Oral history with Mrs. Ellie J. Dahmer

              Oral history with Mrs. Ellie J. Dahmer
This oral history is provided through a cooperative project of University of Southern Mississippi Libraries and USM's Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage.
Funding provided by a National Leadership Grant for Libraries from the Institute for Museum and Library Services
The transcript is presented here for reference purposes only. Interviews in this collection are protected by copyright. PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Ellie J. Dahmer was born in Jasper County, Mississippi to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Davis in 1925. She was one of nine children. The family lived on a farm which they owned. Both of Ellie's parents encouraged her to acquire as much education as possible. She completed high school at Jasper County Training School and promptly enrolled at Alcorn A and M College. After her sophomore year, Ellie transferred to Tennessee A and F in Nashville. She financed her education through part time employment and assistance from her older siblings. She subsequently has taken graduate work at Indiana University.
Ellie Davis began teaching in Forrest County in 1951. Here she met and married Vernon Dahmer. The Dahmer's had eight children in their family, with Ellie and Vernon having a daughter, Betty and a son, Dennis. Vernon became active in the Civil Rights Movement and served two terms as president of the local chapter of the NAACP. As a result of Vernon's involvement, the Dahmer home was fire- bombed by the Klu Klux Klan in 1966. Vernon died shortly thereafter due to lung damage caused by smoke inhalation.
Ellie Dahmer taught for many years in Richton and retired in 1987 from the Forrest County school system.
Table of Contents
I. Family Background
A. Grandmother Worked as Hired Hand
B. Family Owned a Farm
C. College Days
D. Teaching during Segregation
E. Marriage to Vernon Dahmer
II. Racial Strife in Hattiesburg
A. Trying to Register to Vote
B. Involvement in Freedom Summer
C. Threats on Mr. Dahmer's Life
III. Tragedy of the Fire Bombing
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