Battle at Jackson: How one town’s City Council turned its back on its Heritage and bowed to Left-Wing radicals

The following articles are from the Southeast Missourian archives from January-March, 2005 and detail my efforts to erect a Missouri Battle Flag at the monument of Colonel William Jeffers in Jackson, Missouri, a proposal that originally had the backing of  (then) Jackson Mayor Paul Sander, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

One hit piece from the ultra-liberal Southern Poverty Law Center based out of Montgomery, Alabama changed all that, the people that were supposed to be leaders in the community of Jackson caved, the organizations that were supposed to honor veterans caved equally as quick.

At the time I was vice-chairman of the Missouri League of the South, by the time the fight was over I and my chapter voted to leave, not for reasons of “racism”, “anti-Semitism” or any other “ism” that some later claimed, rather it was lack of support from the national hierarchy of the organization.

Today I concentrate my efforts on my writing and research.

The Proposal…

Jackson Considers Battle Flag at Cemetery

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Bob Miller ~ Southeast Missourian ~ Southeast Missourian

A Civil War heritage group has asked the Jackson Board of Aldermen to allow a Missouri Confederate battle flag to be flown at the city cemetery to honor one of the area’s most heralded Confederate Civil War leaders.

The board discussed the request by the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Missouri League of the South at Monday night’s study session, but the board members hesitated, saying they need more information about the flag before they make a decision. They said they were also concerned about setting a precedent.

Mary Boner, a city attorney, told the board that it could allow the flag, but it should first come up with a policy for which it would allow flags in the future.

Mayor Paul Sander was out of town and did not attend the meeting, but he left a note for the rest of the board that the request received the blessing of the local VFW and American Legion.

The Missouri battle flag is a blue banner, trimmed in red, with a white cross in the upper left corner. It would be flown at the grave of Col. William Jeffers, who died Feb. 21, 1903. He led Confederate troops into several battles, including some local ones.

The Missouri battle flag is also called the Gen. Sterling Price Flag, said Clint Lacy, the vice chairman of the Missouri League of the South. Price, a former Missouri governor, led the 1864 invasion of Missouri and Jeffers served under Price in that battle, Lacy said, making the battle flag an appropriate banner to fly over the grave.

Such flags were used to lead troops into battle rather than the Stars and Bars, the official Confederate flag.

“We feel like the U.S. flag honors his service in the Mexican War,” Lacy said. “We feel like a soldier should have the honor and privilege of being buried under the flag in which they fought.”

Many Confederate soldiers, Lacy said, weren’t fighting for slavery.

“In Missouri, a lot were fighting because they thought their state was being invaded,” he said. “They were fighting for their homes and their family.”

Lacy said the league is willing to pay for and maintain the flag and flagpole. He said communities all over the country allow such requests.

Lacy said Jeffers became a “well-respected and established citizen” after the war. He lived for a time in Dunklin County, and set up militia that fought against “night riders,” which were Ku Klux Klan-type groups. He then lived in Stoddard County, Lacy said, where he owned a hotel. He helped take care of many Confederate veterans there.

At the outset of the Civil War, Jeffers enlisted in the Missouri State Guard. In 1861, he commanded a unit of “Mounted Rangers” from Cape Girardeau County. He battled Union militia at what is now known as Marble Hill and at Apple Creek.

In 1862, he resigned his command and joined the Confederate cavalry, eventually commanding the 8th Missouri Cavalry.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635

The “Hit Piece”…

SPLC Lists League as Hate Group

Saturday, January 15, 2005
Southeast Missourian

To the editor:

The Jackson Board of Aldermen may want to know that the League of the South, which is asking the board to display a Confederate battle flag in the city cemetery, is listed as a white supremacist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The league displays clear antipathy to blacks. Its president, Michael Hill, has stated publicly that the group is against interracial marriage and that slavery is “God-ordained.” The league would like the South to secede and its new league-led government to establish “European cultural hegemony” in the region.

Perhaps more troubling than its ideology is the league’s willingness to keep as one of its Florida leaders Michael Tubbs, a man who stole munitions and weapons from military installations in the early 1990s with the intention of using them to attack black and Jewish targets. When Tubbs’ background was made public late last year by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the league refused to remove him from the group.

Dr. HEIDI BEIRICH, Deputy Director, Intelligence Project, Southern Poverty Law Center, Montgomery, Ala.

For Future Reference…

Before moving on , it is important that you read for yourself, the history of the Southern Poverty Law Center and its founder Morris Dees. Please click on the link below and read for yourself…

https://www.thesocialcontract.com/answering_our_critics/art_morris_dees_fact_sheet.html

My Response…

League refutes SPLC’s claims

Friday, January 21, 2005
Southeast Missourian

To the editor:

A letter from the Southern Poverty Law Center said the League of the South is a white supremacist hate group and noted the criminal activity of one Florida member, Michael Tubbs. The League of the South is in no way affiliated with white supremacists or any hate groups.

I spoke to league president Dr. Michael Hill who informed me that Tubbs’ actions took place prior to joining the League of the South. He pleaded guilty to the crime and spent time in prison, emerging as a reformed man who later joined the league and promised to abide by its mission statement: “We seek to advance the cultural, social, economic and political well-being and independence of the Southern people by all honorable means.”

The SPLC letter quoted Hill as saying “slavery was God ordained.” Hill said this quote was taken from a paper he had written which discussed the historical differences between Southern theologians and abolitionists of the time.

The only motive the league has in its proposal to the Jackson Board of Aldermen is to honor one of Jackson’s finest citizens — and to pay for this project with money from our own pockets.

I hate no one. I am a proud Southerner who was born and raised in Southeast Missouri. The only thing on my record is a citation given to me by the Missouri State Highway Patrol for not wearing my seat belt this past fall.

CLINT E. LACY, Vice Chairman, Missouri League of the South, Marble Hill, Mo.

They Crawl Out of the Woodwork…

Defense of the League is disingenuous

Thursday, January 27, 2005
Southeast Missourian

To the editor:

Clint E. Lacy’s response to the charges that the League of the South was simply promoting Southern culture was disingenuous. The league is promoting the dismantling of our beloved country. Its enemies include both right and left.

The league’s Web site (www.dixienet.org) features quotes of the day such as: “We all have a common enemy — an enemy that is dangerous, powerful and relentless. I refer, of course, to the federal government.” — D. Barry.

The Missouri chapter has a Web site (www.missouriacsa.com/) which will link the inquirer with the Southeast Missouri chapter. Lacy is chairman of this latter association. The Southeast chapter refers to the League of the South as “the premier Southern Nationalist organization.”

The league is promoting “The Grey Book, a Blueprint for Southern Independence.” In a society which did not value diverse points of view, in a country with a constitution which did not protect free speech, such material would be considered offensive, illegal and seditious.

I thank God that we live in a free country where Lacy may spread his treasonable opinions far and wide. But, friends and neighbors, be advised: This movement is dead set against every principle of the government and constitution that makes him free to attack the same.

Lacy’s campaign to plant a Confederate States of America flag at the gravesite of Confederate hero, William Jeffers, (who already has a monument at the Jackson cemetery) is neither an act of patriotism or a gesture of Christian devotion.

The Rev. BOB TOWNER, Cape Girardeau

It’s On!…

U.S. founded on right of secession

Saturday, January 29, 2005
Southeast Missourian

To the editor:

I find myself once again having to defend my reputation and the reputation of the Missouri League of the South. This time it is from the Rev. Bob Towner, who does not like our position supporting secession. There is a concerted effort underway by liberals like Towner who want to wipe clean every piece of American history that is deemed politically incorrect.

Since the end of the War Between the States we have seen the federal government grow and state sovereignty and individual freedoms shrink. These losses of freedoms have significantly increased following 9-11.

America was founded upon the right of secession. The Declaration of Independence was an act of secession against the government of England. Surprising is Towner’s opposition to secession, given the fact that he is a minister of the Episcopal church, which was formed by seceding from the Roman Catholic church.

Where is Towner’s outcry against the proposed secession of the Blue States that are unhappy because they feel America is not liberal enough? Towner’s denomination is once again pondering secession as controversy swirls around the national leadership’s decision to ordain a homosexual bishop.

Liberals like Towner advocate tolerance but are anything but tolerant. Towner implied that I am a traitor to my country. I am not. But I take comfort in knowing that good men like Col. William Jeffers were labeled as such at one time. Yet it was Jeffers’ actions following the Battle of Jackson which prevented the Yankees from burning the town.

CLINT E. LACY, Vice Chairman, Missouri League of the South, Marble Hill, Mo.

Taking Matters into Our Own Hands…

(Note: With the lack of support we received from the National leaders in the League, we decided to go it alone, as it was apparent we were alone from the beginning. Of course when I said that we were not “haters” or “radicals” many in the League assumed that I was insinuating that they were, I was, of course, not insinuating such thing, but the damage was done, and many who I claimed as friends and compatriots turned their backs and a deaf ear. As Country music star Tracy Lawrence recently sang, “You find out who your friends are”. It also illustrates reporter Bob Miller’s insistence on running to the SPLC every time he asked me a question”)

Area chapter to secede from League of the South

Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Bob Miller ~ Southeast Missourian ~ Southeast Missourian

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the Missouri League of the South has seceded from its parent organization.

The group will now be called the Missouri League of Southern Voters.

The group’s organizer, Marble Hill resident Clint Lacy, said actions and comments made by some League of the South leaders were less than honorable, and the local group withdrew its membership.

Lacy wouldn’t be more specific other than to say the group will no longer have to put out “brush fires.”

“We have no control over what someone in Florida says,” Lacy said.

A Southeast Missourian letter to the editor from the Southern Poverty Law Center alleged that a League of the South leader from Florida stole weapons from military installations in the 1990s intending to use them against black and Jewish targets. The letter, written by Heidi Beirich, deputy director of Intelligence Report magazine, said that even when the man’s background was made public, the league refused to remove him as a member. Intelligence Report is a watchdog for extremist activity.

Beyond wanting to separate itself from less than honorable intentions, Lacy complains the League of the South doesn’t seem to hold true to its stated belief in state sovereignty.

The state chapters, Lacy said, pay dues to the national organization. The members have little say in where the money goes or how it is spent.

The local chapter has drawn criticism in recent weeks after asking the city of Jackson to allow a Missouri Confederate battle flag to be flown over Col. William Jeffers’ grave at Jackson’s city cemetery.

The city board of aldermen discussed the issue briefly at a January study session but said it wanted more information before allowing the flag.

“We aren’t haters. We aren’t radicals,” Lacy said.

Beirich, when contacted by the Southeast Missourian, said she was surprised to hear the news.

Battle Fought to a Draw…

Flag issue in limbo; Jackson board takes no action

Thursday, March 3, 2005
Southeast Missourian ~ Southeast Missourian

It appears that Jackson’s Board of Aldermen has decided not to decide on allowing a Missouri Confederate flag to be flown over Col. William Jeffers’ grave at the city cemetery.

At Monday night’s study session, Clint Lacy, a Confederate history activist and Marble Hill resident, made a presentation to the council, asking that the flag be raised.

This came after he received a letter from Mayor Paul Sander stating that no one on the board wanted to bring the issue to a vote.

Apparently, Lacy’s words didn’t convince the council.

On Wednesday, Sander said he didn’t think any of the council members wanted to bring the matter to a vote, meaning the issue is in something of a coma — not dead, but not going anywhere.

Four people, including two representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke in opposition of the request Monday night. Sander said the board had concerns about setting a precedent and opening up the cemetery to all sorts of flags. He also said that there was no support offered from Jackson residents.

A veteran of the Mexican War, Jeffers commanded Missouri Confederate cavalry during the Civil War. He died in 1903.

A Warning…

It was at the aforementioned city council meeting that I issued a prediction. Addressing the Jackson City Council, I reminded the governing body that while extreme leftist organizations were attacking me over trying to honor a Confederate veteran buried in their city, their school mascot was the “Jackson Indian” and it was prominently displayed on their water tower. Someday leftists would come after THAT symbol as well. That day came 14 years later when Bob Miller, who was now editor of the Southeast Missourian, made the case that the school’s mascot should be changed. This can be found in his column published on 2 / 27/ 2019 under the title “An idea for a new Jackson mascot.”

What Goes Around, Comes Around…

A theory about Sander’s defeat

Sunday, August 13, 2006
Southeast Missourian

To the editor:

The Southeast Missourian carried an article on the unexpected defeat of Jackson Mayor Paul Sander in his bid to become the next Cape Girardeau County clerk stating: “Conventional wisdom suggested that Sander, latest in a family line of officeholders, would be a formidable if not unbeatable candidate.” The same article also quotes Cape Girardeau Mayor (and Sander crony) Jay Knudtson, who stated, “What led to Clark’s lopsided victory is only speculation.”

I have my own theory. In February 2005 I was attempting to win approval from the Jackson Board of Aldermen to erect a Missouri battle flag in honor of Col. William Jeffers. The effort was derailed by a hit piece from the Southern Poverty Law Center that was printed in the Southeast Missourian. I wrote my own letter in response to clear up any misconceptions about me.

When I addressed Mayor Sander and the board of aldermen, I quoted heavily from the Morris Dees fact sheet found at the following Web address: http://www.patriotist.com/dees.htm. It exposes many unknown facts about the organization. However, it was clear their minds were made up.

Among those who spoke in opposition to honoring Colonel Jeffers was one of the biggest liberal organizations in America, the ACLU. During the entire time the ACLU representative was speaking, Mayor Sander was smiling, nodding in approval.

Sanders can now join the ranks of other South-hating ex-politicians from Missouri: Gov. Bob Holden, U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt and Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway.

CLINT E. LACY, Marble Hill, Mo.

In Retrospect…

All in all, the battle was fought to a draw. Neither I , nor our newly organized Missouri League of Southern Voters were able to convince the Jackson Board of Alderman to honor Colonel William Jeffers with a Missouri Battle Flag.

On the other hand, the Southern Poverty Law Center was unsuccessful in their efforts to portray me as a racist or a terrorist for that matter. The “reverend” Bob Towner was unsuccessful in trying to portray me as a traitor. The next day the issue was covered on local radio stations , who described me with words such as “historian” and “Confederate flag activist”.

The real loser in this was Colonel Jeffers, who was denied the honor for saving the City of Jackson during the War Between the States, and who fought against the Ku Klux Klan in Southeast Missouri following the war. At one time the citizens of Jackson were proud enough of him to bury him in their cemetery and erect a prominent monument at the cemetery’s entrance.

The citizens of Jackson lost as well, because it was evident that they did not have leaders to defend their heritage and their history. What they got , were leaders who bowed to ultra-liberal , left-wing organizations, because they were afraid of an ill-conceived, concocted “controversy” by them.

I’ll never forget the ACLU representative who showed up “fashionably late” to the meeting I attended. A tall attractive blond, dressed in a very form fitting business suit, who proclaimed that she was concerned about the cemetery’s proximity to the school and what effect it would have on “the children” as Mayor Sander and Councilman Baker stared starry eyed at her.

Also in my memory is the member of the Cape Civil War Round Table, who showed up to proclaim that when he first heard about our proposal, he thought it smelled of “the Klan”. What he didn’t tell the council members is that one of our own members, also belonged to the Cape Civil War Roundtable, and quickly silenced him at one of their meetings when he tried to disrupt it with such talk.  Jim Herrod  was a good man, and a former aid to Representative Bill Burllison, he was very ill when I attended the meeting  that the round table member cried “Klan” at. The round table member knew Jim was too ill to attend himself, which makes his act even more despicable.

Jim would die a little over a year after the time of that meeting, he is very missed. The roundtable member died about a year later, can’t say that I miss him a whole lot.

The VFW and American Legion not only changed their mind about supporting the project, they were downright rude about it, one of the leaders wouldn’t even talk to me before the meeting. The next year a local Cape Girardeau, Missouri ladies auxiliary would wonder why there was so little support for the Veteran’s Day parade.

Bob Miller (the Southeast Missourian reporter) would soon here from my brother who asked him if he could do his job without getting permission from Heidi (the Deputy Director of the SPLC Intelligence Project), he also provided him with a copy of the Morris Dees Fact Sheet.

Bob replied by stating that he probably wouldn’t use them as a source again, which was comforting knowing that he had helped them kill my flag project.  He would later go on to write about having to sleep with a roll of toilet paper at night, because of his allergies, which at least brought the wrath of one angry reader who in a March 18th, 2006 Letter to the Editor wrote:

“To the editor:

The March 12 “His and hers” column (“All hail Wilson, conqueror of snot monsters”) by Callie Clark Miller and Bob Miller was a full column of total disgust. Bob Miller’s body fluids are of no interest to any of your readers, I’m sure.

As a former language teacher, I can assure you if one of my students had written this, I’d have given him an F.

The numerous references to Miller’s “snot” (and I am quoting here) certainly ruined my appetite for breakfast that morning.

What in the world were you thinking? How could this article slip by you? I’m still grossed out and will continue to be every time I think about it. This was very poor taste.

P. BOLLINGER, Marble Hill, Mo.”

Not to be deterred, Miller would later write about his wife’s miscarriage (normally a thing people keep to themselves) in an April 2,2006 article entitled, “The Growing Pains of a Family” he described the event in detail stating:

“Finally after hours of going back and forth from the bathroom to the couch, my wife passed what I first saw as a black spot on the computer monitor. The books say to collect the tissue, in case your doctor wants to test it to determine the cause. The books don’t say how you’re supposed to do this. Callie had me fetch a Tupperware dish and a plastic spoon”

And to think all of these people were worried about me possibly offending the public by trying to raise a flag for Colonel William Jeffers, C.S.A.?