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Prominent Blackpeople make noteworthy news
With the renewed Interest in. Hancock County, it would j seem appropriate to recognize j black Hancock Countians collectively, ? and in some cases individually, - for the quality of tlieir services and contributions.
As we peruse the pages of our coastal history it is ({ratifying to know there has ever been a wann relation ship which was not made marf-datory by desegregation.
t
Etienne William Maxson was n teacher In the public :;chool.s of Hancock (bounty.. lie was also postmaster at Pearlington from January 3, 1R99 to May 31, 191G. lie left that post to go to Washington where lie was an employee in the Department of Agriculture. Maxson was author of a book entitled The Progress of the Itaees which was printed with copyright in 1930. His book lists 09 colored Captains and the vessels they mastered! Concisely and with accuracy Maxson?s chapters included Pearlington,
I,	o g t o w n, Napoleon, Gainesville, Schooners and Deep Water Vessels, Industrial Progress as well as Educational, Business, Political and Religious Progress. One paragraph in his conclusion is repeated here in direct quotations for it reflects the character of this
will then be in a position to demand all of the civil rights you are now deprived of In the United States of America.?'
Through the courtesy of Mrs. Roy Baxter a duplicate copy of this book was placed in the Rare Hook Room of the City-Connty Public Library in Hay St. Louis.
Inc* I-abat, who began her teaching career in Hay St. I/)uis at the Valena C. Jones School won recognition well merited for her long career as an outstanding cducator. Retired in 1%1 and now living in Hay St. I-ouis, Mrs. I.abat holds membership in Mississippi Historical Society, Ixniisiana Historical Society, as well as the Historical Association of London, England. In June of 1976 she received a certificate of appreciation from the Hancock County Historical Society, having donated to the City-County Library an excellent collection of reference books.
Richmond Barthe of Hay St. I/mis, a noted sculptor, has works on permanent display in the Metropolitan Museum and the Whitney Museum of New York. Ilis great American eagle dominates the entrance of the Social Security Building in Washington...his woiks are in private collections of France, England, Germany, India and other rounfriiMj Tnlrnn nut nf ?rhnnl
without more work than they could handle. Emile, Sr.?s death in 19ff3 closed the upholstering business, Clement now 79 continues his services.
Arnette Gflcm of Pearlington recognized for her work with retarded children first taught in a school started by Mayor and Mrs. Warren Carver in
1959,	through the years she devoted her life to the service of providing a foster home fof children lcna fortunate handicapped or retarded. Thi 40th child stie and , h husband, the Iteverei Charles Giles, took Into th home was regarded, could n speak and could not hear, le had been catol for in tic basement of the Harri?n County Courthouse fy policemen prior to beiig accepted by the Giles! Charles Gilea, husband I of Arnette, prcached in /lie Valena C. Jones Metlidist Church on Sycamore StKet.
I/Oiiin Piernas - an arly postmaster in the Bay St. I/niis post office is renem-bcred as a man of digni^ and worth, popular with both whites and black? and respected for his civc contributions.
Piernas? tenvires ii office reflected the politica' climate of the times. He was?in? with tlio Hi?milili/f-jin aid ?out"
VALF.NAC. JONF.S, born on August 3, 1872 in Hay St. I/>uls, Valena Cicella MacArtluir began teaching schools in rural Mississlptl about 1890. She was principal of the Bay St. Ixmls Negro Sciool 1892-1897 and taught from 1897-1901 as a public school tcichcr in New Orleans. Married in 1901 to the Reverendllobert E. Jones, resident Bishop of the New Orleans area for Aethodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Jones no longer taught bit kept actively Interested in education. Severnl schools hsvc been named hi her honor Including the Valena C. Jones in lliy St. I^nils. At the age of 44 she died In New Orleans oil Januar/13,1917 and is burled In the Greenwood Cemetery. A year folowing her death a New Orleans Public School was named inker honor.
TUT.