JOHN B. VARDAMAN, Online Editor.

The historical material presented in this website is intended to give a broader, human, and sometimes humorous view of James Kimble Vardaman. Often derided as strictly a racist, Senator Vardaman actually had redeeming qualities. In contrast to his racial views and rhetoric, there are numerous documented cases where Governor Vardaman personally intervened to stop a lynching and took the would-be victim into custody for protection and a fair trail. As governor, JKV considered maintaining law and order his primary responsibiliy regardless of his personal views.

Vardaman's reforms were intended to benefit the “common man/voter/taxpayer (and woman).” In return, his constituency idolized him. It was once said “Jesus Christ, Sears-Roebuck and James K. Vardaman are the only friend a poor man has.” His lifetime of achievement is especially impressive considering the fact James K. Vardaman had practically NO formal education.

b. Jackson Co, Texas, 1861
m. Anna Robinson, 1884
Editor, Winona Advance, 1884
Editor, Greenwood Enterprise, 1890
State Representative, 1890-1896
   Speaker of the House, 1894
   (unanimously elected)
Founder, editor,
   Greenwood Commonwealth, 1896
Military Service in Cuba,
   Spanish-American War, 1898
Mississippi Governor, 1904-1908
Founder, Editor, The Issue, 1908
U.S. Senator, 1913-1919
d. Birmingham, Alabama, 1930

 



Annual subscriptions may be remited to...

John Vardaman
PO Box 1024
Jackson, MS 39215

James K. Vardaman was larger than life during his close to three decades as a public figure. This editor hopes visitors to this website enjoy reading about him. Many things can be said about James K. Vardaman, good and bad, but no one can say he say he was boring. Many episodes in "James K.'s" life would make great material for a Hollywood movie. Some of the highlights in this material were made specifically for comic value.

The “Great White Chief” is often criticized for his racist beliefs and he definitely deserves it. On the race issue this editor thinks JKV could be best described as “Mr. Jim Crow” and his “Jim Crowism” bordered on the absurd. While as U.S. Senator he led a drive to have black and white federal employees separated. Vardaman actively supported “Jim Crow” laws and other legislation to formally make blacks second-class citizens in respect to the law. In the interest of fairness, one must also give Governor Vardaman credit for actively enforcing blacks’ rights as citizens to due process and protection from mob violence. (This was actually a campaign promise.) In addition to stopping lynchings-in-progress Governor Vardaman hired Pinkerton detectives to infiltrate and investigate white groups that were harassing black communities in south Mississippi.

James K. Vardaman went a long way from farm hand to national prominence. When reading his writings one can tell Vardaman had a very active and powerful intellect. He was clear in his thoughts and he didn’t mince words. Except for wanting to keep the black man “down”, he understood political freedom and advocated it for the common man and woman - worldwide. This editor would say Vardaman’s views were almost Libertarian. “James K.” also had keen insight into parts of the world outside the US. What Mississippians in 1922 were aware of the good work of Mohandas Gandhi in India?

This editor would like to thank the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for their help as ninety-five percent of this material come from the State archives.