The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-10-08

west the huge hulk of the aircraft
carrier USS Monterey reared its
flight deck, and we could spot the
long outline of the sleek cruiser
Roanoke. The only thing higher
than we, we're planes flying and
the steel skeletons of the radio tow
ers on the Naval Station. The over
all panorama was one of intricate,
blended beauty.
DOWN TO EARTH
Time for the descent came after
pictures were taken. We threaded
our way down the huge spool of
iron. Once more my ears roared
and the tremors in my legs began.
/ had to stop once and get a firm
grip of control to stop the sensation
of pitching forward down. the nav
of the tower. Fleming burst into
song as we neared the final tor
turouS turn. / felt like singing too,
when we finally stood at the base
of the lighthouse. / never knew
earth could feel so good!
We began a tour of the well kept
garden and grounds. At the little
rock garden with a pool, my knees,
still wobbly, gave way. / tripped
on very small point of coral rock
and skinned shinl But 50 year old
John Fleming took it all in stride,
proudly showing us the tropical
blooms, the lawn barbecue grill,
the old cistern, date palms, the
neat buildings and house, and a
turtle with three legs who lives by
the fountain pool.
There are tomato plants growing
now in the little inches along the
ground wall where Capt. Demeritt
once had an aviary of rare birds.
Bill Meyers who writes about Key
West plants, said that after Capt.
Demeritt died. the flocks of migra-
tory birds stopping there for re-
fueling of food never returned. The
only fowl visible were two ducks
and some chickens in a wire pen.
1t was at departure, we learned
that Irish eyes were twinkling
brighter because it happened our
visit fell on John Fleming's birth
day. We wished him many happy
returns on the lighthouse beat. I'd
like to hear more from him, es-
pecially how it happened that a
Galloway, Ireland, man was In
Manchester England, and joined
up with the British army. But that's
another story.
This one ends with an illuminat-
ing quality as glowing as the Key
West Light itself.
LIGHT KEEPERS DAUGHTER
Back at the Citizen office, Bill
Meyers gave me one more clue on
the lighthouse yarn. / was wonder
ing If there wasn't one more human
interest angle to explore before be-
ginning to coordinate notes. want
ed to know who the lighthouse ten
der was in the days of the old kero-
sene lamps. Bill said. ASK Miss
Jennie de Boer.' Her father used
to be a keeper"
Miss Jennie as she is affectionat-
" called in the manner Of the Old
South, is really Mrs. Jennie de
Boer, an employee Of the Citizen
in the business office for over Is
years. At Sc, she has a trim, slight
figure and blossoms out in dainty
light dresses. She looked up from
her desk at my question, and said
why, yes, can help you. ] used
to help my father trim those kero-
sene wicks. He was William A.
Bethel and served for Is years. He
came to Key West from Pensacola
and he also took care of the light
at Dry Tortugas"
took to the point like bird-dog
at pencil point. Here was the story
/ needed.
s'We all used to help my father"
she reminisced. MY mother, Mary
Elizabeth Bethel was his assistant.
When he died in 1909, she became
one Of the few women light keepers