Confusion erupts over Rockcliffe Mansion status

Jim Gillette says he and his wife still have a contract on Rockcliffe Mansion in Hannibal.
Confusion surfaced when Gillette asked for an extension of Thursday’s inspection deadline for the tourist attraction at 1000 Bird.
“We have not withdrawn our contract,” Gillette said in an e-mail Friday morning. “We had ask for additional time to complete our inspections and that was denied. Therefore, we sent our notification to the bankruptcy court as to our findings and expect to close on the property.”
A judge recently approved a $710,000 bid from Gillette and his wife, Robin.
The Gillettes already have made a $35,000 down payment. The couple also is interested in buying shuttered Hannibal amusement park Sawyer’s Creek.
The Gillettes have said they plan to make major renovations at Rockcliffe.
In August, Ken and Lisa Marks of Maplewood made an offer of $700,000 to buy the house, but missed a Sept. 30 deadline to arrange financing.
A Colorado couple bid $705,000, but withdrew the offer after a visit.
The confusion came when bankruptcy trustee John S. Hodge sent an e-mail Thursday to the Markses saying he would lease Rockcliffe to the couple through December.
“The Gillettes wanted an additional extension and I refused to grant it,” Hodge said in the e-mail. “Thus we need to start over. If you want to buy Rockcliffe, send me the money.”
Lisa Marks said she and her husband were “stunned” by the developments. The couple has leased the mansion since September and continues to offer daily tours.
The Courier-Post will have more on this story later on www.hannibal.net and in Saturday’s print edition.