The Palatka news and advertiser., 1913-01-24
PALATKA BOARD OF TRADES
Meeting AND BANQUET
Proves Rousing Booster Eyent0ld Officers Reelected
by ACcIamatiOn.
jacksonville ST. Augustine and Hastings Visitors Address the
Gathering.

care of them at any season of the year.
The completion of the Ocala North
ern railroad was fittingly celebrated
by our citizens January 25th. The
first through train arriving in Paiatka
at 11:30 a. M, January 25th, loaded
with prominent people from Ocala and
other towns. The train was met by
the Palatkans in gaily decorated au-
tomobiles and carriages and visitors
escorted to the Putnam House. The
visitors were royalty entertained by
our citizens in the way of motor boat
races, clay pigeon shooting, free ex.
cursion, and the festivities of the day
closed with an informal dance and
banquet at the Putnam House. The
banquet was complimentary to the
officers of the Ocala Northern R'y and
was given under the auspices Of the
Palatka Board of Trade and was one
of the most elaborate and largely at
tended functions given by this organ
ization and was a splendid conclusion
of. celebration long to be remem.
oered by our citizens and visitors.
The above celebration SO impressed
the officers of the New South Farm &
Home Co. with the push and energy
of our people, that they moved their
general offices from Jacksonville to
Palatka early in February. This ,om-
pany ownes vast tracts of valuable
land in this and adjoining counties
which are rapidly beng settled by col
onies.
June Goth, 21st and 22nd, the State
Press Association was entertained by
our local newspaper men and not only
did the visiting editors and their fam
lilies enjoy their visit, but every Pa
latkan enjoyed having them here.
One Of the largest celebra tions ever
given in Palatka was that of July 4th.
People came here from all sections of
the surrounding country. The pro.
gram for the day had been admirably
planned, and the various committees
had performed their work SO well that
everything was in readiness-when
the rains descended just at the time
the festivities were too start, and of
course few events had to be dis
pensed with. The automobile parade
and motor boat races were the evestS
of that celebration and were more
than enjoyed by all. The grand motor
boat race had to be postponed until
the 5th on account of the hyacinths in
terferring with the course. There
were quite a number of handsome cups
donated by the board of trade and
merchants, among which was a very
handsome cup given by the Gulf Re-
fining Company's Pittsburg Office. 1t
developed that the Palatka course was
one of the best in the south and the
record made over a measured mile
course for this cup enabled the boats
competing to break their former rec
ords, owing to the fact that the tide
conditions were almost perfect. The
various committees having this ccle
bration in charge are to be cOngrat-
ulated upon the excellent work they
did in connection herewith.
Through the continued efforts OF the
former secretary who appeared before
the U. S. Engineer with statistics, etc,
Congress appropriated $20,OO0.O0 for
river improvement between Palatka
and Jacksonville and 100000 south
of Palatka. 1t is regretted that these
amounts were not more. The U. S.
dredge Florida is now at work clean.
ing out the channel north of Palatka.
Mr. Montmollin also assisted the
Ocala Northern R'y in securing valua..
BILE terminal property north of the
city. Also through his endeavors as
secretary of this board the PeninsulaH
Fertilizer Co. located here. Their
plant is situated north of the city and
is an industry of which PalatkG is
proud.
Through the efforts of this organ
ization an appropriation for gov
ernment building was made over two
years ago, and the various officers and
committees have left no stone unturn.
ed to get the building erected, but it
seems that the title to he property Sc
lected by the government is the cause
of delay.
Water hyacnths, which sud l~nly
appeared in the river in worse shap-
than for years, had the attention of
the board who took the matter up
= with Capt. SIattery, the U. S. engineer
and through his prompt action much
effective work was done in the vicini-
ty of Palatka in ridding the river OF
this pest.
Immediately upon the induction of
Mr.. Royster as the new secretary, your
president sent out over $50 specia!
: letters of invitation to the citizens of
| Palatka to attend public meeting at
the court house July 18th. At ;hat
meeting it was decided that an active
canvas of the city for new members
, should be made and two committees
were appointed, one known as the
"White" and the other as the "Crim-
! son" team. Monday July 22nd was
j, set as Membership Day" That
night at 8 o'clock the teams met at
the Athletic Club and canvased the re-
turns. The "White" team brought in
+ 68 applications and the Crimson"
= team 81. Our membership has in
creased to about $50 active members
whose names appear upon the rolls.
: Losses sustained by death and re-
q moval are about 10. In this connee-
:. ton while Palatka has made wonder
full strides, we deplore the loss of sew
'' eral of our citizens who were always
active in the advancement of our city.
y Especially do we deplore the death of
t Mr.. j. N. Walton, former president Of
( this board. Mr.. Walton always took
an active part in the work of the hoard
e of trade and his place will be hard to
l. fill.
4 As an evidence of Palatka's prosper
d ity the State Bank of Palatka was or
h ganized and began business in July;
5. the officers are composed OF Palatka
/, men, who have faith in the future de-
: velopment of this city and vicinity
/ The business done by this bank far ex-
. ceeded the expectations of the org;inl-
L. Zation.
I The Southern Bell Telephone Conn
. pany, realizing the possibilities of Pa
Is latka's advancement, purchased the
- Continued on page 4.