University of Mississippi Libraries

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Controlled Access Headings

PURL

Access Restrictions

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Box 2

Posters

Photographs

PURL

http://purl.oclc.org/umarchives/MUM00735/

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Access Restrictions

Open for research. This collection is stored at an off-site facility. Researchers interested in using this collection must
contact Archives and Special Collections at least two business days in advance of their planned visit.

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Summary Information

Repository

University of Mississippi Libraries

Title

Wm. Clyde Stewart Collection

Date [inclusive]

1959-2007

Extent

4.5 Linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs, papers, and campaign memorabilia associated with Mississippi governors from Ross Barnett to Haley Barbour.

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Biographical Note

William Clyde Stewart was born on 3 December 1906 in Houlka, Mississippi. Graduating from the University of Mississippi in
1929, he operated Stewart’s Drug Store in his hometown from 1932 until 1943 when he entered the U.S. Navy. After the war,
Stewart moved to Okolona, Mississippi where he purchased Okolona Drug Company which he ran until his retirement in 1986.

Married to Sybil Nanney in 1931, Stewart had three daughters and one son: Nannette, Ladye Clyde, Mary Margaret, and William
C. Stewart Jr.

Stewart became active in politics in 1959 when his University of Mississippi classmate Ross Barnett ran for governor. He became
a force in local Chickasaw County politics and helped to elect several subsequent Democratic candidates to the gubernatorial
post. As a result, Stewart received honorary appointments as a “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp” to the governor’s staff of Ross
Barnett, Paul B. Johnson Jr., John Bell Williams, Bill Waller, and Cliff Finch. As a “Colonel,” Stewart provided counsel on
political appointments to local patronage positions.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Okolona, and a master mason at Prairie Lodge No. 87, Clyde Stewart died on 27 June
1998 and is buried in Lee Memorial Park in Verona.

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Scope and Content

The collection primarily consists of gubernatorial memorabilia retained by Clyde Stewart, including photographs, certificates,
medals, and other items. It also contains a small file of newspaper with election returns as well documents related to Bill
Waller’s 1972 campaign for governor. Finally, William C. Stewart has also contributed a few pieces related to the more recent
campaigns of Haley Barbour and Bob Dole.

Oversized items are located in Box 2.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

University of Mississippi Libraries

Access Restrictions

The Wm. Clyde Stewart Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Information

William C. Stewart donated his father’s collection to the University of Mississippi in August/September 2013. Additional material
was donated in October 2013 and May 2014.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Political Papers Archivist Leigh McWhite. Finding aid created by Susan Ivey.

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Related Materials

Separated Materials

Book removed for cataloging:

Erle Johnston. I Rolled with Ross: A Political Portrait (Baton Rouge: Moran, 1980). Signed by author. Ross Barnett campaign card issued to Clyde Stewart and taped onto front page.
Call Number: F341 B375 J6.

Records removed for cataloging:

John Bell/Bill Winter.[1967]. 45 rpm audiodisc record. Call Number: M1663 S55 J64 1967.

Jerry Lane and Orchestra. Roll with Ross/Dixie. [1959]. 45 rpm record with Ross Barnett campaign song. 2 copies. Call Number: M1663 R65 1959.

Houston Davis. Governor Ross R. Barnett Campaign Souvenir: 1959 Campaign Songs. [Jackson, MS: Governor Ross R. Barnett Campaign, 1959]. 45 rpm record with songs “Roll with Ross,” “Little Carroll’s Last
Stand,” and “Go, Mississippi: Official State Song.” Call Number: M1663 G69 1959.

Houston Davis. Let’s Roll Again with Ross/When Good Ol’ Ross Goes Rolling In (Jackson, MS: Houston Davis Publications, [1967]). 45 rpm record with Ross Barnett campaign songs by Magnolia State Quartet
with Jerry Lane Orchestra. 3 copies. Call Number: M1663 D38 L48 1967.

Houston Davis. Stand Up for Johnson/We’re All Gonna Vote for Johnson (Jackson, MS: Delta Records, [1963]). 45 rpm record with campaign songs for Paul B. Johnson Jr. Call Number: M1663 D38 S83 1963.

Houston Davis. Why Did You Leave Us John Bell/Lyndon and Winter (ALA-MISS Records/Houston Davis Productions). 45 rpm record. 2 copies. Call Number: M1663 D38 W49 1967.

Jim Thompson. Oxford March/Ballad of Ole Miss (Jonesboro, AR: Alley Records). 43 rpm record. Call Number: M1958 M5 B35 1962.

Three oversized posters removed to Library Annex Map Case Drawer 4, Folder 1 through 3. See descriptions in container list
below.

Photographs removed to Cold Room for preservation. Located in Modern Political Archives Photographs Box 10, Folder 15 and
Box 11, Folders 1 & 2. See descriptions in container list below.

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Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

• Barbour, Haley, 1947-
• Barnett, Ross R. (Ross Robert), 1898-1987
• Finch, Charles Clifton, 1927-1986
• Johnson, Paul B., 1916-1985
• Stewart, William C.
• Waller, Bill, 1926-2011
• Williams, John Bell, 1918-1983
• Winter, William F.

Subject(s)

• Elections — Mississippi
• Governors — Mississippi
• Mississippi – Politics and government – 1951-

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Collection Inventory

Box 1
Folder 1: Yearbook. Ole Miss. 1926  Scope and Content Includes Ross Barnett and Clyde Stewart.
Folder 2: Broadside. “Mary Margaret Stewart, Your Miss Ole Miss” [1959]
Folder 3: Sheet music. “Roll with Ross.” 1959  Scope and Content Campaign music for Ross Barnett.
Folder 4: Leather notepad. Engraved “Ross Barnett for Governor, Roll with Ross, He’s His Own Boss.” [1959]  Scope and Content Holds handwritten notations including names.
Folder 5: Identification card. William Clyde Stewart commissioned as “Colonel on the staff of Ross Barnett.” 1960
Folder 6: Car decal. “Governor’s Staff, 1960-1961, Ross Barnett, Mississippi.” [1960]
Folder 7: Copy. Letter from Okolona Chamber of Commerce to President John F. Kennedy 21 September 1962  Scope and Content Re: integration of the University of Mississippi.
Folder 8: Letter. Ross R. Barnett to Bill Stewart. 28 April 1965  Scope and Content Re: confirmation of Barnett’s agreement to speak at the University of Mississippi on May 12th.
Folder 9: Stamps. “Franklin D. Roosevelt”  Scope and Content Four 6 cent U.S. postage stamps.
Folder 10: Typed memorandum on “Staff of Colonels, Governor John Bell Williams” letterhead. [1968]  Scope and Content Re: Colonels’ certificate, identification card, patch, and sticker.
Folder 11: Car decal. “Governor’s Staff, Mississippi, 1968-1972.” [1968]  Scope and Content Re: John Bell Williams
Folder 12: Patch. “Governor’s Staff, 1968-1972.” [1968]  Scope and Content Re: John Bell Williams
Foder 13: Bill Waller Campaign in Chickasaw County 1971  Scope and Content Includes election returns in county; lists of campaign contributors; communications to county coordinators from state campaign office.
Folder 14: Broadside. Portrait of Bill Waller. [1972]
Folder 15: Pamphlet. “Elect Governor Bill Waller.”
Folder 16: Memoranda for “Elect Governor Bill Waller” County Coordinators [1987]  Scope and Content “Countdown Schedule for County Committees”; “The Record Speaks: Governor Bill Waller’s Administration, 1972-1976, Achievements” (with handwritten notations); “County Organizational Plan.”
Folder 17: Letter. Bill Waller to William C. Stewart Sr. 13 July 1987  Scope and Content Re: Soliciting help and financial support for 1987 gubernatorial campaign. Envelope.
Folder 18: Letter. William F. Winter to Clyde Stewart. 21 April 1980  Scope and Content Re: enclosed picture; thanks for support.
Folder 19: Card. “With best wishes to my friend, Mr. William C. Stewart” signed “Bob Dole.” [1996]
Folder 20: Program. “Inaugural Ceremonies of Governor John Bell Williams.” January 1968
Folder 21: Newspapers with state election information. 1971-1995  Scope and Content Includes: Houlka Times Post (5 August 1971); Houlka Times Post (26 August 1971); Jackson Clarion-Ledger (2 August 1987); Okolona Messenger (13 August 1987); Tupelo Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (25 August 1987); Okolona Messenger (19 September 1991); Okolona Messenger (10 October 1991); and Okolona Messenger (9 November 1995).
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Box 2
Folder 1: Certificate. “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Governor’s Staff” 1960  Scope and Content Re: William Clyde Stewart’s appointment by Ross Barnett.
Folder 2: Certificate. “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Governor’s Staff” 1964  Scope and Content Re: William Clyde Stewart’s appointment by Paul B. Johnson Jr.
Folder 3: Certificate. “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Governor’s Staff” 1968  Scope and Content Re: William Clyde Stewart’s appointment by John Bell Williams.
Folder 4: Certificate. “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Governor’s Staff” 1972  Scope and Content Re: William Clyde Stewart’s appointment by Bill Waller.
Folder 5: Broadside. Portrait of Bill Waller. [1972]  Scope and Content Inscribed “To My Friend Best Wishes Cliff Finch.” Scope and Content Inscribed “To My Friend Best Wishes Cliff Finch.”
Folder 6: Certificate. “Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, Governor’s Staff” 1976  Scope and Content Re: William Clyde Stewart’s appointment by Cliff Finch.
Folder 7: Detachable tie. “Finch.” [1975]  Scope and Content Re: Cliff Finch. White tie with orange lettering and image of a lunch box.
Folder 8: Cardboard campaign yard sign. “Haley Barbour for Governor.”
Folder 9: Cardboard campaign yard sign. “Haley Barbour, Governor, Moving Forward Together.” [2007]
Small Box 1: Medal with ribbon pin. “Governor’s Staff 1960-1964, Ross Barnett, Mississippi” with “William C. Stewart” on verso. [1960]
Small Box 2: Medal with ribbon pin. “Governor’s Staff 64-68, Mississippi” with “Paul B. Johnson, W.C. Stewart” on verso. [1964]
Small Box 3: Medal with ribbon pin. “John Bell Williams, Mississippi, Governor’s Staff 1968-72” with “Wm. Clyde Stewart” on verso. [1968]
Small Box 4: Medal with ribbon pin. “Governor’s Staff, 1976-1980, Finch” [1976]
Small Box 5: Tie tacks. “Governor’s Staff, Bill Waller, 72-76” and “Governor’s Staff, Cliff Finch, 1976-1980.” [1972] and [1976]
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Posters
Library Annex Map Case Drawer 4, Folder 1: Poster. Image of Ross Barnett. [1959]  Scope and Content Size: 32” x 25”.
Library Annex Map Case Drawer 4, Folder 2: Poster. Image of Paul B. Johnson Jr. [1963]  Scope and Content On masonite board with ends wrapped under. Size: 40” x 30”.
Library Annex Map Case Drawer 4, Folder 3: Poster. Image of John Bell Williams [1967]  Scope and Content On masonite board. Size: 23” x 20”.
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Photographs
MPA Photographs Box 10
Folder 15
1: Two color photographs. University of Mississippi Vice Chancellor W. Alton Bryant seated with Clyde Stewart. June 1969  Scope and Content Size: 3 ½ x 5.
2: Color photograph. Paul B. Johnson Jr. and Family. [1964]  Scope and Content Size: 7 x 3 ½. Inscribed: “We are grateful, for the opportunity to justify your unmeasured confidence and friendship through the years. Paul B. Johnson, Feb. 14, 1964.”
3: Color photograph. William F. Winter. [1980]  Scope and Content Size: 6 ¾ x 5. Inscribed: “For my good friend Clyde Stewart with best wishes William F. Winter.”
MPA Photographs Box 11
Folder 1
1: Color photograph. Cliff Finch. [1976]  Scope and Content Size: 14 x 11.
2: Color photograph. Haley Barbour. [2004]  Scope and Content Size: 11 x 8 ½. Inscribed: “For Bill Stewart – With great appreciation, Haley Barbour.”
3: Color photograph. Haley Barbour. [2004]  Scope and Content Size: 11 x 8 ½. Inscribed: “Best wishes, Haley Barbour.”
Folder 2
1: Black-and-white photograph. Ross Barnett with his Colonels on steps of the Mississippi State Capitol. [1960]  Scope and Content Size: 13 x 19 ½. Note: Ross Barnett on first row, tenth from the left; Clyde Stewart on first row, fifth from the right.
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