Samuel Harden, Deacon of Defense, recalls death of Anne Moody’s uncle, Clifton Walker

By Roscoe Barnes III
Chairman, Anne Moody History Project
Copyright© 2017
 
#AnneMoody

Photo by Roscoe Barnes III

Samuel Harden, a civil rights-era Deacon of Defense and Justice, looks at the spot where Anne Moody’s uncle, Clifton Walker, was murdered by the KKK the night of Feb. 28, 1964, on East Poor House Road, near Woodville, Miss. Walker had turned off Highway 61 and was driving his car south when it came over the hill (seen in the background). The KKK, armed with multiple weapons, were waiting at the bottom of the hill. They fired into his car until he died.

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When I first met Mr. Samuel Harden in June this year, he said he was a deacon back in the 1960s. I assumed he was talking about ministry in a church. So I acknowledged his service and said it was a blessing.

I didn’t think much of it until later that night when I was conducting research on the death of Clifton Walker, the uncle of civil rights pioneer Anne Moody. Walker was murdered by the KKK on Feb. 28, 1964 on East Poor House Road, a few miles north of Woodville, Miss. Walker was the brother of Emma, the second wife of Anne’s dad, Fred Moody. During my research, I discovered Harden was not merely a deacon in a church during that time, but a deacon who helped to defend the people working for civil rights in southwest Mississippi. Officially, he was a member of the Deacons for Defense and Justice. Yes, he was a civil rights hero and warrior for freedom and justice.

Photo by Roscoe Barnes III

Samuel Harden, a civil rights-era Deacon of Defense and Justice, recalls the killing of Anne Moody’s uncle, Clifton Walker, in 1964.

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Harden, who is now 83, was shot during an incident in 1966 (details forthcoming). He opened his shirt and showed me the scar just below his neck. He said he was shot in the collarbone and the bullet came out through his back. He said the injury affected the use of his right hand.

After a brief conversation about civil rights history, Harden took me to the place on East Poor House Road where Walker was murdered. The road is now covered with gravel. Harden knew Walker and his entire family. He lived only a short distance from the Walkers.

Harden said everybody was talking about the killing at the time. On the Saturday following Walker's murder, Harden drove down the dirt road to see Walker’s car which had been riddled with bullets. According to Harden, a number of rumors about the cause of the killing soon spread throughout the area. Although some people felt it was related to civil rights activities, many believed it was because of a relationship with a white woman. Harden believes it was the latter. “I went to every NAACP meeting and I never saw him there,” Harden said. He did not believe Walker was active with the civil rights movement.

Walker’s case was reopened decades later, but no one was ever brought to justice for his death (See Clarion Ledger article). 

References:

Deacons for Defense and Justice

http://www.blackpast.org/aah/deacons-defense-and-justice

Deacons for Defense provided protection when no one else would

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/02/06/deacons-of-defense-robert-hicks/78955042/

KKK Ambush Killing of Clifton Walker Goes Unpunished

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/journeytojustice/2014/08/29/kkk-killing-clifton-walker-unpunished/14814923/

Law and Local Activism: Uncovering the Civil

Rights History of Chambers v. Mississippi

http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4199&context=californialawreview

Pages 460 to 470

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Author’s Note:
Questions about the Anne Moody History Project may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com For updates on Anne Moody history and the on-going work of this community service project, simply follow this blog or follow AMHP on Twitter (@AnneMoodyHP). #ComingOfAgeinMississippi