Guest Commentary Some highlights in the growth of Cleveland, Mississippi by Charles C. Jacobs Jr. (Part 1 of 3)

In the year 1884, the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, and Memphis Railroad extended south from Memphis through what is now known as downtown Cleveland. A village at the site of what is now Cleveland was named "Simms."

In, 1886, as the village grew and as the railroad business prospered, a charter was issued for the new town of Cleveland, Mississippi. It was named for Grover Cleveland, the President of the United States at the time. The railroads were rapidly replacing steamboats as the major arteries of transportation in the country. The railroads had no competition from the trucking industry, since roads were almost non-existent at this time, and those existing were almost impassable, especially during the winter months. As Cleveland was growing as a railroad town, the surrounding land was being cleared and being put in cultivation as farms, many of which were small farms developed by people moving to this rich Delta land from the "hills." During the year 1886, a gold spike was driven in the rail line somewhere in the vicinity of Boyle, which commemorated the joining of the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Vicksburg railroad line, which extended south from Memphis and north from Vicksburg. This gave added emphasis to the growth of Cleveland as a "railroad town."

Because of the rapid growth of Cleveland in the late 1890's, an effort was initiated to have Cleveland designated as a county seat of Bolivar County, along with Rosedale. This necessitated the division of the county into two (2) judicial districts, the first district in Rosedale, and the second in Cleveland. This became a hot political issue in the 1890's with the Watt Sillers and Fred Clark Law Firm of Rosedale leading the fight to have Cleveland designated as a county seat. The Charles Scott Law Firm opposed the move unsuccessfully, and in the late 1890's Cleveland was designated as a county seat for the Second Judicial District of Bolivar County. A courthouse was built in Cleveland in 1900.

Incidentally, in the Sillers firm, a coin was flipped to which lawyer would move to Cleveland. Fred Clark was selected, and Watt Sillers remained in Rosedale. Clark built a new home on South Pearman, which is now occupied by Bill Dossett and his family.

Malaria was a nemesis for the Cleveland area in the early part of the 20th Century until a young health officer came to Cleveland as the county health officer. His name was Dr. R. D. Dedwylder, and his work cleaning up the mosquito breeding areas led to a large drop in the incidence of Malaria and made Cleveland and the surrounding areas a more desirable area in which to live.

The advent of Delta State Teachers College in 1926 was another milestone for Cleveland. A Cleveland lawyer named Audley Shands conceived the idea of a college for Cleveland and the many fruits it would bring. He organized a campaign to locate the college here. It was a vast community effort. Another lawyer, John T. smith, said a number of citizens were organized to go to the Mississippi Legislature to push for the location of the college in Cleveland. Smith, as one of the group, was assigned the task of talking to a particular Legislator who had the same name as his own, John Smith (no realtion), to plead for the Cleveland location. Other members of the group were assigned to other legislators. Their efforts were successful and Cleveland was chosen to host the college. There was however one condition, that the city remove an old honky tonk located on Jones Bayou just west of the Depot. A memorial plaque, which hangs in Broom Hall, is a tribute to Audley Shands for his efforts in establishing the College in Cleveland.

"Three Questions With" Sheriff Mack Grimmett

What do you like best about your job?

As Sheriff of Bolivar County and as an elected official, I feel like the best part of my job is the fact that I am serving the public, and my department is serving the public in order to protect the citizens of this county against criminal elements. I enjoy being involved in major investigations, talking to and meeting with people everyday, and being able to resolve conflicts that would eventually lead to someone being hurt or harmed. As an active Sheriff, I enjoy coming to work each day and seeing the reports that were filed the past night, and following up to make sure these cases are being investigated. I am proud of the people that I have working for me and the new correctional facility that we have in Bolivar County. I am proud of the fact that the facility not only serves the people of Bolivar County (and is not a tax burden to residents), but also employs 60 people.

What do you like best about living in Bolivar County?

The best thing about living in Bolivar County is the fact that I consider it home. I was born and raised in Skene, Mississippi. I grew up around the Skene/Shaw area, and was brought up to do what was right. I feel like if every child in Bolivar County was brought up in Skene, Mississippi and along the Bogue Phalia that I probably would not even have a job due to the fact that they were raised in a proper manner.

How could Bolivar County be improved?

As in any area in Mississippi and the United States, of course Bolivar County could be improved if the economic benefits were more in order to give people wholesome jobs. If the drug problem were nipped in the bud, my jails and penitentiaries would contain approximately 75% fewer criminals. I feel like Bolivar County can be improved by all of the citizens ,different public entities, community organizations, and churches working together to try and resolve and help people with drug problems, as well as help curb drug trafficking in Bolivar County. I am proud of my narcotics task force, as they have been making a strong effort in trying to establish this goal.