Freedom Rider Files, 1960-1966 Series 2985
This is a collection of records transferred from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Department of Archives and History in March 2026. The files document Commissioner Thomas Butler (T. B.) Birdsong’s response to civil rights events in Mississippi during the early 1960s. Of primary interest are Birdsong’s files and correspondence related to the Freedom Rides during the summer of 1961. Individuals throughout the country sent letters expressing support for and opposition to Commissioner Birdsong’s statements regarding the Freedom Riders. There are also nine folders of Freedom Riders’ arrest records and mug shots, which appear to be duplicates of material found in the State Sovereignty Commission Records. A few memoranda also mention James Meredith’s March Against Fear in 1966. The bulk of the material is newspaper clippings related to the Civil Rights Movement, and also general articles of interest to DPS at the time. All pages were scanned and can be accessed here. The original documents can be viewed in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Ku Klux Klan related documents transferred by DPS are also available for research.
Read MoreThis is a collection of records transferred from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Department of Archives and History in March 2026. The files document Commissioner Thomas Butler (T. B.) Birdsong’s response to civil rights events in Mississippi during the early 1960s. Of primary interest are Birdsong’s files and correspondence related to the Freedom Rides during the summer of 1961. Individuals throughout the country sent letters expressing support for and opposition to Commissioner Birdsong’s statements regarding the Freedom Riders. There are also nine folders of Freedom Riders’ arrest records and mug shots, which appear to be duplicates of material found in the State Sovereignty Commission Records. A few memoranda also mention James Meredith’s March Against Fear in 1966. The bulk of the material is newspaper clippings related to the Civil Rights Movement, and also general articles of interest to DPS at the time. All pages were scanned and can be accessed here. The original documents can be viewed in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Ku Klux Klan related documents transferred by DPS are also available for research.
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173108-16-103.pdf
Date: 1966-01-04
Description: Newspaper clipping from Copiah County Courier, "Public Relations Workers Need Imagination To Be Successful" by Neil Woodruff.
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-104.pdf
Date: 1966-12-30
Description: Newspaper clipping from The Meridian Record, "New Drivers License Application Forms Will Speed Delivery" and "Inspection of Vehicles Begins January 1, 1967."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-105.pdf
Date: 196x
Description: Newspaper clippings from unknown newspapers, which include "Tragedies By Autos Continue To Increase," an obituary for Grady Brunson, "To Showcase," and "Deadline Nears For Inspection."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-106.pdf
Date: 1966-12-08
Description: Newspaper clipping from The Carthaginian, "Motor Vehicle Inspection Due."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-107.pdf
Date: 1966-09-09
Description: Newspaper clipping from The Clarion-Ledger, "Innovative Procedure Begins In Driver Training."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-108.pdf
Date: 1966-11-17
Description: Newspaper clipping from The Bolivar County Democrat, "Miss. Highway Safty Patrol."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2
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173108-16-109.pdf
Date: 1966-11-17
Description: Newspaper clipping from The Commercial Dispatch, "Word Of Caution Issued To Those Who Plan Trips."
Folder Title: Traffic Safety and General DPS Clippings, Part 2 of 2