davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
A STRANGE STORY TOLD
x BY A FLORIDA EDITOR

AS Will be seen by a letter publish
ed below, ]. F. Sherwood, formerly
publisher of the Citrus Chronicle and
Live Oak Democrat, was in Florida,
fifteen years under an assumed name,
his real name being Franklin Ross
Mccormack. The cause of his being
here under an assumed name he tells
in q straightforward manner, and has
made rather than lost friends by this
manly confession.
To the Editor of the Citrus Chronicle:
| feel it my duty--a duty ] owe M
old friends and neighbors. a we'll as
a duty | owe my wife and ChildTen-tO
make a full and complete statement IF
that part of my life which most needs
an explanation.
Fifteen years of my life were spent
in FIorida-at Inverness and Live Oak
the greater part of which time 1
lived at the former place For that
part of my life | have no excuses to
offer / tried to be a useful and good
citizen and did my whole duty as l
saw it
Before I ever saw Florida 7 had my
troubles, and they have weighed heav-
lily upon me.
For several years prior to my go
ingSo Florida I had been engaged in
the printing business in Missouri ard
was the editor of a democratic paper
Ny father had been more or less IN
politics, and while 7 had not been
trained in the fine arts of politics. [
naturally took to II.
In the spring of 1894 I was a feie-
gate to the democratic COngTe~ SlOudl
convention at Piedmont. Mo, and was
made chairman of the committee on
credentials. The whole night of TIE
convention was before the committee
on credentials. which was in session
from Tuesday until Saturday Per
sonal differences grew ont of this
which have never been settled, anG
never Will be. as some OF the parties
concerned have long since passed 20
the Great Beyond
Following this convention 2cCusa-
lions were made against some who
were members of the credentials COM
mittee- One. a lawyer and Afterwards
a candidate for judicial hOnCr=, To-
gether with one or two others. IN
Guiding myself, were charged with Ut
teTing a false paper.
After the matter had grown TO white
heat, I met one Of the parties who
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

had implicated me in the matte, and
We had il out Both OF us were
worse scared than We were hurt Next
day. | understand, ne had an affidavit
filed against me, but il was dfteTwaTd
Withdrawn. 1t was three ysus re-
fore I learned it had been Withdraw WI.
That night I left Missouri. AMI short y
after the man whom I had the trouble
with moved to Oklahoma. aEd i living
there today. I left. intending to %
absent but a short time--ur- nl-o
than six months. The whole trouble
was all over in month or so. hut !
had cut myself loose from all com
mUniCatiOns and did not know of it
During this time my Office was sold
at a forced sale. leaving me absolutely
nothing TO return for in the way of
business. Every business interest 7
had was sold At whatever price il
would bring Every obligation wa5
met in full-somc after I moved to
Inverness.
Left Missouri.
I felt that to remain IN Missouri a.
that time would have meant for me
persecution as well as prosecution
After I left I was blanca with the
entire transaction. Those who know
more of il than 7 did took advantage
of my absenCe-and 7 say this in all
kindness, because one Of .hcm after
the matter was settled. turned ont TO
be true friend 10 me. SIX months
after the trouble the entire matter
was cleared up. and 7 could have ro-
turned UnmOleSted. but 7 did not know
II. There are not more than twelve
persons living in Missouri now VINO
know Of The real trouble and to 90
into details and furnish namcs would
only bring back TO some recoITections
that are not pleasant
The facts without the particulars
are as related above. without color
Since then ] have "SteerCd clear Of
politics and other troubles as much as
possible. and hope 10 keen free from
that disease" the remainder Of nv
life l have always heI9ed others
more than I have helped myself and I
probably allowed my love Cor friends
in Missouri. and my determination 70
never betTay friend. TO lead me too
far, but for which I have no apology
10 make as ] acted in good faith and
did what ] thought best for myself
as well as for others whose interests
1 guarded as with my life
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

A new paper has beer started al
Sanford, Orange county. by z. ]. Hol-
ley. who goes to Sanford from Orlando,
where he has been editor Of the Re
porter Star for the past year. Orange
is supposed to be one of the best agri-
cultural counties IN the state and the
towns have fine farming country
around them. Sanford is noted chief,
ly for the large shipments of celery
grown so successfully in its immediate
vicinity. The town, one of the largest
in the county, has been showing signs
of activity of late which, no doubt. in
fluenced MIR. HoIIey to start a rival
publication to the Sanford Chronicle,
which has been having its ups anG
downs in field all its own for years.
Competition gives newspapers life and
vigor and while the Herald. which is
the name of the new paper. will doubt
less thrive and prosper, the old Chro1-
icle will be spurred up to get a move
on itself and the result will be tia.
Sanford viii have two good lively pa
pers-
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

r., War has been declared on the COM
mon house fly by the state boari OF
health of Massachusetts and men are
at work in all the cities and towns Of
the state, and also in the country dis
tricts. using the latest methods to rid
Massachusetts of flies. With the cru
SADIE against rats going merrily on in
other sections of the country, and the
universal disposition TO exterminate
mosquitoes, the times seem to be rap
idly getting dubious for vermin and in
SectS.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
Tohn Worth Kern
For Vice-PreSident.

John Worth Kern, of Indiana, was
| formally notified yesterday Of his nom
nation for the office of vice president
at the hands of the dem c nation
al convention, and accept tne honor
in a speech that leaves 40 doubt as
to the mettIe of Mr.. Bryan's running
mate.
Perhaps the most salient feature.
which is to be found between the
lines rather than in any open declara-
ton, is the intention of NJ. Kern to
make the office of vice-president a pO-
sition of honor and purpose, of work
and accomplishment, instead of mere
Iy the figurehead of the United States
senate.
For years the office of vice presi-
dent has been hidden in the shadow
of the resident OF the white house.
did not distinguish him from any other
puppet departmental official II was
only after his succession that his per-
sonality shone out, and in his sue
ceeding term his own vice-president,
Fairbanks, has done little save pre-
serve parliamentary decorum in the
upper house
Mr.. Kern, however, believes, as has
been shown by his public utterances
on the subject in making of the office
a position of work and purpose. This
has found ready sympathy with the
head of the ticket, for Mr.. Bryan de-
sires that his vice-president take a
lively personal interest in all govern
mental business, and has so express
ed himself.
!. There is always the probability that
Providence may remove the president
II is unlikely, but history tells of sew
eraI SUGGESTIONS to the highest office
in the land. With this contingency
always in view, it is essential that the
man who would succeed to the presi-
Dental chair be thoroughly versed in
the government business. He should
be so well acquainted with the situa-
ton that he could instantly take the
charge.
MI AeAn HldheS II pldtI lHdL ne uH-
Sires to be given sush confidence and
responsibilities by his chief as may
prepare him for such an emergency,
and that even though such a success
ion might not come to pass, that he
will be able to give to the country
real service during his tenure of office,
if elected.
His speech of acceptance also shows
him to be fully in accord with the
principles of democracy, as set forth
in the platform adopted at the Denver
convention. and that as a democrat he
will strive for party success.
All in all, Mr.. Kern is well worthy
a place on the national ticket. He is
sincere, he means to make the office a
position of value to the country. in
stead of one of honor, and the party
has done we'll. The Journal believes.
in giving to Mr.. Bryan so fine a type
Of American citizen, as a running
mate.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
The Strange Story
of ]. F. Sherwood.

The strange story of J. F Sher-
wood, or, more properly speaking, OF
F. Ross Mccormack, as told in his
letter in another column of The Jour
nal, today. will strike a sympathetic
chord in the heart of every person who
knew him during his fifteen years
residence in Florida.
Sherwood, formerly publisher Of
the Citrus Chronicle and later of the
Live COAX Democrat. was a favOrite
with every member of the state press.
and those who knew the man intimate
ly loved him for his manly qualities
and the clean-eut, frank, and open
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
NEWS AND VIEWS
BY STATE PRESS
Col. Sherwood.

Col. Sherwood.
Col. J. F. Sherwood edited the Live
Oak Democrat for a number of years
There was no better newspaper man
in the state, nor any one who had
more friends About a year ago he
left the state and when next heard
from he was Ross Franklin NcCOr-
mack Hence the mild sensation.
In his early youth our good friend
forged a note or a check and he
struck for the tall timber rather than
to face trial. He changed his name
and changed his habits, and sDent
years in making good" He squared
up accounts in full, and when he
longed for the place where he used to
go in swimming and make willow
whistles, he simply hiked il back TO
Missouri and took on his original
name.
Col Sherwood made good in this as
he did in all things, and the hide
pendent can only remember him as
Sherwood. a man of men.-St Peters
burg Independent.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Over in Brevard county on the east
coast spirited contest has Decn GO
ing on regarding the county site. In
the election held las- Wednesday, The
town of Titusville, the present county
capital, won out against all comDeti-
Tors by majority of IL votes, which
settles the controversy for at least
ten years. and SOMEBODY will fail to
get the job of building a new court
house and Jail.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

life that he led. His relations with
the public were at all times of a
character to commend him everywhere
and his family life wa< beautifully
and typically ideal
For such a man to live Is years
under an assumed name, even though
NO one was harmed thereby, must
have been a source of constant brood
ing and woTTiment TO him that no one
can appreciate or comprehend.
The Journal is glad that Sherwood
now McCoTmack-is coming back
Florida needs such men, and he will
be welcome here. We do not care
whether he lived under an assumed
name or his real name, he was and
Is man. May he prosper on his re
turn even more than he did before he
left US, now nearly a year ago.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Landing in Florida, with my wife,
in the fall of 1894, few months after
the trouble. I assumed the name Of
Sherwood the very worst mistake
could possibly have made. and no
doubt would never have made il had |
consulted older and wiser heads; but
once made this mistake seemed hard
to correct
Was Without Means
In Florida, without friends and with
out means L was successful in e
curing employment and my good for
tunes and nv mtsfOTtUneC are well
known TO many of your readers. 1t
was our purpose 10 remain in Florida
but short time. but As the days.
months and year. passed ac1uain-
tauCes. friendships and business in
teTests~ bound us TO the State until
it was almost a life-anddeath strug
gle 10 leave. though the WY had long
been clear for my return
Cod blessed our home with children
and then We realized that the great
mistake made must he corrected for
their sake. at any CoSt-even though
We would he forced to give up the
tTuest and best friends and neighbors
friends Of long years standing and
who's" loyalty had been tested when
We We're overtaken by misfOTtunes.
both al Inverness and Live Oak.
Children Became ~.
One Of our children became danger
oHSly III and We promised then if God
spared his life to make the change for
our Childre1'S sake. If for no other
reason This We have done at a cost
Of giving III all friends Of year--
standing sacrifice that is indeed
hard 10 make. and ono that We never
would have made except for our chill
dreu.
Tho better and most useful years of
my life We're spent in Florida and
while ] failed 10 accumulate any of
his worlds goods I hope mt efforts
and nv life there were not barren Of
AT least some good Bat he that as it
may. 7 have decided 10 return 10 The
Land Of Flowers. and within the
next few weeks ! viii again be a citi-
zen n Florida. and 7 hope 10 retain
the friendship and good VIII Of nv old
friends. Although I have hundreds of
old 6ovhOod friends and relatives here.
! prefer 10 live in Florida. and hope
10 do so the remainder Of my life
Very truly
z. ROSS MCCORMACK.
West Point. No. Aug. II. 1905
p 81 do not deem # hest 70 give
names and places for publication. A
great many OF those who knew any
thing Of my trouble are dead or moved
away but 10 any who may desire 7 !
viii have no hesatancy in furnishing |
any information and give names, |
places and dates.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Pensacola should be officially repre-
septed on Florida Day" 1T the Home
Manufactures Exhibition, in New Or
leans, September Is. The chamber
of commerce of Pensacola obtained
the honor accorded this state by the
New Orleans promoters of the exhibit
ton, and certainly this city should
show its appreciation by sending a
suitable representation.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Between the operators and the proof
reader the writer on a newspaper Ger.
tainly takes chances. In this issue
Mr. James NJ. Tate, whose charming
"reminiscences of the campaign about
Pensacola have been such a feature
OF the Sunday Journal, corrects a not
unusual error, Mr.. Tate had written
the word immortal in his reference
TO the Third Alabama regiment The
printer left out the t. and Mr. Tate's
desire 10 correct the adjective may
we'll be imagined
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
DON'T PAN CARRIERS.

Once more the Journal must call the
attention of its subscribers 70 the pay
ing of subscriptions 10 carriers
Carriers are not authorized to col
Iect for the Journal It's only author
lied collectors in Pensacola are
Mpssrs- 7. a Wales, Sam, NJ Roach,
G Lambrecht, John Gerkin and Elmer
White On the road the paper is rep
resented by Charles F. Steward ana
w. A. Beal.
Receipts signed by these gentlemen
will ne acknowledged by the office
but none other
Don't pay carriers
FRED A SWEET,
Mgr Circulation.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

With the exception of Preston, all
the presidential and vice presidential
nominees have weighed in, and the
race is now on. Incidentally, Taft is
probably carrying weight for age.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Col ] D. Calhoun, secretary OF the
Tampa Board of Trade, is mailing out
an attractive Midsummer Bulletin
for That body which tells of Tanpa's
present prosperity and future pros
poets. Tampa has a live business or
ganization and the latter has a live
secretaTy-two very essential ele-
mentS in a live city.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Don't think your dollar is too small
to help in the coming democratic vic
democrat would mean plenty and
more than enough "sinews of war"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
Guess David Would.

FOUr-year-Old Joe is very fond OF
Bible stories. and evidently follows the
example of his bestowed hero as to
meditation lin the night Watches
He awakened his mother one night,
after midnight, with the question:
Mamma, where is David now?"
In heaven, / guess, Joe"
viii ] go 10 heaven when 7 die?'
II hope so. joe"
Mama" the little voice was very
eager now, do you s'pose when I get
there David will Just let me hold his
sIing-shot little while? August De-
liheatOT.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

The splendid health conditions of
this city must not be attributed to let
They are a menace to health and the
city has simply remained healthy in
spite of adverse conditions due to neg
ligence.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Party duty doesn't rise aS high as
the duty of citizenship. but the latter
can best be accomplished by party
work, and party work can best be
done through your local Bryan and
Kern club.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Mr. Bryan is now in much demand
ss a platform speaker in many cities
throughout the country, but his p ans
are to speak only in the doubtful
states till after the election. He de-
sires TO hit hard and fast where II
will do the cause the most good from
now until the close of the campo. On.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
The Vfndication of Joe Lee.

The Honorable Joe Lee has return
ed from his visit to the great and
mighty ones of his party, and takes
occasion to say in an interview in the
Jacksonville Metropolis, that the story
sent out from Cincinnati that he
wasn't allowed to take his meals at
the Sinton hotel in that city was en-
tirely untrue
Lee says he long ago learned 10
keep himself in his place and that he
made no effort to be received at the
SintOn as an honOred guest.
This is doubtless the truth about
the matter No one in Florida ha~
found occasion for reSenting any of
ficiOUsness on the part of this political
Joseph He attends to his own bust
ness, maintains an always respectful
attitude toward the whites. and has as
much if not more innate ability than
Booker T Washington and certainly
less inclination to offend white sensi-
bilities than that Oue-time feaSter at
the White House tabIe.-Tampa Tri-
buue-
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Mr.. Kern is a pretty good looking
American, eh2
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Bryan and Kern club will meet to
night to elect officers.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

The Journal is again correct in its
predictions. Kern accepted.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
Taft, for Shame!

Why not all democrats quit fight
inC among themselves We need now
every vote for Bryan II will he am
pie time 10 'Spute over prohibition,
the primary and other matters later
on One thing a a time. We need a
change at Washington. D. c The re-
publican party is adverse 20 southern
interests Good men are in IL Yes,
but they are in bad company. Rev.
Joe Lee (colD * good man. accord
ing 10 Taft but he had to eat in his
own room at Cincinnati Shame. Bro.
Taft, Teddy ate with Booker Why
should YOU slight Joe2-DeSoto Coun-
" News
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Enroll in the Bryan and Kern club
tonight.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
Tampa Feels Sighted.

II Is a hit peculiar that Tampa was
sighted in the distribution of the emp
" hCnOTs Of Republican nominations
in this state There are more promi-
nent republicans II Tampa than in any
other city of FIOTida-doubtI for
the reason that the government jobs
here are fatteT and richer-and Tam
IA should never be omitted when the
party hands out its nominations
Tampa Tribune.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

John Worth Kern could not be 9th
erwise than a man of worth.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26
PERTINENT QUESTION

No. :.
Have you Joined the Bryan
and Kern club?
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-26

Subscrib- for The -CuraaI.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-06-03

Keokee. Va, May 2S.-Rev.
+. Witt, pastor of Pleas
ant Hill Baptist Church has
Just closed "A series of good
meetings.
Werejoice much over the fast
railway passenger service COM
pared with the old slow weary
way Of travel. This is "A fast
age and and We are thankful
for it.
Several statesmen were here
Saturday 5 cling the Keokee
merchants. Among them we
saw the smiling face of K. NJ.
Charleston, of Olinger, and
James Allen, Of Norton. These
TWO men are hustling traders.
Several of the Keokee Coal
and Coke Company's stock
holders are here and more are
expected by Tuesday TO pros
pect on business lines.
Keokee is destined to be the
b-st mining town in Southwes'
Virginia aud Eastern Ken
lucky.
The engineers of the l.. q r
Railroad continue their wori
OF railroad locating and the IN
dications are that they will sooI
commence work on a trRnl
lime of railroad from Pineville
Ky, to Appalachia, Va
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-06-03

MYSrERI0USLY.

News was received here that
a Mr.. Kilgore, of lnman, had
mysteriously disappeared from
his home Thursday.
No one here appears 20 know
very much about the matter
except that some say he was
seen here Thursday and later
on the road toward lnman.
We are informed that he had
on his person a large amount Of
money and it is thought that
ne has been robbed and pro6a-
bly, killed 20 accomplish this
purpose.
A number Of our townsmen
Joined a posse who were IN
search Of the missing man, but
up 10 the time Of this writing
no trace of him could be found
although the woods have been
/ secured.
Those who know the mar
say ne is about 45 years old, a
man of family aud has always
conducted himslf in an upright
manner, and can assign ne
reason for him leaving of hi'
own accord should such be the
case.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-06-03
ADVERTISED LETTERS.

Following is a list Of letters,
remaining uncailed for at the
Appalachia, Va, Post Office,
MAY 81, 1908:
Davis Bledsou, Mrs. Emma
Carter, J. l.. Creech, a. Early,
Paul Escott, Guy Everhart,
c. b. Herndon, +. w. Hurst,
Miss Sallie Join, Miss Alice
James, Gilbert Maggard. Mrs.
Martha Maggard, Miss Clarrie
McAbee .. Mrs. Charlotte Nc
Kinney. j. r. Riley, Ewing
Ross. T. J. Sapp. Miss Minnie
Sergent. Frank Smith. J. Mari
on Smith. J. w. Taylor, r. c.
Taylor, Joe White, j. NJ. Will
lias. Stavros ID. Morroyonde.
Persons calling for any Of the
above letters please state that
they have been advertised.
C.. S. HALE, p. NJ.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-06-03

Since the above article was
nut in tNur We have received
news that 80 man answering Mr..
Kilgore'S description boarded
The down l. & y. train Thurs
day night anl paid the conduc-
tor casu falr to Cnrbiu. Ky i,
and AVE- uu.it r~fRni that he has
been wanting 40 West for
some lun- and ft now secm~
quite onlhl- fhat he was so
consumed hN he ieslTe that lac
could uot resist the T. mptation.
The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1908-06-03

A number of ou,-of-town PEG
pie who have not been IN APP
palachia for some time until re-
Gently express themselves as
agreeably surprised at its ad-
vancement, and all predict Tor
il "A healthy future. And what
is better still, the hammer and
saw can still be heard in all
parts of the town, and a mum
Der of buildings will be erected
this summer.