July 30, 1927, and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington, Mississippi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lonnie Pitchford<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1855-1998<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Lonnie Pitchford, a renowned blues musician and skilled instrument maker, was born near Lexington, MS on October 8, 1955. He continued the heritage of the Delta Blues and Country Blues he had learned from his older mentors. He was a carpenter by trade, but also a skilled instrument maker, building his own guitars and also building his home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Pitchford was skilled on the acoustic guitar, electric slide, lead, rhythm, bass, piano, mouth harmonica, one-string guitar and diddley bow, a one-string instrument of African origin.  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":22,"bok_title":"Page 21","bok_image":"book-21_pg-031.jpg","bok_text":"

In 1974 Pitchford played at the Smithsonian at the National Folk Festival. He played his one string guitar on stage and regaled the audience with the Blues. He eventually performed at Carnegie Hall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Pitchford died at his home in Lexington on November 8, 1998.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hazel Brannon Smith<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1914-1994<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Journalist Hazel Freeman Brannon Smith, the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing, was born in 1914 in Gadsen, AL, where she graduated from high school in 1930 at the age of 16. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1935 with a B.A. in Journalism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1935 she moved to Durant, MS and bought the failing Durant News, making it such a success by 1943 that she purchased the Lexington Advertiser in the neighboring town of Lexington. She edited and published the Lexington Advertiser from 1943 to 1983. In 1956, she acquired the Banner County Outlook and the Northside Reporter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Smith\u2019s editorials and her column (\u201cThrough Hazel\u2019s Eyes\u201d) focused on unpopular causes, political corruption and social injustice in Mississippi. Her opposition to the white Citizens\u2019 Council brought her the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing in 1964 for her \u201csteadfast adherence to her editorial duty in the face of great pressure and opposition.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

She also received awards from the National Federation of Press Women (1946, 1955), the Herrick Award for Editorial Writing (1956), the Mississippi Press Association (1957) and the National Federation of Press Women. She was one of the subjects in the documentary film An Independent Voice (1973) about small town newspaper editors, and her life was dramatized in the TV movie A Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story (1994) with Jane Seymour in the title role. A biography of Smith was written by John Whalen entitled Maverick Among the Magnolias. She died in Cleveland, TN in 1994.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Milton Lee Olive III<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1946-1965<\/p>\r\n\r\n

On April 26, 1996 Milton Lee Olive III was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his ultimate sacrifice in Phu Cuong, Republic of Vietnam, October 22, 1965.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

His citation read, \u201cFor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Olive was a member of the 3d Platoon of Company B, as it moved through the jungle to find the Viet Cong operating in the area. Although the platoon was…  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":23,"bok_title":"Page 22","bok_image":"book-21_pg-032.jpg","bok_text":"

…subjected to a heavy volume of enemy gunfire and pinned down temporarily, it retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions, causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Pfc. Olive and 4 other soldiers were moving through the jungle together when a grenade was thrown into their midst. Pfc. Olive saw the grenade, and then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of his by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to absorb the blast with his body. Through his bravery, unhesitating actions, and complete disregard for his safety, he prevented additional loss of life or injury to the members of his platoon. Pfc. Olive\u2019s extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Olive was born November 7, 1946 in the Ebenezer community and was buried in West Grove Missionary Baptist Cemetery near Lexington, MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

James Snedden<\/h5>\r\n\r\n

1843-1919<\/p>\r\n\r\n

James Snedden was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on September 11, 1897, more than 33 years after his heroic act. He was a musician in Company E, 54th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Union forces during the War Between the States. Sneddon's citation read, \u201cLeft his place in the rear, took the rifle of a disabled soldier, and fought through the remainder of the action.\u201d After the War, he moved to Kansas, then to Lexington, MS. He was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington, MS, beside his wife, daughter and son-in-law.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Recently a commemorative marker was placed on the grave of James Snedden, who is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington. Snedden earned The Medal of Honor for his act of heroism on June 05, 1864 at Piedmont, VA during the Civil War. He was awarded his medal on September 11, 1897, more than 33 years after his heroic act.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Medal of Honor Citation states that Snedden \u201cleft his place in the rear, took the rifle of a disabled soldier, and fought through the remainder of the action.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The events associated with his acts of bravery occurred as follows: Shortly after breakfast on the morning of June 5, 1864, Union forces at Piedmont, Virginia, launched an attack against the Confederate defenses in an area separated by no more than seventy-five yards of open field. Three men earned Medals of Honor in the fierce battle that followed. Musician James Snedden was ordered to take his other musicians to the rear during the attack, watch the battle, and then rejoin the regiment afterwards. When the opposing forces met, however, Musician Snedden left the rear and taking the rifle of a disabled soldier, joined in the assault over the enemy\u2019s works. \u201cOver the works we went,\u201d he recalled, \u201cand in a hand-to-hand fight drove the rebels slowly back, maintaining their line formation until they reached Middle River, where we took 1,500 prisoners. On the banks of the river I encountered a Confederate brigadier general and demanded his surrender, whereupon he reluctantly handed me his sword and two revolvers. I then marched my prisoner to the rear and reported to the brigade commander to whom I turned over the general and his sword.\u201d  continued on next page<\/em><\/span><\/p>"},{"bok_id":24,"bok_title":"Page 23","bok_image":"book-21_pg-033.jpg","bok_text":"

Author Scott C. Patchan relates Snedden\u2019s exploit in the book, The Forgotten Fury: The Battle of Piedmont, VA, \u201cSnedden watched a fragment from a cannon strike a skirmisher to the front of the regiment. He took the rifle and stood in line with the regiment as it waited for orders to advance. As Snedden and the victorious Yankees pursued the Rebels, he confronted Confederate Col. Beuhring Jones, who commanded a brigade during the battle. Snedden demanded the colonel\u2019s surrender. Jones, who had been trying to escape, turned over his sword and two revolvers to the drummer.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n

According to William G. Cutler\u2019s History of the State of Kansas, Snedden was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 19, 1843; immigrated with his family to Pennsylvania in 1850; and entered the Union Army in late summer of 1861 in Johnstown, PA, as a musician in Company E in the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Snedden was mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., July 15, 1865, and remained in the Johnstown, PA area until 1867 when he moved to Wyandotte, Kansas, where he worked as a painter on the Union Pacific Railroad for two years, on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad in the same position for seven years, as an agent for lost cars for the same road for three years, and in the Weir City Zinc Works for a short time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Snedden moved to Galena Kansas in 1870 where he met and married Mary C. Speck, and in 1875 their only child, Irene M. Snedden, was born. In January 1881, he moved his family back to Wyandotte where he went into the paint, oil, and glass business and had a flourishing trade.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Snedden became the Eminent Commander for the Masonic Home in Wichita, KS in 1910 with his wife Mary, who was Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Snedden also held the positions in the Freemasons Order of Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Deputy Grand Master of the State, and Eminent Commander of the Knights Templar of Wyandotte.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1899 Snedden\u2019s daughter, Irene, married Joseph Sessions Eggleston of Holmes County, MS. James and Mary Snedden followed their daughter and her husband back to Holmes County and settled in Lexington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

James Snedden passed away on June 18, 1919 at the age of 75 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Also buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery are Mary C. Speck Snedden, who died on March 23, 1925; Joseph Sessions Eggleston, who died on January 6, 1929; and Irene Snedden Eggleston Money, who died on March 29, 1958.<\/p>"},{"bok_id":25,"bok_title":"Page 24","bok_image":"book-21_pg-034.jpg","bok_text":"

top\">ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
February<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
  • Holmes County Arts Council Gala<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
    May<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
    • Lexington Garden Seminar with Phillip Watson<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
      September<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
      • Church of God in Christ Homecoming Taste Buds Cooking Competition<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
        November<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
        • Holiday Open House<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n
          December<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
          • Breakfast With Santa<\/li>\r\n
          • Holmes County Christmas Parade on Lexington\u2019s Court Square<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n

            A full history of Lexington, MS is available at the Lexington Public Library.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

            Historic Buildings & Register<\/p>"}]}