House Concurrent Resolution 130

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE CITY OF MORTON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF HISTORY.

WHEREAS, Morton, Mississippi, located in Scott County, Mississippi, began its long-established history in 1850 when Colonel Caleb W. Taylor arrived in the area located near the first stagecoach stop after the Hillsboro stop on the Montgomery to Vicksburg route; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Taylor built his home there in 1856, renaming the area Morton, which had previously been known as Green Bush or Buck Horn; he named the area after his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Morton Taylor; and

WHEREAS, at the onset of the Great Civil War Morton's population included 1,411 citizens, and as a result of the war, Morton saw her population gradually reduced to 971 residents by 1965; and

WHEREAS, in March of 1886, a survey of the town was taken and the city was conveyed December 1, 1886; and

WHEREAS, in 1879, the City of Morton had 15 businesses, and in 1912, Hall-Legan Lumber Company was founded in Morton, employing 798 citizens and dramatically raising the economic standard of Morton causing an economic boom; and

WHEREAS, in 1890, a campground was built facing the railroad in Morton, and following this example, Morton's businesses faced north and south, but in 1898 after a fire destroyed much of the business section, city leaders arranged the buildings to be rebuilt facing east and west; and

WHEREAS, by the finalization of the decennial census of 1930 Morton consisted of 955 citizens all residing in pristine and unadulterated forest land, which in 1934 led to Roosevelt State Park being established and in 1937 the Scott County Hospital opening its doors, followed by the organization of the Morton Fire Department on November 15, 1941; and

WHEREAS, B.C. Rodgers who was the largest Purina dealer in the world, founded a poultry business in 1949 in Morton; and

WHEREAS, while Talon, Inc., became the first industry to locate in Morton, Jack Laseter organized the Morton Chamber of Commerce in 1959, and by 1960 Morton's population included 2,260 citizens; and

WHEREAS, since 1960, Morton has been a prosperous and vibrant city, with 3,712 citizens, making it the largest population center in Scott County, which is one of the largest broiler producers in the world; and

WHEREAS, today Morton has a population of 3,712 citizens, with 226 businesses, and the city covers 8.8 square miles of land; and

WHEREAS, while the city has had 21 mayors since 1897, no information is available for the leaders serving before that year; and

WHEREAS, today the City of Morton is led by Mayor Greg Butler, along with City Clerk Dorothy Redeemer and Police Chief Nicky Crapps; the Board of Aldermen include: Ward 1, Maria Washington, Alderwoman; Ward 2, Al Reeves, Alderman; Ward 3, Scott Herrod, Alderman; Ward 4, Oneida Hollis Laster, Alderwoman; Ward 5, William Booth, Alderman; and

WHEREAS, to celebrate this historic and auspicious occasion, Morton will host a bicentennial celebration starting May 1, and concluding on May 7, 2016, with a parade on May 2, and several events planned throughout the week, the celebration will culminate with a fireworks display in the park on May 7; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the outstanding history of cities like Morton, Mississippi, which has contributed a wealth of culture, ingenuity and industry to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend Morton, Mississippi, upon 200 years of history and extend best wishes for many more years of prosperity and success in all of its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to Mayor Greg Butler and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.