Browse Items (17 total)
-
Ashley family, by Sandra Mario Provence, c. 2015
Short memoir of growing up with the Ashley family by John Ashley's great niece. Sandra Mario Provence's grandmother was John Ashley's sister.Tags Ashley Gang -
John E. Taylor oral history interview transcription, 1960
John E. Taylor II (1892-1972) was interviewed in 30 June 1960 by Rush Hughes.
Taylor recounts his arrival in Stuart, where he first secured a job at his future father-in-law's store before purchasing it a few years later. His career later expanded into politics and real estate, including the development of the Bit-Lor Apartments (named after himself and his business partner, Bittner).
He notes the detrimental impact the construction of the Cross State Waterway had on local fishing, with the muddy waters severely limiting the fish.
Taylor also shares a vivid personal account of his encounter with notorious outlaw John Ashley during the robbery of the Bank of Stuart, where Taylor was employed as a teller at the time.
Additionally, he provides insight into why the Flagler railroad ultimately did not extend to Sewall's Point, contrary to earlier plans.Tags Oral histories -
William Harrison King oral history interview transcription, 1960
William Harrison King (1889–1968) was interviewed by Rush Hughes on June 6, 1960.
King first arrived in Hobe Sound in 1925 and shared brief recollections of his early experiences in the area. He spoke about working as a farmer and on the railroad, his interactions with local Native Americans, encounters with the infamous Ashley Gang family, and the region’s early hurricane warning system. He also described how the railroad would turn around in Manatee Pocket.Tags Oral histories -
Pennie Fort King oral history interview transcription, 1960
Pennie Fort King (1893–1986) was interviewed by Rush Hughes on June 6, 1960.
Discussion primarily focused on her experiences with household management, cleaning, and cooking. She also spoke about the limited social life in early Stuart and shared memories of her childhood neighbor, Ma Ashley of the Ashley Gang.Tags Oral histories -
Carroll Dunscombe oral history interview transcription, 1960
Carroll Dunscombe (1889-1976) was interviewed on 6 May 1960, by Rush Hughes.
Dunscombe speaks about early names of the towns - Stuart was Potsdam and Gosling was often called Wa-Wa, and the pineapple industry around Stuart. Also tells the story of how he was almost on the jury for one of the Ashley Gang trials, and his interaction with them.Tags Oral histories -
Lizzy M. Beyer oral history interview transcription, 1961
Interview conducted on 18 Feb 1961 by Rush Hughes with Lizzie Ludwig Beyer (1882-1969), who owned the Little Dixie Restaurant in Stuart. Interview details how her husband worked for the Ashley Gang when they first arrived in the area
Tags Oral histories -
Antique car used for movie production, 1969
Antique car on loan from the Elliott Museum for the production of the "Little Laura and Big John" movie and parked in front of the Osceola Building, the interior of which was remodeled for the film. -
Antique car used for movie production, 1969
Antique car on loan from the Elliott Museum for the production of the "Little Laura and Big John" movie. Two men stand in the car parked next to the Lyric Theater. -
Movie scene in front Jerry's Bar, 1969
Crowd gathered to watch the filming of the "Little Laura and Big John" on set in front of Jerry's Bar in downtown Stuart. -
Movie set at Osceola Building, 1969
The Osceola Building was staged to look like it did in the early 1920s when it housed the Bank of Stuart, for the filming of the "Little Laura and Big John" movie. At the time of the movie’s production, Goddard’s Restaurant occupied the Osceola building, but as seen through the windows in the photograph, bank teller stations set the scene for the Ashley Gang film. A Bank of Stuart sign was also painted on the window of the building.