New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-14


nue., New York City, asks me to gather and print
Facts about Miami, saying that when the people
realize what wonderful city Miami is they will
wish to buy real estate there, and them as Mr. Du-
mont, the President, puts it, eve will get our share
OF the business" It is privilege to work for
client whose business policy is big and broad that
ne wants the community in which he develops prop
critics to derive the greater benefit from his adyer
Using campaign.
(2) The many people meet who know Miami
well are most enthusiastic about these articles and
say they are glad to give facts because they ex-
pect to see Miami quickly grow to city Of 100000
population-which is about twelve times its present
Summer population. "This growth will be realized
within fifteen years if go ahead as we have dur
ing the past twelve years. these enthusiastic but
nevertheless practical, long-headed business men
tell me- 1t is pleasure to write optimism particu-
larly now when SO many people foolishly talk
ing and acting pessmistically.
When visited Miami in May tried to see Mr.
EVEREST G. SEWELL the gentleman whose pic
ture you in this article could not get hold of
him in Miami where he is about the busiest bee in
the Miami hive, but did find him at the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel Friday night, July 1st and he was
gracious enough to give me an hour and three-uuar
tiers of his time. All had to do was to sit and
listen and take notes of what he told me about
Miami He told me remarkable story, which he
granted me the privilege and pleasure" of repeat
ing to you
II went to Miami March 3, 1896, to start cloth
ing and shoe business. My brother John went there
at the same time the representative of the late
Henry M. Flagler whose instructions were to start
building the town of Miami. Mr. Flsgler was then
building the Florida East Coast Railway and ex-
pected to reach Miami with it in about thirty days.
which ne did, and soon after trains started running
but he wanted to build town and big hotel, 50
there would be for having a station at
Miami.
"In very short time after my brother and ar
rived in Miami more than 1000 people came there
and lived in tents. They heard Mr. Flagler was to
build up town, so they came along to help him
build it. Miami needed building, for there were
only two houses there-the old Tuttle house on the
north side of the Miami River, and the Brickell
house on the south side, to which the Brckells
owned shack and ran it as Indian trading post
This was only rs years ago!
my brother and I are still in business to-day
under che name Sewell Brothers, and have mercan-
tile and realty interests also many outside business
connections The mercantile business started in
March, 1896 We have more customers and are
more prosperous than we were 20 years ago, but
we are no happier than in the Miami pio-
neer days. 1t great life then, because we
working under the inspirational leadership Of
Mr.. Flagler to whom, am glad to say all Miamians
old settlers and new, pay homage
line feeling OF Mlamlans toward Mr.. Flagler was
splendidly expressed last December, when we gave
our Palm Fete. day was set apart to pay tribute
to the memory of Mr.: Flagler, the insprational ad
dress being delivered by that master orator, William
Jennings Bryan, who recently declared Miami to be
his permanent home He spoke of Mr. Flagler's
vision most eloquenty.
ITO me was assigned the honor Of detailing Mi
ami's history. It was pleasant task because it
gave me opportunity to tell the great part Mr.
Fagler played in the development Of our marvellous
my life that knew Mr. Flagler we'll. NV brotber
never ceases to talk about him. 1t is great thing
to live life of achievement and to be affectonatev
remembered when through with it, as Mr. Flagler is
ooh, almost forgot to tell you that within few
days after Mr.: Flagler started building Miami he
broke ! ground for the Royal Palm Hotel (mind you,
hotel that and opened to the public in Janu-
airy, 1897. He thoroughly believed in the old adage
by halves are never done right Think Of his vision
in building hotel in town still in its baby car
rlage, that accommodates 700 people!
Fright away, too, Mr.. Flagler ordered the build
Ing, of an ELECTRIC light plant water works, sewer
system, and the laying out Of streets, paved with
coral rock. He the first to appreciate coral
rock foundation for streets and roads. Now
with o-sand wearing surface our streets and roads
are the finest in the world besides being built more
economically than roads in any other section of
America
"Mr. Flagler ordered that ship channels be dredged
in Biscayne Bay, making it possible for ocean--gong
boats, to enter and leave Miami harbor. He be-
gan then what is soon to make Miami great ship
ping port. Miami City will own in her new park 10
acres on the bay front. There is room north Of
Sixth street to accommodate "a ocean steamships
at one time in docks we will have there
"There is no port anywhere along the Atlantic
coast that offers greater opportunity for passenger
and freight traffic. The tremendous resources Of
the Miami zone-the growing Of sugar cane and all
vegetables--the raising of cattle on the reclaimed
lands of the Everglades, etc., will make Miami a
great port for freight And six months Of every
passenger steamers will be loaded to capacity
with people coming to and going from Miami; the
cyroa doa1 -
too, which VIII grow year by year as people Learn,
that Mianni's climate Is most equable and inyitin1
all months Of the year.