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JOHN VICTOR TOULME
I am the only son of J. B. Toulme
I inherited the proprietorship of the Crescent Hotel located at the junction of the railroad and Front Street (Beach St now). It was the largest hotel of its day, accommodating 100 people with land for tennis, croquet, swings, walks and an artesian well. The hotels in Bay St. Louis were health spas as well as accommodations for the attractions of the coast.
I was also a postmaster of Bay St. Louis - 1857-1865, and mayor, 1893.
My father gave the land for the Methodist Church to my first wife, Martha Carr and another female as trustees of the church. This was extraordinary for the day for women to be given land, and to be trustees. My wife and I gave the land adjoining the church for a parsonage (this land is now the Day Care Center).
I organized the first regiment of soldiers from Hancock County to enlist in the Civil War - Sheildsboro Dragons -1861, and the Shieldsboro Rifle Corp.
As mayor in 1893 I set aside against the majority of the council, money for the erection of a public school building. My picture hung in the school auditorium for many years as appreciation of this effort.
I married three times and am buried here with my three wives and two of my children.
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