Vignettes - Events

Mystery of the Honey Island Swamp-Rat Killings

Mystery, intrigue, and legend have enshrouded one area of the lowest part of the Pearl River basin for centuries—Honey Island Swamp.  Located between the East and West Pearl Rivers, it has engendered tales of pirates, ne'er-do-wells, robbers, murderers, and other unsavory characters.  While respectable, honest people have lived there through the years, it has also… (read more)

The Influenza Epidemic of 1918

The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed an estimated fifty million people worldwide.  In fact, one-fifth of the world’s population was affected, and this disease killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.  Erroneously referred to as “Spanish” flu because Spanish newspapers initially reported its pervasiveness, it was not confined to this one country. … (read more)

Notes on the Yellow Fever Epidemic

From “The New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal” July 1851 by A.P. Merrill Notes taken by Emma Clay of Medical Officer with 8th U.S. Infantry who was not named. An epidemic occurred not named but believed to be Yellow Fever. At the time of the appearance of this epidemic I held a commission in the… (read more)

March 19,1886 – Red Letter Day for City of Bay Saint Louis

In a communication mailed from Jackson, Mississippi and directed on March 19, 1886 to the Honorable James A. Ulman, Mayor of the City of Bay St. Louis was the long awaited approval of the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Bay St. Louis. A copy of this document is filed in the City Hall,… (read more)

The Louisiana-Mississippi War of 1905

In the 1890’s the South endured annual plagues of yellow fever, borne by mosquitoes.  Even though the Army Yellow Fever Commission headed by Major Walter Reed confirmed in 1901 the hypothesis of Cuban scientist Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay that yellow fever was caused by a mosquito, most of the South ignored its implications.  Mosquito control… (read more)

Early Telephone Service

Telephone service came to Bay St. Louis August 18, 1899 and 47 total telephones were initially served by this exchange. One year later the total number of telephones had climbed to 108 and by 1905 to 190. It wasn’t until 1910 that the total number of telephones served by the Bay St. Louis exchange passed… (read more)

The Republic of West Florida

With the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, it was assumed that the area known as West Florida was a part of the United States. However, Spain claimed the lands as her own. Ultimately in 1810, citizens of West Florida revolted from Spain and set up their own country known as the Republic of West Florida. From… (read more)

The Mississippi Married Women’s Property Act Of 1839

By Sandra Moncrief Mississippi was the first state in the nation to grant married women the right to hold property in their own names. Two little known but important events in the 1830s led to this reform in women’s rights. These events and the laws that resulted have been virtually overlooked by historians — possibly… (read more)

Battle of 1814

J. F. H. Claiborne, in his 1876 address, told that a regiment of Mississippi militia was stationed in support of the battery, but made a hasty retreat to the Big Spring. An invalid lady from Natchez implored the colonel to fire one gun for the honor of the country, but failing to do so, she… (read more)

Incorporation of the Town of Shieldsborough 1818

To establish and incorporate the Town of Shieldsborough.   Sec. 1.  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi in General Assembly convened, That the place situated on the West side of the Bay St. Louis, in the County of Hancock, known by the name of Shieldsborough, is… (read more)