HERE’S THE DeFUNIAK NEWS OF INTEREST TO OLD TIMERS
(Thirty-four years ago–from the Breeze of November 14, 1901.)
“John Chisholm has moved here from Caryville, and has a position with Burruss Cawthon.”
Freeport correspondence: “A false alarm of fire was given unintentionally last week, and J. B. Cawthon with difficulty saved his furniture.”
“The street fair was an unqualified success. T. J. Cawthon won the old fiddlers’ contest; Phil Fellows won first for display of hay, L. F. Cawthon for trio of chickens; W. E. Parish for turnips, and P. L. Biddle for persimmons. Mrs. Tappan exhibited a jar of tomatoes canned more than fifteen years ago.”
(Thirty years ago–from the Breeze of November 9, 1905.)
E. L. Daniels, county superintendent of schools over at Milton, advertised in the Breeze for “Twenty-five teachers, holding first or second grade certificates for pleasant rural schools.”
“The four-day Gulf Coast Fair was an overwhelming success.” P. H. Fellows and R. W. Storrs won all premiums in the Shorthorn classes, and P. W. Smith and R. W. Storrs in the dairy classes. In the ladies’ department among the winners were Mesdames Sue Gillis, Knox Gillis, Wm. Rogers, A. G. Campbell, B. G. Campbell and Miss Alice Fellows.
An eight-year-old boy was Breeze correspondent at Mt. Olive, and among his items for this particular week were these: “Our crippled teacher failed to get the school–I am sorry. Grandfather shot and killed three coons the other day, and they fell into the river, but the dogs brought them ashore. People talk of putting in a big cotton crop, in 1906, but if it drops to 5c they will be in bad fix. I like pinders, watermelons, potatoes, corn bread and honey, better than I do money, and thank God we can raise them here.”
(Twenty-five years ago–from the Breeze of November 10, 1910.)
“Miss Effie Nipe arrived Saturday, and will spend the winter with her sister, Mrs. L. S. Cleveland.”
“Willie Jean Landrum has returned from Macon, Ga., where she passed the pharmacy examination with the highest honors.”
Florida voted wet in a state-wide wet and dry election. Walton county voted wet 474 to 424, and DeFuniak Springs went dry 210 to 41.
(Twenty years ago–from the Breeze of November 11, 1915.)
“The ‘Big Store’s’ freight truck made its initial trip to Freeport on Saturday.”
Postmaster Ben Morris (refuting the proverb that “Few die and none resign”) announced that he was quitting as DeFuniak’s postmaster, and in the mad scramble to succeed him several narrowly escaped injury. Among those who were after his job were J. R. Beard, D. W. Burke, J. A. McDonald, W. F. Jones, J. A. McDonald, Harley Cawthon and Moss Flournoy.
(Fifteen years ago–from the Breeze of November 11, 1920.)
G. A. Reisinger re-opened the former Buckeye laundry.
“The Oklahoma Oil Company spudded in wells No’s. 1 and 2 Monday morning.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Thomas, newly-weds, are expected back this week from a Canadian honeymoon trip.”
Money to the amount of $591, was raised for the state children’s home, and of this amount A. F. Bullard contributed $100; B. C. Davis and W. F. Creary $50, each, and D. F. Hinesley and W. O. Campbell $25 each.
(Ten years ago–from the Breeze of November 12, 1925.)
November 17 was the date set for a bond election in the sum of $63,000 for town improvement purposes.
The committees which were authorized to raise $15,000 for the use of the newly-organized chamber of commerce, reported that they had $18,000 in sight for that purpose.
“Messrs. Wilson and Dawson have purchased the old Campbell place out near Palmer College, from Gillis Douglass and Olin Campbell, and are planning to open up a high class subdivision.”
The then Recorder Fabisinski, now Circuit Judge Fabisinski, of this judicial circuit, fined himself $3.00 and the cost of the case over at Pensacola, for not having his brakes inspected, in accordance with the ordinances made and provided.