The Miami times., 1952-07-26
Dr.. Bethule Makes Plea To
Citizens OF America

May I make one long, strong,
definite appeal to you for assis-
tance in saving, for the possession
and control of Negroes of Florida
and America, the finest Atlantic
Beach site on the East Coast of
Florida - 21s miles on the great
Atlantic, 212 miles on the Northern
arm of the Indian River. We hold,
for your possession and control,
this beautiful stretch of land that
cannot be duplicated, but it must
be made secure by your immediate
help.
For "a years we have worked
and sacrificed to acquire and hold
this property. Since its purchase,
after years of trying to secure it,
it has been burdened by large
mortgage, which we have reduced
accruing from property and stock
as much as possible from income
sales. The mortgage on the unsold
portion of the property is now
$4,000. 1t is held by White fl
nancier of Coral Gables, Fla. It
became due on May Is, 1852 and
is being sought on all sides by
interested people of the other
race. If the property is 10 be saw
ed for Negroes of our own and
future generations, we must i'm
mediately satisfy this mortgage
obligotion.
May earnestly call upon you,
the Negro Citizens of America
individuals and groups - to in
vest in this project, in order that
it may be held by and for Ne
groes? We have sent out a call t.
10 outstanding Negro businessmen
to invest $4,000 each in the
project, take over the mortgage
and approve further development
of the project, to enhance the sales
program. We are soliciting and
inviting your participation,
through the purchase of Capital
Stock at $50 a share. We are
earnestly requesting the consid-
Grafton of any Negro group or
groups to take over the full
mortgage on this valuable prop
erty, or to invest $4,000 or $10,-
900 on a mortgage basis. $50 lots
have been sold and there are
1900 left for sale, with a conSer-
vative sales value of $325,O00.
Because of the natural recre-
ational facilities and splendid
year round climate, Florida has
become very popular State.
People are coming here in great
numbers, buying every foot of
land they can possibly secure We
have struggled valiantly to hold
to this property, because of the
difficulty that Negroes have in
purchasing Beach sites. The late
c.. D. Rogers, Sr., of Tampa, saar-
ed with me the dream that there
would be, some day, a beautiful
beach subdivision on Florida's
East Coast owned and controll-
ed by the Negroes of America.
Since the passing of Mr.. Rogers,
/ have served as president Of our
corporation, for / am the founder
of Bethune Beach. A few of US
have pooled our resources, at
great personal sacrifice, TO cut
roads through much of the area,
bring in electric power and. build
a simple bathing pavilion. One Of
our property owners has built
beautiful beach home and gar
age apartment, another a general
store, and a group is now building
a modern motel. The latter is one
half completed, with IA units
finished and furnished. They are
in great demand by the constant
stream of visitors to the beach.
Our corporation for handling
this property is organized under
the laws of the state of Florida.
Prof. J. N. Crooms, veteran edu-
Gator of Sanford, Fla, is first vice
president; Mr.. George w. Engram,
progressive business man of Day.
tona Beach, is executive vice pres
ident and general manager; Mrs.
Minnie L. Rogers, wife of the late
G.. D. Rogers, ST., Tampa's most
outstanding business executive,
is treasurer; Mrs. Bertha l.. Nit