Near Benoit in Bolivar County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

William Fisher Johnson

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 25, 2020

1. William Fisher Johnson Marker

Inscription. In the early morning hours of March 31, 1912, William Fisher Johnson (1876~1916) helped rescue flood victims after swollen rivers and lakes in Bolivar County caused a levee break just south of Beulah. According to Walter Sillers, using his gas powered boat, Johnson and his crew rescued fifty~eight people from the flood waters. Sillers recounted that Johnson and his crew rescued a family of ten from their home moments before it was swept off its blocks and torn apart by the raging waters.

Erected 2010 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1912.

Location. 33° 37.06′ N, 91° 3.528′ W. Marker is near Benoit, Mississippi, in Bolivar County. It is on State Highway 1 1.1 miles north of Lake Vista Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Benoit MS 38725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

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specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mississippi River Blues: The 1927 Flood (approx. 1.9 miles away); Eddie Taylor (approx. 3.7 miles away); Eddie Shaw (approx. 3.7 miles away); John H. Johnson Cultural & Educational Museum (approx. 8.2 miles away in Arkansas); Desha County (approx. 8.3 miles away in Arkansas); The X. O. Pindall Law Office (approx. 8.3 miles away in Arkansas); Flood of 1927 (approx. 8.3 miles away in Arkansas); a different marker also named Desha County (approx. 8.3 miles away in Arkansas). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benoit.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Great Flood of 1927 (was approx. 4.1 miles away but has been confirmed

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 25, 2020

2. William Fisher Johnson Marker

missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,040 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.