Tombigbee Tales

A.J. McDowell - The Mayor that Almost Murdered a Constituent

In 1895 Columbus was still wild and folks went everywhere armed. Even the mayor. #murder #columbusms #tombigbeeriver #visitcolumbus #visitmississippi #mississippi #knowyourhistory 

The Quadruple Thompson Family Murder in Brooksville, MS 1865

The Thompson family's demise at the hands of their brother and son at the end of the Civil War is one of greed and betrayal.  #1865 #mississippi #visitmississippi #brooksville #noxubee 

Abolitionist John D. Duberry

John Duberry brought the abolitionist speeches of Charles Sumner and William H. Seward to distribute to enslaved members of Columbus and Lowndes County (formerly Monroe County). Per the state's Hutchinson Code this was an offense punishable by up to 10 years in the penitentiary.  #visitcolumbusms #antebellum #visitmississippi #abolitionist #Mississippi #1850 

Robert Thompson: Reconstruction Era Mississippi Black Legislator

Robert Thompson served as a Lowndes County Mississippi Legislator during Reconstruction and was the leader of the local militia. He was threatened with firing squad, murder, and lynching before he retired from public life and retired to nearby Noxubee County. #mississippi #visitcolumbus #visitmississippi #knowyourhistory #africanamericanhistory #blackhistory #mississippihistory 

The City Where Ethics Are Optional For Elected Officials

After a local city councilman has been arrested or connected to four different crimes, why is there no ethics code in place to hold him accountable to his elected office? #columbusms #citycouncil #ethicsviolations #codeofconductforelectedofficials 

The Dangerous Duncan Boys

One family responsible for bullying, stabbing, shooting, and murdering multiple people in Lowndes County between 1910-1913. #murder #knowyourhistory #visitcolumbus #murdermonday #visitmississippi #columbusms

The Crooked Judge and the Anonymous Letter

Judge Beverly Matthews, a member of the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan framed 14 innocent Black men for running a "theft" ring. #knowyourhistory #columbusms #visitms #visitcolumbus #jimcrow 

Clyde S. Kilby - C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien Pen Pal and Editor

Clyde Kilby married a Columbus, MS native Martha Harris. They would retire her after his illustrious career in literature and English at Wheaton. He would be the penpal of both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as well as editor of Tolkien's last book. #columbusms #visitcolumbus #visitmississippi #mississippi #cslewis #jrrtolkien #wheaton 

General Jacob Hunter Sharp and General Jeptha Vining Harris, Jr. CSA - Statesmen

Columbus produced many leaders in the early years. Some would lead in a more positive way than others. General Sharp was an attorney, legislator, and local organizer and leader of the Ku Klux Klan. General Jeptha V. Harris, Jr. would return to focus on his farm and his family. #antebellum #csa #civilwar #visitcolumbus #Visitmississippi #columbusms #knowyourhistory 

Firebrand Confederate Generals of Columbus - Barksdale and Wade

William Barksdale and William Bartee Wade, both residents of Columbus, MS at the start of the Civil War became significant military leaders. One died in battle, one was tossed out a Gilmer Hotel window to his death.  #visitcolumbus #visitmississippi #CSA #knowyourhistory #antebellum