The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-08-18
SOME
s.HORIDA INCIDENTS.
The Founder Of Tallahassee
Still Living---How He Came
toFlorida. ~ ~ ~ *

$3.50, 900. The civil war followed close
ly after, the slaves were freed, and in
the unsettled condition of the cOun-
try, the business was abandoned.
The factory has been torn down.
RESIDES IN TALLAHASSEE.
In Tallahassee one constantly hears
the name of Gamble in connection
with important events, and upon in
quiry the writer learned that Major
Gamble, now 90 years old, is resi-
dent of this city-in fact one of cur
most prominent enthusiastically
connected, well informed and ex-
tremeiy interesting on account of his
connection with so many historical
events Of the country, and his Won
derfui ability to relate them in
pleasing and fascinating manner.
In company with Mrs. 4. T. Corn
we'll, wife of Manatee's representa-
tive, the writer called at the Gamble
home, and was cordially received b.
his only daughter, a charming young
Howard Gamble, a distant relative.
When we asked for the major, his
daughter said: ''I'n see if l can find
him; he is probably busy about the
place somewhere as be is not content
to be idle minute Returning she
said: 81 found father painting tool
chest he has made for his tools; he
must have a place for every
thing and everything in it's
place, hope you will not mind
waiting bit for him to make
some changes in his toilet" During
the short wait we were delightfully."-
entertained by Mrs. Gamble, who
said: 1.-The great misfortune of faith
er's life has been that he was always
ahead of the times; he sees great
possibilities, but they are further in
the future than he imagines.'' Point
i ig to the remains of fire near by
she said: ''Our old home was burned
last year, and we barely escaped in
our night clothes, saving virtually
nothing 1t was a great blow to us
all, as we lost so many heirlooms,
furniture, silver, family portraits, and
all of fathers valuable papers which
so much history of his own
c )mpilation." Here we we inter-
rupted by the sound of light quick
step and there entered man of about
five feet and two inches, dressed in a
dark wool suit with glisting white stiff
shirt and his turn down collar, his
of white silky hair neatly
brushed, and his clear blue eyes fair
iy sparkling.
90 YEARS YOUNG.
The charming Major Gamble, 90
years young" cordially greeted his
visitors from Manatee county, the
section il whose early history he had
taken such a prominent part, and
talked SO Interestingly of his exper-
fences in that country, of the constant
dread of the Indians during three years
Colonel Braden, etc., that it was with
difficulty we tore ourselves away,
alter our unpardonably long stay.
Not only did the maj T tell us on Mana
tee county life, but the "reminiscences
of his life in the state capitol, and
his happy stories in connection with
the early politics of the state, were
highly entertaining. Said he: sit is
wonderful that 1 should have lived so
long, and seen so much; as a child 1
was SO delicate that my parents
thaught they could never raise me.
When was boy, / remember some
bonds were issued, payable in 1860,
and thought who can live till so?
should have been spared SO long, but
surely for something. I am now at
work trying to aid in getting that,
canal dug across the southern part
of the State; who knows but that
that il the work haze heen Snarod