Edited by Spessard Stone from the Florida Times-Union and Daily News-Herald of Jacksonville
Editor’s note: In the original article the “c” in Manatee County and DeSoto County was not capitalized, and I have retained it. Similarly, in other contemporary newspapers, the “r” in Peace River and like place names are not capitalized.
Schools
June 2—The County Superintendent of Public School for Manatee county reports 68 schools from Sept. 1, 1886, to May 1, 1887, ten of which were for less than three months.
There were 61 teachers employed at a net cost of $6,464.30 for salaries.
There were 1,809 scholars enrolled. The highest attendance was at Manatee, 68, and at Joshua Creek, 50 (?), Fort Ogden, 59, Palmetto, 53, Arcadia and Wauchula, each 52.
Elopement
June 11—Rev. S. H. Nettles, pastor of the Methodist Church at Arcadia, Fla., eloped with Miss Leah Smith, the 17-year-old daughter of Captain Smith, keeper of the National cemetery at Fort Barancas, on Wednesday night.
Nettles is about 40 years old and has been married three times. The young girl with whom he eloped was a member of his congregation and decidedly pretty.
They left the county immediately after the ceremony, and although no definite news has been received of their present whereabouts, it is generally believed that the pair are in Greensville, Ala.
The town is in a state of excitement over the affair, and the particulars of the extraordinary runaway match are withheld from the public by the families of the parties concerned.
St. John’s Day
Thursday, June 30, Arcadia—Friday was a big day with the Arcadians and more especially with the Swedish portion of the population. It being St. John’s day, a day which is observed throughout Sweden.
Johnson & Isgren, who own and operate two saw and plaining mills and also the Arcadia House, celebrated the day by giving an elegant dance to which all were invited. In the afternoon nearly all the young folks participated in an “old country” open air dance around a May pole and from the frequent bursts of merriment one would certainly believe that they were enjoying themselves.
The hotel, which was gaily decorated and almost hid with evergreens and flowers, presented a beautiful sight, and with the delightful music rendered by the Arcadian brass band, and the presence of the pretty girls one could easily imagine he was in fairyland.
After supper the entire party adjourned to the new dancing hall and danced until near morning, when tired and weary, they wended their way home, feeling that they had spent one of the most pleasant days in the history of the little city.
Fourth of July Preparations
The boys have not forgotten the Fourth of July and from the preparations being made it is evident that a big time is anticipated. A tub race on Peace river, which is the western boundary of the town, will be one of the most amusing features.
Already over thirty applicants have notified the committee that they will enter the race and each one is confident that he will secure the prize. Some of the boys have begun practicing early in the morning, and housekeepers who live near the river are chaining their dogs to the tub-handles, as the boys who have no teams and are too lazy to “tote” their tubs are not over particular where they borrow them.
Sack racing, climbing the greasy pole, and numerous other amusements will be indulged in. Beeves, sheep and hogs are contracted for and barbecued meat and other good things will be in attendance.
The brass band will of course furnish music for the occasion and a pavilion is being erected on the scene to give the ladies an opportunity of witnessing the race.
On the night of the 4th a grand ball will be given at the new hall and dancing will be kept up all night.
Board of Health
Very little is heard about yellow fever in town, but when the board of health at Punta Gorda put in their accounts to the new county commissioners the people of De Soto county will get up and howl.
Large salaries and a great deal of powwow seem to be the principal features of this board of health. The people are not afraid of the yellow fever, but are in mortal dread of the board of health and hope to get rid of them soon.
Bone Beds
There have been several parties in town lately who seem to be greatly interested in the extensive bone beds near the town. They don’t give much information, but ask a thousand and one questions and spend most of their time digging and getting the numbers of the river land.
Fort Ogden
Aug. 9—The incorporation of Fort Ogden has been completed by the election of the following officers: Mayor, J. O. Carr; marshal, J. Madison Williams; council, C. Y. Crawford, F. C. Bethea, Stephen J. Carlton, J. Carlton, W. A. Johnson, Elam B. Carlton,; clerk and treasurer, W. H. G. Smart; S. J. Carlton was chosen chairman of the board.
The territory incorporated is two miles square, and includes sections 13 and 34 in township 39, range 23, and sections 18 and 19 in township 39, range 24 east.
As "History: DeSoto In 1887," this was published in The Herald-Advocate, 5A, October 15, 2009.