davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
WORKING ON The TRAIL
Dade Commissioners Getting Tired OF
Delay on Tamiam Trail

According to report from Mimi
1t is not going to be long until Dade
county's part of the Tamiam trail,
in which all local people are inter
ested, will be completed, although ii
seems that the contractor who is at
work on the road in that county is
progressing rather slowly.
1t is understood from the report
that unless the contractor makes
better progress in future than in the
past that the county commissioners
will declare the contract void and
finish the work themselves, as the
time has arrived when promises are
of no avail and accomplishment will
be demanded.
1t is probable that Dade county
will finish its portion of the road be-
fore Lee completes the long stretch
in that county and it seems rather
when this will come
about, if all available information is
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
ENUMERATORS AT WORK
Census Takers Started on Rounds
Last Friday Morning.

The fourteenth decennial census
of the United States is on!
Under the immediate direction of
Adrian p. Jordan, supervisor of the
first census district of Florida, CEN
sus enumerators will call at every
dwelling house in this community to
secure the information necessary to
fill out the questions contained on
the printed census schedules.
Questions covering the following
points will be asked of every person
in the United States:
Sex; color or race; age on last
birthday; whether single, married,
widowed or divorced; birthplace of
person enumerated and birthplaces
of father and mother, giving names
of both country and province if
foreign born; occupation, specifying
trade or profession, also industry in
which employed; whether attending
school; whether able to read; wheth-
er able to write; whether able to
speak English; whether home is
owned or rented, and if owned
whether home is free of encum-
trance or is mortgaged. Persons of
foreign birth will be asked questions
concerning these additional points:
year of immigration to the United
States; whether naturaliZed, and if
so the year of naturalization; mother
tongue or native language.
Census enumerators also will call
at every farm in this community to
secure the information necessary to
I'LL out the questions contained on
he agriculture schedule.
Every farmer will be asked ques-
ions concerning the acreage and |
'alue of his farm; whether he owns,
-ents or partly owns and partly rents
he land he farms; the value of the
buildings, machinery and implements
belonging to his farm; the quantity
# all crops raised on his farm during +
he year 1919; and many other
uestions which cover all possible
arm questions.
An absolute accurate and complete
ensus vitality concerns the welfare
f this communi'v and of every per-
on living in The official popula-
ion for the next ten years will be
etermined by the census of 1920.
Be ready with your answers when
ne census man calls at your house.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
TAX ASSESSOR COMING
VIII Not be i'm Punta Gorda Until
March 9th.

H. G. Murphy, tax assessor for De-
Soto county, announces that he will
be at the following places on the
dates given for the purpose of TAX
ing tax returns for 1920.
Limestone, January 18th; Lily,
January 10th; Ona, January 17th
Ft. Green, until noon Jan 18Th; FIT.
Green Springs, afternoon Ian 18Th;
Bowling Green, January 21st and
22nd; Sweetwater, January 23rd; /;
Crewsville, January Gath; Avon
Park. January 26th and 27th; Sc
bring, January 28th; Venus, Febru-
ary 9th; Palm Dale, February 10th;
Moore Haven, February 11th; La
Belle, February 18th; Bermont, until
noon, February 18th; Owens, Feb
ruary 23rd; Pine Level, February
Gath; Oak Hill, February 25th;
Brownville, February 26th; Gardner,
February 27th; Zolfo. February
28th; Charlotte Harbor, March 9th;
Punta. Gorda, March 9th and 10th;
Cleveland, March 18th; Fort Ogden,
March 18th; Nocatee, March 18th;
Wauchula, March II, IS, 10, goth;
Arcadia, March oath to April 1st.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
PUNTA GORDA TRUCK CROPS
UNHURT BY THE COLD WAVE

er and carried, said petition was re-
ceived, placed on file, and referred to
a special committee, with instructions
to make report on the first Monday
in February, 1920.
r, w. Robertson was recommended
for appointment as recorder of marks
and brands for precinct No. 23.
Deputy sheriff bond of Joe Holland.
with R. A. Roberts and R. B. Cause
as sureties, was approved.
After allowing accounts and order
ing warrants drawn, as is more full
ly shown by the file of approved
vouchers in the commissioner of
fee, the board took up the matter of
the formation of special road and
bridge district in commissioner
district No. Q. There being two pc
titions, and all petitioners desiring to
be heard, the board recessed until
Monday, January 18th, at which time
said petitions will be further con-
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
ONLY TENDEREST VEGETABLES
SLIGHTLY "sINGED"
Crops in Northern Part of State and
on East Coast Said to Have
Been Wiped Out"

while the results of the cold wave
that has just passed were not SO dis
astrous as that of three winters ago.
when practically everything in the
way of truck crops was wiped out"
to use familiar expression. with
the exception of the territory immed-
lately adjacent to Punta Gorda and
in a few other favored sections. the
damage done in other sections as
compared with practically none mere
serves to emphasize the advantages
of this particular location for the
production of tender winter vegeta-
bles.
Reports from other sections are
to the effect that much damage was
done by the cold, but reports from
every section of the country immed-
lately surrounding Punta Gorda are
to the effect that no damage was
done to the tenderest vegetation ex-
cept in isolated instances where egg
plants were slightly "singed" by the
cold wind
"HN" 'OAudiio ICdllLt IudI InlS To-
cation has been endowed by nature
with far more advantages for g-,w-
Ing vegetables than other sections
Of the state, there being au abund-
ance of land here adapted to the
growing of almost any vegetable that
nay be grown in Florida, and added
o this is the protection from cold
lHorded by the river and bay, which
las in three years twice proved suf-
lclent to temper the cold and save
he tenderest vegetation while In
ther portions of the state the same
rops suffered heavily.
Those familiar with these condi-
ions confidently believe that 1t will
e but matter of a few years at the
'ngest until these advanta. .,es are
ecognized and as result Punta
orda will become one of the largest
not the largest truck growing
inter in Florida.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
ENDORSE COMMISSION
MANAGER PLAN FOR
TOWN govern MENT
Towns That Have Tried Out Plan
Boost it and Say They
Have Saved Money.

Complying with the request made
in a communication to the Herald
which was printed three weeks ago
that we give our readers the benefit
of information concerning the work.
| ing Of the commissioner form
of government, below we are reprint.
| ing reports from cities and towns
where the commission-manager plan
has been tried out. The following is
taken from the DeSoto County News,
which is gathering the information
from all parts of the country for the
benefit Of its readers
From Crystal Falls, Michigan:
Your letter received. You are evil
IDENTIFY acquainted with the old alder
manic form of city government and
it will not be necessary for me to
make any comments on that. We
have commission of three, the may
or and two commissioners who select
the manager. We have saved about
100000 this year in various ways,
by efficient service and apportion-
ment of school taxes as between
the city and township. We find that
we are having considerable more
harmony between the different de-
partments than formerly. Each and
every department are working hand
and glove with the other depart
ments. We find our government
more flexible and a great deal easier
to get action. All of our citizens
seem to be perfectly pleased with the
new plan and would not go back to
the old plan under any considera-
ton"
From LeGrande, Oregon: lie
Grande has in five years practically
wiped out floating debt of $110,- |
10000 which prior to that had been |
every year. 1t has en-
abled the city to handle the business
at a less cost with more efficiency
1t enables the placing of responsible
ty and tends to eliminate politics"
The commission manager form of |
government is patterned after the
and If conducted in the
same manner will be as efficient as
he corporation. The advantages
,ver the councilmanie form are that
he commissioners are elected at
arge and there is no tendency to
syor one section Of the city to the
of another. The man
cement can be placed In the hands
# men who are specifically qualified
or the work and not left where
everybody's business is nobody's
4
We selected the two letters repro
uced because they briefly outline
he plan and serve as an introduction
0 the subject. Limited space pre- {
ents us giving more of the interest {
lg matter that appeared in the News t
ast week, but as opportunities pre- g
ent themselves we will give publi- 7
Ity to such other matter as may {
he'd light upon the subject and as T
st such readers as are not familiar G
18th the plan in forming an intelli- t
ent opinion on the subject. +
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
TOURISTS ORGANIZE
New Organization Secures Club
Rooms for Coming Year

AS result of several meetings
held recently, with townspeopie ana
winter visitors participating, Punta
Gorda now has a strongly organized
tourists club, which promises to be
of real service to its members and
newcomers to the town as well as
centralizing the social life of our,
visitors,
Three meetings have been held,
the first on December 26th, which
was followed by another last Satur-
day, when the club was organized,
and another on Tuesday afternoon.
At the meeting last Saturday Off
GERS were elected and committees ap-
pointed, George NJ Parker, of Rob-
inson, ILL.,, being chosen president,
Mrs. NJ. A. Meadow, first vice-presi-
dent, c. L. Vandercook, of Howell,
Mich, second vice-president, Mrs. J..
F. Stock, of Jackson, Mich, record
ing secretary, Mrs. Bessie Laubach,
of Punta Gorda, assistant recording
secretary, I.~W. Miller. corresponding
oVOlctdly anu neN. ". L. blaQCneJ,
treasurer. Committees were appoin-
ted as follows: J. w. Cooper, of Car
lisle, Ind, DR.. D. A. Rouner, Kan
sas City, Mo-, c. r. Vandercook, of
Howell, Mich, committee on con-
stitution and bylaws; w. e. Sayers.
of Minneapolis, Col. J. H. Hancock,
T. B. Yarbrauch, Pulaski, Tenn, ].
w, Miller, committee on finances!
This committee will also act as an
committee. Mrs. ].
H. Hancock. Miss Mary Price, Mrs.
Shorter Griggs and I. w. Miller were
appointed as committee to secure
rooms for tourists and list OF rooms
'or rent will be kept on fiie' at the
Hub rooms. /,
The lower room of the Masonic,
lall has been secured as club rooms.
md will be open from 10 a. m. to
20 .. m. each day. The room will
'e open to the general public each
night.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
STEADY INCREASE IN DEPOSITS
FOR THREE YEARS
Report of Local Banks Show They
Hold 1925 Per Capita Estima-
ting Population at 1900.

1t is very likely that Punta Gorda
as whole has never been more pros
porous than at the present time.
Everybody seems to have plenty of
money and a spirit of optimism is
evident wherever one goes. Busi-
ness houses report business the best
in many years, the sales of one store
during 13 days of the Christmas sea-
son having been more than twice as
much as. for the same days last year.
The Heralds business for the month
of December was practically double
that of December, 1918, and as a
general rule the business done by
newspapers and printers is a good
indication of business conditions gem
orally, for when business is at low
ebb merchants have little use for
printed matter, and as general
rule "economize" in their advertis-
ing.
If any further evidence of the
towns prosperity is needed it is fur
nished in a conclusive form by a
comparative statement of deposits
in the two banks for the past three
years.
At the close of business on Decem-
Der 81, 1917, the two Punta Gorda
banks carried combined deposits of
$199,224.13. At same date in 1918
this amount had grown to $278, ,565.-
12. At the close of business Decem-
Der 81, 1919, ten days ago, reports of
the two banks showed that there
were 05,563.49 on deposit, or in
round numbers 1925 per capita, esti-
mating that the population of the
town is now 1900, or about 250 |
more than in 1915, which is consid
cred a conservative estimate.
1t is said by those whose long res
idence here qualities them to speak
with certainty. that business is not
at it's peak at this time, because of
the fact that very little money is
coming in from the sale of vegetables
and other industries now, and that
it is very likely that February, March
and April will bring even better con-
ditions that shown by deposits in the
banks at this time.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
VEGETABLE SHIPMENTS HEAVY
Four Hundred Cars Shipped Up to
December 27th,

According to a report from Jack
sonville, grapefruit shipments up to
last Saturday passed the 3,500-car
mark, which is over 800 cars more
than were shipped last year to the
same dates. The movement last
week was light, being less than $50
cars.
On the other hand, the movement
of oranges was very good, there
being more than 700 cars shipped
compared with $50 a year ago. To
December 27 the orange shipments
were only little over 1000 cars be-
hind that of last year, just about
three ordinary good days shipping,
while the season is fully 80 days
late in maturing the crop. The
shipments exceeded those
of last year to December 26 by more
than 800 cars and brings the total
deficiency to the close of the year
less than 500 cars short compared
with last year.
The citrus fruit situation through
OuI thc Stdlc Is uue. WIN dTOuHu
two-thirds of the fruit yet on the
trees, shippers look for I. big busi-
ness during the next few months.
Fifty-three cars of vegetables were
shipped from the state last week,
bringing the total to December 27 to
about 400 cars since the beginning
Of the vegetable year. Only 174 cars
we're shipped last year to the same
iates. II
One hundred and thirty-eight cars.
If lettuce were shipped last week. |
The total to the first OF the year pas
ed beyond the 500 mark as compar-
ID with little over 500 cars year
go.
The tomato shipments are yet
light although more than 80 cars
ave rolled, which is at least 20 more
han were billed last season to the
anne date.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
HERIFF'S STATEMENT
Total of 81 Criminal Cases Handled
During December

Following is the report of Sheriff
Dishong, as made by him to the
Board of County Commissioners for
the month of December; the figures
representing the number of arrests
made on the charge preceding:
Aggravated assault, g. assault
with intent to murder, 2; breaking
and entering, /, carrying concealed
weapons, 1; drunkenness, A; delin-
quent children, 8; failing to send
children to school, q fornication, 2;
gambling, s; grand larceny, /; in
sanity, 2; murder, /; manufacturing
liquors, 8; obtaining
money by false pretense, 2; petit
larceny, 9; slander, l transporting
intoxicating liquors, Total 81.
Plead guilty, IS; tried and found
guilty, 2; nol-prossed by prosecuting
attorney, 2; delivered to represen-
.ative of Florida state asylum, 2;
pound over to county court, 6;
pound over to circuit court, T.
Total 81.
Prisoners in Jail during month, As;
prisoners in Jail today, 6; prisoners
aptured for other counties, l coun-
y convicts on county roads, today,
-; fines and costs collected during
he month $35S.44. Fines and costs
onds on hand with good security
1874.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
BIG BANK DEPOSITS PROVE
PUNTA G0RDA'S PROSPERITY

We fear the difficulty in securing
enumerators is going to result in
rather an imperfect census. Super
visor A. P. Jordan states that he
still has numerous districts for
which he has no enumerators. We
are hopeful that Lakeland people
Will all get counted, for it is a matter
OF much Importance to the business
interests of the city that it make a
proper showing as to population with
the enumerators, and assist in every
way possible in securing a full count.
Telegram.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
COMMISSIONERS WILL
FORCLOSE ON DRAINAGE
TAX CERTIFICATES
Comptroller Instructed to Take I'M
mediate Action-What the
Commissioners Did

The Board of County Commission
ers met in regular session in their
office in the court house at Arcadia
on Monday, January 5th, 1920, with
Chairman C. E. McRae presiding and
Commissioners Coker, Whitehurst
and Whitten present. Durrance was
absent.
The minutes of the previous meet
ings were read and adopted.
The Grand Jury having recon-
mended that the wire which has been
posted to keep pedestrians off the
court house lawn be removed,
Whitehurst moved that the clerk be
instructed to advertise for bids for
the construction of concrete walk
to extend from the walk at the south
east corner of the court house to the
walk on the southwest corner of the
court house on the courtyard. Whit
ten offered an amendment, referring
the matter to the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, which
amendment was seconded by Coker
anu upon vote duOpleu.
Whitehurst moved, which motion
was seconded by Coker and upon
vote adopted, that the clerk adver-
tise for bids for the repair of toilets
in the court house, in order to
stop the waste of water. Whitten Of
fered an amendment to refer the mat
ter to the Committee on Public
and Grounds, and upon no
second being made, voted no on the
original motion.
The following notary bonds were |
approved: Morris Whidden with !
United States Fidelity & Guaranty
Co., as surety; p. L. Copeland, with
United States Fidelity G. Guaranty
90, as surety; and W. ]. Case, with |
}. ]. Marsh and C. A. Bryant as
The following resolution was offer
ID and it's adoption moved by Whit
EN-, seconded by Coker, and upon
'ote adopted by the Board of Com
Whereas, the non-payment of tax
IS threatens default in the payment
# bonds and interest by the Arcadia
Irainage district, the Fort Ogden
Irainage district, and the Punta Cor
"a drainage district:
Be IL resolved, by the Board of I
'ounty Commissioners of DeSoto
'ounty, Florida in regular session, s
hat the comptroller of the state be It
nd he is hereby requested to fore g
lose at once on all tax certificates
feeting lands in any of the said !
districts. /
A petition signed by H. L. Delaney |
nd forty-one other residents of 5
,wnship 40 and the north half of
,wnship Al, south, in range 20, 80
nd 81 E., and township 40 south, +
lnge 80 E., asking that said terri o
,ry be constituted into special v
,ad and bridge district and perman- s
1t roads and bridges be constructed r
lerein, was presented, and upon v
otion of Whitten, seconded by Cox s
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08

the sensationalism of many revival
meetings will be lacking, as Rev.
Thiot is not preacher of the sensa-
tional type, yet clear and forceful in
his utterances and capable of bring
ing those inclined to indifference to
their spiritual welfare to a realiza-
ton of the necessity for more care if
they expect to be counted among the
favored of God.
Special music will be a feature of
the meetings. Mr. Martin is a soloist
of considerable reputation and abil-
ity as well as possessing unusual tai
ent for organizing and leading me
choir and congregation in sacred
music.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
Entertained With Dinner

A New Year dinner given by Mrs.
Mary X. Rankin last Friday was one
of the most enjoyed of the many So
cial occasions of the holiday season
just past. Mrs. Rankin's dinners
have become an occasion eagerly
looked forward to by those fortunate
enough to be remembered among her
intimate friends and the last was
one of the most pleasant affairs of
the week. Those present were DR..
Billman, Mr.. and Mrs. J. NJ. Weeks,
Mrs. Grace Davis, Mrs. S. J. Hewitt,
Mrs. Ethel Whitten, and Misses
Bertha and Norma Pepper.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
PUNTA GoRDA, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, JANUARY sth, 1920
BAPTISTS TO HAVE BIG REVIVAL

Beginning Sunday, January 18th,
and continuing for two weeks. the
Rev. X. w. Thiot, of Eustis, and his
singer, w. p. Martin, of Lynchburg,
Va, will conduct series of meetings
in the First Baptist Church of Punta
Gorda, of which Rev. H. G. Kenney
is the pastor.
While the series of meetings will
partaEe of the nature of a revival,
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
Aged Man Injured

+. N. Brown, about IS years of
age, of Solana, was painfully if not
seriously injured Monday when he
was knocked down and hooked by
bull. He was bruised in a numr,
of places, but up to yesterday at noon
it had not been determined whether
his injuries were of a serious nature.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
Number of Pleasant Affairs

This year the holiday season has
been featured by many pleasant So
cial affairs, among those taking place
last week being an entertainment by
Mrs. Sturdy for her sister, Mrs. Cali
houn; bridge party by Mrs. w. E.
Mobley and another by Mrs. Harry
Goldstein, and an informal dance at
the home of Mayor and Mrs. ]. N.
Skies.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
The Shortest Name

Among the names of 100000
soldiers, sailors and marines record
ed in the files of the War Risk Insur-
ance Bureau at Washington, the
shortest family name was at" borne
by two soldiers who were natives of
Hawaii. Their name consisted of
two letters, but it was pronounced in
two syllables.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08

Indiantown may be the site of a
Baptist mission. Dr. V. 1. Masters,
of the Southern Baptist convention,
was in charge of an expedition in
search of a suitable location and will
recommend this place. The mission
will probably include an industrial
school and a hospital.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
Setting Ont Orange Grove

John A. Welch, formerly of the
First National Bank, is having 10
acres adjoining the B. C. Washington
place on Shell creek set to improved
varieties of oranges.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08
POPULATION

The 1915 census gaJ
Punta Gorda a population
of 1,772. 1t has grown
steadily since then and
the present population is
estimated at 1000.
The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-08

IMPROVEMENTS
Punta Gorda has more
improvements than any
other Florida town of it's
size. Paved streets, side
walks, sewerage, electric
lights, waterworks, etc.