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photo by Marcus Frazier

The First Baptist Church soils the view from Main Street Marketplace as a worker unloads chairs Tuesday afternoon. The former church has been ruled as being demolished by neglect by the Natchez Preservation Commission.

FBC, Arlington left to demolish themselves

Published Wednesday, July 16, 2008

NATCHEZ — Last week when the Natchez Preservation Commission ruled two historic properties as being demolished by neglect, it was out of serious concern for the buildings’ deplorable conditions.

Both Arlington and the former First Baptist Church have been sitting vacant and crumbling for years and the city is ready to see something done.

Since the structures are historic properties, regulations prohibit their outright destruction.

Demolition by neglect means that a structure is being demolished by default, City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis said.

The front of First Baptist Church looms over the intersection of Main and Rankin streets in downtown Natchez.

Photo by Marcus Frazier

The front of First Baptist Church looms over the intersection of Main and Rankin streets in downtown Natchez.

“No one’s actively taking a sledgehammer to it but it’s deteriorating and that neglect is causing its demolition,” Lewis said.

By declaring these building demolition by neglect, the commission gave the initiative or go ahead to the planning department to issue a letter to the building inspector.

Building Inspector Paul Dawes said he then will inspect said buildings and determine what needs to be repaired that will correct the demolition.

Dawes said once that’s established, he’ll send a letter to the property owner making them aware of the situation.

Arlington, on State Street, remains abandoned and is overrun by bushes and uncut grass.

Photo by Marcus Frazier

Arlington, on State Street, remains abandoned and is overrun by bushes and uncut grass.

If the owner does not make the corrections within 30 days they will have to appear before the commission and explain themselves.

“After that it’s a matter of them following through and repairing the building or facing charges,” Dawes said.

Lewis said the ball is beginning to roll on the process.

“Paul Dawes and I are coordinating to go through the formal state process of demolition by neglect approach for both Arlington and the First Baptist Church,” he said. “The preservation commission is giving us that mandate and I suspect that it will be a well supported mandate within the city organization.”

Arlington has several issues that need to be addressed, Dawes said.

“They are too numerous to list,” he said. “It’s horrible, it’ll make you want to cry.”

He said the kitchen wall has partially collapsed and needs to be replaced and so does the back gallery on the main house.

“All the windows and doors will have to be repaired and put back in place, right now the building is wide open to the world,” he said.

Which is a situation that has led to criminal inhabitants.

Broken windows and removed doors have created opportunities for structures to be stolen and more damage to be done.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said something has to be done.

“Unless that building is secured and taken care of it’s going to continue to get worse,” he said.

Though criminal activity around the area is prevalent, he said it’s a difficult area to patrol.

“It’s hard to patrol it because it’s at the end of a dead end and it’s grown up with weeds and trees,” he said. “We do try to drive through and check it at night but it’s too hard to see.

“Unless we catch people when we drive back there, it’s very difficult to watch.”

Dawes said he’s tried to send letters to owner Dr. Thomas Vaughan in May, but both have come back unclaimed.

He said if action is taken soon the building can be salvaged.

“The structure is reasonably sound,” Dawes said. “It can be saved, it’s not that far gone yet.

“It won’t be long before it is.”

As far as the former First Baptist Church, it was purchased by Dream Homes Inc., in Marrero, some time ago with the intent to convert them into condominiums.

After hitting a few stumbling blocks with the preservation commission earlier this year, they got the complete go ahead to start construction yet haven’t.

Preservation Commission Chairman Marty Seibert said it’s been ruled demolition by neglect because it’s become a safety hazard.

She said she’s received several complaints from citizens expressing their worries and it has been a concern of the commission for some time.

Comments

Posted by MsM (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These buildings are no more neglected or a hazard than the Pecan Factory building was. I guess it's because of the location (neighborhood) that these dilapidated buildings are in, the reason why citizens' concerns are resonating with the Preservation Commission.

Posted by iceman_32 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 2:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i would like to see something good done with these historic properties. its part of natchez and will always have a story to tell. i hope to see something good come out of this.

Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 4:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Like the pecan factory, the church is a danger. There are homeless people who wonder in and out. Someone could get killed there, if they haven't already. A portion of the roof caved in. Who knows if anyone was in there.

Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Arlington would not be on this hit list if NFD had used the water supply right...... AS IN FRICTION LAWS. Hold the wrong doer responsible.....

Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW Natchez Democrat....Arlington is not, nor has it ever been, on State Street! That is John Quitman Parkway.
get your maps out

Posted by jaquan32 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who gives a damn about a slave house. Let it burn along with the rest of the confederacy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard from the owner of FBC that they are considering accepting an offer to sale the property...maybe the threat of demolition by neglect will be enough pressure to force them to accept. A new owner, one willing to renovate, would be the best solution at this time. The City does not - should not- spend its money on this property. The current owners have removed all the interior trash and debris and has at least provided some stability to the roof. What they have done will make it easier for a new owner to proceed with a condo project.

Posted by zzzzipy (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wish I had the money to save the Arlington and the FBC.

Posted by RobinBrownHayes (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually gottabehappy, the name of the street was State Street Extension before the name was changed to John Quitman.

Posted by tcauthen (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JAQUAN THE SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by humorme (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish I owned a wrecking ball.

Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe Marty as a local bank officer will lend the Condo folks the money they have been unable to raise due to the mortgage meltdown. They have already spent over $100,000 on the property in the last year. Including paying the back taxes. Many buildings have been neglected much longer than the FBC. Work was stopped by the city - they had been working on it until Marty shut them down. She was rude and unhelpful when they applied for planing permission - if it was my building and I had that reaction to a plan to spend $2,000,000 I would have second thoughts too.

Can't please some people.

Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do ya'll remember the house that burned many years ago where most of us would have torn it down, the Historic Preservation said it had to be restored and restore it they did to a beautiful structure. It was on North Commerce, I think, about a block or two north, close to the old Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Jefferson and Commerce. If that building was important, these other two buildings should be equally as important. I don't remember things too well, but, but Mimi Miller may have been the pusher on that burned building, whereas, I don't know whether Marty Seibert would be a pusher for the restoration of either of these buildings.

For the remark about the confederacy: no building ever did anything to anyone. Slavery was a thing that happened (as it happened in Bible times for the Jews); it is something that happened to Native Americans from one tribe to another; no one today wants that or would stand for it today -- but history cannot be changed -- but attitudes can be. Give up the race hatred -- it does no one any good.

The Trail of Tears cannot be undone but it was a horrible mark in history; the Holocaust was a horrible mark on history - but cannot be undone. Quit disparaging your race heritage and start the process of remaking it on a positive message. MLK stood for foraging ahead not constantly reliving the past. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow has yet to come.

Be proud of being who you are and make yourself the best you can, and this is a message for all those who despair against what they are today. Put that smile, lift that chin, decide what you want to do and go for it. Education and hard work make the inner core of all those who have advanced. Both races have things to proud of and things to wish had not taken place -- but nothing changes anything except hope and dedication to upgrade oneself and his/her surroundings.

Sorry for the lecture but when one has so many things going wrong in their life, physically mostly, one has to change attitude to see the good that can come out of it.

Posted by sobeit (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jaquan32

You state "who cares about a slave house" and at the same time people are busy, busy, busy making a "memorial" at the slave auction block. Go figure. I never understood this. You want to be reminded of slavery and you don't want to be reminded of slavery???

Posted by misslouie (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish the city had renovated the FBC and used it for the juvenile facility, instead they built a brand new structure on State & Pearl. We had to build a welcoming center, also. We have to begin using what we have! This is crazy and it's all due to self-serving greedy politicians.

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That wasn't a lecture, Lambchop. That was a great post. One the best I have read on this site.

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Misslouie, I think it could have been a good convention center. I know that the building is a lot smaller than the one here now, but with the two level balcony it would be a good size for the amount of assemblies that I see regularly. The number of rooms in the three story wing, the commercial size kitchen, will be great for people to stay overnight. The only thing that would be a problem is parking, which is a problem in downtown Natchez anyway.........but that is just my opinion.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yadayadayada, blah, blah, blah

A lot of BS, the owners will ignore this as Natchez City Ordanices and Municipal Court have NO teeth and will not actually enfore any of it's rulings.

crank up the bulldozer and run through there and then pile it up and then the front end loader scoop it up and dump it over in the dump truck and that's that.

And then go over to St. Catherine St and bulldoze most of those buildings, and go on down to MLK and Franklin St area. Doze em down and let the inmates clean it up.

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doze one building and show some real action, then the owners will hear Natchez LOUD and CLEAR and jump to save their property.

These buildings are beyond renovation. They are dangerous and invite criminal activity.

The police shouldn't have to worry with patroling up in Arlington, that's private property, the owner should reimburse the City of Natchez for doing extra security for him. Actually I doubt the police even go up in there, unless a specific complaint is voiced by a neighbor, because you cannot see up to the old house from John Quitman Parkway as one passes by.

What a bunch of nonsense, doze em down and be done with it.

Posted by Inquirer (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well stated lambchop. We must move forward and not live in our past, but embrace it and learn from it. I would love to see Arlington saved, even in its poor state now it still is a part of history. The owner really should be ashamed of letting it get that bad. People have offered to buy it and renovate it. If you're not going to give it the TLC it needs let someone else have it so that they will. As for FBC, make it less complicated for them to turn it into Condos and your problem will be solved!

Posted by John (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the Natchez Trace-Liberty Road-John Quitman-Main Street corridor is going to be the new ENTRANCE to Natchez, why not condemn, take claim on Arlington, and renovate it or tear it down and rebuild it as a Welcome Center.....makes more sense than having the center out by the River>???

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL! Krogers, nothing is beyond renovation. I've been in a whole "heep" of buildings (I'm a country girl) in Natchez that were worst than FBC, and after the renovations, it was impossible to tell the difference. They look like new. But I halfway agree with you, if they will not be used, then dose them.

Posted by mcmy (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

since many of you are talking about criminal activity at these abandoned buildings i have a question for you...does anyone know why people would be behind the old sears building? is there something back there that i dont know about?

Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's fire up the bulldozer.

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

why don't we bulldoze your business Krogers!
I'm for that and I know where it is located and it looks like crap so I say lets tear it down.

Posted by been_there (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am just horrified that something was not done to save Arlington long before this. The windows have been out since the fire and with the heavy rains I shudder to think what horrible black mold is in there. I'm afraid that trying to save it now will be too little too late. The Preservation Society should have done something a long time ago. If Dr. Vaughn would not receive the certified letters sent to him, action should have been taken right then and there. In the old days, Dr. Vaughn would have been tarred and feathered for his neglect. IMNSHO, tarring is too good for him.

Posted by humorme (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats just what this town needs to pull everyone together, a good ole tar and feathering! It'll be just like the old days.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lambchop, that was wonderful, just what a lot of people have been trying to say, but not as eloquently! I think Arlington is past repair, but the property would make a great park. Think of the location - near the Forks, near Monmouth, not far from downtown. Maybe this is a property the NPS should look into, since they seem bent on aquiring so much of Natchez.
Let the people build their condos in the FBC building - I said from the beginning that would be a great location for retired people. Stop putting so many restrictions on people wanting to build something from what we have already! I just guess it IS in who you know and who you are.

Posted by Southernhope (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I grew up going First Baptist Church when it was housed in that building. It saddens me to see the church in this condition. I wish SOMEONE could salvage it!

Posted by mccalmon (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be nice if somewould publish the mailing address of the owner of the Arlington so offers could be made on the property. There are a lot of people who could go together and preserve the property for the future generations.

Posted by unreconstrebel (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((bulldozer)) where did you get your information on the NFD not having the water supply right?????

Posted by oldsaw (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DHOLMES, FYI the roof of the FBC caved in and fell so weeks ago. The owners did not stablize the roof.

Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chief mike mullins should let his police take their 10 minute breaks from the car every hour and check on this building these people are tax payers sir

Posted by been_there (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The reason the NFD did not have enough water was because Dr. Vaughn did not pay to have a fire hydrant put in front of his property. When the road extension was cut through years ago, most people paid to have hydrants close to their property. When the fire at Arlington occurred, the fire department had to piece miles of hose together to reach a hydrant at the corner of State and St. Charles. So don't blame the fire department. And one major problem was that the fire occurred on a Sunday and the house is so set back, that no one saw the smoke until the fire had really broken through the roof.
This goof ball also had both the fire & burglar alarms turned off. During the fire you could hear what sounded like fire crackers going off. It was live ammo. Its no wonder someone wasn't killed.
I don't think he would ever sell the house. Heck he finally offered all the library books to the archives AFTER the fire, when they were smoke and water damaged. He could have given them to the archives and used it as a tax write off, but no he neglected them as he neglected the house. He never should have been left that home, but he schmoozed up to the old woman who owned it and she left it to him.

Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The roof of FBC fell years ago - the tin was ripped off the roof in 1997 with the straight line winds (tornado) - it took 8 years for the roof trusses to rot through - roof fell before the new owners bought it. The biggest problem for the new owners is how to remove the rest of the roof without anyone getting killed. The roof is very dangerous - the tile on it is very heavy and it will be difficult to remove.

They have already removed tons of debris from the building, and spent $ 30,000 on clean up to the building and on Architectural plans. They were held up by the city so they moved their crew to another project. They plan to start as soon as that project is finished. (funding willing)

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One thought for everybody. Arlington has been looked at to be purchased. Even by a few from Natchez. The only problem? If it was restored the only thing original would be the columns in the front and the bricks. In other words it would be a restored hull. The place would have to be totally gutted and start over from new. The price to do that and the historical regulations would only make this feasible for some someone with money to burn and willing to put up with the bull from the historical scociety. I am tired of hearing about historical properties. There is not 1 inch of soil in Natchez that is not historical. These old homes are not going anywhere, and there are not anymore being made. If Arlington was rebuilt (not restored) how much of it would be historical. Less than 1%?. I say give Natchez to the scociety and lets go up or down a few miles on the river and start a new Natchez. All new businesses, industry, and people have to fight for nothing to get things done around here. This scociety reminds me of North Korea. Has anyone ever seen the satillite picture of North and South Korea at night? Google it and look. The south is lit up with lights of progress, and the communist north is dark with a few lights dimly showing through the oppression. When I rode across the Mississippi bridge last night about the middle of the bridge I looked back at dimly lit Natchez river front, I then looked at the Vidalia river front. Vidalia was lit up, modern looking and had a inviting feel to it. Natchez looked as if was in the dark ages. There was more lite from indian campfires 400 years ago that light of today. It made me think of the mentality difference of North and South Korea. How one has moved ahead and one has fallen behind. If Natchez doesn't get its mind of the old and get into the move ahead wagon. We might as well be North Korea. Natchez river front sould be lit with modern light and be booming. I know someone will say it will when the new casinoes come. But it should have been a decade ago. You know why it's not. Because we are more worried about a sidewalk, tree, and vent on a resturaunt, one foot tall weeds where a eyesore empty building stood, and a burned down pile of wood, mold, and ash in a hull of historic bricks. These people can go to Madison, Tupelo, Vickburg, or Tim Buck Too and see how things are done and gawk at how it should be here. But when they come back home with new ideas they face the same old dumb mentality that they can't change and don't want to change. Hellooooo Pyongyang. And whatever came of that trip to Scotland or Norway our former mayor and a select few made to increase global tourism in Natchez? I am sure the price of that wasted trip could have at least kept the grass cut at Arlington all these years.

Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the structural state of the FBC is one thing. That doesn't mean that it should be left open to anyone walking into it.

I walked in there and there is a huge pit in the floor full of water. What happens when a child drowns in there?

What happens when more of the ceiling falls in and hits someone hanging out in the wreck?

Secure the damn building already! It isn't rocket science!

Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God has left the building!

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

been_there, the old lady who owned it was his mother. It should have been left to his sister who was still living there when their mother died. I don't know how or why he made her get out, but it's probably a good thing she did, or she might have been caught in the fire. She certainly has no money to renovate it.

Posted by unclered (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The old FBC building would have made a lovely house of "ill repute."

Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Those Baptists deserted it unclered.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent post NE...

Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yes well said NE

Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

natchezsouthside
i think that people should not walk around or hang out in private property that is obviously unstable and has signs clearly posting that it is private. and when you say that about a child do you mean one that can read those signs or one so young that it should not be wandering around alone anyway? the owner has plans to continue the work, there was an article in the paper a few weeks ago announcing this

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When it comes to the society, there is no private property without running your plans by them first. My gosh, even the Democrat photographer had to trespass to get the shot of Arlington. Go figure. Breaking the law trying to make a story about enforcing one? Only in Natchez!

Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wifetoon....Ask any one at the site. Look at the water flowing from the nozzles... was there enough water to be used with all the wrong lay out? You had to see it for your self to come to the conclusion.....NFD just didn't have the pressure were it was needed the most. If the water supply was done right from get go there would with out a doubt more of the structure standing today.....I saw this mistake with my own two eyes...

Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on July 16, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mistake you are so wrong bulldozer, And your expertize is WHAT.

Posted by ntzgrl (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the owners of Arlington CARED about the things that are going on there.. they should have TRIED to do something about it.
there are no signs and the doors are left open to the world.
it SHOULD have something done to it.
it should be restored. not torn down. it was once a beautiful home.
im glad that this has been brought to the attention of the "town folk" now these people might realize that there are other places around natchez... maybe not a grand home and famous.. but houses and places that are falling apart.
LOOK AT NATCHEZ.
we are the oldest city on the miss.riv. but we dont have to look like it.
people come here to see the beautiful town.
not the trash and despair.
and why THESE two places being brought to our attention.
why not all those houses by the auditorium. where they have the pageant.
i am aware that one building down there is getting restored but what about all the others.
thats part of downtown right??
i know it takes money and time but i think it should be done.
at least to make natchez cleaner.

Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 5:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why not let the Natchez Fire Department use one or both of the buildings for a training exercise. They could invite a few of the neighboring fire departments.

Other cities do this and I think the the area fire departments would appreciate it.

Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wifetoone..... I said my peace in favor of the GRUNTS risking their lives. The water was not even reaching the point of origin, plus or minus 10 feet. Yea it don't take a person smarter than a fifth grader to tell ..the water was not supplied right. nuff said..

Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bulldozer, like I said your expertize is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bulldozer if your so knowledgeable about firefighter SOP why then did you not jump in and help with the so called problems that NFD had. I didn't think so.

Posted by xenon314 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, Enema, I thought I'd heard some negativity on this site before, but you really take the cake!!!

You want to move away and start a new Natchez? Ain't nobody stoppin' you - just don't let the screen door hit you on the way out!

Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WHo is this Anita person that works for the City Plaaning Dept.

Posted by been_there (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bulldozer you still don't get the point. The reason there was so little water pressure was due to the fact that there was no fire hydrant anywhere near Arlington. This had nothing to do with the NFD. You cannot piece together miles of hose and expect the water to reach the site or for them not to leak. I was there and I saw it. If you want to blame someone blame the town of Natchez for not installing hydrants when they cut the road through. Its NOT the NFD's fault. They worked with what they had. Its quite evident you know nothing about water pressure.
Freedom I could not remember who the little old woman was. You are right that it is a good thing that his aunt was not there. Also she had a huge antique doll collection that would have been destroyed. I had heard that she was asked to leave because she had about a gazillion cats that were not neutered and the place stunk to high heaven. The year before the fire the house was put back on the Pilgrimage tours and no one could stand the smell. Such a pity to let such a gorgeous home go to wreck and ruin.

Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"WHo is this Anita person that works for the City Plaaning Dept."
lowrider I think her name is Anita Balmuvmant. Not really sure. JaQuan I was gonna answer your dribble on here but it was so insignificant I forgot what you said.
Sayonara,
Ichiban

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

been_there - LOL It is Dr. Vaughn's sister, not his aunt. Anyway you are probably right about the cats, I know she had a lot of dogs too. But with her being so active in the Humane Society, I would guess most of them were neutered. However, I know from experience that neutered cats will still spray everything if they are not neutered early enough. And dogs do what dogs do! She's a good hearted person though, and I've known her since high school.
I had forgotten about the doll collection, just mourned all the books that were lost.

Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have some Korean and Vietnamese friends. They would be more than happy to help with the dog and cat problem.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey hardcorps, we lived in a neighborhood with some Koreans at one time. They kept adopting dogs and then after a week or so the dog would disappear. They finally bought a female German Shepherd and she seemed to always be having puppies which never lacked for getting a "home". We often wondered.............

Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep freedom42. I lived in Biloxi in the early 80s when the Vietnamese first showed up and took over Point Cadet. Within a year there were no stray animals of any kind.
I lost a job once at Manisc&*%&'s Tamale Shop because I didn't know how to filet a cat.

jist kiddin bout da cat

Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardcorps
I could use the assistance of you foreign friends over here on walnut street I have a neighbor who is in the business of collecting cats obviously I think i have counted nearly twenty at once other neighbors and i have decided that there is no way all those cats and kittens are properly vaccinated and this is unsanitary. just kidding about that hardcorps but if anyone knows if there is anything to do about this matter my neighbors and i would appreciate the advice.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think actually there is a law about having too many animals in the city limits. You might call the Animal Control Officer at the Police Dept. or Nan Garrison who is with the Humane Society. I know the ACO has traps she can set out to catch some, but if the neighbor just likes cats they may keep replenshing the supply. There are always free kittens in the paper.

Posted by been_there (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi Freedom, I get all these Natchez relatives all mixed up. So many people I know in Natchez are related to EVERYONE! HG I have met the lady and she really is a nice person. My dh's aunt had too many animals. I think that some older people reach a certain age and they just cannot handle them. As for the Vietnamese, they do eat anything. A friend in N.O. said that when they first came to N.O. they were even eating the brown pelicans that had just been brought back from extinction. The law had to really come down on them.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pelicans taste nasty! All that fish! At least that's what I have been told - I wouldn't try one.

Posted by ntzgrl (anonymous) on July 25, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF THIS ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!

I think i have two opinions on the matter. Yes, Natchez is wealthy in beautiful homes and thats what brings the tourists. But what real reason is there for it to be restored. The people around Natchez dont appreciate it. It's the people that dont live here that use it up. Why restore something that will not benefit the town. A multiple of people want to save this home. Why? Most people.... do not even know it exists. Why not make it into something useful and needed. Like a store of choice. Or a medical building that we dont have. A church maybe. There is SO much land that almost anything can be made if it is all cleared. Why waste the time and money on something that is only going to get attention when it first opens then die down. Now, if it is restored of course I am going to go tour it.. but once everyone here has seen the new Arlington.. what do you think is going to happen..people will lose interest. I think that polls should go out that should be recorded to decide what people want. I know I am not the only one who thinks this way. All I am saying is give it some thought.

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