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Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Post Office Box 571 ? Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0571 ? Telephone 601-359-1424 Elbert R. Hilliard, Director
January 28, 1987
Mr. William W. Bredford President
Hancock County Historical Society, Inc.
P. 0. Box 1340
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 39520 Dear Mr. Bredford:
Thank you for your letter of January 26, 1987. As you may know, Norman Chronister has resigned from the staff of the Department of Archives and History and now serves as a member of Congressman Dowdy's staff. Marc Hammack, Assistant Interagency Coordinator, Division of Historic Preservation, is now responsible for all matters relating to state historical markers. According to Marc, we have been advised by A1 Elmore, Acting Director, Division of Tourism, Department of Economic Development, that their Department, due to the severe budget cuts, does not have funds to pay for the markers that have been approved to date. Marc will be checking back with Mr. Elmore around the first of May to determine if the situation has changed.
In checking our files, I note that the Bay St. Louis Battle of 1812 marker was approved by our Board of Trustees as a state-funded marker on July 12, 1985. This marker is quite significant, and we shall appreciate your continuing to monitor the situation with us.
I was pleased to learn that your Society is attempting to document the story concerning William Flood's bringing the American flag, the Constitution, and the Codes of Law to Mississippi, in order that this site might be properly marked. I have asked Marc Hammack also to research the subject to see if proper documentation can be located. It occurs to me that the marking of this site, if the story can be documented, would be a splendid project for our observance of the Bicentennial of the American Constitution.
I have transmitted your Society's Mississippi Historical Society dues payment to Lorna Cassidy, who is responsible for
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Board of Trustees: William F. Winter, president / John K. Bettersworth / Arch Dalrymple III / Herman B. DeCell / Frank E. Everett. Jr.
Gilbert R. Mason / Mrs. Mitchell Robinson / Everette Truly / Sherwood W. Wise