Ben Chester White facts for kids

Ben Chester White (born January 5, 1899 – died June 10, 1966) was an African-American man who lived a quiet life in Natchez, Mississippi. He worked as a caretaker and was a respected deacon in his church. Sadly, he was unjustly killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan, a hate group that promoted racism and violence. His death was part of a difficult time in American history, during the civil rights movement, when many people were fighting for equal rights.

Who Was Ben Chester White?

A Life of Hard Work

Ben Chester White spent his entire life working on the Carter family farm. This farm was located on Liberty Road in Natchez, Mississippi. As a caretaker, he helped with many tasks around the farm.

He was also a dedicated deacon at his local Baptist church. Even though he had limited schooling, he knew many parts of the Bible by heart. He was known for his strong faith and peaceful nature.

Family Life

Ben Chester White had two children:

• Jesse White - He later moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Louis White - He served in Vietnam.

Seeking Justice for Ben Chester White

The Unjust Act

On June 10, 1966, Ben Chester White was taken by three members of the Ku Klux Klan. These men were James L. Jones, Claude Fuller, and Ernest Avants. They led him into the Homochitto National Forest under false pretenses.

In the forest, they cruelly took his life. His body was left in Pretty Creek. The men then tried to hide their crime by burning their car. This terrible act was meant to spread fear and cause trouble during the civil rights movement.

A Son's Fight for Justice

After Ben Chester White's death, his family faced a long struggle for justice. In 1968, his son, Jesse White, took a brave step. He sued the Ku Klux Klan organization for his father's murder.

The court ruled in Jesse's favor, awarding $1 million. This was a very important moment. It was the first time in history that the Ku Klux Klan was held legally responsible for the actions of its members. However, the family never received the money.

Justice at Last

For many years, the men responsible for Ben Chester White's death largely avoided punishment. James L. Jones confessed to the crime, and he and Claude Fuller were accused, but their cases never went to trial. Ernest Avants was found not guilty at the time.

However, the fight for justice continued. In 2000, Ernest Avants, the last living person involved, was arrested again. It was discovered that the crime happened on federal land, making it a federal case. In 2003, a federal jury in Mississippi found Avants guilty of the killing. He was sentenced to life in prison and passed away in 2004.

Remembering Ben Chester White

Ben Chester White's story is an important part of American history. In 1989, his name was added to the Civil Rights Memorial. This memorial honors those who died during the civil rights movement.

His life and the long fight for justice were also featured in a 2013 documentary episode. This helped more people learn about his story and the challenges faced by many during that time.