Edited by Spessard Stone from The Tampa Morning Tribune of January 5, 7, 14, 15, and 26, and February 1, 1917
New Methodist Church Assured For Wauchula
Wauchula, Jan. 4--(Special)-Information is given out that the new Methodist church in Wauchula is to be completed in the near future. This will be very gratifying to the Methodist people and their friends of the city.
The church here was begun under the pastorate of Rev. J. L. Griffits, and when it is completed will be one of the best plants in this section of the State.
The building committee met with the new pastor, Rev. D. B. Sweat, Tuesday afternoon, and matters concerning the new building were discussed. The building committee is composed of H. M. Alexander, chairman; D. O. Ratliff, J. W. Earnest, L. C. Smith and J. E. Townsend.
Mr. Townsend, having moved away, A. H. Short was added to the committee. J. W. Earnest was elected treasurer of the committee, and Rev. Sweat will act as secretary.
Plans and specifications were accepted for the completion of the church, and the committee expects to have the work well under way in a short time. The order was placed for the metal ceiling.
Chautauqua
Jan. 6 - Arrangements have been completed for a chautauqua to be held in Wauchula in February. About thirty leading citizens have signed a contract with C. Rucker Adams, the well-known Chatauqua manager, guaranteeing the entertainment.
The same talent to be used at Lakeland, St. Petersburg, Arcadia and other places will be on the program for this city. William Jennings Bryan will be one of the attractions here.
School News
Professor P. G. Shaver, for a number of years principal of the Wauchula High School, having been elected superintendent of public instruction for De Soto County, has moved with his family to Arcadia, where they will in future reside. Professor D. B. Shaver succeeds him as principal of the local school.
Farming
Jan. 13-Indications now are that Wauchula section will produce the largest crop of field produced in its history. From twelve to fifteen hundred acres is the estimate for melons alone.
Strawberries are going forward now and are bringing good prices. The berries are of good quality and are being shipped in Raney refrigerators. There is a larger crop than usual this season.
Post Office Remodeling
The postoffice is now being remodeled under a new ten-year lease. The cabinet work has been re-arranged, making a total of 504 lock boxes to accommodate its patrons. The entire front glass of the postoffice rooms will be removed and the room left open and cabinet partitions and iron grill work will enclose the office room.
The total business of the office for the year ending December 31, 1916 aggregate a little better than $76,000.
Baptist Convention
Jan. 14--Wauchula was represented at the Baptist State convention, held at Orlando, by Rev. and Mrs. R. P. McPherson. Mr. McPherson's members contributed to a fund to send their pastor to the convention.
Carlton-Whitehurst Wedding
Miss Lemmie Mildred Carlton and W. W. Whitehurst were married Sunday evening at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Carlton, west of town, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. R. P. McPherson of the Baptist Church. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carlton and a favorite in Wauchula, and the groom is a rising young lawyer of the city.
Woodmen Circle Officers
The following officers of the Woodmen Circle have been installed for the year: Past guardian, Mrs. Donnie A. Hendry; guardian, Mrs. Shelton; advisor, Mrs. L. A. Bryant; clerk, G. W. Harp; banker, J. A. Sheffield; attendant, Mrs. L. A. Bowman; inner sentinel, B. A. Peters; outer sentinel, Mrs. Alice Wilson; managers, G. W. Harp, Miss Nellie Lamp, and L. A. Bryant; physicians, Doctors Wright and Garner.
Presbyterian Church News
Jan. 25--Dr. Robinson, of Alabama, is conducting a series of meetings in the Presbyterian Church this week, assisting the pastor, Rev. Dr. Tucker. His illustrated Bible talks at the beginning of the evening services are very enjoyable. Congregrations are good, and the preacher is winning Wauchula people.
The ladies of the Presbyterian Church joined with the ladies of the Fort Meade church in a picnic at the latter place on Tuesday. A number of ladies went up in cars and enjoyed a pleasant day."
Methodist Church News
Jan. 31--At a church conference held yesterday morning at the Methodist Church, I. C. Smith was elected church secretary for the year, and committees required by the discipline were elected.
S. L. Mann is chairman of the missionary committee, J. N. Strickland, chairman of the evangelistic committee, and H. W. Carey, chairman of the social service committee. Mrs. D. B. Sweat is chairman of a large committee to meet the welcome visitors to the church.
The church has been wired for lights and the carpenters are at work today, preparing the way for the plasterers.
April 24, 2001 & links = October 16, 2001