Officer Memorial

Sheriff Marion F. Simpson

September 4, 1959

That dangerous strip of Highway 51 between Canton and Jackson where numerous others have lost their lives over the years, claimed for death Marion F. Simpson, sheriff of Madison County and one of the county's most widely known and respected citizens, early Friday morning, September 4.

On Trip to Tougaloo

Deputy Sheriff Billy Noble, who is the sheriff-elect, said that Sheriff Simpson had left the courthouse office at about 10:00 Thursday night. They had discussed an investigative trip to Tougaloo in the continuing search for two Negroes who had been involved in the near-fatal beating of Constable E. B. Cauthen, near Camden, on July 27. He presumed that Sheriff Simpson was returning from Tougaloo when the fatal accident occurred about 12:30 Friday morning.

A group of Canton college boys and girls reported Sheriff Simpson passing them at a moderate rate of speed about one mile south of the spot where the wreck occurred and about 20 minutes before the reported time of the wreck.

There had been no accident when the youngsters passed the spot where the wreck occurred later.

At 12:30 Friday morning, the 1957 Buick Roadmaster driven by Sheriff Simpson smashed squarely into a concrete bridge abutment, hurtled into the air, and into the path of a Delta Motor Lines truck, driven by J. M. Matthews. The car totally demolished, landed upside down on the highway, and Mr. Simpson was killed instantly.

Wife and Daughter Survive

Mrs. Simpson was the former Frances Hill. Sheriff Simpson is also survived by one daughter, Lorraine, 11.

Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Julia Robinson of Canton, and two brothers, Joe Simpson of Hattiesburg, and Rimmer Simpson of Gulfport.

Popular Citizen

Mr. Simpson was probably the most popular public figure in Canton and Madison County. He had served seven years as mayor of Canton before being elected as Sheriff in 1955. He had been elected twice as county tax assessor when he resigned, in 1941, to volunteer in the U. S. Navy. He served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was 53 years old.

Capable Official

His service as mayor of Canton, 1948-1955, was given much credit for the progressive period in the city's history which saw the community grow in industrial development and in improvement of city services.

Mr. Simpson was noted for his forthrightness, his extreme frankness and strong stands on every public issue.

He was a good friend to the Negro people of the city and lead the drive to bring low-cost federal housing to Canton. As mayor, he also was a leader in providing a modern swimming pool, park and playground for the Negroes. At the same time he was one of the organizers of the local Citizens Council and remained as one of its most active leaders, also serving on the Executive Committee of the state association of Citizens Councils.

NOTE: This article was taken from the September 10, 1959 Madison County Herald.

Sheriff Toby Trowbridge, Jr.