In the early 1900s, if you got your name in the newspaper, it was a big deal. It indicated prominence in your community. In Pensacola, these columns were mostly found in the Society section of the paper, with little headings over each news blurb; if you were a businessman or […]
May 28, 1904Marianna, Florida When I got home to Marianna, Cephas and Lula had a congratulatory supper at the house, just family members. At the table, Lula insisted on hearing about the ceremony, the speeches, and the celebration afterwards at the President’s house. After dinner, when we gathered into the […]
May 27, 1904Jacksonville, Florida Oh, God, my head. I awoke gripping my head between my hands, in a fetal position on the bed. Somewhere, there was this loud pounding that was echoing and resonating on the inside of my skull. The pain was so intense; I opened my eyes a […]
May 26, 1904Jacksonville, Florida Two days after the ceremony at Stetson, on May 26, seven of our eight-member, freshly graduated class went to Jacksonville to be admitted to the Florida Bar. After we were sworn in at the Duval County Courthouse by Judge Locke, and were officially lawyers, we decided […]
June 4, 2020Chevy Chase, Maryland I want to share with you the story of this research and why it is coming together across different dates, places and times: It took several years to assemble the information I have — I neither have a research assistant, nor the budget for one […]
May 10, 1903East Hall, Stetson UniversityDeLand, Florida Grandfather died on May 5, 1903. I was there. I ran all the way home from the depot as soon as I got off the train, not waiting for a carriage. The house was full of family and friends. My mother’s brother, Uncle […]
May 2, 2013Chevy Chase, Maryland The more I learn about Pearl, the more I get her. And I like her, for a lot of reasons, though I wasn’t sure I would once I started digging around — but Pearl was unique, surprisingly so, and wanted to make something of herself. […]
October 23, 2018 The University of Maryland, McKeldin Library College Park, MD [Reposted from here.] We all have that one friend who we know we can turn to, no matter what, no matter the time of day. The friend who knows us better than our spouses (sometimes). The friend who […]
January 7, 1901 The Leon Hotel Tallahassee, Florida Cephas and I met his friend and former law partner, Walter Kehoe, in the lobby of The Leon Hotel right before supper. Walter had come to Tallahassee ahead of us by a day or so. “Legal business with the Governor-elect,” he said […]
December 28, 1900, 8 pmChipley, Florida I have to get out of here. This is not my home. I don’t think it really ever was…. I walked through the vestibule, to the hallway, and opened the kitchen door. In the kitchen, Esther glanced up at me and smiled, as she replaced […]
Tell my story. 