NATCHEZ — Persistence has paid off in the City of Natchez’s attempts to summon Arlington owner Dr. Thomas Vaughan to court.

Building Inspector Paul Dawes said the retired doctor was successfully served a citation for neglect of the historic property Friday.

“Hallelujah,” Dawes exclaimed while en route back to Natchez.

But before Dawes pulled up to Vaughan’s gated community, he enlisted the help of the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.

“I went to the sheriff’s department, got the sheriff’s department to deliver the summons to (Vaughan) and gave them the code to get past the gate,” Dawes said.

“(Vaughan) was home fortunately, and the summons was served without incident.”

Dawes would not reveal how he obtained the code to the gate.

“That’s the secret I can’t tell. I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” Dawes said.

Dawes said a Hinds County sheriff’s deputy hand delivered the citation to Vaughan at approximately 10 a.m. Friday.

“Hopefully (Vaughan) will correct the problem at Arlington,” Dawes said. “The ultimate goal is to protect that house and see it gets the proper care it deserves.”

Dawes said Vaughan is scheduled to appear in municipal court Nov. 13. Whether Vaughan will show up is now the ultimate question.

If Vaughan does not make a court appearance, he could face a failure to appear charge, a criminal offense.