Here are some pictures of Hurst House in the daytime. I DID NOT trespass to take these photographs. The owner showed us the house. DO NOT trespass on this property.
I will also be adding pictures I took of the house after dark.
This photo is of the back wall in Fielding Hurst’s bedroom. The small door gives access to one of the attics.
This is the bathroom. It, of course, was added in later years by the Dodds.
This is the original kitchen in the backyard, where the slaves prepared the meals.
This is the grounds behind the house.
This is the front of the house. The tarp covers the leaking roof. The window peeking out from under it is the one you may have seen around the internet with a face in it. That’s Hurst’s bedroom.
This is the front of the house.
This is a close up of Hurst’s bedroom window. Make of it what you will.
This is where a bullet grazed the staircase. Some say this was where Hurst was killed, but this is not true. It is not known how this truly got there and one can only speculate about it as there are no records of what really happened here.
This is the new kitchen which was added on to the back of the house by the Dodds.
This is the chimney and pot from the old kitchen where the slaves cooked. A tree fell on the kitchen a few years back. The new owner intends to restore the building.
This is the back of the house. You can see all the vines and shrubbery that have actually grown to the house over the years.
This is the old barn across the street.
This is the piano inside the house. We assume it belonged to the Dodds.
This is the attic through the small door in Hurst’s bedroom.
This is the side of the house. The top window is Hurst’s bedroom.
This is the slave quarters located across the street from the house. BEWARE! This property is also owned by the owner of Hurst Mansion. DO NOT trespass! If the snakes don’t get you, the guy with the shotgun will.
This was where they collected rainwater.
This wall is in Hurst’s bedroom. When the owner peeled away the old wallpaper, they found a multitude of signatures and dates on the wood underneath. The large one is R. T. M. Bell in June 1888. If you have any information on who this person could be, email tnhauntings@writersbeacon.com.
This is the well inside the old well house in the backyard.
This is another picture of the side of the house.
[…] Hauntings has some great, new, current pictures (at night) … (day time pics) … of the “Hurst Mansion” and apparently got the tour from the new […]
Anychance to get a personal tour of the place? I would be willing to give you a virtual tour of the place then come back through stages of the work and show the restoration through VR tours free of charge. I am just intersted in the history of the place. thanks Chris Kelly
You would have to speak to the owner himself and he does not wish for me to give out any information. Sorry. He did allow tours during Halloween, though. Perhaps he will do it again this year.
i hope so my youth group would love to have a tour.
My maiden name is Wisdom and I have been working on my family tree for years. I know through my research that W. S. Wisdom was a early settler of Purdy. My GGGrandfather was Alex Wisdom (born 1840). Then when I read this blog I see that Dodds were owners of the Hurst House at one time. My GGrandmother on my mother’s side, was a Dodd. I am going to be making a trip to Purdy and Selmer this weekend to do a little research. I am trying to link Alex Wisdom to W.S. Wisdom. If anyone has any information they would like to share it would be great. Thank you,
Hi! I emailed you some information on the Wisdom and Dodds families. Hope it helps!
Hello,
I came across this blog accidentally and thought I’d share with you. My name is Cassandra Dodds Fuller and my great grandfather owned this house. His son, my grandfather, Clarence Raymond Dodds and daughters Bessie and Mary Dodds lived there. Growing up we held family functions there and I can remember loving to visit this place because there was so much history. Mary died and Bessie continued to live in the house until she went to live in the convalescent center. My dad and his three brothers, the sons of Clarence Dodds, owned the property after he passed. After Bessie died, they kept the property for some years. They decided to sell the property to the city for it to become a museum. Apparently that didn’t pan out. I wish the new owners luck in remodeling, for it can be a beautiful house.
The city held on to it for a short time and then decided it would cost too much money to turn it into a museum and they sold it for almost nothing to the current owner. He has tried to restore it but vandals are making it impossible. I have a newspaper clipping of Bessie and Mary chopping cotton beside the house years ago.
can you send me that pic in an email , i love historic things and i would love to see that pic
🙂
you can contact Floyd Dodd in Booneville Ms thru Dodd’s Garage on old hwy 45.
Would you have the information on the names of Fielding and Melocky Hurst’s children?
Fielding and Melocky did not have children. Fielding had an illegitimate child named Flora that he and Melocky adopted. She died when she was a young child. After Fielding died, Flora continued to live with Melocky and she died by scalding. Not much else is known about her. Anyway, Fielding and Melocky had no children, but Fielding’s brothers had many children.
Wow these pictures are incredible!! Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures! It looks like it once was a beautiful place at one time in our history n maybe once it gets to be restored. If that ever happens. I really like old historical places. I dont get to travel much but this place looks very Awesome. I cant say I would ever visit here but I might n the future! Of course with the owners permission, just out of Respect for the people who own it. Its a shame that some people have to ruin something that once was a part of our historical time. It really is a shame that the younger generation has no respect for something like this. I love the way they built these houses back n that time frame. I hate to see places like this go to waste but maybe the owners can restore it oneday back to its original beauty! I was wondering how it got the name “Hurst?” I do have family with that last name, but Ive never heard of “The Dodds”. Anyways Thanks again for letting us post comments on here. Maybe the beauty will once more be restored n people will apreciate what it once was and what it will be someday.
It was once quite beautiful. Hurst Mansion was built by Fielding Hurst. He was a prominent man before the Civil War, but became known as the “boogie man” during the War. He was against seceding the Union and became a colonel for the north. Hurst owned a great deal of property and that area was once known as Hurst Nation. This house is the only remaining structure in the town of Purdy of this age. There are no other buildings from the Civil War era, which makes it an important part of the town’s history. He was forced to sell the house and it was owned by quite a few people, but the last family to actually live in the house was the Dodds.
I really wish the house could be restored. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it will be. The current owner has replaced window after window and kids break the new windows. The roof is leaking pretty bad and he had a tarp on it for a while and intended to fix the roof in order to start work on the inside but what is the point when they won’t leave the house alone? Anything he does, they mess up. It’s sad that someone has an interest in restoring this house and vandals prevent him from doing so.
i am so sorrry that there is people out there that does things like that.. I just would like for my youth group to be able to tour it..if is where they are able to there will be about 4 parents with them.
As of three weeks ago, the owner stated that he did not intend to have the tours this year. He was recently injured and is still recovering (broke his leg in two places)–not sure if he feels up to it or not at this point. Last year, he was there giving tours past 3 AM. I will ask today and find out if he is feeling up to it and has changed his mind. Someone said they heard something on the radio about the tour, but I’m not sure if this was a mistake or he has changed his mind. I will find out today.
The thing is, he understands the fascination with the house and really doesn’t mind people touring the house while he is there. He is annoyed by the people breaking in and trashing the place. (Some of them broke windows to get in and then broke windows elsewhere in the house to amuse themselves.) As a result, he has begun to prosecute those found on the property without permission. I’m sure you understand that. BUT…if you catch him there, he is more than happy to let you go in. He hasn’t been there much lately since he broke his leg, but the caretaker is watching over it.
I will find out this afternoon if he will be allowing tours this year and let you know. If he does, he will only allow groups of five to go in at a time because the floors are weak in spots and he is concerned about too many people being inside at once (weight on the floors) for fear that someone may get hurt.
The house is for sale if intersted contact my email
The owner is now interested in selling the house. If you are interested, contact him (Tim) at nouglytrucks@yahoo.com.
hi my name is nina and i am kin to fielding hurst through my fathers side. for many years i have wanted to find information about him and the house. if it would help my grand fathers name was elmer hurst he married cora ethel hurst and my father is gail hurst. if you could i would like for you to send me as much info as you can possibly find.. thank you this would mean alot to me.
NINA
Hi, Nina. At this time, I am absolutely swamped with personal and family obligations but I can point you in the right direction: Genforums.com. Take a look at the Hurst portion of the site and you will find loads of information. If you are unable to find what you’re looking for, email me in a few weeks at tnhauntings@writersbeacon.com and if I have time I’ll see what I can dig up. 🙂
Do you realize that your blog has brought attention to a family cemetery. My relatives are buried in your picture above. I have taken many pictures in that cemetery and have never gotten an orb, although I have taken many pictures which have contained orbs in other locations. But your attention to this cemetery making it a circus is why there is damage. Not one stone in this cemetery which has the buried remains of the founders of a fabulous, sophisticated, pre Civil War town of Purdy has been saved. Even the iron fence in that picture was stolen just a month ago. People who damage cemeteries should be cursed in this life and the one after. I have also never gotten an orb in any picture of the Hurst house. The lovely family of the Dodds took out any bad vibes, if there were any. Leave that poor cemetery alone. Real people are buried who are still loved. If you truly want to study the after life don’t do it as a circus.
That house looks like it was beautiful . I went by the house one night with some friends and seen someone up there in the middle window that looked like a ghost , to be honest i think there are ghost or spirits in there and its cool but kinda spooky.
It WAS beautiful and could be again, but vandals continue to tear up the house. (Trespassers will be prosecuted.)
did the Tornado get the house?
I have been wondering if it received any damage but have yet to find out.
I absolutely love this house. I have always wandered who owned it and why they didn’t fix it up. I live about a mile from it towards the airport. I can remember when we were younger we would ride by to see if we could see anything “ghostly” going on. I remember one night about 14 yrs. ago we were riding thru and noticed a light was on in the house. Pretty amazing since there was not supposed to be any electricity and if I’m not mistaking the the first floor windows on the front may have been boarded up but you could definately see the lock on the outside of the door was locked. I was driving and couldn’t believe what I had seen and at first no one else in the noticed, I had to turn around. When we drove back by everyone else got to see the light it was like the room right behind the door and room above the door were both lit up. So you know the girls with us were freaking out but they had no idea I was also. We turned back around made one more pass and yes it was still on. We left it that and have never seen anything else, but that one time was enough. I’ve always wanted to be able to get to go inside and check it out and I understand the owners frustrations with trying to preserve the place. I wish someone could restore it and even the old graveyard across the road which has also fallen victim to vandels who have overturned the tombstones and such. I wish him the best of luck with the house I hope he doesn’t sell it, I’d like to see it finished. I’d hate for someone to buy it and tear it down. Maybe he can find someway to keep them out.
The house is a big part of the history of that area–it’s the oldest building there. However, it looks like it will not be fixed. I believe the owner has lost interest. It’s a shame that people can’t see the historical value of this home.
It truly is a shame. There’s so much history behind the house and the surrounding area. When the Dodds brothers owned the house, they tried dilligently to get the house put on the national historic registry. Apparently it was going to cost way to much money. The city bought the house from the Dodds’ and was going to turn it into a museum. I guess, again, money was the issue and it never happened.
Yea I agree. The only historical value this area has anything to do with is Bufford Pusser (I’m really not a big fan of him but everyone else is).
I hate the fact that communities will let these old home places rot. Surely if it was put out on the web there would be people that wanted to help out. I figure a really good fence with a good solid 220v, lots of lights, and cameras would keep unwanted people out.
Anyway you said you have info on the Hurst family? My boss’ name is Thomas Jeff Hurst III, does this name show up anywhere? I know his mother lives somewhere in the Michie/Guys area and thought he may be related. I’ll ask him to see what he knows.
What I know about the Hurst family pertains mostly to Fielding, his wife, his siblings and his daughter. I don’t know much about the family after the early 1900’s. It’s not something I researched beyond that. (I’m no relation to Hurst–just someone who enjoys history.)
Buford Pusser–It’s a shame that the county has embraced a figure from the 20th century and labeled it as the important history of the county. He is an insignificant piece of history in the grand scheme of things, in my humble opinion. The history of that area is so rich–starting over one hundred years before Pusser’s birth. Just a shame.
I mentioned an electric fence. I also mentioned running a hot wire to the metal doorknobs and placing bear traps under the windows. Liability, he says. Destruction of private property, I say. I truly feel like the Mansion should be restored as a Civil War Museum. Think of what a tourist attraction that would be. I would be first in line to see it.
Also one more thing I read above about the Dodds who owned the house at one time. Several years ago again 14-15 years some old church hymnals and some other books were left in a car by a girl who said they were from this house. I didn’t know the girl and had only met her once or twice. I figured she would come back for them eventually but she never did. I believe a name in one of the books is Mary Dodds tho I’m not certain. But if you could give Cassandra Fuller my email I’d be happy to return these books to her and her family. I put them up and haven’t ever done anything with them, they are still on the same shelf they have been on all these years. I had actually forgot about them until I read this page, which I mistakenly stumbled upon while searching for pics of the tornado damage at Purdy. Thank You so very much.
Hello Jason. I’m not sure how many books you have, but I would love to have them. Mary Dodds was my great aunt on my father’s side. She and her sister Bessie had an upright piano in the front bedroom that they used to play. When Bessie passed away, the family cleaned up the house. I became the proud owner of the piano and some of their hymnals/books. I never got a chance to go back and get any of the remaining books so it would be great to have them. My email address is thefullers05@charter.net. Please email me with more information. Thank you. Cassandra Fuller
Cassandra, there is a piano on the first floor in the room on the left of the front door. It was there when the current owner purchased the house and it was assumed to belong to the Dodds. It is pictured above. Were there two pianos in the house by chance?
No Bessie and Mary just had one piano and it just happened to be in that room. The piano in the photo didn’t belong to the Dodds’. To the best of my knowledge, there was a gentleman who did piano repair and tuning. He used the old barn across the street from the house to store pianos i guess for parts. That piano was still in somewhat good condition, so he kept it in the house. I’m not sure of his name, I can check with my dad to see if he knows.
So that is where the piano came from! Interesting.
Cssandra how are you kin to mary abd Bessie?
Hey Jessica! I was reading your post and thought how wild this is! I am the grand-daughter of Clarence Raymond Dodds who was Bessie and Mary’s brother. I don’t know much about the Dodds side of the family other than what Grandaddy would tell us and what my dad knew. I remember being at Bessie and Mary’s house in Purdy and meeting Uncle Nelson, so i’m assuming that’s probably your dad?/ i don’t know. I’d love to hear from you to see how we’re related. My email is thefullers05@charter.net. Hope to hear from you!
Well I made a loop over by the house and the graveyard this past Sunday (I told the owner I would go by and help him keep an eye on the place and help keep people out). The tornado missed it, it got close tho within a few hundred yards. Its been awhile since I have actually been over there and was in awe at how much the house has went down in the past few years. I did manage to get a few pictures(from the road because I didn’t ask permission to actually go on the land or in the house) that I would send in but don’t know how to do that with my iPhone without having to load them onto a computer. I could email them to the tnhauntings@writersbeacon.com address above if this is ok. A couple of the pics which I have wrote off as being a reflection from the clouds looks like someone in the window to the right of door on the second floor and appears to have their hand raised towards the glass. You can even make out the joints on the thumb and fingers. But again I wrote it off to reflections but it looks cool.
I have lived in Selmer since 94 and have lived in this area since 97 and have only discovered the myths and legends and truth about this man when I come across this page. It sparked a curiosity and I have been reading web site after web site to learn more and I’m planning to buy the book Hurst’s Wurst before long to learn more. I find this a very interesting story and have even got my son who will be in the eighth grade next year excited to do a report on him. So I would love to get any info on Fielding or the house or his family or Purdy or the Wharton gang (which is said that Fielding and his troops killed for breaking his sisters hip while stealing sheets off her bed and murdering his nephew). Anyway any info on anything related to these would be great. I’d like for my son to have all the info we can get and be studying it over the summer preparing for his report. You can email me at jwoodruff11@yahoo.com
Thank You.
I would love to see them. Yes, please email them to that address. Fielding Hurst—it’s an interesting history, isn’t it? They called him the boogey man and people still speak as if he is the devil incarnate. I feel he was driven to his actions.
Yeah. Based on what my dad has told me about the history of the house and Col. Fielding Hurst, he wasn’t such a good man. From what my dad’s father told him (and he lived in the house most of his life) story goes that Fielding didn’t build the house, he stole it from the family who owned it. I don’t remember who they were, but apparently Hurst was an evil man. He definitely had some issues.
Hurst was driven to his deeds, but considering it was during war his deeds weren’t all that different from anyone else’s. The issue most people had was that he was a colonel for the North. Southerners, of course, didn’t like that at all. Hurst was jailed for treason because he voiced his disapproval of seceding the Union at a town meeting. He killed the Wharton gang after they murdered his nephew in front of his mother. They broke her hip and pulled the boy out of the field. They shot him and hung his body from a tree in front of her. He was enraged and he murdered the people responsible. If he had been a soldier for the South and committed these deeds, I wonder if anything would have ever been said. I sincerely doubt it.
Fielding built the house. He was a man with wealth before the war began.
He may have been driven to his actions, and I can’t blame a man for defending his family regardless of him being northern or southern. I don’t know what I’d do if someone came after mine, I have five children and would defend them to the end. As for my siblings I have two brothers and Dad raised us to take care of eachother, no one gets bullied without the brothers stepping up. This even extends on out to the cousins, we are always there when needed, and so are they.
Seems to me they should have just left well enough alone, let him speek his mind and let him go on his merry way.
The people brought his wrath upon themselves and once the door was opened for the spirit of vengence and hatred to come in it did and it took control of him.
And seems that once he tasted the blood he couldn’t quit. Kinda like the old saying about a dog is no good once it tastes human blood because then he’ll want to bite or chew on anybody. He becomes a dog no one wants to mess with or be around because they fear him and the only way to stop it is to put him down.
Sounds like ole Fielding was the same way.
I don’t believe he was an evil man for say, just driven to a point where he was weakened enough for evil to take him over. There is a difference.
The Hurst mansion has new owners and they are currently giving tours of the house for halloween. They say a lot of creep stuff has happened to them since they have been doing this. If anyone wants to see it just go by there, they are giving tours… at night I think.
I still don’t understand why the house is haunted though, if Hurst didn’t even die there? I have heard lots of stories, one saying that a father or brother lost his mind and killed his whole family in that house, but I haven’t read anything legitimate on this. Also, I have heard from several people that if you go in there when it’s raining you can see the blood stains on the walls or carpet of something (blood stains from what, I am not sure of).
I am a Hurst by blood my grandmother was a Hurst and I can’t tell you how PROUD!!!!!! I am of that ! we all have a rage inside us that can be brought out as evil or anything else you wanna call it, the woman whose sheets were stolen was on her deathbed they stole the very sheets from under her and broke her hip, her son who I’m told was 16 year’s of age was pulled from the field he was working in and slaughtered by the Whorten gang his body was said to have been mutilated and tied to a tree, Fielding was so enraged by what he came back home and found that he found the gang and killed them and I’m told used the body’s as mile markers . Funny no one ever talks about how EVIL the gang of men who did this cowardly and terrible thing they are the only one’s to be victims , can you imagine how you would feel your poor sick and dieing sister in law and your nephew being done like that. Today we have the law to deal out justice but in those days of war the only justice was self made and it made Fielding a terrible name .Thank you atorturedsoul for telling the truth in those day’s men lived by different rules and I don’t think that made them evil if so then there are millions of folks who deserve there own bad names if you want to learn more Fielding history you should come to one of the Hurst reunions. He had a lot of sadness in his life !!! I can’t tell you how PROUD I am to be handed down from Hurst Nation ! I have honestly had that printed on a tee-shirt that I wear with pride!
WOW this is really crazy to find! My name is Jessica Dodds my Grandfather owned the house William Nelson Dodds Sr His sister Mary Dodds was a teacher. His other sister Bessie Dodds lived in that home in the 80’s till she was placed in a home. I have tons of information on the house and the Dodds family. The house is not haunted! But a great story to tell my friends and for my Pappy to tell me! I have a lot of the furniture that came from the house. If someone could have the owner contact me i would love to come visit. my email jesslynnedodds@gmail.com
Do you know how I can get ahold of the owners to ask about renting for a wedding?