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STATE OF MISSISSIPPI	\i~	is
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY P. 0. BOX 571 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39205
ESTUS SMITH EVERETTE TRULY
Thomas H. Watkins	February	13, 1979
Sherwood w. Wise Elbert R. Hilliard
DIRECTOR
Mrs. Joe Pilet, Editor THE SEA COAST ECHO P.O. Box 230
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Dear Mrs. Pilet:
Thank you for your inquiry of February 6, regarding minute books of the city of Bay St. Louis. We were contacted by Lucian Kidd, who was then city clerk, during April of 1977, about the possibility of the State Archives preserving old minute books which were deteriorating. In response to an agreement worked out with Mr. Kidd and Mayor Warren Carver, I traveled to Bay St. Louis on May 24, 1977, and picked up city minute books for the period, January 4, 1858 - May 2, 1903 and August 5, 1916 - August 6, 1956 (13 volumes). Custody of these volumes was transferred to the State Archives because the city council felt we could best preserve the records. We agreed to provide a canplimentary microfilm copy of the books to the city and on August 11, 1977, ten rolls of microfilmed city minute books were sent to the mayor. It was my understanding that the microfilm, would be placed in the local library so researchers and other interested citizens would have access to the information. I enclose a copy of the contract of gift we have on file, which legally transferred the volumes to our care and custody. There was no discussion about returning the volumes after filming was completed. If the present mayor of Bay St. Louis, Larry Bennett, wished to talk with me about these volumes, he may contact me at 354-6218. I will be happy to discuss the matter with him.
Your local library does in fact have this microfilm, and I suggest you contact Mrs. Wusnack at the Hancock County Library.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Ronald E. Tomlin, Chief
Archives Section
EET:sl
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WILLIAM F. WINTER. PRESIDENT JOHN K. BETTERSWORTH ARCH DALRYMPLE ill FRANK E. EVERETT, JR.
Mrs. Mitchell Robinson
Enclosure