The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-03-16
THE VILLAGE" OF DeFUNIAK
stuart cR Mayor

welcome. And II you, Mr.. Visitor, can
live here more economically than else
where and find us good to live among
and you are also desirable otherwise,
we extend a hearty welcome.
Besides the things I have already
mentioned this is the home OF The
Florida Chautauqua, which. in a few
hours from this writing. will begin its
twenty-ninth annual session and what
ever its detraotors may have thought,
said or felt, or whatever they may
be thinking. saying or feeling, or how
ever prejudiced they may have been
and, for all the writer knows, may still
be. against the institution, and for
whatever reason, all fair-minded per-
sons must admit that this same Flor
ida Chautauqua is the foundation OF
all that has been accomplished in this
section toward higher education. 1t Is
a matter OF history that when our
legislature in 1887, under the constitu-
ton Of two years prior. provided for
the establishment of a normal school
no town, city or community asked for
it and the legislature was about to go
begging for location. when certain
citizens Of the then village of De-
F'uniak Springs through their
knowledge of what the Florida Chau-
tauqua stood for and what 1t had ac-
complished in its three sessions already
held. applied for and had the school
located here. From that institution
teachers went out toNail parts OF the
country equipped with the special
training necessary to qualify them to
teach the youth of our country. The
good that resulted from that school
cannot be calculated VINO can say
but that the location OF that school
- =. - - -
ceived from the Florida Chautauqua.
And when the legislature of 1905. wise
ly or unwisely, we reserve our opinion.
abolished the state normal school and
merged 1t into a university, certain
patriotic and progressive citizens OF
this town, still filled with the realiza-
ton that our reputation as an educa-
tionai center must be maintained, or
ganized and equipped a non-seetarian
institution OF learning and called II
Palmer college which, today, on the
site OF the old state normal school,
carrying on a great work in Christian
education with bright promise Of
greater usefulness. Who can say but
that this Institution too IS n result OF
the inspiration received from the Flor
Ida Chautauqua. Who can say but that
the industrial school soon to be opened
TO students is the result OF the inspira-
ton received from the Florida Chau-
tauqua. Can any of us afford to treat
lightly any agency that gave us as
community an insight to the higher,
better, broader things OF life? Can
any OF US dispose with the rudiments
OF learning, the very foundation upon
which our education, however limited,
is built? II not, then let US not gilmore
that agency that put us in the way of
realizing some 70 the finer things OF
life. things that delight the eye, the
ear and the intellect and makes life
worth living, something more than
mere meat and bread existence.
1t can be truthfully said that to the
children just entering upon their school
life DeFuniak Springs offers every IA
cility to be found in larger and wealth
Ter towns and cities and in addition
a wholesome and pure atmosphere Of
civic righteousness not excelled by any
community and equalled by few. and
an environment of Christian culture
and refinement.
To the youth seeking knowledge
and inspiration fitting him for life
of usefulness we offer capable instruc-
tors, pure associations, freedom from
vicious form of amusement, wholesome
and uplifting examples Of citizenship
and sympathy.
To the active business man or wo-
man we offer you al these things too
and all this worlds goods you can hon
estly acquire and wen smile with you
in prosperity and frown with you in
adversely but, mind you, no Old Colony
Trust Company Checks.
To the old and tired and retired We
offer you peace and quiet, health and
contentment to the full extent OF the
capacity of a law-abiding. God-fearing
people situated in the like,iest spot in
all of Sunny Florida, the one time
village of DeFuniak Springs"