The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-05-11

i rough element, but in this, Key
West is curiously different. While
one of the worlds principal sea-
/ ports, it nevertheless has an ex-
ceptionally high percentage of well
educated and refined citizens
university graduates and world
travellers. The peculiar position
of the city, which causes the eli
mate to be practically perfect
throughout the year, makes it lack
the strenuous and competitive.
There is an easy, moderate method
of life which results in "ive and
let live" When anyone is in
trouble, they are helped by others.
The city, during winter, has
quite a colony of noted Authors,
writer's, artists, and well-known
travellers. Ernest Hemingway,
Geo. Allan England, and others
Zane Grey is a regular winter
visitor. Collectors for the larg-
est northern aquariums come and
stay for weeks. Scientists from
! the Smithsonian Institution make
their regular calls and use Key
West as base of operations. One
of the old time pearl men has been
living in Key West. He had grown
pearls from five to ten grains
weight in the Anadonta and Lamp
silis shells of Tennessee and came
to Florida to see if it were pos
sible to grow large ones in the
beautiful pink Conch, Strombus
gigas. After systematic expert
ments during a time of two years,
he found the secret.
Some of the most interesting
men are the old sea captains who
have sailed the seven seas.
On the shores of the southern
most extremity of the island is the
residence of Judge Vining Harris.
In several ways, it is the most in
teresting home in the city and it
has the distinction of being sit
uated on the extreme southern tip
of the United States. 1t over
lookes the Gulf stream and from
the southern porches person may
sit in solid comfort and watch
ships from other world ports move
by. Storms and occasionally water
spouts can be plainly seen from
the porches and balconies. The
Judge is graduate of Annapolis
and has spent years on the high
seas. He is an exceptionally good
story teller and it is positive de-
light to sit and hear him tell of
| riEe etf1TJus tfTrnI rlla tsfea 1sissrrpr-
and the adventures through which
he has passed.
Sees Two Waterspouts
As to water-spouts, they are not
uncommon to the district around
Key West. Usually they form
over the Gulf stream but some
times over the Gulf of Mexico. At
a certain season of the year, they
are formed by conflicting currents
of air which produce a circular
movement. If there happens to
be a very warm spot in the upper
atmosphere then there is an incli-
nation for the air to rise in a
whirling circle. If this move
ment is of sufficient strength, the
waters are lifted from below.
(Note-The writer happens to
have seen two of these water
spouts, about q quarter of a mile
apart Occasionally, they move
in groups. Most of the old resi-
dents of the district have seen
them attempt to fornA cloud
begins to slowly turn; funnel
develops, pointing downward. The
lcircling air affects the waters be-
low and an inverted funnel rises
upward. As they whirl. the two
points. or tips, seem to reach for
each other. If they touch, then
they become one real waterspout.
If the strength of movement is in
Sufficient for the two points 70
join, then il Ks an interesting fail
ure. The circling movement Is
swift but the forward movement
is slow. When a spout is sighted
from a boat or ship, they usually
go away from that place. A
cannon shot would probably dis
perse a small one but have ne
noticeable effect upon a large one.
Judge Harris one told the writer
that HE was out with some com
panions iR small boat Of about
five tons--They were caught in
| the outer circles Of a small water,
Ispout. raised, swung sound and
dropped. They lit bottom up and
some lively swimming was in or
der. Knowing the judges dis
| position. he undoubtedly came up
looked around and said. "Ain'i
Nature grand4s About a yvai
ago, VIM. X. Porter, president I'll
the Key West Bank and a GROUP Il
friends were enjoying an outing II
his large houseboat. They wers
anchored abons mile IN the Gulf
A spent came merTily along, Gloss
enough so the water became quiss
rough. However, they are easy II
avesd and the writer has nrves