70-9-501. Sale of unclaimed baggage -- notice. (1) Whenever any trunk, carpetbag, valise, box, bundle, or other baggage comes into the possession of the keeper of any hotel, inn, boardinghouse, or lodginghouse, as such, and remains unclaimed for the period of 6 months, such keeper may proceed to sell the same at public auction and out of the proceeds of such sale may retain the charges for storage, if any, and the expense of advertising and sale thereof.

(2) But no such sale shall be made until the expiration of 4 weeks from the first publication of notice of such sale in a newspaper published in or nearest the city, town, or place in which said hotel, inn, boardinghouse, or lodginghouse is situated.

(3) Said notice shall be published once a week for 4 successive weeks in some newspaper, daily or weekly, of general circulation and shall contain:

(a) a description of each trunk, carpetbag, valise, box, bundle, or other baggage, as near as may be;

(b) the name of the owner, if known;

(c) the name of said keeper and the time and place of sale.

(4) The expenses incurred for advertising shall be a lien upon such trunk, carpetbag, valise, box, bundle, or other baggage, in a ratable proportion, according to the value of such piece of property or thing or article sold.