Biography:

Henry Bucklew (1926-2000) was a lawyer, evangelist, and founder and director of Magnolia Boys Town, Laurel, Mississippi. Born in Seminary, Mississippi, Bucklew attended Jones County Junior College, Texas State Teachers College, and Jackson School of Law. He was owner and editor of the Southern Baptist News, Dallas, Texas, and the author of three books. Bucklew served in various organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1959 but was elected mayor of Laurel in 1965.

Scope and Content:

This collection contains correspondence and other papers regarding Bucklew’s 1959 campaign for lieutenant governor and his term as mayor of Laurel. There are subject files concerning the city of Laurel and clippings covering Bucklew’s mayoral administration (see scrapbook volumes 2-5). News releases and clippings from the 1959 campaign are present, as well as a chronological table of events during his term as mayor. Also included are several speeches made by Bucklew.

Microfilm edition contents:

• Roll 1 (MF Roll # 36151): Correspondence and papers (1950s-1960s partial).
• Roll 2 (MF Roll # 36152): Correspondence and papers (1950s-1960s continued); scrapbook volumes 1-4 (partial).
• Roll 3 (MF Roll # 36153): Scrapbook volumes 4 (continued)-5.