Martin Digital History

Homer Stuart Railroad Land Collection

Title

Homer Stuart Railroad Land Collection

Subject

Railroads

Description

This collection primarily consists of correspondence between Inglis Stuart—brother of Homer Hines Stuart and an attorney—and J.R. Parrott, Vice President of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad Company. The letters focus on the proposed railroad line and land owned by Homer H. Stuart, the namesake of Stuart, Florida.

Additional items include two letters exchanged between Hubert Bessy and Inglis Stuart, as well as a letter from Homer Hines Stuart to Inglis regarding the proposed railroad. The collection also contains a letter written by Inglis Stuart to The Stuart Messenger newspaper concerning the naming of the town, and a platt map detailing the Stuart property with the proposed path of the railroad indicated.

Source

Scans gift of Sandra Thurlow.

Date

1893 and 1918

Contributor

Sandra Thurlow

Language

English

Identifier

2025.020

Coverage

1890s

Collection Items

  • Handwritten letter from Hubert Bessey to Inglis Stuart, March 11, 1893 with envelope postmarked at Sewall's Point.

    Letter reads: Sewall's Pt. 3/11/93/ Dear Inglis, / Forms rec'd./The Gardner matter is O. K. He refunded the account with many confessions of repent. /Hope you are all well. / Have just [?] a minute from work to [?] this./ One thing you could do for me - just come [?] down when you get started and make us another [?] -/ Railroad rumors are numerous. It is rumored that Homer has sold out to Flagler - How about it? Some certain the belief that the R. R. will cross the river at Homer's place. Can't say I share that belief but - have no definite knowledge- Hear Robbins & Graham are trying to get them to go off that way- /Hope you are well and that your mother is to come along and stop a while. / Very truly yours, Hubert.
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  • Handwritten letter written by attorney, Inglis Stuart and addressed to J. R. Parrott (Vice President, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad Company).

    Letter reads: March 28th 1893/J. R. Parrott Esq. /Vice Pres. /Dear Sir: Homer H. Stuart, owner of Lot Two (2) South half Lot Three (3) and North twenty four (24) acres of Lot Five (5) Section Thirty two (32) Township Thirty seven (37) South Range Forty one (41) East will convey Right of Way also twenty four acres in one body to the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad Company if said Railroad Company will agree to locate its railroad line across said land and establish a station therein. /Said Railroad Company may at its option locate said twenty four acres with frontage on St. Lucie River. Such frontage so taken is not to be more than one half of the present St. Lucie River frontage now owned by Homer H. Stuart. He reserves the remaining portion of said present frontage. /Said Railroad Company to agree to locate its line so as to give to the said river frontage tract so reserved by Homer H. Stuart a depth back from said St. Lucie River front less than 800 feet. /It is the wish of Homer H. Stuart that the Railroad Company may name the said railroad station "Stuart's Crossing." /Homer H. Stuart by Inglis Stuart/ Attorney in Fact
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  • Typed letter on Jacksonville St. Augustine & Indian River Railway stationary by J. E. Ingram (railroad general agent) and addressed to attorney, Inglis Stuart, regarding the proposed railroad line and property owned by Homer H. Stuart.
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  • Typed letter on Jacksonville St. Augustine & Indian River Railway stationary by J. R. Parrott (railroad vice president) and addressed to attorney, Inglis Stuart regarding the proposed railroad line and property owned by Homer H. Stuart.
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  • Typed letter from Inglis Stuart and addressed to J. E. Ingraham. This letter repeats an offer made in writing to J. R. Parrott regarding land owned by Homer H. Stuart and the proposed railroad line location.
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  • Typed letter from Inglis Stuart and addressed to J. R. Parrott regarding the proposed railroad line and property owned by Hubert W. Bessey.
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  • Typed letter from Inglis Stuart and addressed to Hubert W. Bessey regarding the proposed railroad line and property owned by Bessey.
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  • Short handwritten letter on Fairbanks Standard Scales Co. (Philadelphia, Penn.) stationary by Homer H. Stuart and addressed to his brother and attorney, Inglis Stuart. Letter reads: "Dear Inglis: Enclosed please find letters as you requested. Your answer to Parrott was very good. I wish I had the faith in this RR you seem to have. [Homer's signature]."
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  • Typed letter sent to the editor of the Stuart Messenger from Inglis Stuart in response to an article titled "Settlement of the St. Lucie River - The Early Settlers by Name as They Came - Why Stuart was Named Stuart" and published on the front page of the Messenger (26 Sep 1918). The article claimed that Stuart was not named after Homer H. Stuart but instead, after the telegraph operator for the area by the name of L. C. Stuart. Inglis details his interactions with J. R. Parrott and makes the argument that Stuart was indeed named in his brother's honor.
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  • Map of the property of H.H. Stuart and S.L Gosling, east of the north fork of the St. Lucie River. Shows the proposed railway line.

    Part of Section 32, Township 37. Range 41.

    Created by Chief Engineer Office, Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Indian River Ry.
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