Mississippi Civil Rights Project

History of the 82 counties

Background/History

March 1963- Mileston farmers invited SNCC to begin work in Holmes County.

April 1963- Fourteen Mileston residents attempted to register to vote at the courthouse.

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Alma Mitchell Carnegie
Alma Mitchell Carnegie was a spirited 66 year-old from Mileston. In 1963, she and her 76 year-old husband Charlie were the oldest of the "First 14"to register to vote.
Hartman Turnbow
Hartman Turnbow, along with Amzie Moore, first invited SNCC to send organizers into Mississippi to fight for voting rights.
Bernice Montgomery Johnson
Mrs. Bernice Montgomery Johnson was called the teacher of the movement. She was the only schoolteacher from Holmes County who was involved with the movement.
Rev. J.J. Russell and Erma Russell
Reverend J.J. and Mrs. Erma Russell were considered to be at the forefront of the movement in Holmes County.

Places

Churches of Holmes
Holmes County churches did not play a significant role in the Holmes County Movement at first.
Holmes Courthouse
The Holmes County Courthouse was the sight of the first attempt to register to vote in Holmes County by fourteen farmers in April 1963.

Events

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Organizations

Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party of Holmes
Inspired by Ella Baker and Bob Moses, Holmes County sought to develop an organization owned by local people that could seek long-term, sustained change.
SNCC of Holmes County
The SNCC was first invited into Holmes County in 1963. They immediately sent organizer John Ball to Mileston. Ball taught twenty Mileston farmers about voter registration.