Martin Digital History

Browse Items (35 total)

  • Ethel Thomas Porter (1880-1966) was interviewed in 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Details life in early Stuart including ordering from catalogs, lack of refrigeration, no doctors, alligators, and learning 17 ways to cook white potatoes and hearts of cabbage palmetto. Also emphasized the importance of musician Mamie Hancock's influence on culture in Stuart and fund raising during WWII. Tells the story of Uncle Broster Kitching's establishment of Fernhill Cemetery and the first funeral held there.

    Charles and Ethel Thomas Porter (1880-1966) purchased the Owl House on Colorado Avenue in about 1908. Ethel was president of the Stuart Woman's Club.
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  • Florence A Dyer Ricou (1898-1982) was interviewed on 1 June 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    They discussed the pineapple industry, her father Harry Dyer and Dyer family history, Fernhill Cemetery history, and daily life in early Martin County.
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  • George Albert DeVane (1895-1969) was interviewed on 10 August 1960, by Joan and Jim Hutchinson.

    DeVane spoke of his interest as a historian of the Seminoles, including Charley Cypress, Billy Bowlegs, the murder of Charlie Peacock, the Trail Indians breaking away from the Cypress Indians, and Big Cypress.
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  • Harald Anderson Lincoln (1880-1969) was interviewed by Rush Hughes on two occasions, one unknown and the other 2 Dec 1960.

    Captain Harold A. Lincoln recounts his voyage from Baltimore to Florida in 1909 aboard the Joseph B. Thomas, which ran aground near Fowey Rocks. Afterward, he settled in Miami, working various jobs including fishing, stevedoring, and running a local theater. He also describes his time with the Seminole Indians, recalling being treated for a rattlesnake bite with traditional medicine, attending cultural events like the Sundance, and forming lasting relationships with members of the tribe.
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  • Edwin Harold Coutant (1890-1966) was interviewed c. 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Coutant's father Elwin S. Coutant was appointed keeper of the Mosquito Lagoon House of Refuge on 23 July 1890 and resigned on 20 October 1912.

    Coutant recounts stories of the Mosquito Lagoon House of Refuge, the Jensen House of Refuge, the Bessey brothers, and opening the first garage in Stuart.
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  • Harry Saylor Jennings (1926-1988) was interviewed c. 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Harry Saylor Jennings (1926-1988) was a realtor in Walton and served on the State Democratic Committee for St. Lucie County.

    Topics discussed include family history, local industries, and recreation and life in the early to mid-twentieth century in Walton. Jenning's grandfather, Harry Jennings (1872-1943), arrived in Walton in 1894, one of the original founders of Jensen Bank, which failed. Boat building industry, agriculture, and the origin of flower industry discussed. HJ believed flower growing was started by Stanley Smith and Jerry Knause. In youth, recreation was ball games and viewing the "29" (afternoon train) arrive. Picnics were a highlight. Also, digging up Indian mounds, where he found skulls and teeth. Big difference is the lack of mosquitos and sand flies now. Concludes with a story about Captain John Miller, who was afraid of electricity and would only allow electric poles to be placed in the river and not on his property.

    This transcription was made by Les Combs.
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  • Harvey B. Baker (1876-1967) was interviewed on 8 June 1960 by Rush Hughes in Hobe Sound.

    Baker came to Jensen in about 1892 and farmed on Hutchinson Island until 1917. Later he was a caretaker for Erich Schroeder.

  • Henry A. Kindred Sr. (1886-1969) interviewed on 16 May1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Owner of Kindred Grocery, which was a fixture in Stuart for many years.

    Kindred details the stores in Stuart in 1921, when he arrived in town, He also discusses the pineapple industry in the 1920s and competition from Cuba.
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  • Supporting material for the oral history collection of interviews done by Rush Hughes, including newspaper articles.

    According to the short description including in the binder of transcriptions, this collection originated with the Historical Society of Martin County director Steve Schmidt, then after receiving a $1,000 donation in 1960, local announcer Rush Hughes was employed to make more recordings.

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  • Janet Krueger Dunscombe (1894-1976) was interviewed on 12 May 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Dunscombe speaks about her childhood in early Stuart, including eating a lot of canned goods, entertainment, and dances in the packing houses. Also mentions the pineapple industry and her father (Albert Rudolph Krueger).
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