Lester Maddox (1915-2003) was a restaurant owner in Atlanta with an interest in politics, having first run for mayor in 1957. His restaurant, the Pickrick Cafeteria, featured a dozen axe handles ("Pickrick Drumsticks," he called them) displayed by the front door. After passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawing segregation in public accommodations, Maddox continued to refuse to serve African Americans, running an initial group of protestors off with a pistol while his son and some customers and employees brandished the axe handles. The image became a favorite of segregationists and Maddox took to selling axe handles and other "state’s rights" souvenirs, a practice he continued from 1964 to at least the late 1980s.
Maddox sold his restaurant in 1965 and entered Georgia politics full time, serving as governor (1967-1971) and then lieutenant governor (1971-75).
Description:
A Pickrick Drumstick signed by Lester Maddox. The wooden axe handle has printed type in blue ink that reads: [LESTER MADDOX'S / PICKRICK DRUMSTICK]. Next to the printing is the signature [Lester Maddox] in black ink.
Lester Maddox's Pickrick Drumstick from his 1966 political campaign for Governor of Georgia. Signed "Good luck to Ray/Lester Maddox 1-25-75". Maddox would use ax handles like this one to threaten and assault Civil Rights activists attempting to integrate his restaurant.
