Page 209 - Reconstruction in Newton County - Watkins

Parties and Party Leaders.

The Democratic party in Newton County was composed of practically all the white voters. The Republican party was made up of a few Old Line Whigs, who were native Republicans from principle; some native white Republicans who joined the party for the spoils of office; a few northern carpetbaggers, who drifted into the county after the war; and the negroes, most of whom had recently been emancipated and enfranchised. Although many Republicans held office in the county, and there were probably three negroes on the Boards of Police, all of them got their positions by appointment. No Republican was ever elected to office in the county by fair means. The people were forced to endure many insults and indignities during these times, but through the discretion, wisdom and foresight of the Democratic leaders, the affairs of the county were finally steered into safer and less turbulent waters. Among these leaders were Eugene Carleton, T M Scanlan, Thomas Keith, Martin Stamper, etc.

Eugene Carlton was born in Gainesville, Sumter County, Alabama, January 31, 1840, and came to Newton County, Mississippi, when a boy. He belonged to the Thirty-ninth Mississippi Regiment, and did good service throughout the war. After the war he went to his home, near Decatur, and immediately became one of the political leaders in the county. As he was a Democrat, through and through, and a true-hearted Southerner, he resented the indignities that were heaped upon the white people of his county during the reconstruction period. He was elected Chancery Clerk in 1871, and continued almost uninterruptedly in office until a few years ago. He has done more for the county probably than has any other one man, and it was largely through his instrumentality that it was reclaimed from Radical rule. The people in thus sustaining him in office have showed their appreciation of his services and their belief in his abilities. He is now living at his home near Decatur, which place has been in his possession ever since his settlement in the county.

T M Scanlan is a native of the county and, with the exception of a few years, has always lived in it. He was a member of the Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment. He made a gallant soldier, and brought back with him indisputable evidences of having been in the thick of the fight. He had occasion after the war to prove his loyalty and devotion, for he remained months in prison rather than divulge the names of his fellow-citizens who were connected with the 'Robinson Club' to which he belonged. He was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk in 1872, but never ran for any other public office, though he took great interest in political affairs and had much influence. He is at present living in the town of Newton, and is one of its most prominent citizens.

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Thomas Keith was born in Green County, Alabama, in February, 1839. His parents moved to Newton County when he was a child, and he grew up in the county. He was a teacher until 1862, when he joined the Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment, with which he served as a private until the close of the war. He engaged in all the battles in which his brigade participated, with the exception of a few months that he was a prisoner. He was elected Probate Clerk in 1866, but was removed by military authority in 1868. He was elected to the Legislature, but as the Constitution of 1868 was not adopted, he did not serve. He was arrested and taken to Jackson by the carpetbaggers, but being a friend of Judge Hill, the Federal Judge, before whom he was to be tried, he was released. He represented his county in both branches of the Legislature and took a lively interest in public affairs until his death, in 1908.

Dr J C McElroy was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, in 1825. He came to Newton County, Misssissippi, where he settled as a physician in 1849. He served in both the Mexican War and in the War of Secession, and after the latter he served his county in the lower house of the Legislature. He was a strong Democrat, but his best services were not of a political nature, for he practically gave his whole life to administering to the physical needs of the people of Newton County. He has retired from the practice of his profession, and is living a quiet life in the town of Newton.

John Watts was born in South Carolina in May, 1805. Soon thereafter he came with his father's family to Wayne County, Mississippi. He held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Circuit Clerk and District Attorney (Newton County being in his district). He then served as Circuit Judge for a period of twenty-two years. He also served in the State Senate in the reconstruction period (1872 - 1872). He was a conscientious man, a model of sobriety and diligence in official duties. He was an Old Line Whig, but his qualities were such that people always supported him for office.

Martin W Stamper came from Georgia and lived in the town of Stratton, which formerly bore his name. * He, too, was a Confederate soldier, and after the war interested himself in local affairs. He has held the office of Treasurer and has represented his county in the Legislature.

*This town at first bore the name of Pinckney, but was changed to Stamper, and from that to Stratton