I wanted to share tons of great facts about Panther Burn with you, my dear dedicated 6 readers, but there are just not very many available. All I got was that it's unincorporated but does have a post office, it is on Highway 61, and it is near the also wonderfully named Nitta Yuma and Rolling Fork. I did stumble across some fascinating non-facts on this conspiracy theories website, in a thread titled 'Does Satan live in Panther Burn, MS?' The consensus seems to be that he does not, as Satan would choose to live somewhere much nicer than Mississippi.
Panther Burn is my favorite place name EVER!! I have actually been there...the actual place is a real letdown.
ReplyDeleteI lived in the community of Frog Not,TX for several years and never heard a plausible explanation for the name. It is not too far from Bug Tussle.
Deletewell I was raised there and so did my whole family!!!! I love panther burn n would appreciate if u keep tha Negative comment to yourself!
ReplyDeleteFirst, Anonymous, what exactly did your family do? Did they raise you there or were you raised there and so was your whole family? I am confused by your grammar. Either way, I hope you were actually raised by a pack of burned panthers. That would make for a better cocktail party story. Or a better tallboys-of-coors-down-by-the-tollbooth story.
ReplyDeleteSecond, why anonymous? If your panther burns run deep, I encourage you to out yourself like the proud citizens of Intercourse, PA and Zebra Scars, WV. Or is it just more of this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44592124/ns/technology_and_science-the_new_york_times/t/small-towns-gossip-moves-web-turns-vicious/
Third, the only things that seem important enough to make you reach are the words "I" and "Negative" and the exclamation point. How fitting. Lighten up, Anonymous.
2nd anonymous, what exactly is your point? your angular logic seems to be more confusing than say the round about analogies you somehow scrounged up for explanation. i to was born and raised in panther burn, delta city and vickland,,,,1st anonymous' offense is justifiable and understandable, meanwhile the inanity of your antics are just plain ole tacky to say the least (seasoned with a panther burnish southern dialect). maybe you should lighten up, its the 21st century not 14th century europe..so its ok for people to voice an opinion.--steven j.w. tubwell
ReplyDeleteand as for goo, the name of the town is "panther burn" so what could you have possibly expected to see when you visited? towering skyscrapers and stately mansions, the unsightly carkases of burned panthers, accompanied by the foul odor of scorched flesh? perhaps you should find another favorite place name. and by the way i'm not offended just being sociable--steven j.w. tubwell
ReplyDeleteIt's not called Panther Burn because they literally burned Panthers. Townspeople would light old tires on fire near their homes to keep them away. Oh and ALL y'all need to get that stick out of you... Carefully. So uppity!
DeleteIts spelled "carcass"... Nimrod!
ReplyDeleteBack to the subject of Panther Burn:
ReplyDeleteI too grew up in Panther Burn, Mississippi. It may look like a letdown at first glance, but some of the old dusty buildings have quite the story to tell. Leon's Juke is a fine example. I grew up across the cotton field from it and remember catchin' fireflies to the sound of “The Juke” a jukin' at dusk on a Saturday night. It was in jukes like Leon’s that the blues was born. I have pictures of Leon's inside and out. Sadly, all that’s left is the old light pole that held the street lamp in front of Leon’s. That parcel of land was sold when I left for college. The man (will not name) who burned it down must not have known the history behind the dusty cypress clad shotgun house.
The name Panther Burn goes back to May 22, 1816, when Martha Patience Vick married Colonel William Willis. The couple received a house on Cherry Street in Vicksburg and Panther Burn Plantation as wedding gifts. The name was derived from the clearing of the land for farm and settlement. They weren’t setting the panthers on fire, but their shelter in the brush of the swamp land being cleared for cotton crops. Legend tells of panthers running from burn pile to burn pile seeking shelter. Martha and William Willis’s son John married Annie Ricks. They raised their daughter and only child, Frances Vick “Fanny”, between Panther Burn and Vicksburg. She later inherits the 15,000 acre plantation and marries Junius Ward Johnson. They did not have any children. Junius Johnson was killed in a tornado that hit the plantation house in the spring of 1919. Fanny Johnson could not run the plantation herself. So, she sold the property for 1.2 million to four gentlemen of Leland, Mississippi: C. C. Dean, B.O. McGee, E.W. Wood and Leroy Percy. With the money from the sale, she builds a white YMCA and black YMCA in Vicksburg in honor of her lost husband. The four men that bought the property purchased the land with a cotton crop already planted and two of the largest cypress breaks known of in the Delta. They cleared these breaks and paid off their debts within a year, and then turned a profit with some of the best cotton prices the Delta had seen since the Civil War. Tenet farming provided the labor force. Part of the cypress wood from the breaks was kept on the plantation to be used for building material of the 100s of tenant houses that once dotted the landscape of Panther Burn. The majority of these houses are now gone along with the community. Modern farming does not require the large number of workers from days past, and the land where houses once stood proved more valuable as field. Now Panther Burn is made up of a small area of houses (most empty now), empty cotton gin, tractor lots, farm shops, grain bins, and vast fields of mostly grain these days. Cotton is a rare sight now on Panther Burn thanks to the prices that just keep going down. There’s only one cypress tree growing as a reminder of the two larger cypress breaks from 100 years ago. Leon’s Juke is no more. It’s still home to me and I look forward to each visit: sitting on the back porch swing overlooking my daddy’s fields as time slows a bit in Panther Burn.
"Panther Burn" by Jimmy Phillips sums up life on a farm down in the Mississippi Delta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxKYljIvm_M. Though times have changed since this song was written, it’s how I remember the Panther Burn of my childhood.
Much appreciate the info, Anonymous #?---This sort of gold is 2 difficult 2 find without on-site experience. Good job! Sincerely, Really Anonymous [but you can call me 'R.A.']
DeleteMy grandfather grew cotton in Panther Burn.. Alan Tucker?
DeleteI believe Carol Ann Oursler's daddy was from there.
DeleteThe story of depopulation is much the same as that told in "The Grapes of Wrath". We are good at replacing laborers with machines, but have not figured out what to do with the people.
DeleteAs one of the grandchildren of Leon, I really appreciated reading this.
DeleteDoes anyone happen to know the story of the house on the corner of 61 and Panther Burn? That little house catches my eye every time I drive by and it has done so for years. Is it vacant?? I'd love to know some history on it. It's an adorable little gothic style cottage, not the type of architecture you'd expect to see there.
DeleteI believe my family is directly related to Percys and Willis
DeleteFamilys from stories my Granma told me...My family also carries the names of Percy Willis and Cates. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Excellent
DeleteI found your blog by searching for Panther Burn Mississippi. My grandfather Phillip Wallace lived in Panther Burn for 2 decades between 1920 and 1940. It is refreshing to read the history of Panther Burn. My grandfather were married to Lydie Wallace and at an early time in his life to Levanna Wallace. Thanks for the history, I hope to visit the area the next time I travel historical Highway 61. Who is the oldest person living there now? Where is the community cemetery and church?
DeleteLHC from Florida
I have a family member that lives there, 80’s now. And know everyone and everything about Panther Burn
DeleteThank you for this read. C C Dean is both my dad and my great grandfather. My dad still works on the farm today. I've loved this thread and I miss our life there
DeleteIn Mikko Saikku's This Delta, This Land: An Environmental History of the Yazoo-Mississippi Floodplain, he claimes that it was the Darnell-Love Lumber Company from Leland, Ms. that succeeded in buying the land, not Percy, Dean, McGhee, and Wood. Does anyone know anything about the Darnell-Love Lumber Company and Panther Burn?
DeleteAn does anyone know why the street on the left going south is called Orgill?
I'm assuming sir I need your assistance, plz,plz contact me. My family was born there. I'm putting together a Who &Where I come from. You seem s if you really have some. Lawrence / Lee my email bjkl_3356@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy mother and her family was born in Panther Burn, her maiden name is Evans.
ReplyDeleteShe has a lot of stories to tell me about when she grew up there. Never heard anything bad except being a daughter of a share cropper she never wanted to pick cotton because of worms.. lol
Unknown,
DeleteI am working on a book about the history of Panther Burn. I would love to include your Mother's stories about being a daughter of a share cropper. My Mom's Mother was also a daughter of a share cropper. She hated picking cotton too and is still terrified of snakes thanks to the experience.
Katie Dean Davis
I am very, very interested into reading your book when its done.
DeleteMy family, POrtis is from panther burn. Is the book done?
DeleteMy name is Terry and I was born and raised in panther burn ms. Chopped cotton,picked cotton,under Charles Dean plantation and Ralph McGhee and Dick Walker.life wasn't easy
DeleteMy gradfather Leon dixon is from pantherburn ms . he was born an raised.an so was my mother an her 6 other sibling an it still never gets old. We have a story to tell.
DeleteMy mother and her family was born in Panther Burn, her maiden name is Evans.
ReplyDeleteShe has a lot of stories to tell me about when she grew up there. Never heard anything bad except being a daughter of a share cropper she never wanted to pick cotton because of worms.. lol
Was your mother African American? Memories of Panther Burn have a unique perspective when viewed from the eyes of its African American descendants.
DeleteMy mother was born in panther burn. Seals descendants.
DeleteI am researching information for a Family Reunion. My Grandmother was a Sharecropper in Panther Burn, MS. If anyone has pictures or information to share I would appreciate hear from you at jwsspeech@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI heard the legends about African Life on Panther Burn and wrote a 700 page historic fiction called "The Children of Panther Burn." It's fiction intertwined with fact and legend. It's on Amazon. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eufu3WKxoK0
ReplyDeleteI'm African American and my grandmother along with her siblings were all born and worked the plantations in Panther Burn. Family name is "Walls". Sharecroppers as well. The majority of them relocated to either Vicksburg, Greenville and Chicago IL.
ReplyDeleteDo you know any Hadley's
DeleteI'm African American, according to the census my grandfather owned a farm in Panther Burn. The family name "Thigpen". There are a lot Thigpen's living in MS, I'm looking any links to my family. Any help would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks
My family is one of the hundreds of Black Families that were slaves and tenant farmers on the Pantherburn Plantation. They loved the land, hated the fact that they could never pay off the plantation store and always died poor. Until the 1927 flood, very few of the tenant farmers or sharecroppers ever left Pantherburn. From their legends and family tales I wrote a Novel entitled "The Children of Pantherburn." Its historic fiction, but is a must read for those fascinated with Pantherburn.
ReplyDeleteBoth my mom and dad, Rosie Lee and Vertis Walker, taught at Panther Burn and I was actually born in Hollandale but family moved to Utica, MS. I do remember stories my parents would tell of the kind and good folk of Panther Burn.
ReplyDeleteDo you know any individuals with the last name Whitaker or Portis?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThose are my family names (maternal side) and they were from Panther Burn/Vickland Plantation. Contact me and let's see what we can share.
DeleteHey my gpa and gma was jim and Sylessa portis
Deletesylessa and jim are my grandparents. lew (punkin)is my dad
DeleteI've been in Mississippi last year and passing through Panther Burn I was fascinated by the name (I'm from Italy).
ReplyDeleteI've read somewhere that in the past it was called Ten Mile Cane Break (or Brake), even more strange and mysterious I think. Don't know if it's true.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm the Anonymous from 2014 that wrote the history of Panther Burn comment. My Great-Great Grandfather was C.C. Dean, one of the four that purchased Panther Burn in 1919. I am working on a history of Panther Burn book to be released in 2019. I will reach out to those who have left their email addresses. If anyone has any history or family stories of Panther Burn that they would like to share, I would be grateful of the opportunity to discuss it. The history of Panther Burn is truly fascinating and worthy of being told.
ReplyDeleteKatie Dean Davis
rooseveltwrightjr@gmail.com
DeleteKatie, my mother was born and raised in Catchings, which is near Panther Burn. She's 94 and doing well, I've been collecting info about the area for her from the 1940 census and other sources. I will definitely tell her your story.
DeleteJim
subtropica@GEEMAIL.com
Katie, I am your cousin Julia's mother. Have you written your book? We would love to purchase a copy for our son Conner and for Julia. Conner is a music and Appalacian history major. He did a bluesman music tour with Juloa last year and fell in love with the diverse a d unique history of the Delta. Let us know where we can buy a few copies. Thank you in advance, Cameille Vlietstr
DeletePlease forgive the typos, I'm recovering from surgery and can only use one hand.
DeleteFancy seeing you here! I can't wait to read this.
DeleteMy parent, Clarence and Frankie Funches, rented
Delete35 acres from Charles Dean. We lived on Hwy 436 with the huge sycamore tree in the yard. Mr Dean was a kind man, who respected my dad, and dad respected him. My patent lived there from 1958/1959 to 1992. My dad passed away in 1996.
My parent, Clarence and Frankie Funches, rented
Delete35 acres from Charles Dean. We lived on Hwy 436 with the huge sycamore tree in the yard. Mr Dean was a kind man, who respected my dad, and dad respected him. My patent lived there from 1958/1959 to 1992. My dad passed away in 1996.
Life delayed my plans to write the history of Panther Burn, but I am back to focusing on doing so and hopefully with a fresh perspective. Julia, fun to find you here as there are many fun memories of playing in Panther Burn together. I hope you and your family are well and I will certainly keep you posted on the progress of the book. Most of the research is complied, I just have a few interviews that I would like to conduct to better tell the full story of Panther Burn's history.
Delete-Katie Dean Davis
I was told that my mother's parents (Hackler Family)lived in Panther Burn. If you have any historical information, please email me kenroachsr@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book. I got a chance to come down and visit Mississippi and Panther Burn in 2016 before heading out to the Pacific Northwest. You can see all of the night sky in Panther Burn. That's what makes the country side so cool. Anyways my grandmother owns and stays in the house smack dab in the middle of Panther Burn. It's the one that sits all by itself behind the store. She has stayed there for years. I'm pretty sure she has many stories. You could email me at rsrs26@outlook.com if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteMy father was born in Panther Burn. His last name is Simmons he aunt who last name is Seals, she is 106yrs old, now living in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking for a family from s Panther Burn, Mississippi. James & Rebecca Cambridge, with a son named Eddie. They have all since passed but there should be some information still around. If you can help me Facebook me at Laquetta Rena Gosha. This is very important.
ReplyDeleteThere is a book about the Delta written by a professor from the University of Tennessee titled "The Most Southern Place on Earth". In it there are references to Panther Burn Plantation, Egypt Plantation and many others which are now the names of communities in the Delta.
ReplyDeleteAny Hadley's in Panther Burn
ReplyDeleteAny Simmons in Panther Burn
ReplyDeleteIm from Hollandale originally and now I live in New Orleans. Please Please , Disregard Hostile Negative comments above. All the small towns that Dot the Delta may not Excite Some but, the Names are Interesting . The area has Names that still reflect history, whether
ReplyDeleteGood or Bad . It's Like a Stamp In time . The Curious Care about History.
I came upon this site because my grandfather Willie Brown's 1940 draft card lists his place of work as Panther Burn. It also says his employer was W.D. Lang. latanya_williams@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy mother was born in Panther Burn. The McKnight’s all left by train to California in 1948 when she was 3 months old.
ReplyDeleteMy paternal family are the McKnight's from Panther Burn but I don't know too much more about them. I would love to know more.
DeleteMy grandfather had a medical clinic in Panther Burn between 1912 and 1940. His name was William A. Smith, MD. He had a large and successful practice and was so well thought of that he was called "Jesus Doctor". He and my grandmother, Olivia, had a home in a cotton field across the the highway from the clinic. Later they built a home in Hollandale but he continued to practice in Panther Burn. I understand that someone made the clinic their home. He and my grandmother are buried in the cemetery in Hollandale.
ReplyDeleteIf you would be willing to share any information about your grandfather and family, I'd be happy to include that in a book about the history of Panther Burn.
DeleteYes, that would be lovely if you haven't published your book yet! I am just now seeing your reply.
DeleteThe picture of the house above is where I lived when I was a baby in 1968 with my parents. It was originally a church. My grandparents lived in Pantherburn as well. At one time they worked at the Pantherburn store and my grandfather worked for a farmer there.
ReplyDelete