Miami and Dade County, Florida E-Book

Ethan V. Blackman

• Herausgeber: Jazzybee Verlag
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 548

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

All history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his material from a multitude of details. In the preparation of this history of Miami and Dade Comity much has doubtless been omitted that might have been of interest, but the author has been obliged to confine his text to the more salient points as illustrative of certain phases of local history. He provides a thorough account of the settlement, progress and achievement of the county, as well as individual sketches of representative citizens.

Leseprobe

Miami and Dade County, Florida

Its Settlement, Progress and Achievement

ETHAN V. BLACKMAN

Miami and Dade County, E. V. Blackman

Jazzybee Verlag Jürgen Beck

86450 Altenmünster, Loschberg 9

Deutschland

ISBN: 9783849649500

www.jazzybee-verlag.de

[email protected]

CONTENTS:

Early History. 1

The Perrine Grant2

Original Dade County. 4

Early Settlers. 6

The Seminole Indians. 8

The City Of Miami9

Churches. 17

Dade County Schools. 22

Civic Organizations And Clubs. 25

The Dade County Bar28

The Medical Profession. 32

Military History. 34

Banks And Banking. 37

The Press. 42

Agriculture And Horticulture. 52

Roads And Bridges. 55

The Florida Everglades. 57

The Deep Water Movement59

The Dade County Fair61

Coconut Grove. 63

Miami Beach. 68

Towns And Villages. 71

Miscellaneous. 75

The Mosquito Of Other Days. 77

Community Names. 78

Biographical80

Early History

IN the year 1808 the Spanish government, which at that time owned Florida, granted to John Egan 100 acres of land situated on the Miami River, then known as Sweet Water, where the City of Miami is now located. The grant was made February 27, 1808. Egan disposed of one tract of this land to Frances Lee and the balance to Thomas Gibson. After Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain, James Egan, a son of John Egan, presented claims for 640 acres and his claim was recognized and confirmed by the United States commissioners at St. Augustine. James Egan later conveyed his donation to Richard Fitzpatric, who had also become the owner of the John Egan grant. These two tracts were afterward mortgaged to John Egan's sister, Harriet English, who conveyed the lands to William F. English, who brought here a large number of slaves and commenced extensive farming projects. He farmed a large portion of the hammock and pine lands, his principal crops being cotton, tobacco and indigo. English died without making any disposition of his property and, he being unmarried, the property was equally divided between his mother, Harriet English, and an only brother, John English. Harriet English conveyed her undivided half interest to Dr. J. V. Harris, of Key West. The late Governor William P. Gleason thought he had a claim to some of this property, but the courts decided against him. About this time a company known as the Biscayne Bay Company was organized and George F. Thew, on behalf of the Biscayne Bay Company, purchased the interests of Dr. Harris and the claims of Governor Gleason, which settled the controversy over the titles of these lands. Later Thew conveyed these lands to the Biscayne Bay Company, who, in turn, conveyed them to Frank G. Ford. Ford transferred the property to J. G. Bailey, W. L Wheeless, Joseph Day and George M. Thew. Afterward Joseph Day purchased the interests of his associates and sometime later sold the property to the late Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle. The half interest in this property inherited by John English passed to the heirs of Joseph M. English, Beverly English and Harriet Gillispie and they also conveyed their interests to Mrs. Tuttle. These transactions perfected the chain of titles of these properties in the original grant.

The Perrine Grant

One of the early acts that brought Dade County before the general public was the act of Congress in 1838 which made a grant of one township of land to Dr. Henry Perrine, a noted scientist, for the purpose of introducing purely tropical plants and trees from the tropics. Dr. Perrine had several years' experience in tropical countries and during his residence abroad he became imbued with the idea that in southern Florida the climatic conditions were similar to those in the real tropics, and that if a large number of trees, plants and shrubs could be brought to the United States and successfully grown that it would be a great economic measure, saving the people of the United States millions of dollars each year, besides building up what was then a wilderness. Dr. Perrine, with this thought in view, went before Congress and asked that one township (six miles square) be granted him for this purpose. On July 2, 1838, Congress passed the following Act:

Whereas, in obedience to the Treasury circular of the sixth of September, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, Doctor Henry Perrine, late American consul at Camp Peachy, has distinguished himself by his persevering exertions to introduce tropical plants into the United States; and

Whereas, he has demonstrated the existence of a tropical climate in south Florida, and has shown the consequent certainty of the immediate domestication of tropical plants in tropical Florida, and the great probability of their gradual acclimation throughout all our southern and southwestern states, especially of profitable plants as propagate themselves on the poorest soil, and

Whereas, if the enterprise should be successful it will render valuable our hitherto worthless soils by covering with a dense population of small cultivators and family manufacturers, and will promote the peace, prosperity and permanency of the Union; therefore.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That a township of land is hereby granted to Doctor Henry Perrine and his associates in the southern extremity of the peninsular of east Florida, to be located in one body of six miles square, upon any portion of the public lands between 26 degrees north latitude.

Section 2. And be it further enacted, That the said tract of land shall be located within two years from this date by said Henry Perrine, and shall be surveyed under his direction by the surveyor of Florida, provided that it shall not embrace any land having sufficient quantities of naval timber to be reserved to the United States nor any site for maritime ports or cities.

Section 3. That whenever any section of land in said tract shall really be occupied by a bona fide settler, engaged in the propagation or cultivation of valuable tropical plants, and upon proof thereof being made to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, a patent shall be issued to the said Henry Perrine and his associates.

Section 4. And be it further enacted, That every section of land in the aforesaid which shall not be occupied by actual settlers engaged in the propagation or cultivation of useful tropical plants within eight years from the location of said tract, or when the said adjacent territory shall be surveyed and offered for sale, shall be forfeited to the United States.

Before it was possible for Dr. Perrine and his associates to carry out the provisions of this act he was murdered by the Seminole Indians. His widow was unable to carry out the contract or grant provisions made by her late husband. In 1847 Dr. Perrine and his associates selected the lands. The lands were surveyed and designated on the public maps as "Perrine Grant." In 1873 an application was made by the State of Florida to list the lands embraced within the grant to the State under the swamp land act of 1850, which application was refused upon the ground that the lands belonged to the Perrine heirs. Up to this time the Perrines had brought 36 families from the Bahamas, who had settled on lands in the grant. It is claimed that these families, or a major part of them, were driven away by the Indians. On account of the murder of Dr. Perrine, the heirs were not able to carry out the provisions of the grant in full. This caused some litigation, which was finally decided in favor of the Perrine heirs. J. E. Ingraham, vice president of the Florida East Coast Railroad, entered into an arrangement with the Perrine heirs, and the grant was taken over by the railroad company, with Mr. Ingraham as trustee. Later Mr. Ingraham turned the property over to the railroad company. Dr. S. H. Richmond, formerly of Massachusetts, was appointed resident agent for the Perrine grant. Dr. Richmond was a graduate from the Massachusetts Agricultural College, which made him a valuable asset to the settlers who came in from other sections.

Original Dade County

Originally, Dade County on the north commenced on the north side of the St. Lucie River and extended southward to the Monroe County line and westward to the Lee County line, the Atlantic Ocean being its eastern boundary. The geological formation of the original county varied greatly and included Everglade marl, sand prairie, pine land, flat woods, hammock and swales. In the northern part were also many acres of scrub lands. The surface of the lands in the northern part of the county vary greatly from the lands in the central and southern portion of the county. The marl lands in the northern part of the old county are of the same general character as all the marl lands, except that in some parts there is a greater amount of sand mixed with the marl formation. The hammock lands, originally covered with a growth of hardwood timber, were considered of a much richer quality than the other land, except the Everglade and muck pockets. In coming south from Jupiter, the character of the hardwood timber in the hammocks changes. The ordinary hardwood is slightly mixed with some of the more tropical trees, increasing in tropical growth until in the hammocks of Fort Lauderdale the common hardwood varieties disappear entirely and the hardwoods of the tropics take their place. The lands in the northern portion of the county are of the same general formation as those in other portions of the state, but on reaching Fort Lauderdale there is a decided change in the character of the land and the natural wild growth in the hammocks. Here, the coraline rock formation begins to crop out, and in coming southward this rock formation is more pronounced. In some places the entire surface of the land is covered with boulders. In other places the rock is called "pot hole" rock, while in other sections plate rock comes to the surface. The surface rocky lands do not extend far into the Everglades, but at different depths the rock is found, and going westward the dip is greater. The soil overlaying the rock in the Everglades is either sand marl or muck (peat), with here and there small hammock islands where the soil runs from 1 to 20 feet deep over the rock.

What is now known as the Everglades was once an inland lake, with long arms extending eastward to Lake Worth, Biscayne Bay or the ocean. These lands are largely sand or marl. Making out from this vast body of over-flowed lands (four million acres) are streams of greater or less proportions that have broken through the ridge of rock and pine land lying between Lake Worth, Biscayne Bay and the ocean.

From the northern boundary of the original Dade County on the east side of Lake Worth, extending southward to Cape Florida, is a ridge of pine land interspersed with strips of hammock and in some places flat woods or saw grass lands, covered with a growth of mangrove, a specie of the Banyan tree. In the vicinity of Fort Lauderdale and Miami there were and are some of the largest tropical hammocks in the United States. These are now fast disappearing in the march of civilization. In the place of the beautiful hammocks, magnificent homes have been built. Going south from Miami, the western shore of Biscayne Bay is lined with a wall of rock several feet in height, and many of these "bluffs" have been purchased by wealthy men and converted into palatial homes. Going still further south, the bluffs disappear and the flat woods and saw grass lands extend down to the shore, while to the west there is a long line of rocky pine land extending west to the Everglades.

The first settlements at the north line of the original county were Jupiter, Juno, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Among the first settlers at Palm Beach were E. N. Dimmick and family, George Lainhart, William Lainhart and a Mr. McCormick. The people living in the north part of old Dade County became dissatisfied with being connected with Miami and the southern part of the county, and began an active campaign to divorce the northern part of the county from the southern portion, which resulted in an election being called to register their desire. In this they were successful. The legislature of 1909 passed an act creating Palm Beach County. This divorced the northern portion of original Dade County, reaching south to a point a few miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Again, dissension arose and the people living in and around Fort Lauderdale became dissatisfied and demanded that another slice be taken off. An election was held July 8, 1913, and in 1915 Broward County was created, being taken from Dade, leaving the present Dade County, with Miami as the county seat. Many people were discouraged by the taking of these two counties from the original Dade. Some thought that the death knell of the county had been sounded, but Dade County put on new life and has developed more rapidly than before.

Early Settlers

In 1856 William P. Wagner, of Charleston, South Carolina, arrived here and took up a homestead of 40 acres near where the new Allapattah school house now stands. He did not take up 160 acres because he thought 40 acres of rock land was all he wanted. In 1858 Joseph William Wagner, also of Charleston, South Carolina, took up a homestead, and he is still a resident of the county, he and Mrs. Adam C. Richards being the only living survivors of those who settled here in 1858 or prior to that year. Adam C. Richards, still a resident of Miami, arrived here on January 26, 1875. Mr. Richards is familiar with the history of the early settlement of the county and his knowledge of the pioneer days probably exceeds that of any other man. Mr. Richards was born in Ohio. When a young man he went to New York and from there sailed to South America. Returning to this country, he landed at Key West and from there took passage in a sailboat for Miami, then Fort Dallas. Here he found the "end of the trail." At that time there were only a few people here. Among them was William B. Brickell, who had purchased the Lewis grants on the south side of the Miami River. Mr. Brickell came from Cleveland, Ohio. Going to New York, he purchased a schooner and set sail for Fort Dallas. He brought building material and workmen and built a home in 1870 or 1871, after which he was joined by his family. G. E. Sturtevant, father of Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle, came to Miami some two years previous to the coming of Mrs. Tuttle and afterwards selected a homestead north of Little River. Governor William G. Gleason and family arrived here about two years before the Brickell family and lived on the north side of the Miami River, later taking up a homestead north of Miami. Adam C. Richards reveals much interesting history of the early period. He married a daughter of William P. Wagner, and was one of the leaders in the pioneer epoch. For 14 years Mr. Wagner made coontie starch from the wild plant that grew in abundance. He says the manufacture of this starch was really a curse to the community. The new settlers took it up and during the season they would make up all the starch necessary for them to secure the bare necessities of life and then spend their time in idleness until it was time to again take up starchmaking. If it had not been for this wild coontie root the people would have been obliged to have cultivated the ground to raise food for their families. At that time hunting was also one of the principal occupations, deer, wild turkey and other game being plentiful. The first houses built were log shacks, simply a cover from the storms, with no idea of conveniences. The people did not seem to want to work, but only desired to be left alone in the primeval forest, without work or care. Mr. Richards grew the first vegetables that were ever grown here for the northern market. This was in 1882. He was then employed by Colonel Ewing, superintendent of the Biscayne Bay Company. The vegetables were grown on the grounds now occupied by the Royal Palm Hotel and on Mr. Richards' place west of the Miami River. This was the first experiment made here in growing food products and was successful. Mr. Richards planted tomatoes, beans and eggplant and shipped them to New York or New Orleans. The uncertainty of the shipments reaching their destination in good order was the principal drawback. He received as high as sixteen dollars per barrel for eggplant and seven dollars and a half per crate for beans. He states that the first fruit trees here of which he has any recollection were planted on the Fletcher place, near the mouth of the Miami River. These were Maumee apples, sapadillo, avocado, mango and orange trees. They made rapid growth and came into bearing early. In 1877 Mr. Richards was elected tax assessor and collector and has in his possession the original tax books. In 1888 Samuel Rhodes was elected treasurer. Rhodes settled on a homestead at Coconut Grove and laid out a town called New Biscayne. When he became treasurer he did not know what to do with the county's money, as there were no banks here then. He secured a tin box and hid the treasure in a crevice of a rocky bluff near his home. A forest fire broke out, sweeping the surface of the country, and endangered the safety of Rhodes' vault. After the fire had spent its fury, the tin box was found unharmed and the county's wealth was saved. Mr. Richards brands as untrue the old, familiar story of the stealing of the Dade County courthouse. He states that there was a regular election called and held for the removal of the courthouse from Miami to Lake Worth and the result was that those who wanted the county seat removed won. At that time Al Field, Pat Lennan and others owned large tracts of land at Juno, on Lake Worth. In the call for the election no definite site was mentioned. Field, Lennan and the others wanted to locate the courthouse at Juno. The Dimmicks, Moore and other settlers residing at Lake Worth, now Palm Beach, thinking it would, of course, be located at Lake Worth, voted for the removal. The Juno crowd won, but lost what they expected in the making of a town. Juno did not develop, and just ten years afterward another election was called to remove the courthouse. West Palm Beach and Miami entered into a spirited contest for the honor, which resulted in Miami being chosen for the county seat. Soon afterwards the books, papers and other county belongings were moved to Miami and an old building on the north shore of the Miami River was used for a courthouse until the building of the present structure. When the removal was made from Miami to Juno all the county documents were packed in one soap box.

The Seminole Indians

No history of the early settlement of Dade County would be complete without mention of the Seminole Indians. When Florida became a part of the United States the Indians were a menace to the peaceful development of the country. These troubles culminated in the Indian War, which cost 1,500 lives, twenty millions of dollars and eight years of time. It was ended in 1842 by the banishment of the hostile red men into the fastness of the Everglades. The Indians remaining in Florida after these wars were the Seminoles. The original name was "Seminole," meaning "renegade," and was applied to the tribe by the Cherokees and Creeks, from whom they separated. The taking of the decennial census among the Seminoles has been difficult, but there are believed to be about 400 members of this tribe in Florida. The Seminole is a familiar figure in Miami and Dade County, where their crude and gaudy dress attracts the attention of the stranger. In their half-cultivated fields they raise corn, pumpkins, potatoes, peas, chickens and hogs. They are expert fishers and kill what game they need. Five or six families usually camp under one head, each family having its own palmetto-thatched hut. The Seminole is healthy, industrious in his own way, moral and just. Devoted to tribal customs, he is usually kind to his women and children, and reverences the Great Spirit.

THE CITY OF MIAMI

The First Awakening

It had been a long, weary Rip Van Winkle sleep that enveloped this tropical section. The same unapproachable climate had prevailed for centuries, the same clear, sparkling waters had laved the shores of Biscayne Bay, with only now and then a visitor drifting in on his way to somewhere from somewhere. In many cases some real enthusiasm was kindled in the breasts of these wanderers, but no permanent advance was made toward bringing the wonders of this tropical section before the public. For centuries it had been the same; flowers of rare beauty grew in profusion and "blushed unseen," the same equable climate had prevailed for centuries, encouraging the growth of tropical and semrtropical fruits and trees; Biscayne Bay, the most beautiful sheet of water in the world, had remained for centuries "unknown and unloved." The few who came here went their way singing the praises of this wonderful clime, but the story fell on deaf ears. With the coming of the Biscayne Bay Company, efforts were made to let the world know of the wonderful place, but so far as bringing settlers here, the story again fell on deaf ears. Later the coming of Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle, of Cleveland, Ohio, who purchased the lands of the Biscayne Bay Company and settled here permanently, was a failure so far as bringing in settlers and developing the country. Seemingly it did no good for Mrs. Tuttle to tell the wondrous story of the land of palms and sunshine. Now and then a settler would come in, but there was no general movement toward development. The Brickells, who had settled on the south side of the Miami River, also failed to bring people here.

The world was singing the praises of Henry M. Flagler, who had completed the Florida East Coast Railroad to Palm Beach. Mrs. Tuttle, believing that the only thing needed to bring this country before the public was to induce Mr. Flagler to extend his road to Miami, made the trip to St. Augustine to interview Mr. Flagler and lay her plans before him. The trip was made in vain. She also wrote many letters to Mr. Flagler, offering to divide her large property holdings with him. Her persistent pleas were of no avail at that time. But Providence favored Mrs. Tuttle in her efforts. The great freeze of 1894-1895 devastated the old orange belt, making men of wealth paupers, destroying their groves and wiping out their fortunes. Mr. Flagler then remembered Mrs. Tuttle's story of this tropical country, and wondered if the hand of misfortune had fallen as heavily here as throughout the old orange belt. He went over the propositions made by Mrs. Tuttle and instructed his lieutenant, Mr. Ingraham, to make a trip to Miami and investigate the conditions that then existed there. On arriving at Miami, Mr. Ingraham was not only surprised but delighted to find that the frost king had not reached here. He found flowers in full bloom and the foliage dark and green; in fact, it was another world. Much depended upon his answer to his chief, as there were other conditions to be taken into consideration. He was delighted with the climatic conditions, but the impenetrable hammocks and the rocky pine lands entered his mind, and he wondered if these seemingly worthless lands could be subdued and brought into cultivation. As evidence that the frost had not reached Miami, a bouquet of flowers and foliage was gathered and sent to Mr. Flagler, and soon the order was given to extend the Florida East Coast Railroad to Miami. It is safe to say that the decision to extend the road to Miami was based on Mr. Ingraham's report.

The report soon went out that the railroad would be extended to Miami as rapidly as men and money could do the work. This report was Miami's first awakening from its long sleep. Soon there was a hack line started from Palm Beach to Miami. Ferries had to be provided over the several water courses. Men began to arrive by the hundreds. The thousands who were out of work throughout the old orange belt flocked to Miami, and in a short time shacks and tents appeared. The bay was covered with sail boats, where men put up with all kinds of inconveniences to be here when the order was given for work to commence. At that time food was scarce, the Brickells having the only store in operation, and the influx of people was so great that it was almost impossible to get stocks to supply the demand. Days passed, weeks came and went, and yet there was no order for the work to commence. Many became almost desperate, as they had used up their little all in coming to Miami. Conditions were almost unbearable when the news came that Joseph A. McDonald, John B. Reilly, John Sewell and E. G. Sewell would arrive in Miami the next day (February 15, 1896), and that the work of building the Royal Palm Hotel would be commenced immediately. The spell was broken. Men became almost frantic with joy over the prospects of work. It was the dawn of another day.

The Birth of a City

Miami was incorporated as a city in 1896. It has the distinction of never having been a village or town, but was born a full-fledged city. The city's birthday was July 28, 1896. An election for city officers was held and John B. Reilly was chosen the first mayor, and Fred S. Morse, Joseph A. McDonald, Daniel Cosgrove and Walter S. Graham were elected councilmen, and Jack Graham city clerk. The settlement prior to this time had been known as Fort Dallas, the name of the military post maintained here for many years during and following the Indian wars. When the city was incorporated there was considerable discussion as to the name for the city. Many desired to name the new city "Flagler," in honor of Henry M. Flagler, but it was finally decided to take the name Miami, which is a Seminole Indian word meaning "Sweet Water," and was applied by the Seminoles to the river which flows through the city. The growth of the city since its incorporation has been phenomenal. In 1895 there were but two families residing in what is now Miami. Today the city has a permanent population of forty-two thousand people, and this is augmented during the tourist season by a transient population of from fifty to a hundred thousand. Miami is situated on Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and is 366 miles south of Jacksonville, on the main line of the Florida East Coast Railroad. It is the county seat of Dade County, the southernmost county on the mainland of the United States. It is the southern terminus of the Dixie Highway. Below the city is the Ingraham Highway, and crossing the Everglades westerly is the Tamiami Trail, now being constructed, which will connect the Atlantic Ocean at Miami with the Gulf of Mexico. Miami Canal, running to Lake Okeechobee, connects at the south by way of the Miami River with Biscayne Bay. The Florida East Coast Railroad has its shop yards in Miami, and the city is the center of all its operations on the southern section of the road.

Mayors of Miami

The following named men have presided over the destinies of the city of Miami since its incorporation: John B. Reilly, four terms; J. E. Lummus, three terms; John Sewell, four terms; Frank H. Wharton, two terms; Rodman Smith, one term (died in office); John W. Watson, two terms; Parker A. Henderson, one term; W. P. Smith, one term.

In 1921 the electorate of Miami voted to adopt the commission-manager form of government. On January 21, 1921, a committee of fifteen was chosen to draft a new city charter. This charter was submitted to the voters in June and its adoption ratified. An election was then called for July 12, 1921, for the election of five commissioners, who, upon their election, would choose a manager for the city. The commissioners elected at this election were J. E. Lummus, E. C. Romfh, J. I. Wilson, C. D. Leffler, and James H. Oilman, who immediately assumed their duties. Col. C. S. Coe was named city manager.

Early Settlers

Here is given a partial list of the early settlers of Miami — those who came here among the first and who have stood strong and stalwart in advancing the interests of the city. There are perhaps others who should be mentioned in this connection, but their names cannot now be recalled.

Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle came here from Cleveland, Ohio, in 1870, and purchased the property of the Biscayne Bay Company.

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Brickell, with their family, came here from Cleveland, Ohio, in 1870, and Mr. Brickell purchased the Lewis grants.

Joseph A. McDonald arrived here February 15, 1896, to superintend the work of Henry M. Flagler.

John B. Reilly came in 1896 as bookkeeper and cashier for Joseph A. McDonald.

John Sewell came here from Kissimmee in 1896 as foreman for the Flagler interests.

E. G. Sewell came from Kissimmee in 1896, and, in company with his brother, John Sewell, opened the first clothing and shoe store in Miami.

Frank T. Budge came from Titusville in 1896 and opened a hardware store.

J. E. Lummus came in 1896 and opened a general store.

Jack Graham arrived in 1896 and was elected the first city clerk.

Isidor Cohen was among the 1896 arrivals and opened the first clothing store on the south side of the Miami River.

John W. Watson came here in 1896 from Kissimmee and built and opened a hardware store on Fourteenth street.

E. L. Brady, of Titusville, came in 1896 and opened a grocery store.

L. C. Oliver came from Titusville in 1896 and opened a lumber yard.

E. V. Blackman came here from Rockledge in 1896 and organized the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Salem Graham arrived from Palatka in 1896 and opened the first hotel in Miami in a house leased from William B. Brickell.

C. F. Sulzner, of St. Augustine, came to Miami in 1896, before the railroad had been extended.

William M. Brown, of Titusville, arrived here in 1896 and, with his associates, opened the first bank here, the Bank of Bay Biscayne.

Fred S. Morse, a Bostonian, came here a year or two before the railroad was extended to Miami.

In 1898 Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Douglas came here from Jacksonville and opened a dry goods and millinery store for Cohen & Friedman.

E. C. Romfh came here in 1896 and secured a position with L. C. Oliver, later taking a position with the Bank of Bay Biscayne.

Judge H. F. Atkinson came here from Altoona, Florida, in January, 1897, and opened a law office.

Samuel A. Belcher came to Miami before the railroad had been extended here and took up a homestead west of Miami.

J. H. Cheatham, accompanied by his brother, Thomas Cheatham, arrived here from Bartow, July 16, 1898.

Charles T. McCrimmon (deceased) was among the 1896 arrivals.

John Frohock, former sheriff, arrived here in August, 1896.

E. A. Waddell, who originally came from Canada, arrived in Miami in 1894. He came before there was any movement toward opening up this section.

T. N. Gautier came from West Palm Beach to Miami in 1896.

Dr. and Mrs. Jackson were among the first to arrive here in 1896, coming from Bronson, Florida. The second year of the opening of the Royal Palm Hotel Dr. Jackson was appointed house physician of that hostelry.

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Mills came with the Flagler crowd in 1896, and Mr. Mills had charge of the painting of the Royal Palm Hotel.

George B. Romfh was among the 1896 crowd. He was bookkeeper for C. L. Oliver and later entered the employ of E. L. Brady Company. Mr. Romfh established the Miami Grocery.

Captain J. F. Jaudon came here from Kissimmee in the fall of 1895. He opened a produce house and later was assessor of Dade County for several terms.

Harry C. Budge, secretary-treasurer of the E. B. Douglas Company, came here from Titusville February 1, 1896.

Robert R. Taylor, attorney, came here in 1896 from Jacksonville.

Dr. R. E. Chafer took up his residence here July 2, 1896, coming from Kissimmee and opening up the first dental office here.

John Seybold arrived in Miami April 28, 1896, as a journeyman baker and is now president of the Seybold Baking Company.

Walter S. Graham and family came here from Titusville in 1896. Mr. Graham, in company with William Featherly, founded the first newspaper here, the Miami Metropolis. Mr. Graham was a lawyer of high standing and compiled the first ordinances of the City of Miami. He was one of the first city councilmen.

J. K. Dorn came here among the early arrivals.

Edwin Nelson, of Melbourne, came here in 1896.

Captain Charles Thompson was among the very early settlers here. Captain Thompson made a catch of the largest fish caught in the southern waters. The fish was exhibited in almost every city of the country.

William Burdine and family came to Miami in 1896, as did also Mrs. Eva P. Quarterman and family. Mr. Burdine opened a small store on Avenue D, and later leased a much larger store on Twelfth street. After the death of William Burdine the business was reorganized under the name of Burdine's Sons, now one of the leading department stores south of Jacksonville.

Early Buildings

The first building erected in Miami was a residence and office built by J. A. McDonald at the corner of the Boulevard and Fourteenth street. The second residence built here was built by a Mrs. Blackburn on the ground where the Federal building now stands. The Royal Palm Hotel was the next structure erected. The excavation for the foundation was begun early in April, 1896. Joseph A. McDonald, who had charge of the Flagler work, built the Biscayne Hotel in 1896, a solid brick structure costing about $50,000. Frank T. Budge erected a three-story store building on the north side of Twelfth street to take the place of his first wooden structure on Avenue D. J. E. Lummus erected a concrete building for his grocery business after his first building had been destroyed by fire. The Townleys erected a store building for Cohen & Friedman, of Jacksonville. E. L. Brady & Company erected a brick store building at the corner of Twelfth street and Avenue D. The Bank of Bay Biscayne occupied one of the two ground floors until the bank purchased their present site. The Model Land Company erected a two-story brick structure at the corner of Twelfth street and Avenue C, with two store rooms. D. M. Connoly built the Everglade Hotel, a wooden structure at the corner of Fourteenth street and Avenue C, where the Gralynn Hotel now stands. Lake & Goodwin built the first ice and cold storage plant on the north side of Avenue D, near the spur track that leads to the Royal Palm Hotel. Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle built the Miami Hotel on Avenue D. The hotel was two stories and contained 200 rooms. It was destroyed by fire in 1898. Losley & Renecker erected a two-story wooden building on Avenue D in 1896. The ground floor was to be used for a saloon, but there was a clause in the deed that prohibited this and suit was brought against them and before the suit was settled the building was destroyed by fire.

Miami Today

To draw a pen picture of the City of Miami today, with its 40,000 or more inhabitants, with its long rows of up-to-date business blocks, its palatial homes and magnificent hotels and apartments, is beyond the descriptive power of even the most talented writer. It is today a cosmopolitan city, thriving with commercialism and prosperity. Climate, location and a progressive citizenship have made Miami the wonder and admiration of the world and given it high rank among the resort cities of Europe and America. It is difficult to convince the newcomer that this great transformation had been accomplished within so short a time, for 25 years ago the location of the now famed city was a wilderness. According to the late United States census the City of Miami increased in population in the last ten years 440 per cent and Dade County 229 per cent, establishing a record unknown to any other city or county in the United States. This gives Miami a permanent population of about 42,000.

Miami is the most popular tourist center of all the South. The city sprang into existence with the opening of the Royal Palm Hotel, one of the largest and most popular of the chain of hotels of the Florida East Coast Railroad Company. Simultaneously with the opening of the Royal Palm, the Hotel Biscayne was opened to the public, and since then, year after year, large and modern hotels have been erected that in point of beauty and convenience are not surpassed by any other city of the world. Among the leading hotels are the Royal Palm, Halcyon Hotel, Hotel Urmey, The Graylynn, the McAllister, Tamiami, the McKinnon, Pershing, Green Tree Inn, the Alta Vista, the Plaza, and San Carlos. In spite of the fact that a great number of modern hotels have been and are being built, there was a shortage of accommodations for the throng of tourists, and beautiful apartment houses were erected by the hundreds; rooming houses, like Jonah's gourd, sprang up in every direction, and private families opened their doors to the "stranger within our gates." The cry is still heard for more accommodations and every effort is being made to reach a point where it can be said "there is room for all."

Within the city limits there are about 50 miles of paved streets and many more miles of concrete sidewalks. Contracts have been let for many additional miles of street paving and sidewalks. The post office and Federal building were erected but a few years ago and at that time it was thought that ample provision had been made for years to come. When the Federal building was erected it was said to be the largest and most expensive building ever erected by the government in a city of the size of Miami at that time, but the rapid growth of the city has rendered it inadequate. To help out the situation, four sub-stations have been established, but even these do not fill the pressing demands upon the department. A contract has been let for the erection of another post office building, located near the depot of the Florida East Coast Railroad. A post office has also been established at Miami Beach, which has, in a measure, relieved the situation.

The city is noted for the elegance and beauty of its homes. There is probably no city of similar size in the United States where such lavish expenditures has been made on residential properties. The shore of Biscayne Bay is one continuous line of concrete mansions, reaching to the south bank of the Miami River. North of Miami, to Lemon City, is thickly built up with homes that would do credit to New York, Philadelphia or other metropolitan cities. The Charles Deering estate, one of the most valuable private estates in America, lies just south of the city, on Biscayne Bay. There are six large modern school buildings within the city limits. Teachers of national reputation have said that Miami and Dade County have the most complete and modern school system and the best buildings of any county in the United States. Miami has, from the beginning, been noted as a city of churches. Nearly every denomination is represented and many handsome church edifices adorn the city. There are six banks in Miami, with total deposits of over $20,000,000. The mercantile establishments vie in size and quality of merchandise carried with cities of 100,000 inhabitants. There are five ice and cold storage plants in the city. The public utilities of the city include telephone, gas, water, electric light and power. A street railway traverses a part of the principal streets, connecting with Miami Beach by way of the Causeway across Biscayne Bay, making a loop on the Miami Beach side, so every part of that city has easy access to the line. A ten-minute schedule is maintained both summer and winter. There are several bus lines running north, south and west from Miami, so that all the outlying towns are easily reached several times daily. To the north, a bus line runs as far as West Palm Beach. Miami has one of the most up-to-date fire departments in the state. There are three stations, the Central on Flagler street, the Riverside on West Flagler street, and one in the north part of the city. Each station is fully equipped with the latest electric firefighting equipment. The city can boast of the finest "great white way" lighting system in the southland. At present this "great white way" extends over the principal portion of Flagler street, Miami avenue and First street, northwest.

The Causeway, leading from Miami to Miami Beach, spanning Biscayne Bay, is one of the greatest and most expensive works of its kind ever undertaken. The Causeway was built by Dade County at a cost of about $1,000,000. It has two double driveways, a street car track and room for a sidewalk. It has two draws, one on the east side and one on the west side. The Causeway is about three and one-half miles in length. The Collins bridge also spans Biscayne Bay, a short distance north of the Causeway. It has recently been taken over by a company who are building four islands in the bay, all of which will connect with the Collins bridge. There has been two islands thrown up in Biscayne Bay and bridges from the islands connect with the Causeway. On these new made islands several very handsome residences have been erected and nearly all the lots on them have been sold to parties who will build winter homes.

Miami has become an important wholesale center. Many of the large wholesale establishments of Jacksonville have either moved their business here or have established large branch houses. With the completion of the deep water project the city will become one of the most important ports of entry on the south Atlantic coast. The city has built a large warehouse on the municipal dock, which has already proven too small to care for the rapidly increasing domestic and foreign trade, and is now preparing to expend $400,000 in enlarging the warehouse and extending the docks. Trade between Miami and Nassau has rapidly increased within recent years, requiring the services of several boat lines. South American countries are beginning to recognize Miami as their nearest port of entry and are anxiously awaiting the establishment of steamer lines to and from their ports. Recently Miami has become an important terminal for domestic and foreign hydroplanes, with the United States mail service to Nassau, Bimini and Havana. This service is to be greatly increased during the winter of 1921-22.

Miami has an annual mean temperature of 74.6 degrees, the most equable climate of any city in America. The city is the site of an experiment station of the United States Department of Agriculture, where the cultivation of sub-tropical plants is carried on.

This brief chronicle of the City of Miami in the good year 1921 is necessarily incomplete. The city is still in its swaddling clothes, a lusty infant, whose destiny none may yet foresee. Its birth was propitious — a city born in a day — and its growth and development is without parallel in the history of American cities. The wave of development begun in 1896 has increased each year into new and larger proportions. The future of the city is firmly established, and its growth in the years to come will surpass the enviable record already made. When we say that Miami is the most beautiful city on this continent we are but voicing the opinions of men and women who have traveled the "wide world over" and who at last have found here their "haven of rest."

CHURCHES

From the beginning the people of Miami have been known as a church-going people. It is not stating the fact too strongly to say that one of the inducements that has brought desirable people to the city has been the fact that the people as a whole are noted for their high standing in moral and religious activities. Perhaps no city in the country is made up by a people so largely imbued with strong religious tendencies. Mr. Flagler, early in the history of Miami, realized that church organizations were one of the necessary foundations on which to build a city. Consequently he made provision for the gift of two lots to each denomination, one for a church building and one for a parsonage. Mr. Flagler was a member of the Presbyterian church, the son of a Presbyterian minister, and his first thought was to provide for a Presbyterian church and organization. He set aside two lots at the corner of Eleventh Street and Avenue B on which to erect a church building, but for some reason he changed his plan, after the excavation had been commenced, and selected two lots at the corner of Twelfth (now Flagler) Street and Short Street. On these lots Mr. Flagler built a very handsome church edifice, which he later deeded to the Presbyterian church.

The Presbyterian church was the first church organized here. Their first place of worship was a tent-like house at the corner of Avenue D (now Miami Avenue), near the spur track of the Florida East Coast Railroad leading to the Royal Palm Hotel. This was used by the denomination as a place of worship for a year or two. Whenever the Presbyterian tent-house was not in use by their denomination, the use of it was freely given to other denominations who had no place for services. This was not only a fraternal and gracious spirit, but a typical illustration of the earnest Christian spirit of the people. Not only was the tent used for religious service, but it was opened as a reading room for the public and made a gathering place for the "homeless" people then here. Papers and magazines were donated for this purpose. In 1897 Rev. W. W. Faris was called to the pastorate and continued until he retired as pastor emeritus in 1919. Dr. Faris rendered valiant service to the community not only as a minister but as a pioneer citizen.

A short time after the Presbyterians organized here, and laid claim to the fact that their church was the first to organize, the Congregationalists came in, the Rev. Plaz being the district representative. For a short time there was some conflict between the representatives of the two denominations, which finally resulted in the withdrawal of the Congregationalists from this field.

The Roman Catholic church was also organized here about this time and lots were secured at the corner of Northeast First Avenue and Northwest First Street by Joseph A. McDonald. Soon after the organization of the church, steps were taken to erect a church edifice. The Roman Catholics were very aggressive in their work and soon erected their church building and priest's house. The late Joseph A. McDonald and Mrs. McDonald were devout members of the church and to them is largely due the successful raising of the funds for the buildings. Some years later the Catholics built a convent school on the rear of the lot occupied by the Church of the Holy Name, and the school was in charge of Sister Eubhemia. The school building is a large two-story structure. From the beginning, this school has been most successful, the pupils not only coming from the Catholic families but many Protestant families as well. The Roman Catholics are now preparing to erect a new church building for the Church of the Holy Name, which when completed will be one of the finest and most complete Catholic churches in the South.

The late Mrs. Julia D. Tuttle was a devout Episcopalian and early in the awakening of Miami gave to the Episcopal church lots at the corner of Northeast Second Avenue and Second Street on which to build a house of worship for her chosen denomination. A movement was then started to raise funds for building a church edifice, and the movement was carried on with much earnestness by the eight women members of that faith. Mrs. Tuttle, in addition to giving the lots for the building, was a contributor to the church building fund. Among the leading members were Mrs. Curtis W. Gardner, Fred S. Morse, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank T. Budge. Several years later the original church building was removed and a modern concrete edifice and rectory was erected in its stead, which is an ornament to the city.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Miami was organized in 1896, the Rev. E. V. Blackman being its pastor. The first organization was made up of about thirty members. Among the prominent charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, and Mrs. J. I. Wilson. The Methodists had for some time quite a checkered career and worshipped wherever a place was open to them. The Presbyterian tent was used when not occupied by its own denomination. For a time services were held in a store building at or near the corner of Northwest First Street, near Avenue D (Miami Avenue). The Methodists were aggressive in their work. The residents of the city at that time were made up largely of young men who had no home and who lived in boarding houses or tents. At North Miami, just outside the city limits, was a resort of unsavory reputation, where a large number of these young men gathered on Saturday nights and where drinking, gambling and other evils were carried on. Rev. Blackman conceived the idea of holding a song service on Saturday night, and the members of his church encouraged the movement by their presence and hearty cooperation. The song service proved to be a success, and each Saturday night the room was filled with the "homeless" young men and others. All entered into the song service with zeal. A short time was spent in religious talks, and thirty to forty minutes in getting acquainted. Many young men on their way to North Miami heard the singing, came to the song service, and spent at least one evening in the week where a religious and moral atmosphere surrounded them. Later it was thought desirable to secure lots and build a church edifice and parsonage. A request was sent to J. E. Ingraham, vice-president of the Florida East Coast Railroad, for a donation of two lots for this purpose. The lots granted were at the comer of First Street and First Avenue, Northeast. When the plans for the church building and parsonage were completed it was found that the two lots would not be sufficient for both buildings. The plans were sent to Mr. Ingraham with the explanation that it would be impossible to carry out the plans on only two lots. Mr. Ingraham replied that it was Mr. Flagler's plan to give to each church organization two lots and that he could not change that plan without consulting Mr. Flagler. The writer wrote to Mr. Flagler, explaining the situation, and among my most treasured letters is the reply of Mr. Flagler in donating the third lot. Mr. Flagler told of his original plan to give to each church two lots, which he thought was liberal and reasonable. "However," he added, "you have been in my employ a long time, and knowing you as I do I will make an exception in this case. The plans for the building and the parsonage are entirely acceptable to me, and I will instruct Mr. Ingraham to make the deeds to the three lots as requested by you." The foundation of the church building was laid soon afterward, and a subscription list circulated for funds, with satisfactory results. Later the church sold this property and purchased two lots at the corner of Avenue B and Ninth Street and built the White Temple, their present edifice, one of the largest and most complete houses of worship in Miami.

The Baptist church was organized here in 1896. John Sewell, being among the first to come to Miami and being an energetic member of the Baptist church, is largely responsible for the organization of the Baptist church in Miami. Rev. J. R. Jester, a student at Mercer University, was sent here to organize the church, and in Mr. Sewell he found a hearty co-worker. After canvassing the town they found sixteen people willing to join the new church, and immediate steps were taken to perfect an organization. The following named persons were among the members secured: John Sewell, J. W. Arnold, E. E. Padgett, Mrs. Rosa Padgett, C. H. Height, J. H. Cashwell, Mrs. M. M. Cashwell, J. M. Strange, J. J. Dykes, H. W. Padgett, J. L. DeVaughn, Mrs. M. P. Amason, Mrs. Emma Strange, and W. H. Edwards. This was the nucleus around which the Baptist church built. The church building was commenced in 1901, the work being completed as rapidly as the building committee could secure the funds. It was a wooden structure, with a comfortable auditorium. Rev. W. E. Stanton, of San Mateo, was called to the pastorate and remained until 1910, when Rev. John A. Wray was called, remaining until 1916. Rev. Wray was a very able pastor, and the church flourished under his care. Rev. J. L. White, the present pastor, followed Rev. Wray, and has accomplished a wonderful work in Miami. His first work was to build a new building, and his efforts resulted in the erection of a modern concrete building costing about $160,000. The old church building was moved to another site on Avenue B, remodeled and named the Stanton Memorial Church, in memory of Dr. W. E. Stanton, who served the church long and faithfully and who was loved not only by the members of the Baptist church but by all who knew him.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in Miami in 1898, by the Rev. Fred C. Blackburn, and a wooden church building was erected at the corner of Northeast First Avenue. The Congregation grew rapidly, and in 1919-1920 the old building was removed and a large and beautiful church building was erected in its place, giving ample room for its increasing congregation. Among those who were foremost in the work of organization were Dr. James M. Jackson and T. N. Gautier and family.

There have been numerous other church organizations perfected in Miami in recent years, in keeping with the rapid growth and development of the city along other lines. The greater part of these new organizations have houses of worship and stated pastors. At present the Congregationalists are erecting a handsome brick church building on Second Avenue Northeast. Rev. J. N. Ward is pastor.

At Coconut Grove the Episcopalians organized early and have a very complete chapel in which services are held. The Methodist Episcopal church also has a good organization there. In 1920 the Congregationalists built a large and handsome church edifice of native stone.

At Miami Beach a Congregational church was organized in 1920, and in 1920-1921 the congregation built a commodious and beautiful church edifice.

At Silver Palm the Baptists and Methodist Episcopal, South, have organizations, and each has comfortable houses of worship.

At Homestead the Methodist Episcopal, South, organized several years ago, has a modern house of worship.

At Lemon City the Baptists and the Methodist Episcopal, South, have strong congregations and each has comfortable buildings.

The Miami Young Men's Christian Association and the Miami Young Women's Christian Association are militant organizations of great influence. Both associations have modern, concrete homes, and both are centrally located.

DADE COUNTY SCHOOLS

The first teacher employed in the public schools of Dade County was a sort of a "Pooh Bah." He was county superintendent of public instruction and principal and faculty of three or four schools at one and the same time. This teacher was employed in the early eighties, by the state superintendent of schools, to go from place to place and teach the children in their homes a week at a time. He received a salary of about $40 a month, out of which he paid all his living, traveling and office expenses. Soon, however, as communities grew, rough frame shacks were provided and regular schools opened up for business, Juno, Lemon City and Coconut Grove being among the first. Judge A. E. Heyser, who now lives in Miami, was the first regular county superintendent and Miss Ada Merritt and R. E. McDonald were pioneer principals.

A well-defined and earnest desire of the early settlers of Dade County that their children should be given a common school training was the foundation of Dade County's present splendid school system. The early growth and development of the system was especially fostered by the competent leadership of Z. T. Merritt, who was superintendent for eight years, beginning his incumbency in 1897. About this time Miami's first public school was begun under the capable R. E. McDonald. The end of the Merritt administration saw Dade County with some 25 schools, stretching from Stuart, 105 miles to the north, to Silver Palms, on the south. Each community had comfortable school houses and they were equipped with modern desks and furnishings, where good teachers were employed for a term of from seven to eight months.

The writer was installed superintendent of schools in January, 1905, and held the office continuously for 16 years. Probably the greatest problem that confronted him and the boards was the task of providing schools for the most rapidly growing county in the United States, and incident to such growth the sad lack of funds. On an average, the school population during these 16 years has doubled every two and one-half years, while, as a rule, the tax assessment increased from 10 to 15 per cent. This left a deficit each year, which was greatly increased by the larger salaries paid teachers and the large increase in the cost of every phase of school operations. From time to time the addition of cultural and vocational courses have been made, and by consolidation of several small schools into one large central school, Dade County has today a school system second to none anywhere in America. A history of Dade County schools would not be complete without some reference to the school board members, and the schools as they are today are monuments to the earnest and faithful men who served as the administrators of Dade County's school system. W. M. Burdine, W. W. Paris, H. A. Pennock, A. Leight Monroe, G. A. Douglas and P. C. Bush, all served several terms and gave their time and energies unselfishly to the business end of the schools.

It may be interesting to note that during the past 16 years every school building in every district has been replaced by a modern concrete structure. In Miami, in 1904, the only school was a four-room frame building on Avenue C, where the Central Grammar School now stands. When that building was erected in 1909 a howl went up. Some people said "Why that building will last Miami 50 years!" As a matter of fact it was crowded almost by the time it was finished.

Dade County has no reason to be ashamed of her schools. Graduates from the high schools are admitted to standard universities everywhere and their worth is everywhere recognized.

A word about the County Agricultural School may not be amiss. From a vision and a dream in the mind of one man. Dr. J. G. DuPuis, has come into being the first Agricultural High School in Florida and one of the first in the whole country. With Federal aid, under the provisions of the Smith-Hughes law, this school is now a congressional district school and is doing a work along vocational lines that makes it a beacon light to this section of Florida.

The above historical sketch of the public schools of Dade County was written by Prof. R. E. Hall, who was the capable superintendent of public instruction for 16 years. To Prof. Hall and his board the people of Miami and Dade County are under many obligations for the present high standing of the public schools and for the class of school buildings which the county now has. Judge A. E. Heyser and Z. T. Merritt started the work for a high grade system of schools throughout the county and both of these gentlemen did heroic work in the interests of the schools in the early days.

When it is taken into consideration that 25 years ago there were no public schools in what now constitutes Dade County, the rapid growth and development of our schools indicates not only the growth of population but also the class of people that came here in the early days. The first thought of the newcomers was a public school. If there were no schools there could be no great increase of population from other portions of the country. The people demanded the schools and the county furnished them, but it has been a difficult task to build school houses as rapidly as the demand increased. Captain C. J. Rose came here from Ohio and took up a homestead a few miles west of Miami. He immediately commenced talking "school." The few people then here did not favor his idea that the children must have school privileges and he had a hard fight to get them of his mind. Finally, he, with others, went to the beach where there was plenty of wreck lumber and brought it ashore, carting it into the back country, where they built a shack and called it a school house. The first public school in Miami was held in a building at the corner of First street, N. W., and Miami Avenue, with Prof. R. E. McDonald as principal. The school opened with about 20 pupils. It is safe to say that in no other part of Florida, or any other state, has there been such a wonderful development of the public school system as there has been in Miami and Dade County. The school buildings in Miami and in all the country districts are marvels of beauty. These buildings are all built of concrete and are as near fire-proof as can be. Each building is furnished with a well-selected library of text and reference books, containing 300 volumes or more. Dr. Charles T. Gawn, ex-president of the Central Michigan State Normal School, had this to say of the Dade County schools: "In the course of many years' experience I have come in contact with rural education in practically all sections of the United States, and after visiting every school in Dade County I am prepared to state somewhat dogmatically that there is no other county in the United States that can show a better rural school organization and equipment." He also made the same statement in regard to the city schools.

Twenty-five years ago the Dade County School Board did not own a dollar's worth of property, now the total valuation of the school properties in Miami and the country districts amounts to the magnificent sum of $1,334,121.96.