[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING TOWN OF BOLTON

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
the historically rich, rural town of Bolton, Mississippi.
  The beginnings of the Town of Bolton stemmed around one of history's 
most sought after resource and highly demanded man-made commodity: the 
modern railroad system. Prior to its incorporation in 1871, the area 
now known as Bolton was a deer path with most of its land dedicated to 
plantation owners. One of the plantation owners, Colonel Thomas 
Jefferson Bolton, was a well-known railroad builder and settled in the 
area prior to the Civil War. After posing a compromise with another 
prominent plantation owner in the area, a deal was reached and the 
Clinton/Vicksburg railroad companies constructed a railroad depot on 
Colonel Bolton's land; henceforth, naming the area and the station 
depot Bolton.
  Within a few decades of establishing the railroad depot, the Civil 
War began and Bolton became involved in one of the Union forces most 
critical battle. In 1863, during General Grant's march to Vicksburg, 
Champion's Hill (a small community on the outskirts of Bolton) was the 
scene of a decisive battle between the Union and Confederate forces. 
The defeat of Confederate troops paved the way for the resultant siege 
and fall of Vicksburg. Eight years after the defeat, the Town of Bolton 
was incorporated and had reached a population of just under 800.
  The Town of Bolton has withstood many changes, both good and bad. In 
1878, many residents succumbed to a yellow fever epidemic. 
Economically, however, the town was booming with businesses that lined 
the main thoroughfare between Vicksburg and Jackson. Farming was the 
main occupation for many in the town as much of the area had acres upon 
acres and rich farmland. In 1903, the constructed an artesian well, 
measuring 1,638 feet in depth. This well subsequently provided the 
townspeople with approximately two million gallons of water at the 
lowest price possible for the time period. In 1908, the town built and 
equipped a modern light plant. Two cotton gins processed numerous bales 
of cotton, aiding in the economic stability of the town.
  With the construction of the interstate highway system, much of the 
continuous traffic seen passing through Bolton quickly diminished, much 
to the delight of the residents of Bolton. Once the new bypass highway 
was constructed, business plummeted to include only the local residents 
and the occasional traveler. A shift in demographics also began, 
growing minority than in previous decades past. Today, the town's 
population is approximately 567, with mostly 75% of the residents being 
African American. There are currently symbols from the town's early 
beginnings still existing, such as the Gaddis and McLaurin Feed and 
Seed Store, the Lummus cotton gin, and original artesian well, all of 
which are monumental landmarks that have stood through the multiple 
changes and are a testament of the resolve of the citizens of Bolton. 
In addition to old landmarks, new ones have also emerged, such as the 
town's City Hall, multiple institutions of worship, a veterinarian, 
library, medical clinic, and a number of small businesses, primarily 
owned and operated by African Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Town 
of Bolton as a resilient, historically rich rural town that has 
remained committed to maintaining its close-knit community ties within 
and outside its city limits by staying true to its roots in agriculture 
and local owned businesses.

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