Mississippians Remember Clinton Riot of 1875

Mississippi College history instructor Missy Jones is joined by members of the family of Senator Charles Caldwell at the new historic marker in Clinton. Pictured: Frances Welker Levi of Detroit, ,Jones, a Clinton resident, Dr. Lawrence Welker of Shreveport, and Stephanie Welker of Dallas.

History came alive in Olde Towne as community leaders on Friday read the names of the victims of the Clinton Riot of 1875.

The death toll included a prominent African-American political leader, Senator Charles Caldwell. Born a slave in 1832, the Mississippian became a skilled blacksmith before getting into politics during the early years of Reconstruction.

Family members of the former Hinds County Republican Party chairman joined ceremonies to remember that tragic and chaotic chapter in Mississippi history. Some term it the Clinton Massacre.

Two markers were unveiled in the city’s historic business district to tell the world that this event in Mississippi will never be forgotten.

Growing up, “I heard bits and pieces,” about the 1875 Clinton Riot, said Stephanie Welker of Euless, Texas. Her great grandfather was assassinated on the streets of Clinton, but she learned much more by being on hand for the September 4 ceremonies.

Clintonians, including Mississippi College professors Otis Pickett and Missy Jones, author Walter Howell, and Mayor Phil Fisher joined readers detailing the deadly incident 140 years ago. Reports differ, but some accounts say five whites and as many as 50 to 100 African-Americans perished. Word of the Clinton Riot was reported in “The Hinds County Gazette,” reached members of Congress and the office of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

As a cast of speakers like artist Wyatt Waters and STAR 93.5 general manager Doug Amacker discussed what happened ten years after the Civil War ended, Mississippi College students scribbled notes.

“This is something I never heard of before – this is so close to home,” said MC sophomore Brandon Shaw, 19, of Jackson. “It’s always good to know where you come from.”

Mississippi College history instructor Missy Jones spent years researching the Clinton Riot of 1875. It became the subject for her master’s thesis at MC in 2014. The Clinton resident will stick with the topic as she pursues her doctorate in history at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Many Clintonians, both white and black, know very little about the 1875 riot, Jones said. But the MC graduate is hopeful that will change in light of the new markers and programs like these.

Award-winning Clinton sculptor Sam Gore contributed the likeness of Senator Caldwell to one of the historic markers in Olde Towne. Family members including Stephanie Welker, Frances Welker Levi of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Lawrence Welker of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Stephanie Welker of Dallas, Texas, were proud to pose for photographs beside the Caldwell marker. Just to attend the program, they said, was quite an honor.

Linked to Friday’s ceremonies, former Gov. William Winter, Neddie Winters of Mission Mississippi, Judge James Graves, and former Rep. Robert Clark served on a Thursday night panel at Mississippi College. On stage at Swor Auditorium, the leaders discussed current issues tied to race relations.

Speaking to Jackson TV reporters, Mayor Fisher said Friday’s program didn’t attempt to hide the grim details of a significant piece of Clinton’s history. “We need to tell the story and learn from it.”