We decided to dig into WHY Don Barrett burned a cross in Hazel Brannon Smith's yard in 1960.

A person would have to hate someone a lot to burn a cross in their yard, right?

Barrett's father excused it, saying Don was just a bystander.

But we found out that excuse was a lie.
We decided to dig into WHY Don Barrett burned a cross in Hazel Brannon Smith's yard in 1960.A person would have to hate someone a lot to burn a cross in their yard, right?Barrett's father excused it, saying Don was just a bystander. But we found out that excuse was a lie.
We decided to dig into WHY Don Barrett burned a cross in Hazel Brannon Smith's yard in 1960.A person would have to hate someone a lot to burn a cross in their yard, right?Barrett's father excused it, saying Don was just a bystander. But we found out that excuse was a lie.
2/Hazel disputed Barrett's account.

In his haste to flee the scene, Don Barrett left the family station wagon at Hazel's home. She tore off the license plate to ID the culprits.

Don was NOT just a casual observer — he drove the 8-ft cross to Hazel's house & set it ablaze.
2/Hazel disputed Barrett's account.In his haste to flee the scene, Don Barrett left the family station wagon at Hazel's home. She tore off the license plate to ID the culprits.Don was NOT just a casual observer — he drove the 8-ft cross to Hazel's house & set it ablaze.
2/Hazel disputed Barrett's account.In his haste to flee the scene, Don Barrett left the family station wagon at Hazel's home. She tore off the license plate to ID the culprits.Don was NOT just a casual observer — he drove the 8-ft cross to Hazel's house & set it ablaze.
3/Why would a group of teenage BOYS burn a cross in the local newspaper editor's yard?

Hazel said it was inspired by their parents.

What would their PARENTS have against the local newspaper editor?

Our search uncovered a WAR between Hazel & local white male establishment.
3/Why would a group of teenage BOYS burn a cross in the local newspaper editor's yard? Hazel said it was inspired by their parents.What would their PARENTS have against the local newspaper editor? Our search uncovered a WAR between Hazel & local white male establishment.
3/Why would a group of teenage BOYS burn a cross in the local newspaper editor's yard? Hazel said it was inspired by their parents.What would their PARENTS have against the local newspaper editor? Our search uncovered a WAR between Hazel & local white male establishment.
4/Hazel's war with the white male establishment in Holmes Co. intensified in summer of 1954.

• Mon, May 17, 1954: SCOTUS Brown v. Board of Education. Racists called it Black Monday.

• Mid-July: 1st White Citizens' Council was established in Indianola

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens'_Councils
5/Summer of 1954:

• Late July: 2nd White Citizens' Council (CC) was established in Holmes Co.

• Pat Barrett (Don’s father) was a charter member & an officer of the Holmes Co. CC.

• July 3: Holmes Co. Sheriff Byrd shot Henry Randle, a young Black man, in the back of the leg.
5/Summer of 1954:• Late July: 2nd White Citizens' Council (CC) was established in Holmes Co.• Pat Barrett (Don’s father) was a charter member & an officer of the Holmes Co. CC.• July 3: Holmes Co. Sheriff Byrd shot Henry Randle, a young Black man, in the back of the leg.
5/Summer of 1954:• Late July: 2nd White Citizens' Council (CC) was established in Holmes Co.• Pat Barrett (Don’s father) was a charter member & an officer of the Holmes Co. CC.• July 3: Holmes Co. Sheriff Byrd shot Henry Randle, a young Black man, in the back of the leg.
6/Summer of 1954:

• July 15: Hazel called for Sheriff Byrd's resignation in a front-page editorial.

• A few days later Sheriff Byrd sued Hazel for libel.

• July 22: Hazel wrote another editorial that TRUTH was an affirmative defense to libel.
6/Summer of 1954:• July 15: Hazel called for Sheriff Byrd's resignation in a front-page editorial.• A few days later Sheriff Byrd sued Hazel for libel.• July 22: Hazel wrote another editorial that TRUTH was an affirmative defense to libel.
6/Summer of 1954:• July 15: Hazel called for Sheriff Byrd's resignation in a front-page editorial.• A few days later Sheriff Byrd sued Hazel for libel.• July 22: Hazel wrote another editorial that TRUTH was an affirmative defense to libel.
7/The libel trial was held in October 1954.

Dr. David Mitner was the physician that treated Henry Randle's gunshot wound & testified that Sheriff Byrd had shot Randle in the back of his thigh.

The white establishment went after Dr. Mitner next — their chance came a year later.
7/The libel trial was held in October 1954.Dr. David Mitner was the physician that treated Henry Randle's gunshot wound & testified that Sheriff Byrd had shot Randle in the back of his thigh.The white establishment went after Dr. Mitner next — their chance came a year later.
7/The libel trial was held in October 1954.Dr. David Mitner was the physician that treated Henry Randle's gunshot wound & testified that Sheriff Byrd had shot Randle in the back of his thigh.The white establishment went after Dr. Mitner next — their chance came a year later.
7/The libel trial was held in October 1954.Dr. David Mitner was the physician that treated Henry Randle's gunshot wound & testified that Sheriff Byrd had shot Randle in the back of his thigh.The white establishment went after Dr. Mitner next — their chance came a year later.
7/The libel trial was held in October 1954.Dr. David Mitner was the physician that treated Henry Randle's gunshot wound & testified that Sheriff Byrd had shot Randle in the back of his thigh.The white establishment went after Dr. Mitner next — their chance came a year later.
8/Sheriff Byrd won the libel trial and a $10,000 verdict against Hazel.

Hazel appealed and the MS Supreme Court overturned the verdict in Nov. 1955.

The good people of Holmes Co. finally ran Dr. Mitner out of town for his involvement in testifying in favor of Hazel.
8/Sheriff Byrd won the libel trial and a $10,000 verdict against Hazel.Hazel appealed and the MS Supreme Court overturned the verdict in Nov. 1955.The good people of Holmes Co. finally ran Dr. Mitner out of town for his involvement in testifying in favor of Hazel.
8/Sheriff Byrd won the libel trial and a $10,000 verdict against Hazel.Hazel appealed and the MS Supreme Court overturned the verdict in Nov. 1955.The good people of Holmes Co. finally ran Dr. Mitner out of town for his involvement in testifying in favor of Hazel.
8/Sheriff Byrd won the libel trial and a $10,000 verdict against Hazel.Hazel appealed and the MS Supreme Court overturned the verdict in Nov. 1955.The good people of Holmes Co. finally ran Dr. Mitner out of town for his involvement in testifying in favor of Hazel.
8/Sheriff Byrd won the libel trial and a $10,000 verdict against Hazel.Hazel appealed and the MS Supreme Court overturned the verdict in Nov. 1955.The good people of Holmes Co. finally ran Dr. Mitner out of town for his involvement in testifying in favor of Hazel.
9/The CC & Barrett were very vindictive towards Hazel Brannon Smith. They conspired in 1956 to have her husband, Walter Smith, terminated from his job as administrator at the Holmes County Hospital.

The hospital fired Walter "because his wife has become a controversial figure."
9/The CC & Barrett were very vindictive towards Hazel Brannon Smith. They conspired in 1956 to have her husband, Walter Smith, terminated from his job as administrator at the Holmes County Hospital. The hospital fired Walter "because his wife has become a controversial figure."
9/The CC & Barrett were very vindictive towards Hazel Brannon Smith. They conspired in 1956 to have her husband, Walter Smith, terminated from his job as administrator at the Holmes County Hospital. The hospital fired Walter "because his wife has become a controversial figure."
9/The CC & Barrett were very vindictive towards Hazel Brannon Smith. They conspired in 1956 to have her husband, Walter Smith, terminated from his job as administrator at the Holmes County Hospital. The hospital fired Walter "because his wife has become a controversial figure."
10/In 1957, CC & Barrett led a financial attack on Hazel's paper by intimidating advertisers.

Dec. 3, 1958, they escalated their tactics & created a rival newspaper, Holmes Co. Herald, to destroy her.

Pat Barrett was an incorporator & largest shareholder of the publishing co.
10/In 1957, CC & Barrett led a financial attack on Hazel's paper by intimidating advertisers. Dec. 3, 1958, they escalated their tactics & created a rival newspaper, Holmes Co. Herald, to destroy her. Pat Barrett was an incorporator & largest shareholder of the publishing co.
10/In 1957, CC & Barrett led a financial attack on Hazel's paper by intimidating advertisers. Dec. 3, 1958, they escalated their tactics & created a rival newspaper, Holmes Co. Herald, to destroy her. Pat Barrett was an incorporator & largest shareholder of the publishing co.
10/In 1957, CC & Barrett led a financial attack on Hazel's paper by intimidating advertisers. Dec. 3, 1958, they escalated their tactics & created a rival newspaper, Holmes Co. Herald, to destroy her. Pat Barrett was an incorporator & largest shareholder of the publishing co.
10/In 1957, CC & Barrett led a financial attack on Hazel's paper by intimidating advertisers. Dec. 3, 1958, they escalated their tactics & created a rival newspaper, Holmes Co. Herald, to destroy her. Pat Barrett was an incorporator & largest shareholder of the publishing co.
11/In 1959, the Herald hired Hazel's operations manager, Chester Marshall, as the Herald’s 1st editor.

Hazel and Chester constantly sniped at each other from their editorial columns on the front pages of their papers.

Hazel’s war against the CC & white male establishment raged.
12/On October 14, 1960, the Herald fired Chester Marshall.

Hazel couldn't help but gloat & her Oct. 20 editorial was aimed directly at her enemies:

"The Advertiser will continue to expose and report fully their activities — and we'll still be around to carry their obituaries."
13/Hazel's Oct. 20 editorial must have struck a nerve with her enemies: the CC, the Herald and Pat Barrett.

On October 31, 1960 Don Barrett drove an 8-ft cross in his father's station wagon to Hazel’s lawn and set it ablaze.

Hazel ran down the driveway after the culprits.
13/Hazel's Oct. 20 editorial must have struck a nerve with her enemies: the CC, the Herald and Pat Barrett. On October 31, 1960 Don Barrett drove an 8-ft cross in his father's station wagon to Hazel’s lawn and set it ablaze.Hazel ran down the driveway after the culprits.
13/Hazel's Oct. 20 editorial must have struck a nerve with her enemies: the CC, the Herald and Pat Barrett. On October 31, 1960 Don Barrett drove an 8-ft cross in his father's station wagon to Hazel’s lawn and set it ablaze.Hazel ran down the driveway after the culprits.
14/This wasn’t a harmless prank.

Burning crosses is a violent practice of the KKK meant to terrorize, intimidate and punish the recipient.

Hazel threatened the racial social order in Lexington. Pat Barrett and his CC gang meant to silence her & maintain the Jim Crow order.
14/This wasn’t a harmless prank.Burning crosses is a violent practice of the KKK meant to terrorize, intimidate and punish the recipient.Hazel threatened the racial social order in Lexington. Pat Barrett and his CC gang meant to silence her & maintain the Jim Crow order.
14/This wasn’t a harmless prank.Burning crosses is a violent practice of the KKK meant to terrorize, intimidate and punish the recipient.Hazel threatened the racial social order in Lexington. Pat Barrett and his CC gang meant to silence her & maintain the Jim Crow order.
15/Sept. 30, 1962: James Meredith enrolled at Ole Miss and riots broke-out on campus.

The Herald & the CC defended Gov. Barnett and his resistance to integrating the school.

The Advertiser & Hazel blamed the riots on Gov. Barnett & Citizens' Councils for resisting federal law.
16/Don Barrett, a high school senior, drove to Oxford with a friend to observe James Meredith's entrance.

He claimed in the @nytimes article that he was not armed and did not attack the federal marshals in the violent riots.
17/Voter suppression was another way to maintain Jim Crow order.

To combat it the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) focused on Black voter registration in MS.

SNCC taught citizenship classes so they could pass voter tests.

Early 1963, SNCC went to Holmes Co.
17/Voter suppression was another way to maintain Jim Crow order. To combat it the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) focused on Black voter registration in MS. SNCC taught citizenship classes so they could pass voter tests.Early 1963, SNCC went to Holmes Co.
17/Voter suppression was another way to maintain Jim Crow order. To combat it the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) focused on Black voter registration in MS. SNCC taught citizenship classes so they could pass voter tests.Early 1963, SNCC went to Holmes Co.
18/SNCC taught classes to Black farmers in Mileston.

On April 9, 1963 the "First Fourteen" along with the SNCC activists arrived at the Lexington Courthouse to register to vote.

The FBI tipped-off Sheriff Smith so he was ready with reinforcements to intimidate the group.
18/SNCC taught classes to Black farmers in Mileston.On April 9, 1963 the "First Fourteen" along with the SNCC activists arrived at the Lexington Courthouse to register to vote.The FBI tipped-off Sheriff Smith so he was ready with reinforcements to intimidate the group.
18/SNCC taught classes to Black farmers in Mileston.On April 9, 1963 the "First Fourteen" along with the SNCC activists arrived at the Lexington Courthouse to register to vote.The FBI tipped-off Sheriff Smith so he was ready with reinforcements to intimidate the group.
19/None of "First Fourteen" passed the voter registration test because the Circuit Clerk, Henry McLellan, asked ridiculously subjective questions with no correct answer.

Ex. "How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?"

Both newspapers covered it — but in vastly different manners.
19/None of "First Fourteen" passed the voter registration test because the Circuit Clerk, Henry McLellan, asked ridiculously subjective questions with no correct answer. Ex. "How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?"Both newspapers covered it — but in vastly different manners.
19/None of "First Fourteen" passed the voter registration test because the Circuit Clerk, Henry McLellan, asked ridiculously subjective questions with no correct answer. Ex. "How many bubbles are in a bar of soap?"Both newspapers covered it — but in vastly different manners.
20/May 8, 1963 — one month after his attempt to register to vote — Hartman Turnbow's home was set ablaze. Three Molotov cocktails were thrown through his windows.

Turnbow's wife & daughter escaped but 3 white men shot at Turnbow when he tried to escape. Turnbow fired back.
21/After the 3:00am attack, Sheriff Andrew Smith arrived later that morning at 8:00am and arrested Turnbow for ARSON!

Sheriff Smith also arrested the 4 SNCC workers with arson.

Both newspapers covered it — but again in vastly different manners.
22/On May 16, 1963, Hazel reported that 2 federal suits were filed against Sheriff Smith — the voter suppression suit also charged Holmes County Attorney, PAT BARRETT.

Hazel published a front page editorial specifically critical of Pat Barrett — Don Barrett's father.
22/On May 16, 1963, Hazel reported that 2 federal suits were filed against Sheriff Smith — the voter suppression suit also charged Holmes County Attorney, PAT BARRETT.Hazel published a front page editorial specifically critical of Pat Barrett — Don Barrett's father.
22/On May 16, 1963, Hazel reported that 2 federal suits were filed against Sheriff Smith — the voter suppression suit also charged Holmes County Attorney, PAT BARRETT.Hazel published a front page editorial specifically critical of Pat Barrett — Don Barrett's father.
22/On May 16, 1963, Hazel reported that 2 federal suits were filed against Sheriff Smith — the voter suppression suit also charged Holmes County Attorney, PAT BARRETT.Hazel published a front page editorial specifically critical of Pat Barrett — Don Barrett's father.
23/Hazel Brannon Smith won the 1964 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for five editorials in 1963 — which included the editorial critical of Pat Barrett "Arrest of Bombing Victim is Grave Disservice."

"Is the Future Hopeless?" was another of the five.

https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/hazel-brannon-smith
23/Hazel Brannon Smith won the 1964 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for five editorials in 1963 — which included the editorial critical of Pat Barrett "Arrest of Bombing Victim is Grave Disservice.""Is the Future Hopeless?" was another of the five. https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/hazel-brannon-smith
23/Hazel Brannon Smith won the 1964 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for five editorials in 1963 — which included the editorial critical of Pat Barrett "Arrest of Bombing Victim is Grave Disservice.""Is the Future Hopeless?" was another of the five. https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/hazel-brannon-smith
24/The November 10, 1963 @nytimes article featured an extensive interview with Don Barrett filled with his highly racist opinions and derogatory language.

Our tweet thread discussed that article. https://twitter.com/HERO_38655/status/1281997610660712449?s=20
25/We found no evidence that Don Barrett rejected his racist views after his 1963 interview.

Every article we found supported his segregationist views.

His racist and domineering father taught Don well. Only a strong moral character could have rejected his father’s ideology.
26/Don began practicing law in 1969 at his father’s firm he founded in 1933.

The Barretts practiced law together until Pat died in 1998.
27/In 1998, the Barrett family used DOG WHISTLES!

Pat's obituary:

• He was a true guardian of the people, champion of our liberties.

• During the tough times of the early civil rights struggles of the 1960’s, his was a voice of reason and reconciliation.
28/Pat’s obituary failed to mention these details:

• Charter member & officer, White Citizen’s Council

• Incorporator, Holmes Co. Herald, the voice of the CC

• Incorporator, Central Holmes (segregation) Academy

• Defendant, federal voter suppression suit by SNCC activists
29/Both Barretts helped create and support CHA — the segregation academy.

Don’s 3 children attended & his 2 grandchildren currently attend the renamed CHCS.

CHCS mission is to provide a college preparatory curriculum in a safe environment.

It’s located on Robert E. Lee Drive.
29/Both Barretts helped create and support CHA — the segregation academy.Don’s 3 children attended & his 2 grandchildren currently attend the renamed CHCS.CHCS mission is to provide a college preparatory curriculum in a safe environment.It’s located on Robert E. Lee Drive.
29/Both Barretts helped create and support CHA — the segregation academy.Don’s 3 children attended & his 2 grandchildren currently attend the renamed CHCS.CHCS mission is to provide a college preparatory curriculum in a safe environment.It’s located on Robert E. Lee Drive.
30/In 1995, Don inspired an eerily similar Confederate cemetery renovation in Holmes Co. — 80 markers were placed on unmarked graves of soldiers killed at Shiloh.

The cemetery dedication was replete with Confederate uniforms for the men, costumes for the women and cannon fire.
31/Was Barrett even eligible per the criteria to be appointed to CACHC & cemetery sub-committee?

He was appointed to represent the good ol boys.

The CACHC should never have been a very-fine-people-on-both-sides committee.

It’s no surprise that he recommended a $1.15M shrine.
31/Was Barrett even eligible per the criteria to be appointed to CACHC & cemetery sub-committee?He was appointed to represent the good ol boys. The CACHC should never have been a very-fine-people-on-both-sides committee.It’s no surprise that he recommended a $1.15M shrine.
31/Was Barrett even eligible per the criteria to be appointed to CACHC & cemetery sub-committee?He was appointed to represent the good ol boys. The CACHC should never have been a very-fine-people-on-both-sides committee.It’s no surprise that he recommended a $1.15M shrine.
32/Chancellor Boyce has a lot in common with Don Barrett.

Boyce worked at 3 segregation academies:

• Tri-County Academy is 100% white

• Madison-Ridgeland Academy is 95% white

• Canton Academy is 88% white https://twitter.com/thedm_news/status/1180600956309762048?s=20
33/The personal connection between Chancellor Boyce and Don Barrett goes back to (at least) Boyce’s 9-year term as president of @holmescc from 2005-14.

Don Barrett’s son and partner in the Barrett family law firm, Richard Barrett, has been @holmescc board attorney since 2003.
33/The personal connection between Chancellor Boyce and Don Barrett goes back to (at least) Boyce’s 9-year term as president of @holmescc from 2005-14.Don Barrett’s son and partner in the Barrett family law firm, Richard Barrett, has been @holmescc board attorney since 2003.
33/The personal connection between Chancellor Boyce and Don Barrett goes back to (at least) Boyce’s 9-year term as president of @holmescc from 2005-14.Don Barrett’s son and partner in the Barrett family law firm, Richard Barrett, has been @holmescc board attorney since 2003.
33/The personal connection between Chancellor Boyce and Don Barrett goes back to (at least) Boyce’s 9-year term as president of @holmescc from 2005-14.Don Barrett’s son and partner in the Barrett family law firm, Richard Barrett, has been @holmescc board attorney since 2003.
34/In the wake of John Lewis’ death, how un-ironic is it that, in 2020, Black @OleMissRebels students are fighting against a powerfully influential man whose father, in 1963, prosecuted SNCC activists after a violent act of voter suppression?

The more things change...
35/We applaud the @UMBlackCaucus, @JoshuaMannery, @AmirahLockhart @tyler_yarbs for demanding a meeting w/ Chancellor Boyce.

The Black student voices should matter more than the racist segregationist voice of Don Barrett & the good ol boys he represents. https://twitter.com/thedm_news/status/1283848916602179586?s=20
36/”Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in GOOD TROUBLE, necessary trouble.”

— Rep. John Lewis (1940-2020)
37/It’s a fascinating story that we only discovered due to the diligent work of @MSFreePress, @DonnerKay, @middleton380 — which inspired us to go further down the rabbit hole. https://twitter.com/MSFreePress/status/1281381828612546567?s=20
38/The timeline that @ProfessorTwitty pieced together about Don Barrett and the cemetery committee was fascinating. https://twitter.com/ProfessorTwitty/status/1281678810782543872?s=20
39/The threads about Don Barrett by @jhroll1 and @zackkg were also thought-provoking. https://twitter.com/zackkg/status/1281812002994827265?s=20
40/We were intrigued by @Insurgent_Prof's observation: *if* Don Barrett had rejected his racist beliefs surely it would have made the news, too.

We found no news supporting it. https://twitter.com/Insurgent_Prof/status/1281426654011756547?s=20
41/TLDR:

If a teenager burned a cross in a yard in 1960,

proudly used the N-word with a @nytimes reporter in 1963,

was chairman of a segregation academy in 1967,

founded the Jefferson Davis Foundation in 2012,

are his beliefs in 2020 — 60 years later — any different?
42/We were remiss not to find and acknowledge the AUTHOR of "Hazel Brannon Smith the Female Crusading Scalawag" — @jeffyhowell.

We cannot thank him enough for all his research and his wonderful book.

Please give him a follow! Or better yet, buy a copy of his book! Or both!
You can follow @HERO_38655.
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