By: Joseph Miller

Tweets are not a new thing.

Over 160 years before Tweets were unleashed on the earth, cities had their own version of Twitter.  A series of Dots and Dashes known as Morse Code made up the communicatons backbone of the world.

Amazingly, it took until 1868 before Europe was connected to the U.S.A. via the WWT (The World Wide Telegraph cable). This cable (developed by Seimens) was actually laid underneath the ocean between continents with a tall sailing ship. Although to us it seems antiquated, this new form of communication would have appeared like today’s 4G network compared to the ocean going mailbags it replaced.

Due to the cost per word most communications involved less than 20 words. This is approximately the same size as the Twitter 140 character tweet.  These short bursts of Morse Code were tapped out and transmitted between distant locations by telegraph operators. These men (I have discovered no evidence that women ever performed this task) had the uncanny ability to quickly tap out (send) or interpret (receive) these clicking text messages or tweets.  As specialized employees, telegraph operators were usually very bright and some of the highest paid employees in the world.

In fact, Thomas Edison, was rewarded with Morse Code lessons in return for saving the life of the son of a locomotive manager.  He quickly perfected this unique talent and exceeded the average 42 wpm sending speed.

Though most cities had national and international news transmitted in this fashion and then printed in its paper, Jacksonville’s Times-Union newspaper published local personal information, too. Based on the volume of messages printed, it must have been very popular.

Hotels soon got into the act and published arrivals and departures. This may have played the role of a security system used to prevent hotel guests from running out on their bills. For example: If John D’meany had stayed at the Tremont Hotel in January and left without paying, the hotel owner might be on the lookout for a newspaper report notifying all that Mr. D’meany arrived today from Augusta and will stay at the Hotel Duval.

Here are a few of the 1890 Jacksonville, Florida, tweets:

Mrs. C. B. Towns returned from her summer outing yesterday.
W.A. Gilbert leaves for St. Paul, Minnesota, today on a brief business trip.
Bert Fisher, a traveling representative of Chicago, is at the Tremont.
N.E. French of the Southern Express Company is registered at the Tremont.
J.A. Davis was an arrival at the Carleton yesterday from Washington, D.C.
M.V. Osborne, traveling salesman for the Standard Oil Company, is in the city.
Wm. L. Murphy, a popular traveling salesman Baltimore, M.D., is at the Tremont
Walter Dobson of Macon, Ga., passed through the city yesterday en route to Cedar Key.
M. Entenes, a well-know cigar manufacturer of St. Augustine, was in the city yesterday.
E.D. Shaw, business manager of the Effle Ellsler Company, is registered at the Tremont
E.D. Swann arrived in the city yesterday from Fernandina, and is stopping at the Carlston.
G.H. Hubb, agent for the Mallory Steamship Company at Fernandina, came over yesterday.
Harry I. Green, the well-known stenographer, leaves today for Atlanta, Ga., on a business trip.
J.F. VanSann of New York was in the city yesterday for a short time and a guest of the Carleton.
George N. Pratt, a wealthy cosmopolitan and one of the pioneer business men of Chicago, is in the city.
E.S. Spencer, acting assistant superintendent of the J, T. & K. W, railway, went to Palatka yesterday.
W.L. Murphy, a well-known commercial traveler, representing House, Hampetone & Co., of Baltimore, M.D., is in the city.
W. C. Camrone and wife, who have been visiting relatives north, stopped at the Tremont yesterday on their way home to Orange City.
J.H. White and Thos. M. Capers, the former representing R.D. Knight & Co. and the latter Porter Bros. of this city, are domietted [registered] at the Tremont.
W.F. Sawyer has had a handsome pine desk and railing put in his office.
Attention is called to the advertisement of the Florida Detective Agency.
The steamship Iroquoia arrives today, and the Seminole sails at 1:30 p.m.
The Jacksonville Gun club will have a blendly shoot this afternoon.
The schooner J.B. Holden, Captain Haskell, is in from New York.
Fishermen who came to town yesterday report seeing a large number of dead fish in the river.
A final decree was rendered by Judge Young yesterday In the case of DeWitt vs. Richardson.
Mrs. John L. Doggett and infant returned home on Friday last from their Western trip.
Mr. and Mrs. O.I. Keene leave on Thursday morning for their regular fall trip to New York.
Mrs. George W. Wilson and children will leave the city on Saturday for their home at Oak Lawn.
Mrs. William H. Christopher is visiting her aunt at her lovely home, Charlotte on the St. Lawrence River.
Mrs. R.B.Hillyard and children will return to the city from Hendersonville on the 11th of this month.
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Wightman and their young son Charlie will go North in a week or two for a brief visit.
Mrs. Van Deman and daughter, Miss Fay Van Deman, who have spent the summer in Kentucky, are again at home.
Mrs. D.P. Upton, with her son and daughter, arrived Monday from their visit to their former home in Syracuse, N.Y.
Irene Brereton returned on the steamship Iroquoia yesterday from a vacation of six weeks spent mostly in New York.

Maybe the technology changes but history does repeat itself.

The End   - …. . / . -. -..

Jacksonville’s Treaty Oak
Jessie Ball DuPont Park

THE ONLY SURVIVING WITNESS TO THE BIRTH OF JACKSONVILLE

Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me,
And I’ll protect it now.
George Pope Morris, 1860

Jacksonville Florida’s famous Treaty Oak is the only attraction remaining of the once famous Dixieland Park amusement complex. Dwarfed while standing beside Jacksonville Florida’s famous Treaty Oak tree (Southern Live Oak), one can almost hear the sounds of people screaming, people laughing and carnival ride noises emanating from the area that once occupied the property surrounding this enormous arboreal wonder (*Quercus* *virginiana*). The outcome of an errant acorn blown to its location by wind or dropped by a bird, it is hard to imagine something so small could result in something so tremendously huge.

“The Giant Oak”, as it was known for one hundred years or more, is located in Treaty Oak Park bordered by Main Street and the St. Johns River on the Southbank. Even at the ripe old age of 200, 250 or as some suggest 300 years old; one can still touch, climb on or just picnic under a tree that has withstood the entire history of Jacksonville, Florida (founded 1832).  Actually, Treaty Oak (1760) sprouted 16 years before the founding of our country and a full 31 years before Cowford (1791-1832), as Jacksonville was previously known.

With a circumference of nearly 24 1/2 feet and limbs stretching out like octopus limbs from its trunk over 30 yards east and 30 yards west, one cannot help but call this survivor of the past, magnificent.

In fact, since the invention of still photography you have to believe that every citizen of Jacksonville and hundreds of thousands of visitors has posed with this proud old photogenic natural monstrosity.

Images captured at the turn of the 19th century show small homes built directly under Treaty Oak’s canopy. If you look closely enough, small light bulbs are visible. These were part of the early electrical display in 1907 which attracted many tourists interested in seeing Treaty Oak illuminated and the new futuristic advancement known as electrical lighting.

During this period, a bronze plaque attached directly to the tree contained the following statement:

The oldest and largest tree in Florida, 160 feet across under the branches. At noon, it shades a space of 190 feet in diameter. Students of forestry say it is over 400 years old. The body of the tree is over 9 feet in circumference. It was Osceola’s favorite camp ground and was generally used for Indian councils of war.

Though we now believe the tree to be 250 years old, this is the only mention that could be found linking Indians and especially Osceola to the tree.

In the 1960’s, developers attempted to build structures directly up to Treaty Oak’s limbs, but luckily local support, bolstered by the city’s newspaper (The Florida Times-Union), saved the tree and its surrounding property. It was actually one of its staff writers, Roland (Pat) Moran (now deceased) who gave “The Giant Oak” the honorary title Treaty Oak. It was honorary since no official record exists to describe the fact that a treaty was ever signed at Treaty Oak.

Today, buildings encroach the once hallowed grounds north of the tree. But, thanks to the quick thinking by local women’s groups and a donation from philanthropist Jessie Ball DuPont, the remaining undeveloped area south of the tree was purchased and saved for all to enjoy.

It is hard to imagine and maybe morbid to discuss the death of Treaty Oak, but all things die. It could happen by old age, high winds (a downblast several years ago eliminated an entire park of Jacksonville’s treasured 100 year-old oaks), hurricanes or even a devilish act.

In 1988, a crazed ex-convict fatally damaged a similar cherished ancient 500-year-old oak tree in Austin, Texas, ominously named Treaty Oak.

Arborists did everything in their power to save the tree but finally, the tree died. Angry citizens of Austin demanded severe punishment for the criminal. The man was sentenced to 9 years. Just months after his sentence and conviction he was released from jail. The Judge claimed that the man had “suffered enough” for the crime, but even so, the 500-year-old tree was still dead.

Perhaps we should take this as a lesson and erect an 8 foot fence around the park to be locked after dark? At a minimum, the city should create a three dimensional scan of Treaty Oak. Then it would be possible to construct an artificial reproduction of Jacksonville’s natural wonder for all to enjoy for years to come. Don’t laugh at the idea. Walt Disney World created a 15-story (145 ft. tall) 50-foot wide artificial tree (Tree of Life) in its Disney Animal Kingdom park, complete with a 300 seat auditorium underneath.

In order to confirm the age of Treaty Oak, we contacted Jacksonville Electric Authority’s (JEA) Forester, Michael Robinson. His nearly 30 years of experience in the field truly establishes him as an expert. Mike explained that he doesn’t work alone. JEA’s forestry team also includes Foresters Joe Dunbar and Brad Norton and Arborist, Landall Demby.

Mike stated that, “Oak trees by their nature grow rapidly leading to enormous sizes and misleading age estimates. Given the right conditions, an oak can grow as quickly as five inches of diameter per year, though most grow ½ to 1 inch per year. Normally, oak trees grown in urban areas are dwarfed by their inability to extend its root line. Naturally, its roots will extend to the end of the trees canopy. But, a tree in a rural setting (as Treaty Oak used to be) and near plenty of water will extend its roots nearly twice the length of its canopy. To answer your question, most professional arborists who have examined Treaty Oak believe it to be approximately 250 years old.”

When questioned about the trees impending demise, Mike said, “Unless it is a natural disaster, Treaty Oak will probably not die in our lifetime. Given its health, continued care, and other safety precautions, I expect it will live another 100 years or more.” Mike explained that lightning rods have been placed on the tree to protect it from lightning damage and that the boardwalk installed underneath the tree canopy serves a greater purpose. “It keeps children and adults off the giant roots that are exposed above the top soil. These roots must be protected. Damaging Treaty Oaks above-ground roots could easily kill the tree.”

Interesting enough, the JEA has acted as a surrogate mother to raise thousands of Treaty Oak offspring. Mike said, “This all began in the early 1980’s, when our Forester, Joe Dunbar, as a hobby, started his own personal Treaty Oak tree farm at his home. The JEA considered it such a great idea that it adopted the program and now grows 1000 Treaty Oak saplings per year. These are given to charities and used by JEA to meet state and national legal mandates to replace every oak it must cut down for one reason or another. “I would estimate we’ve planted 5000 baby Treaty Oak trees since its inception.”

JEA donates 100 trees per year to Greenscape for its fundraising. Greenscape sells them at its annual tree sale held in March. Mike is most proud of JEA’s participation with cities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. “We drove over and presented them with 100 7-gallon Treaty Oak trees. It wasn’t much, but they were so appreciative of such a gesture. Who knows, maybe 200 years from now, there will be a giant Treaty Oak offspring in Mississippi.”

Another conservationist and tree lover, Russell Skinner, owner of Skinners Tree Nursery, has grown seedlings from Treaty Oak’s acorns for years.

While visiting Treaty Oak for this story, I met a gentleman who lunches underneath the tree every day, who told this story; “A man approached me and pointed toward Treaty Oak. He was from out of town and was staying at the Hampton Inn next door to the tree. Pointing in the direction of Treaty Oak, he asked, “What is a forest doing in the center of Jacksonville.” I responded, “That is not a forest, it is one single oak tree.” He could not imagine a tree could be so gigantic.” Maybe the signage needs to be improved to inform visitors what is under that canopy. Removing three tiny pieces of
the tree would expose its unique trunk.

Only three stately ancient trees remain in Florida. Be sure to include a trip to Treaty Oak for your family, friends and visitors to our fine state – and, take your camera.

But, we don’t need to rely on the word of a child to know that this “rock from another planet” was gigantic. There were dozens who saw it fall and thousands more that touched it.

In January, 1888, several Florida residents witnessed a “large green streak” falling through the sky. Known as a shooting star, the meteorite was visible throughout the entire southeast. Trying to project its final location and landing zone, each witness pointed to a field nearby where they were standing. Whether they lived in Key West, Miami, Palatka or Jacksonville, they would motion in a particular direction and then say, “Its got to be right over there.”

It turns out that the monstrous meteorite (the envy of the world) fell to the earth in Middleburg, Florida. It was late in the evening when several passersby witnessed its arrival then heard a tremendous “thud.” Every house in the town shook.

Running to farmer J.W. Barber’s newly cultivated land, they approached a smoking hole and right there in front of them was this catch of a rock.

Farmer Barber rode up on his horse in his bedclothes and inquired, “What the hell is all the commotion on my land about?”

“Take a look for yerself, knucklehead,” one man shouted.

Farmer Barber approached the smoldering hole and said, “Just which one of yous dug this hole and burned some wood.”

Shaking his gun like an Indian spear, he said, “I’ll use this on ya. I’ve got rock salt loaded to the top. Doya think I’m crazy?”

Pointing at the large steaming rock, one man shouted, “J.W., have ya ever seen a rock on fire?”

Farmer Barber was now close enough to see the large rock. It had a whiteish appearance and looked similar to a lump of coal just after it was pulled from the fire.

“Now just where did that thing come from?” he inquired. He looked around at everyone, scanning their faces for some type of reaction.

An older boy, unwilling to be shot in the behind said, “Put down that gun and we’ll tell ya.’

The farmer obliged and sat the gun on the ground. Lifting his head back up he noticed that everyone was looking to the sky.

Pointing upward, the boy said, “This is going to sound stupid fer sure, but it fell from up der.”

The farmer, now with a look of disgust shouted, “Now I’ve just about had enough.” He reached down toward the gun when a big man with a badge stepped on its barrel. It was the local sheriff. He said, “They told you the truth J.W., that thing fell from the sky.”

Scratching his head in disbelief, farmer Barber said, “Oh my goodness gracious. Now I’ve seen dang near everything.”

The next morning, farmer Barber was the town’s celebrity. Pointing to the
sky like some kind of expert, he could heard saying, “The thing just dropped from the sky and don’t let me hear ya say ya don’t believe it.” He had taken time to build a wooden fence around the hole in order to preserve his find.

Observing a young boy sticking his head through the fence, farmer Barber shouted, “Boy, don’t get too close now,” People were standing ten deep just to get a peek at his “stone from the heavens.”

A neighbor said, “J.W. you are so lucky. That’s damn near the largest stone from the sky that anyone has ever found.

Suddenly, a man they termed a “city boy” stepped up and said, “You could be right. There were a couple of meteorites that fell in Spain that might be larger but this one is truly a keeper and may be in the record books.”

The timing could not have been better to have a natural amusement enter the earth’s atmosphere. It was just weeks before Florida’s Subtropical Exposition and this was a unique item. Exposition organizers approached the farmer for permission and after guarantees that his land would be returned to its original state; he accepted their offer to remove the iron stone and display it in Jacksonville.

It was not clear whether the farmer requested the meteorites return after its display.

Block and tackle assisted in its removal and placement on a washboard wagon pulled by several horses. The trip from Middleburg to Jacksonville,
Florida, took nearly two full days.

For nearly three years, the 200 pound magnificent piece was displayed in
its special cradle. It was touched, sat on, kissed, prayed to and even
painted. It was stroked by the President of the United States, the First
Lady, the Governor, Mayors of several cities and many other dignitaries.
There were those who brought tools to remove a piece for posterity but none were successful. They left empty-handed.

Sometime during its display, Dr. Hahn, meteorite expert from Germany, traveled to Jacksonville to photograph and examine the meteorite. He exclaimed that he had proof of fossils inside the giant ore and wrote a paper outlining his find. Years later, his claims were discredited.

Sadly, after Jacksonville’s Subtropical Exposition, the meteor was removed and never seen again. There are several newspaper articles published during this time period throughout the world which suggest a group of thieves would acquire meteors for its mineral deposits. They would melt the rock which would separate each individual metal and sell the results to the highest bidder.

Whether this theft occurred or not the Middleburg Meteor has never been seen again.

MOST SIGNIFICANT TO THE STORY IS THE FACT THAT THEIR BIZARRE STORY BEGAN (AS THEY CLAIM) WHEN THEY WERE SWEPT OUT TO SEA IN THEIR BATHING APPAREL NOT AT JACKSONVILLE BEACH BUT IN NEW YORK CITY. IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE THEIR STORY, MAYBE YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO WIRE MONEY TO JACKSONVILLE SO THE TWO BATHING VICTIMS CAN RETURN HOME.

On September 21, 1891, two strangers were found disoriented and walking along Fort Caroline Road. Their Good Samaritan, Joseph DuPont, discovered the man and a woman walking along the dirt road heading toward our city. “They said they were from New York!” exclaimed Joe. “They were very thirsty. They definitely are not from around here. They had no means of transportation.”

It is true! I met Samuel W. Thornton and his sister-in-law Eva Jewell in the lobby of the St. John’s House on Forsyth Street near Pine. Its Proprietress, Mrs. E. Hudnull, said that Joe DuPont dropped the two at her establishment after attempting to drop them at four other hotels. “They were dressed in an uncouth manner but I took pity on them.” She said. “He had twenty dollars. I put him in one room and her in another. I did not know the nature of their relationship.” She displayed the hotel log and there in large print was the signature of Samuel W. Thornton. Just below the name Thornton was the signature of Eva Jewell in a ladies style of handwriting.

According to Mrs. Hudnull, after a huge meal and “three glasses of milk each” they went right to their rooms and fell soundly asleep. When asked if she believe the cockle mammy story, Mrs. Hudnull said, “Something terrible happened to the two of them. Though it is a tall tale for sure.”

Mrs. Hudnull continued the story saying that the next morning they went straight to the Western Union Telegraph company. “He said they sent telegrams to their folks in New York telling them he was alive. Who could make up such a story?”

She showed me the telegram that Thornton sent to his family in New York. It said, “Both Safe. STOP. Had Narrow Escape. STOP. Were carried out to sea. STOP. Want money to get clothes and return. STOP. Send $50. STOP. SAMUEL M. THORNTON. STOP.” Those 22 words cost him a precious dollar which this writer believes no sane person would spend otherwise. Another clue, the message was sent to a William J. Thornton, brother of the storyteller, who is a barber at 409 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

Speaking to William, he said that Samuel’s wife does not believe he is alive but is anxious to hear more about his plight. The barber added that before he would wire the enormous sum of $50 to anyone, he would “need proof of their identification.” When asked how his brother might confirm his identity, William said, “I telegraphed him a message that requested his safe combination. I also asked him to supply another piece of information that only he would know. You realize I would have to cut over 100 heads of hair to afford $50. It is a tall request.”

Up till this writing, Samuel had not responded to his brother’s demand. Asked about what he thinks about that, William responded, “I have received no reply, and I expect none. We are all surprised about the entire story of his supposedly being alive.”

It seems that Yanks from New York are less likely than”us southern folk” to believe the plight of bathing victims. Let alone send their own family money to their aid. This paper has covered many a story of local citizens being dragged out to sea, never to be found again. This tale is not totally unbelievable and the staff at the paper hopes it is true. This story should be more about how family would not jump on a train and come to Jacksonville to find out in person if their loved one is alive. Everyone asked at the paper said that is what they would do.

We spoke with his brother-in-law, Claude Styles, who stated that no one in New York can believe this story. Mr. Styles is employed with New York Life Insurance Company in New York. Mr. Styles said, “I asked him for details about several family matters. He has not responded to me, either.”

Here is the total story as told with a straight face by Samuel Thornton. Twenty-five days ago, on August 25, 1891, he and his 25 year old sister-in-law donned bathing apparel and visited the beach. He said they entered the water and splashed in the waves. Suddenly, without warning, the two were dragged out to sea. It was necessary for him to support Ms. Jewell since she had no knowledge of swimming. Just as the two had lost sight of land and gave up all hope of survival, a large log floated their way. Physically, they were completely exhausted. They held tightly to the log until with God’s grace, a small ship passed their way and spotted them.

A Spanish Schooner rescued the two from certain death. They had both swallowed enough water to fill a large glass. Ms. Jewell was in the worst shape. The crew worked on both of them in order to save their lives. Mr. Thornton said only the Captain could speak English and very little at that. He refused to take the two to land. Ms. Jewell was delirious for 13 days. When Mr. Thornton insisted that they be taken to shore, the Captain flagged a passing vessel and passed them to it.

The new schooner was headed for the Yucatan. Mr. Thornton said he assisted the crew while Ms. Jewel cooked and cleaned dishes for their passage. After much begging, a small boat was lowered and the two were taken to the closest sand bar near Jacksonville. The crew took pity on the two and raised enough money to provide them $20 dollars and rags of clothing. They were very appreciative.

On September 23, 1891, the Florida Times-Union printed a story about this wave-swepted couple titled “Samuel and his “Jewell”.” In it, they described a telegraph that his brother sent on September 22nd. It read, “To S. W. Thornton. Stop. Money has been telegraphed. Stop. Wire us where to meet you. Stop. Will. Stop.”

Will is his brother William J. Thornton, who is his brother and business partner.

The Florida Times-Union received the following telegram from the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper, “Send the latest developments about the Thornton matter. STOP. It looks at this end of the line as if the whole thing was a bold strike for money. STOP. A.C. Burton. STOP. City Editor of the ‘Eagle.’ STOP.”

Many people in New York had contacted the Eagle with supposition that the castaway Thornton “as they called him” was a big “song and dance.” They suggested that he just ran away with his sister-in-law and was using the castaway story as a way to avoid detection.

The Times-Union had this to add. “Thornton’s every appearance, however, was that of an honest man, and Miss Jewell would certainly impress one as being incapable of any such duplicity.”

By noon on September 22nd, Thornton received a wire for $50. It stated “pay S. W. Thornton $50.” Thornton immediately walked to the Ocean Steamship Company on West Bay Street and purchased two second-class tickets for New York, via Savannah, Georgia. He stopped by a store and bought Miss Jewell a white flannel gown “so she would be presentable for travel.” The Time-Union writer added, “She looked very pretty in it.”

A strange turn of events occurred just after the tickets were purchased. As the two were returning to the hotel, a man approached the pair at the corner of Hudnall and Forsyth and insinuated that he had served them on a train from New Orleans several days earlier. “I have never seen you in my life!” exclaimed Thornton. “You are entirely mistaken, sir.”

The conductor was emphatic that he and W.R. Carter, editor of the Metropolis newspaper had seen the pair. Carter asked Miss Jewell, “Didn’t I see you in the New Orleans sleeper last Saturday?” To which Miss Jewell replied, “I saw you a few minutes ago, when you called my room, but before that I never had seen you in my life.” She was stone faced and did not hesitate on her reply. If she were guilty they wrote she was “game.”

The couple quickly returned to the Waycross train depot and changed their tickets from leaving at 6:30 pm to leaving at 1:10 pm. To the local observer it appeared they were attempting to elude questions.

Before the train left for Savannah, a Times-Union report was able to ask Thornton again about the conductor’s questions. Thornton leaned out the passenger window and said, “This is a cruel lie that they tell about us. We reached Jacksonville just exactly as I told the Times-Union reporter. I admit that the story is a strange one, and that makes some people suspicious. Why even my own brother could not believe me at first! But, he sent the money just the same.”

The train pulled away from the station and the two disappeared into the engine smoke.

The last word of the couple was published by the Florida Times-Union on September 30th in an article titled, “Castaway Sam in Court.” It discussed a religious tribunal held in Brooklyn regarding the Elder Samuel H. Thornton, of Mount Olive Presbyterian Church. The meeting was private but its verdict (not legally binding) was made public. At the end of the tribunal, the majority of the elders voted in favor of Thornton, created a document which included that, “Mr. Thornton’s story was believed, but owning to the minority, a clause was inserted to the effect that verification would be necessary.” If Mr. Thornton could not provide proof of the event, disciplinary action would occur.

Now, nearly 120 years have passed since this truly strange event. We may never know the entire truth about the day when the “Castaways from New York” washed up on Jacksonville’s beach.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS PATROLING THE ST. JOHNS RIVER NOTICED TWO MEN FLEEING THE SCENE OF A SINKING SHIP ON DUNN’S CREEK. THEIR BOAT WAS PERSUED UNTIL THE SUSPECTS ABANDONED IT AND SWAM TO SHORE. THEY WERE LAST SEEN RUNNING TOWARD JACKSONVILLE. INSIDE THE GETAWAY BOAT THEY FOUND A NOTE NAMING THE PERPETRATOR. THE TWO ARE STILL AT LARGE.

Exactly one year after he joined the Confederate Army, April 1862, 18-year-old Charles Cornelius Hemming was assigned (or volunteered for) the dangerous task of sinking two Confederate blockade running ships. Union forces were moving toward Jacksonville up the St. Johns River and Confederate forces would rather scuttle the ships than allow the Union to add them to its fleet. Hemming’s signed official orders spelled out the specific mission:

Hemming, you are to acquire a small boat by any means possible and paddle to the Steamer “St. Marys” and the Yacht “America.” Sink them immediately. They must not be captured by enemy forces. Both ships are located on Dunn’s Creek. God Speed. Signed, Commanding Officer J.J. Dickison.

Hemming’s only request of his superiors was that if he were caught or killed, that his parents would not be told of his mission.

The men acquired a small boat (row boat or canoe) and paddled first to the steamer “St. Marys.” After boring 2” auger holes in its bottom, the boat sank. No official or unofficial document records the number of holes drilled in the “St. Marys” hull. Next they paddled to the “America.” According to a witness documented in a Federal report, they bored three 2 inch auger holes forward and two 2 inch auger holes aft. The America sunk quickly in shallow water near the shore.

Union naval officers placed flags in the water marking its location and followed the terrorists.

During his illustrious Confederate career, Jacksonville’s Charles Hemming (the so-called terrorist) was; responsible for sinking the “St. Marys” and “America”, wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga, captured at the Battle of Missionary Ridge in Tennessee, a Union prisoner for one year in Federal Prison, aided in escaping prison dressed as a Union soldier, a spy entering Union camps, captured and escaped three times, and was a courier of secret documents to the Confederate front line. At the end of the Civil War he was promoted to Sergeant Major of the 1st Florida Consolidated Regiment for his “Meritorious Conduct as a Soldier.” He had recently celebrated his 21st birthday.

Sergeant Major Charles Cornelius Hemming is best known for his 1898 donation of the Confederate War Memorial placed in St. James Park, located at downtown Jacksonville. The park was renamed in his honor one year later to “Hemming Plaza.”

For more information about Hemming, click here.

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YACHT “AMERICA” (1851 – 1945)

WINNER OF THE FIRST AMERICA’S CUP TROPHY IN HISTORY – AND, ITS NAMESAKE

In 1851, five members of the New York Yacht Club formed a syndicate to construct a sailboat unlike any in the world.  They planned to take it to England to demonstrate the United States ship building capabilities and to race it against the finest sailing ships in the Queen’s fleet.  These races, if won, would pay huge dividends.  The design the men selected was one preferred by harbor pilots.  In order to get work, the pilots had designed sleek, fast sailboats to get to the inbound paying clients first.

Known as a “Gaff Schooner” design, the men christened it the “America.”  Its length overall was 101 feet while at the water line it measured 90 feet.  It was captained by one of the most experienced pilot captains in the area, Richard Brown. The 8 man crew was just as well versed at sailing.  Three other men joined the crew as spectators; George Steers, Steers’ brother and his nephew.

On June 21st, after dry-docking for painting, the America set sail for England.  It arrived on July 11, 1851, and was the talk of the town.  It turned out that news of its construction preceded its arrival and experienced boaters were well aware of its speed.  Only one sailboat “the Lavrock” entertained its request for a race.  British papers reported that it held its own against the America but America’s captain refuted the report and claimed to have beaten it handily.

The Royal Yacht Squadron’s annual yacht race, which included any British sailboat, presented the winner the Queens Cup known as the “One Hundred Guinea Cup.”  Queen Victoria made it an annual event to watch the race and present the winners’ trophy.  The Queen modified the rules of the race to allow the “America” to participate.  In fact, in order to let it race, she opened the race to the entire world.

At 10:00 a.m., August 22, 1851, seven schooners and eight trawlers left the starting line on the 53-mile race.  Even with a fouled anchor and a broken jib boom, the America made winning look easy.  It was written that the Queen upon seeing the America enter the harbor asked, “Who was second?” at which point someone shouted, “There is no second, Your Majesty.”  America beat the closest competitor by eight minutes even with errors putting it 20 minutes behind.

From this moment on, the “One Hundred Guinea Cup” was renamed the “America’s Cup.”

Less than 10 days later, a British Baron, Jean de Blaquiere, 2nd Baron de Blaquiere, impressed with America’s performance purchased it for an “enormous sum of money.”  He raced it over the next five years but without the original Captain and crew, it sailed like most other vessels.

Disappointed, the Baron sold it in 1856 to Henry Upton, who renamed it Camilla.  After only two years, Upton sold it to Henry Sotheby Pitcher.  Pitcher, a shipbuilder, refitted the Camilla and sold it to Henry Edward Decie in 1861.

The Confederate States of America had requested Decie purchase the ship and paid him to Captain it throughout North Florida in order to run Union blockades established in the St. Johns River.  It was docked in the Jacksonville vicinity.

When Union troops were seen approaching Jacksonville, orders were drawn up and handed to one of the bravest new volunteers who had recently joined Confederate service, Charles Cornelius Hemming.  Hemming was ordered to acquire a row boat or canoe and make his way first to the steamer St. Mary and then to the America and scuttle them both.  He accomplished his mission. After it sunk, only a small portion of its masts were visible.

Union forces spent the next ten days attempting to raise the America from the bottom of Dunn’s Creek.  After many failed attempts, a sympathetic local man explained how it was sunk with five 2” holes.  Aided by this information, pumps were used to eliminate most of the water inside and the holes were repaired.  The commanding officer proudly towed the raised “America” into Jacksonville for safe keeping and awaited orders for its use.

The America was equiped with three bronze cannons and used as a swift attack vessel.  After the war the America was sailed to Annapolis, Maryland, where it joined a small training fleet at the 20-year-old United States Naval Academy (founded 1845).  It originally was to be used by the midshipmen to learn the fine art of sailing.  Over the years, Academy officials used the America for pleasure boating.  By the 1900’s, it began to deteriorate.  With each passing year, the famous ship lost its luster and ended up in disrepair.  By 1940, it was placed in a shed on the Academy campus.  In 1945, a strong snow storm dumped several inches of heavy snow on the roof of the shed collapsing it and crushing the America beyond repair.  This ended the nearly 100 year run of the first winner of the America’s cup.

The America’s Cup trophy is the oldest active International sporting trophy. This race was held 45 years before modern Olympics. Jacksonville, Florida, and Charles C. Hemming will forever be connected to the history of one of the most famous sailing vessels in the world.

FLORIDA GOVERNOR PROMISES TO HALT FIGHT WITH MILITARY ACTION

The entire world is waiting to hear the results of the battle of titans, the first ever “Scientific Boxing Match”, and it is happening right here in our city. Jacksonville has secured a international event envied by all nations after completing the contractual agreement for the International Bare-Knuckles Prize Fight of James Corbett and Charles Mitchell, the two toughest men in the world. The fight organizer stated, “Bare-Knuckles fighting makes cage fighting seem lame.” Corbett and Mitchell will fight to determine who will hold the title of “The Greatest Fighter in the World.”

Our Mayor has made it clear that the police will stop any effort to hold the fight. The Mayor threatened, “I’ll have them arrested if they actually fight each other.” Florida’s Governor has promised to send in the military if the fight promoters continue in their “illegal ways.”

In 1894, United States boxing fans waited patiently and the entire business world came to a complete stop in order to receive word of the winner of the bare-knuckle fight of Corbett and Mitchell in Jacksonville, Florida. Few actually believed that the fight would actually take place. Religious leaders, Mayor Fletcher, the city council and even Florida’s Governor were against public displays of violence, especially tying this spectacle to the “tourist friendly” city of Jacksonville. Jacksonville’s image had been polished with success and any event which might damage the local and state economy was deemed too risky.

In 1882, England ruled in a case of bare-knuckle fighting that it was considered “an assault occasioning bodily harm” and determined it to be illegal. To fight with bare-knuckles required fighters to leave the country and to find a sympathetic venue. In 1894, when the fight was arraigned, large cities all over the world denied the pair a venue for the shear violence of such a match.

This opened an opportunity for several enterprising Jacksonville businessmen to ban together and speculate on the event. If they could somehow arrange for the fight in Jacksonville, the financial rewards might be tremendous. As a first step, they invited the fighters and their managers to Jacksonville, Florida, to discuss the details. When the fighters and their managers agreed on the arrangements the businessmen formed an organization to complete the details.

Led by local Jacksonville hotelier Henry (Harry) Mason and J.E.T. Bowden, The Duval Athletic Club, as the fight promoters organization was named, were willing to risk everything (including jail time) to hold the fight in our city. Mason owned both the Mason and the Everett Hotels, two of the city’s popular hotel establishments at that time. The other partners in this entrepreneurial adventure included Joseph H. Vendig, Lewis C. Silher, B.F. Blake, C.E. Smith and Charles W. Richardson.

The first of November, 1893, Mason and Bowden took a steamer to New York and met with the fighter’s managers Brady and Thompson. To show their sincerity in holding the fight in Jacksonville, Mason and Bowden presented the managers with half of the purse (in advance) in the form of a check for $10,000 and handed each boxer $2500 each to cover their expenses. On November 11, immediately following the signing of the fight contract, Mayor Duncan U. Fletcher of Jacksonville asked the city attorney Barrs if it were illegal to hold such a fight in Jacksonville. After researching the matter, he reported to the Mayor that it would be illegal. The promoters, upon hearing this, responded defiantly that they could and would hold the fight in Jacksonville.

The New York Times, realizing the fights newsworthiness, carried the story and reported every detail as it unfolded. This was in direct contrast with its position. As a newspaper with influence, the New York Times sided against this display of brutality which was the national sentiment of the time.

Throughout Jacksonville, signs and placards were erected stating “We don’t want Pugilists!” Pugilism is defined as the art and skill of fighting with fists. In these early days of boxing there were very few rules. In fact the three real rules were; you are not allowed to punch your opponent below the waist; you are not allowed to bite your opponent; you are not allowed to head-butt your opponent. Just two years before this scheduled fight in Jacksonville, boxing had moved from an all out blood sport which continued until someone was knocked out, to a more refined “art” with three minute rounds and an imposing referee.

On December 25, 1893, a New York Times reported stated that Florida Governor Mitchell’s personal secretary had issued a statement to “The Times” that said the Governor would “use all means in his power” to halt the fight. Bowden responded that the secretary used an old letter from the Governor to create the uproar and that the fight would go on. He added that most legal scholars in North Florida believed the fight would occur and that the Duval Athletic Club would prevail. The club continued its work on the fighting ring.

The fight date was set for January 25, 1894. When the fighters arrived with their managers on approximately December 27th, they were immediately arrested by Jacksonville Sheriff Broward. The city attorney wanted to test the legitimacy of a “Scientific Boxing Match” as it was promoted. After this action, the New York Times printed that it would expand coverage of the match. It included a report that Jacksonville’s three newspapers were not taking a hard enough stand against the fight adding that there was a “moral issue” to be concerned about. It reported that the citizens of Jacksonville did not realize the number of “blacklegs, pickpockets and thieves” that would arrive in the city to attempt to profit from the event. Jacksonville hoteliers reported “many strange faces” arriving in the city.

A “Blackleg” is defined as someone who cheats at cards.

The citizens of Jacksonville banded together and submitted the following petition to the Governor attempting to halt the fight:

Whereas, We, the undersigned, believe that the permitting of an international prize fight in this city, as proposed, would indelibly impress upon the minds of the people of all the world the idea that the people here are more depraved and public sentiment in Florida, and especially in Jacksonville, more debauched than elsewhere New-Orleans having refused to be further disgraced by such exhibitions of brutality exhibited for the sake of gold; and,

Whereas, We believe that the dissemination of such an impression would be a base slander upon our people, the great majority of who we know to be high-toned, moral, honorable, and humane, standing as high in the scale of civilization and morality as do the people of the best localities in the world, and would, for many years to come, do untold material injury to our people, our city, and our State, and would do more than could any other one event to demoralize our people, and especially our boys and young men;

Now, therefore, we most cordially tender to Governor Mitchell and Mayor Fletcher our thanks for the high and honorable stand they have taken in the matter, and we hereby pledge to them, and to Sheriff Broward, in whose faithfulness to official duty we have every confidence, our hearty co-operation in any and every effort necessary to prevent the contemplated disgrace.

The fighters were still behind bars on December 31st. The Governor attempted to have the State Attorney General Lamar enter the matter and issue a statement. To the surprise of the citizens of Jacksonville, Attorney General Lamar refused to get involved in the matter. The papers surmised that this was because Lamar’s supporters wanted the fight to proceed. This left the city of Jacksonville and specifically Judge Call to make a determination in the case. It was predicted that Judge Call, without State support, would fold his hand and release the two fighters.

The Duval Athletic Club turned the pressure up a notch by announcing that if Judge Call were to release the fighters and any official State or City were to interfere, they would bring suit for up to $200,000 for obstruction of its event. This inflamed both State and City officials. The Governor stopped in Jacksonville on January 1, 1894, and made a statement that he knew how to deal with this and would do so when “he got good and ready.” Augusta G. Hartridge, State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit, was disturbed by Attorney General Lamar’s comments and nearly got involved until cooler heads prevailed.

The next move by the Duval Athletic Club was cold and calculated. It arranged for a prize fight between two negro fighters. Perry Watkins, negro middleweight champion of Florida, agreed to meet Green Harris, negro middleweight champion of Tennessee in the ring for a $500 purse. The Club surmised that if the city and State officials did nothing to halt this fight that their scheduled Championship fight could precede without obstruction.

On January 11th, Governor Mitchell insisted that State Adjunct General, Patrick Huston, travel to Jacksonville to oversee the status of the fight. He was authorized to use the State Militia if necessary to interrupt it.

January 17th was the day that the Duval Athletic Club threw down the gauntlet. In an effort to assure the two fighters, they announced that the fight would take place “no matter what” on January 25th. Their report stated that if the military attempted to stop the fight, they had arranged for a circus tent to be erected in a secret location that would hold up to 6,000 spectators. The location would be kept in strictest confidence. Only those with a ticket would be given the exact fight location. In response, the Sheriffs’ of both Duval and St. John ’s County stated adamantly that no fight would occur in their counties. Henry Flagler of Standard Oil made his opinion known to the Governor writing that he did not believe the fight should take place and that he would use his power in St. John’s County to ensure the two men did not fight.

On January 24, 1894, Judge Call, against all public opinion and the Governor’s wishes, presented the Sheriff with a court injunction forbidding him to interrupt the fight. This meant that he could not halt the fight by the force of the militia.

Finally on January 25, 2500 fight fans paid $25 each to attend the fight at the shoddy, rainsoaked and recently completed Duval Athletic Club boxing ring built at Moncrief Park. The tremendous amount of anticipation and legal wrangling leading up to the fight would suggest that the fight would be a climatic “once in a lifetime event.” Instead, Corbett (taller by 4 inches, heavier and with much longer arms) came out and clobbered Mitchell in three short rounds. Papers reported that some attendees didn’t find their seat before the fight was concluded. Mitchell was knocked unconscious and other papers printed that Mitchell was punished by a madman. Corbett received the $20,000 purse plus had side bets on his winning the fight. Those side bets amounted to another $10,000 in his pocket.

New York’s Wallstreet area and Broadway neighborhood appeared empty during the fight. The men had found the nearest high-end hotel and waited next to its tickertape for each transmission of the fight.

Fight fans present in Jacksonville rushed the ring to remove some memento of the fight. Mitchell was taken to the Everett Hotel and Corbett to the St. James Hotel.

Approximately one hour later, both fighters were arrested on a charge “fighting by agreement” then released on bail pending a court appearance later in the year. Corbett returned to Jacksonville and appeared before the Judge. He was found innocent of the charges. Mitchell’s case was dropped since it involved similar charges.

The Duval Athletic Club was required to defend itself in court for years following the fight. Future Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward brought the action. He asked that the Florida Supreme Court overturn the lower court ruling granting the fight injunction. In June 1897, the court ruled that the injunction would stand thus ending the tremendous battle between the city, the state and religious leaders against the Duval Athletic Club. One club member stated that the Duval Athletic Club spent $80,000 defending themselves but retained valuable property and fight souvenirs.

Few individuals discuss and even fewer are aware that the Duval Athletic Club truly wanted no interruption of its fight. To oversee fairness and security they hired a nationally famous gunslinger by the name of Bat Masterson. He was present throughout the fight and found no need to demonstrate his tenacity and quick draw. He was assigned to oversee the fairness of the timing of each round. Each fighter’s assistant wore a six-gun during the match.

The referee of the Corbett-Mitchell fight was “Honest John” Kelly. His notoriety extended long after the Jacksonville fight. On February 22, 1885, it was announced that he would select the winner of 50 couples who were competing in a cake walk at Madison Square Gardens.

Harry Mason (the senior fight promoter) died November 5, 1919. His estate was disputed for a period of time longer than the fight with the Governor. Some might call the legal battle over his estate the real “bare-knuckles fight.” The will was still in dispute as late as 1927, eight years after his death.

Jacksonville Mayor Duncan U. Fletcher served as Jacksonville’s Mayor from 1893 until 1895 and again from 1901 until 1903. He was elected a Florida Senator serving 27 years in Congress. He died of a heart attack in Washington, D.C. on the way to a Congressional hearing at the age of 77. He fought diligently for the Cross Florida Barge Canal which his admirers suggested led to the stress that killed him.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.

A band of angry citizens provoked by the Jacksonville’s Mayors’ incendiary words of surrender, hunted suspected traitors and threatened to kill any that were found. One man brandishing a sawed-off shotgun shouted “We will kill the traitors! We will never give up!”

One man who agreed with the Mayor’s remarks (of surrender) was shot dead on the spot. Witnesses stated they saw blood oozing from his multiple gunshots. Later, two men who the group described as “sympathizers” were caught at the boat dock and executed. Luckily, the Mayor escaped.

Since the city of Jacksonville, Florida, was first established in 1822, there have been approximately 50 city Mayors. The first Mayor, William J. Mills, originally from Amelia Island, served from 1832 until 1835. Some Mayors have been young, some old, there were skinny Mayors and there were obese Mayors, there were book-trained intelligent Mayors and admired farmhands who reached the highest office.

Only one Mayor, Halstead H. Hoeg (1860-1862; 1865-1866), faced the troubling decision of whether to surrender Jacksonville to the Union troops during the Civil War (considered by Southerners as the War of Northern Aggression).

The year was 1862, and the Civil War was heating up in the Georgia and Florida. Union soldiers were becoming more aggressive in their tactics and pushing deep into the South.

The Mayor, described as a “strong drink of milk”, was not a big man by any means. A “book reader” by nature, he was non-confrontational and hoped that all arguments could be settled amicably. He had served the city for two terms and felt comfortable in his decisions. A major misjudgment of Jacksonville’s fighting spirit could have cost him his life.

According to a Savannah, Georgia, newspaper, it all began on or around March 10, 1862, when Mayor Hoeg was notified of Union troops approaching the city. He might have received a telegram or message which ordered him to “surrender the city or witness it burned to the ground.”

Meeting with senior townspeople and several legal scholars they decided that “without munitions”, the town would be unable to defend against 10 Pounders (mortars) and were ill-equipped to put up any type of reasonable fight.

It was the combined decision of this group (of what people in 1862 might describe as “learn-ned men”) that the city surrendered immediately as ordered. Thus, with a stroke of his pen, the Mayor quickly issued a proclamation which read:

“TO THE CITIZENS OF JACKSONVILLE: FEDERALS ARE MARCHING TOWARD JACKSONVILLE AND WILL ARRIVE SHORTLY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESIST THIS OCCUPATION. STAY AT HOME AND GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS NORMALLY. WE HAVE NO MEANS TO RESIST THIS THREAT. IT IS THE OPINION OF OUR MOST EXPERIENCED AND INTELLIGENT CITIZENS (AND I THINK A CORRECT ONE) THAT IF THE ENEMY MEETS WITH NO RESISTANCE, PRIVATE PROPERTY WILL BE RESPECTED AND UNARMED CITIZENS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PURSUE THEIR USUAL OCCUPATIONS.”

Early Jacksonville pioneers, who were naturally used to defending their own property from intruders, took up arms immediately. Shouts of “We will kill those Yankee bastards!” could be heard throughout the city.

Discharging his gun into the air another yelled, “Till the last bullet I will defend our city!”

Jacksonville’s citizens must have felt betrayed by the Mayor’s “Proclamation of Surrender.” This collective anger suddenly turned on those associated with the northern states. To make matters worse, there was only one officer of the peace available to restore order. Anyone with means took every opportunity to flee the expected Union occupation and the volunteer armed resistance.

Realizing that the Mayor’s life was in danger, someone suggested that he leave the city immediately. The Mayor’s final order was to bury the town’s records in deep holes just in case the town was burned to the ground.

One man, known as Mr. Mitchell, was shot and killed by local soldiers for “utterance of treasonable sentiments.” He was standing on the back of a wagon holding up the Mayor’s proclamation, shouting, “We must give up and save our city from destruction!” This sign of defiant action only acted as fuel to the angry mob. “I saw two Yankees heading for the docks!” one man yelled. Another chimed in, “Me, too!” The crowd ran down to toward the boat docks leaving the mortally wounded man lying in the mud to die.

The “Yankees” attempted to make an escape using a small sailboat but unluckily for them there was no wind. The boat did not move. Spotting the men running from the area, one man yelled, “There they are!” Guns were discharged and the men died on the spot.

This action still did not chill the heated crowd. More residents gathered and joined in the ruckus. One man shouted, “Look, those Yankees will take our wood and ship it North to Washington. We cannot let them get their hands on it.” A resounding “Yeah!” could be heard throughout town. The group, now like a giant swarm of wasps moved as one toward the mills. Within hours, two steam mills and all its stacked finished wood (4,000,000 board feet of wood) was set ablaze. Interestingly, a Mr. Scott saved his mill by raising a British flag on its property. Later under the veil of darkness, locals burned three town buildings including the Judson House hotel.

Another man considered the situation, and said loudly, “They’ll take our gunship.” The city had a boat equipped with guns that could be converted to a Union gunship with minor modifications. It too was set on fire and sank in the shallow waters.

The Union soldiers getting closer to the city could get a glimpse of the flames lapping over the tall pine trees north of the city.

Fear of actions of the Federal forces drove many more from town. The town train was taxed to capacity. Those with wagons loaded up and left town, too.

On March 11, 1862, four Federal gunboats, Seneca, Pembina, Ottawa, and Isaac Smith, along with two transports of Commodore DuPont’s squadron, anchored at the mouth of the St. Johns River. Between March 11 and March 19, 1862, the forces seized the town making the nicest hotels and homes officers quarters and turning other facilities into soldier’s quarters. Jacksonville’s town sheriff waved a white flag surrendering the city to the invaders.

On March 19, 1862, famous General William Tecumseh Sherman arrived in Jacksonville to evaluate the situation. He was pleased with his commanding officers’ decision to hold Jacksonville.

Jacksonville was occupied four times during the war. Each time, Federal forces promised to do no harm to local citizens and not burn the town. However, after the third occupation, evacuating northern troops burned the town to the ground.

Military Doctor, Alfred Walton, Eighth Maine Regiment, saved two items from the fiery infernos destruction. One saved item was a prayer book from the altar of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the other was a manuscript map from the city clerk’s office. Both items were returned to its rightful owner after the war.

In 1865, Mayor Hoeg (Democrat), who had returned after calmer minds prevailed, was begged to resume his position as the city’s Mayor. The city government consisted of the Mayor, the Clerk of Council, six city councilmen, and three policemen. Though the city had reestablished the city government, the actual control remained with the military (African-American Soldiers). The buried town records were exhumed but all were destroyed by decay.

On April 6, 1869, the last federal troop was removed from Jacksonville and its recovery was in full swing.

By 1872, Jacksonville was described as a “thriving little city.” And the rest of the story is purely history.

NOTE: A March 30, 1862, New York Times article about the above incident reported, “The Mayor made his escape from Jacksonville.” This could be interpreted as he was fleeing angry citizens or the advancing Yankee soldiers. Additional research will be performed to verify which statement is correct. This quote accompanied the story regarding the murders and the burning of the mills; nothing was printed about threats from advancing soldiers.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.

Citizens were upset by the lack of preparedness and total inability of local officials to forecast such an event. They called for the immediate ousting of the Mayor and several of his leading staff members.

Rarely is the word earthquake mentioned when discussing the city of Jacksonville, Florida. But, in the late 1800’s, Jacksonville’s earth rolled
and shook with such intensity that it was assumed that the worst was yet to come.

Everyone was well aware that, since ninety percent of the city’s buildings were constructed out of wood, the slightest shockwave could spell firestorm.  It had happened to San Francisco, why not Jacksonville? Fear struck at the hearts and minds of all those who experienced the trembling.

Maybe it would have been alright if this were the first time. But, there were those who had already ridden the rocking ground several times.

On May 21, 1902, sounds were heard which seemed to originate out in the ocean. “It sounded similar to cannon fire off in the distance”, said one seasoned soldier. Another man said the he was in Charleston, South Carolina, during one of its earthquakes. As he spit a wad of chew, he said, “Shoot, it sounded just like that what I heard up there. I’m telling ya, we better all be ware.”

A man standing nearby threw his arm up, then down in utter disgust and muttered, “Ahhhhhh fools.” As he walked away from the crowd he, added, “We’ve never had no damage, we’ll never have no damage.” He might be right.

Another man mentioned that the disgusted individual was from a Minorcan (original land owners of the St. Augustine area) who had lived here for generations.

A group of citizens gathered at the sea wall. Several took notes of the intervals in between the loud blasts. With regard to the timing between sounds, one credible-looking gentleman said, “They are about three minutes apart.”

As early as 1879, earthquakes were reportedly felt in Jacksonville. A “severe shock” rocked the area on January 13, 1879, for over 20 seconds. Residents reported that the shockwave moved from Southeast to Northwest. Dishes rattled, the buildings shook violently, and doors of homes were suddenly thrown open. Other cities in Florida felt the shock. People in St. Augustine felt the earth move, and even those living on the Gulf Coast from from Punta Rassa to St. Mark’s experienced it. Areas in between reported that they “felt something.”

On January 14, 1879, a shock hit Savannah, Georgia, which was felt throughout Florida. This startling tremor struck at 11:50 p.m.

A giant tidal wave, supposedly caused by another earthquake, struck the coastline with such intensity that the huge wave continued up the St. Johns River. Boats were overturned, other boats were smashed against docks, and still others were found up on shore quite a distance from the water. On August 31, 1886, this ground shaker surprised everyone on the east coast. Inland, people were thrown to the ground, and plaster was knocked from the ceilings.

The rocking tremor was felt as far away as Tallahassee. The State House reported that large chunks of its building had fallen to the ground. According to reports, every state east of the Mississippi felt some form of shaking. Charleston, South Carolina, took the brunt of the earthquake. Over two thirds of Charleston was destroyed.

Jacksonville experienced a shockwave one month later when another earthquake struck Charleston, South Carolina. This occurred on September 3, 1886, and was felt as far North as Pennsylvania and as far South as our city.

Back in October 31, 1901, eight distinct shocks struck Jacksonville.

Although no real damage was done, the first loud boom was heard at 11:00 a.m. The crowd that gathered to discuss the noise said that it sounded like “loud ordinances.”

The next shock struck about 11:25 a.m. with the same intensity as the one at 11:00 a.m. At 11:40 a.m., another shock hit, followed by another at 11:55 a.m. The last shock of that grouping occurred at 12:15 a.m.

A shock at 4:04 p.m. alarmed quite a few people. It was more severe than the morning shockwaves. No one noticed any fluctuations in the ocean waves.

But, Mr. Mitchell, Director of the Weather Bureau, said that “unofficially” he thought that the vibrations were “beginning in the South and heading North.” He added that, “he did not have possession of the neccesary equipment to prove his opinion.”

According to a New York Times report, dated July 21, 1930, a small earthquake shock took place in Ft. Myers on July 20th that year. In 1931, a New York state earthquake rattled the dishes in Jacksonville. In 1952, another quake shook Jacksonville.

In 1973, the people of Merrit Island, Florida, were startled awake when a 3.5 quake struck the area.

On December 4, 1975, a strong jolt struck Daytona Beach which registered 2.9 on the Richter Scale. Daytona’s public works Director who in ‘64 had lived through a real earthquake in Alaska reported that “the quake occurred and sounded just like the ‘ 64 quake he remembered.”

A 1976 St. Petersburg Times report stated that 20 to 30 families had moved from the Zephyrhills area because of a serious fear of a “tidal wave.” Other estimates at the time listed the figure at 200 to 2000 people.

On July 3, 1992, at 11:30 p.m., a giant tidal wave estimated to be 18 ft. high crashed on Daytona Beach, causing 75 minor injuries and crushing cars parked on the beach. Though its origin was claimed to be a weather squall, there is no way to prove it was not a distant shift in the earth.

In 1983, Palm Beach county experienced a minor shake from a earthquake.

On October 24, 1997, the Panhandle of Florida was rocked by earth tremors. Supposedly, it originated in central Alabama.

The last tremor to shake our city occurred in 2003. The ground shook in Jacksonville after a earthquake in Northeast Alabama tipped the Richter Scale at 4.9. Its ground tremoring rattle reached as far Northeast as North Carolina.

One of the most severe and the last to affect Florida occurred September 11, 2006. Tampa and a great deal of the West Coast of Florida were jolted by a 6.0 earthquake that occurred 260 miles off Tampa’s coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. At 10:56 a.m., the initial shock was felt. The U.S. Geological Survey staff reported that this was very unusual since it did not occur on any particularly known fault line.

We sleep comfortably at night knowing that “the big one” cannot happen in Jacksonville. But, with the ground continuing to tremble that can only mean one thing, “Be Prepared.”

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.

FASTEST IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!

The New York Times printed this story that most sane individuals would consider total fiction. It is a story that only a dreamer might imagine. Who could ever fathom that a distance of 780 miles could be covered in such a record time?

One observer was overheard stating, “No one may ever live to see the day that this land speed record (from Jacksonville, Florida, to Washington, D.C.) is broken.” Amazing all observers, these daredevils broke the existing record by well over 2 hours.

It was a hot day in August when several men joined together and drove from our city as quickly as humanly possible to New York. Was it a spaceship, a jet, a car or something that only Jules Verne could dream of? In fact, it was none of the above. Their record-breaking speed machine was a steam railroad train, and the year was 1894.

This world record-setting thrill ride might have taken years longer if it had not been for wealthy New York financier Henry B. Plant. When Plant (Plant City, Florida) first visited Jacksonville (1842) fifty-two years earlier, he got lost in Jacksonville’s thick woods and underbrush when he left the safety of a narrow trail; he could have died.

His purpose for traveling to Jacksonville in the first place was to save his wife’s life. She had become seriously ill, and he was told that Southern temperatures might save her from the grim reaper. At that time, Jacksonville had only six homes and one hotel. Plant had been warned not to stay at the hotel under any circumstances. It was dilapidated, and strange things were going on there.

A wealthy landowner just north of the city had heard of his dilemma and telegraphed Plant to invite him to stay at his property. The invitation was quickly accepted. Upon their arrival, Plant was greeted by a group of uniformed black oarsmen paddling a large dugout canoe. The couple anxiously boarded the canoe and rode up the river to the landowner’s home. While extremely palatial, the home appeared insignificant among the miles of his farm land. The couple quickly adapted to the new environment. In less than a month, Plant’s wife had made considerable progress, and he felt she had the strength to travel to St. Augustine.

They loaded up in a carriage and closely followed the landowner and his staff as they wacked and slashed at the underbrush clearing a trail to the then dirt Kings Road (Kings Street). Once Plant and his wife reached the Kings Road, they (along with a female Indian guide escort) rode to St. Augustine thirty miles south.

Once in St. Augustine, they rode up and down narrow streets viewing the ancient city. As nightfall began to approached, they quickly made their way back to Jacksonville. Luckily, the Indian guide was able to find the freshly cut trail head. With insufficient oil lamp lighting, the three inched through the forest and thick underbrush. When they finally resolved that it would be necessary to spend the evening, loud shouting from their host (worried that they were lost in the forest) directed them to their final destination.

Fifty-two years later, Mr. Plant, now one of the nation’s elite, owned one of the largest railroad systems in the nation. It was known by all as The Plant System.

Its latest addition was a large section of track from Jacksonville to Waycross, Georgia. This completed the line from Jacksonville all the way to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Mr. Plant wanted to prove to the country that his system was so efficient that a train could travel at lightening fast speeds between these two points.

So, on Sunday, August 26, 1894, at 4:30 p.m., the train known as “Uniform Rank Special of Florida” steamed out onto the tracks. It was given full right of way and a clear track from station to station.

The train was composed of five cars and one steam engine. There were two Pullman sleeper cars, two regular cars and one baggage car. The passengers were members of a secret society known as the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias.

It took seven complete engine changes in order to maintain the 55 ½ m.p.h. speed necessary to complete the task. Several times, speeds reached nearly 60 to 70 m.p.h. It was at these times the men would scream with excitement. No human had ever traveled at such speeds.

There were six legs to the trip. They were the Florida and Western, the Charleston and Savannah, the Northeastern, the Atlantic Coast Line, the Richmond and the Fredericksburg and Potomac. Monday morning, August 27, at 8:09 a.m., the train finally reached Washington. Its total trip took exactly 15 hours and 49 minutes crushing the former record by 2 hours and 40 minutes. This established new U.S. and World land speed records.

These records may have been broken in a matter of a year or two, but Jacksonville had its moment of glory, and no one can take that away. Bless you Henry B. Plant.

Mr. Plant died five years later on June 23, 1899.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.

In an effort to stop a further outbreak of what might amount to be an epidemic, Jacksonville, Florida, has been shut off from the entire world. Neighboring cities are checking to make sure Jacksonville evacuees don’t end up in their cities. Several passengers have been bodily removed from trains and actually thrown out on the train tracks. By order of the government of the United States, all trains passing through Jacksonville will not be allowed to stop and must increase their speed to the highest possible speed. In addition, train windows and other openings must be completely sealed. Until further notice, no products manufactured in Jacksonville will be permitted to be sold outside the city. One notable medical doctor was overhead stating, “This germ can’t be allowed to spread outside Jacksonville. All we can do is pray for cold weather.”

If you think that people get nervous discussing outbreaks of AIDS, Lyme Disease and now Swine Flu, it’s a good thing that you did not live in Jacksonville during its darkest days, beginning August 1888.

Thousands died in just a couple months and scientists and medical doctors alike were baffled by what was happening. Worse yet was the fact that they had no idea how to effectively treat the patients. Small puddles of standing water acted as the perfect breeding ground for the infected insects that with one bite carried the disease to the next victim.

They named the disease Yellow Fever after one of the noticeable symptoms. The Patient’s skin turns yellowish from jaundice (damaged red blood cells). The disease is carried by mosquitoes and if infected typically resulted in a very painful and probable death. In 1888, acts of extermination and prevention included firing Cannons 24 hours a day, spreading Lime powder throughout residences, burning large quantities of tar in the streets and finally burning everyone’s bedding. All of these remedies proved ineffective.

Progressive scientists did not realize the mosquito was responsible and instead characterized the culprit as an “airborne germ” and considered it a result of uncleanly conditions and dark, wet nights. One observation was that people that ventured outdoors in the direct sunlight were less likely to become infected. It was suggested that everyone should remain indoors at dusk and board up their houses completely in the evening. Heeding the warning, the frightened citizens complied even with 100 degree temperatures. By order of the U.S. Surgeon General John B. Hamilton, M.H.S., the health department took the extreme measure of inspecting every home and business for cleanliness, sprinkling lime powder on the floors and removing all carpets and bedding. All bedding and carpet were burned in the streets. A special document was prepared to value everything destroyed for possible future reimbursement.
Immediately $200,000 federal dollars were earmarked for preventing “Yellow Fever” from traveling between States. All mail leaving Jacksonville was stopped mid-shipment and fumigated. Customs officers were ordered to fumigate all exiting packages.

But in 1888, even with the death count doubling daily, the Mayor was shouting, “There is no epidemic!” I’m sure in his mind he knew the cold days of winter were among them and frost had always been a destructive force on this type of disease. Still, no one knew exactly why the chill was so effective. Local physicians were being ridiculed for alarming anyone of the disease. One report stated “they [the doctors] will be held strictly to account for this season’s excitement.” In the meantime, Mayors of other cities begged Jacksonville’s Mayor to accept their money and fresh supplies.

But, Jacksonville wanted to “tough it out” alone. How could one of the top cities of the nation lower itself to accept charity? One of Jacksonville’s largest companies started delivering cards which read:

“We challenge the world to exhibit another city measuring seven miles from east to west, three miles from north to south, having 35,000 inhabitants, that, after eight days thorough inspection by the Board of Health, can show up 18 cases of fever of every description. We repeat again – our health record during the past eight days beats the world, and this is in a city whose yellow fever has been for four or five days declared an epidemic. Think of this and give us the benefit [of the doubt].”

The nation’s health system was ill prepared for such an outbreak. The federal government was even less prepared. Although outbreaks had occurred in the past, there was no federal budget for serious epidemics such as Yellow Fever. Isolation was the only answer and this meant that Jacksonville was to be cut off from the rest of the world. Men with shotguns surrounded the city as well as the city of St. Augustine and several other cities. Even though medical professionals from other states begged to help, they were denied travel requests. The nation did not want to put anyone else at risk.

It was not until over 500 deaths had been reported that the Mayor finally succumbed to the pressure to accept outside help. In a move not seen until Hurricane destruction of the 1960’s, the nation’s public and other countries collected assistance (money and supplies) for ailing Jacksonville. Jacksonville dignitaries, led by Major Joseph H. Dupree (retired real estate broker), traveled to New York to appeal for additional funds. They returned with nearly $5 thousand dollars. Donations in the amount of $5, $10 and $25 dollars were made by major organizations. The size of these donations demonstrated the value of money at that time. Jacksonville had gripped the hearts and minds of citizens world-wide.

Even taking all the precautions available and trying new ideas to halt its progress, Yellow Fever raged on taking lives with it. Anyone diagnosed with the possible infection was moved along with their family to a tent city established well outside the city. Deaths tolls mounted until the total exceeded 1000. At that time, the Governor of Florida demanded that a special pass, stamped by medical professionals, must be carried on board any train. Those living in infected areas or who had traveled in infected areas within the past 30 days were refused a ride.

Health officials finally tracked the epidemic to patient number one “McCormick” who had traveled to Tampa with complete knowledge that “Yellow Fever” was raging there. Feeling sick, he secretly boarded a train to Jacksonville, threatening the entire population of Florida. On August 10, 1888, the cities of Montgomery, Alabama, Wilmington, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, gave strict order to prevent anyone escaping from Jacksonville to enter their city. Officials in Charleston forced a full steamboat to leave its port and travel northward to New York. Only Atlanta would accept refugees. They had never had a fever epidemic and citizens remained unshaken.

The disease struck the rich and poor, the laborers and the families of stature. On September 20, 1888, the famed city editor of the Florida Times-Union, M.R. Bowden, died of the disease. Decatur, Alabama, reported two or more deaths on September 20th. This news frightened officials in Nashville which ordered all trains from Decatur stopped ten miles from town. One of Jacksonville’s leading physicians and a graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. F.A. Gould, was said to be ill. He died one day later, September 21, 1888.

The whole ordeal was a tragedy. But, what made matters worse was the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland and his wife had recently visited Jacksonville for the famed Sub-Tropical Exposition. Jacksonville residents were still in a state of euphoria and expected the city to be the nation’s top travel destination for years to come. Fifty thousand tourists per year made Jacksonville their winter nome.

In all, about 4,000 Jacksonville residents died in 1888 (11% of the city’s population). This total included the mayor.

Suddenly, Jacksonville was in the spotlight it so desired but for reasons which would cripple its tourism forever. It has taken over 100 years for Jacksonville to regain become a household name. Go Jaguars!

Though a vaccine was finally developed in 1937 which provides a successful 10-year or more immunity from the virus, there is still no cure for Yellow Fever. To reduce the mosquito population, be sure to empty containers of water outside your home.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.