*Columbus, Mississippi - November 10, 1904*

The morning fog hung heavy over Columbus as news spread through the town - Colonel James O. Banks, one of Mississippi's most respected citizens, had drawn his final breath at 5 o'clock that morning. The mournful tolling of church bells echoed through the streets as black crepe appeared on doorways. At Merchant's Bank, the American flag flew at half-mast. As townspeople gathered in hushed groups outside the Banks family home on College Street, sharing stories of the man they'd known, a remarkable life story began to unfold.