The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-02-11
By ]. HAMILTON GILLESPIE
In the Sarasota Times

In the Sarasota Times
When arrived at Kissimmee, for
the first time. to make golf course
for The Plant System. in connection
with their r. r. line and hotels.
became an object of suspicion on the
part of the citizens. They saw me
employing men to remove long grass
and weeds from the shores OF the
lake, pacing mysteriously back and
forth from various points. measur-
ing and jotting down in notebook
many figures, and putting up, seem
ingly at random, poles with rag at
tached to each. between which con-
tinued my perambulations. finally bor-
ing small circular holes near the base
of the aforesaid poles, and carefully
scattering the sand from the holes.
muttering evidently lamentations as i
did so.
All this was curious enough, but
when it came to my aimlessly hitting
small white ball all around the track
laid OFF by my poles. using dangerous
looking weapons sayageIy round my
head, and evidently never satisfied
until I had deposited the bali in one
or other OF the small holes, whe. +
immediately picked it out again and
resumed my Iabors. it became neces-
sary to send the Town Marshal TO
probe thoroughly into the matter.
which he did. and reported to the
Mayor that the stranger was a sus-
picious character, and. in his opinion,
should be arrested. being evidently un-
balanced in his mind, and although
harmless and quiet in his present con-
dition, would be safer in the town
calaboose.
Luckily the Mayor knew all abour
me. and told the perturbed citizens
that | was introducing to their town
Scotch game called golf, and al
though he personally knew nothing
about the game, be felt assured that
would turn out to be the pioneer
OF more prosperous times, and that
they should welcome me into their
midst In very short time / had
these selfsame citizens enthusiastic
players, and firm supporters of the
game.
AT another time was nearly shot
by an excited and inebriated cowboy,
who spied me as passed the saloon
in my red coat Golfers wore red
coats in those days. Luckily for me
he was restrained in time, and pass
ed by. oblivious of the very narrow
escape I had of performing as a tar
get at close range. This man also
soon became one OF my sturdiest sup
porters.
From being suspicious character
I soon became one OF the features
SO to speak. OF the place. One of
the e1ergymen of the town used to
come around with me regularly. until
some Of his flock demonstrated with
him for, presume. neglecting his
higher duties. saw him but seldom
thereafter. The most noted visitor I
had was Tom Tiger Tail, the chief
OF the Seminole Indians. He had
come up the lake from the reserva-
ton to interview the Indian agent,
and taking in all the sights. he, of
course, included me among the side
shows. and followed me soIemnIy
round. He made an, ideal gallery,
quite in contrast to the usual crowd
that came to see the new game. He
never opened his lips. and stood per
fectIy still. when the player was adj
dressing the ball
The late Mr.. PeH Clarke Of Orlando
was my strongest ally in those early
days, and one never to be forgotten
day, was the formal opening of the
links at Kissimmee, when he and I
played match Of eighteen holes. We
were very evenly matched. and the
game was close. while, so far as /
remember, the play was very steady.
and quite 4 creditable exhibition Of
the game.
The gallery rs large. and very In