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THE SEA COAST ECHO • COURTHOUSE MEMORIES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009 • 13
Ladner said. "I pulled out my .38 and shot him dead. I did not even aim, I just shot from the hip."
The blind lady of the courthouse:
A political candidate in the 1960s once wrote, "let's git rid of everyone at the courthouse except the blind lady," Chancery Clerk Tim Kellar remembered.
That blind lady was Ms. Lillian Carver, who ran a store in the rotunda of the courthouse for more than two decades.
Carver was a popular figure at the courthouse, especially with the children, who often bought candy and cakes from her.
Carver was so skilled at her task she could identify money by feeling the grooves on the bills, Kellar said.
Camille brings change:
In 1969 Hurricane Camille would force the courthouse to be brought up to modem standards.
Camille did $133,000 in damage. A good portion of that was caused when the historic cupola was blown off.
The county would rebuild, but the cupola would not return. Five years later, supervisors completed the repairs to the courthouse which included for the first time, air conditioning in the courtroom.
The courtroom was also split in half, so the county could use it for board meetings. That arrangement remained until Aug. 29, 2005.
Supernatural forces or superstition?
Is there really a ghost in the Hancock County Courthouse? Some say yes, some dismiss it as urban legend.
One thing is for sure, however; the passing of time has not stopped the mysterious sightings and the ghost has
On a cold December evening in 1987, dispatcher Lillian Roberts was working her normal night shift at the sheriffs department.
About 3 or 4 a.m. she stepped outside on a short break. Looking up at a window in the courthouse, Roberts was stunned at what she saw.
Standing in the window appeared to be the silhouette of a young woman dressed in a flowing dress.
Some former county workers say they are afraid to go in the courthouse alone.
"I don't go in that God dam building alone," longtime county attorney Gerald Gex said. "I can't prove it, but I have had some experiences at the courthouse. One night I was in the board room and I heard what I thought was a noise outside. It sounded like someone humming. I went outside and looked towards the stairs and I saw some-
thing."
What Gex said he saw was a woman in a long-flowing dress. Gex said he then went up the stairs and all of the lights were off. He then realized he was alone in the building.
"I got the heck out of there," he said.
The strange events at the courthouse were frequent and included books dropping, doors closing, and strange noises, but nothing threaten-
ing, Gex said. He said he gave the ghost a name, "Mrs. Carol."
"If there is a ghost, she is friendly," Gex said.
Hancock County Narcotics Chief Matt Karl said he remembers stories his grandfather-former Bay St. Louis Police Chief Alceen Saucier-told him about the last woman hanged at the courthouse.
Karl said in the old days, hangings were conducted out-
Jimmie Ladner, Jr
Hancock County Tax Assessor/Collector
For Questions Concerning:
Car Tags • Property Values • Homestead Exemption Property Taxes • Personal Property Tax Business Licenses
Please Call: 228-467-4425
Notice
The Hancock County Tax Sale will be held on August 31, 2009. Any property with delinquent tax at that time will be sold. A list of delinquent Property Taxes will be published in the “Sea Coast Echo” on August 19, 2009 and August 26, 2009.
No Personal Checks Will Be Accepted For Property Tax During The Month Of August.