By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.
Contributing Writer
On April 9, 1963, in the heart of Holmes County, Mississippi, a pivotal moment unfolded that would forever change the course of history for African Americans in the state. Fourteen brave Black citizens, known as the “First Fourteen,” marched to the county courthouse in Lexington to register to vote. Leading this historic stand was Hartman Turnbow, a farmer from the Mileston community. Facing down a hostile white mob, Turnbow’s words—“I came here to die to vote”—would echo across generations, galvanizing the fight for civil rights in Mississippi.
Civil Rights Leader Hartman Turnbow
A Seed of Change in Holmes County
Hartman Turnbow’s bold declaration was not just an act of personal courage, but the spark that ignited an organized movement in Holmes County. At the time, Holmes County had the highest percentage of African Americans in Mississippi, with many residents owning their own land, thanks to the New Deal’s Farm Security Administration. Land Ownership, unusual in much of the segregated South, fostered a sense of independence and a willingness to challenge the oppressive system. This unique combination of factors made Holmes County a battleground for voting rights.
Turnbow was no stranger to resistance. Alongside fellow Black landowners, he had been attending mass meetings in neighboring Leflore County, organized by the Medgar Evers and NAACP and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). With SNCC's support, Holmes County became a hub of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which stood in direct opposition to the state's all-white Democratic Party.
The Role of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
The formation of the MFDP in Holmes County was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of voter suppression in the South. Unlike other counties in Mississippi, where Black voter registration was met with violence, threats, and disenfranchisement, Holmes County’s Black residents—thanks to their landownership—had a certain level of autonomy and resilience. These factors helped them organize more effectively, and the MFDP became one of the strongest branches in the state, lasting well into the present day.
The relentless push for voting rights in Holmes County had far-reaching consequences, with one of the most significant being the case of Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education (1969). This Supreme Court case finally ordered the immediate desegregation of public schools in the South. By this time, Holmes County had become emblematic of the fight for racial equality, and the case highlighted the profound impact that grassroots organizing could have on national policy.
Robert Clark: Mississippi’s First Black Legislator
The fight for voting rights paved the way for political representation. In 1967, Holmes County made history again by electing Robert Clark as the first African American to serve in the Mississippi Legislature since Reconstruction. Clark’s election was a watershed moment, made possible by the perseverance of activists like Turnbow and the thousands of African Americans in the county who refused to be silenced. His election showed that change, once deemed impossible, was now within reach.
Clark’s tenure in the Mississippi House of Representatives was a beacon of progress. He advocated for education, health care, and equality, using his platform to fight for the same issues that had motivated the Civil Rights Movement. Clark's victory was a direct result of the organized efforts in places like Holmes County, where African Americans had mobilized, faced down threats, and seized their right to vote.
Eddie Carthan: Another Trailblazer from Holmes County
Following in Clark’s footsteps, Eddie Carthan became the first Black mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, in 1977. His election marked another major victory for African Americans in Mississippi and underscored the growing political power of Black voters in the state. Carthan’s win was significant because it represented the full circle of the voting rights movement—once denied the right to vote, African Americans in Holmes County were now electing their own leaders. Carthan's leadership continued the work of local activists who had fought for representation at all levels of government. Carthan, who had been involved in the Freedom Summer of 1964, now held an elected office in the very county where African Americans had once been denied the right to vote.
Hartman Turnbow: A Legacy of Defiance and Determination
Hartman Turnbow’s life story is woven into the larger tapestry of civil rights history. Born in Holmes County on March 20, 1905, Turnbow was a farmer by trade but a revolutionary by necessity. On the night of May 7, 1963, a firebomb was thrown into Turnbow’s home, a clear act of retaliation for his activism. Remarkably, Turnbow defended his family and home, firing back at the attackers, an act that defied the passive resistance often associated with the Movement. Turnbow’s bravery and unwillingness to back down became legendary, as did his involvement in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Turnbow worked closely with civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer, another pillar of the Movement, and was present when Hamer delivered her iconic speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Together, their efforts shone a light on the stark injustices faced by African Americans in Mississippi and inspired the nation to confront the evils of segregation.
Holmes County: From Rich in Spirit to the Poorest in the Nation
Despite the victories of the Civil Rights Movement, Holmes County today is the poorest county in the poorest state. This is no accident. Each time Black leaders rise to assert their rights, white flight and the withdrawal of economic support have followed. The same resilience that once made Holmes County rich in spirit has been systematically targeted in an attempt to crush the people’s will and dismantle the movement. Today, this economic strangulation is compounded by issues such as police brutality, with the Lexington Police Department mistreating and targeting the most vulnerable in the community. This represents a new low in the county's long history of struggles.
A Call to Action: Reviving the Spirit of Resistance
This history of resistance in Holmes County—of Hartman Turnbow, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, Eddie Carthan, and Fannie Lou Hamer—should serve as a beacon of hope, not despair. Just as Turnbow’s words sparked action in 1963, we must rally again. This article is a call to the valley of dry bones—to rise up, take charge of your schools, your communities, and your county.
Now is the time to fight back against the forces seeking to divide and weaken this community. Register to vote, not just for yourselves but for those who cannot. Organize your neighbors, support local leaders, and make your voices heard. This is not just about an election; it’s about reclaiming your history and solidifying your future.
On November 5, when you cast your vote, don’t just do it for Kamala Harris—do it for Fannie Lou Hamer, for Hartman Turnbow, for Medgar Evers and for every leader who fought so that you could have a voice. Now is the time, and we are the Ones.
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