Posted by Naomi on January 12, 2008, from Lowndes County, Alabama
Community Partners: NPS - Lowndes County Interpretive Center
Lowndes County, Alabama gained national attention in the 1960s as a hot bed of Civil Rights activity. However, before the 1960s, violence ravaged the area, leading residents to call it, “Bloody Lowndes.” One such victim was Elmore Bolling. Elmore’s six remaining children visited the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Center to share memories of their father.
Left to Right: Mary Bolling Brumby, Charlie A. McCall(brother-in-law), Josephine Bolling McCall, Robert Bolling, Morris Bolling, Louis Bolling and Elmore Bolling, Jr.
Elmore Bolling was born on May 10, 1908 to Braxton and Belle Bolling. Unable to attend the first grade until he was thirteen, Bolling was too embarrassed to complete his education and he never learned to read nor write. However, that did not deter his business dreams. In 1931, starting with only a Model T Ford, Elmore steadily built a first-rate trucking company and in time, a thriving general store. Josephine Bolling remembers her father as a successful businessman and philanthropist who gained the respect of his community. “He would walk in the room and everyone would become quiet. That was out of respect.”
Historic marker on Highway 80 near mile marker 114 dedicated to Elmore Bolling.
However, some white Lowndes County residents were enraged over Bolling’s success. On December 4, 1947, Elmore Bolling was lynched and his body left at the side of Highway 80 near his general store. Despite his tragic and untimely end, Elmore Bolling will be remembered as a giving citizen, a fearless man and most importantly, a loving father.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
It’s incredible what horrible things people will do to one another. Each generation thinks it lives in enlightened times and “those things” could never happen today. But I wonder. Have we come far enough yet?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Souls should never rest until we expose the horrors of what man can hatefully do to another man. Such exposure is the true deterrent. Such exposure is also healing balm for man who truly cares about another man. All humanity for good depends upon this exposure. Dr. Gwen Patton
February 15th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
As I read this article I nearly began to weep, my generation truly has no clue or reverence for to sacrifices made to get us where we are today. Elmore Bolling paid the ultimate price for attaining the american dream as i am sure countless other African Americans have. We must stand up and make the lost lives of our ancestors meaningful.