”The Board of Police for 1869 was composed of Tom Tingle, Dan Sandal and Burton, all white Republicans, and William Woodward, a negro Republican, who formerly belonged to a minister by the name of Woodward. Upon the death of the minister, his widow married C. S. Swann, one of the leading carpetbaggers, and it was through his influence that the negro held office. The next board, which went into office in 1870, was composed of Frank Sessions, D. Ware, W. A. Milling, all white Republicans, and Willis Donald, a negro Republican.”

Reference Data:

Publications pf the Mississippi Historical Scoiety, Vol. 11, by Mississippi Hisrtorical Society, 1910, page 208