Martin Digital History

Browse Items (35 total)

  • Addison Alexander Whiticar (1885-1980) was interviewed on 6 July 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Details fishing industry from his 1917 arrival in Stuart, fishing techniques and equipment, and some experiences as a charter boat captain.
  • Interview conducted on 18 February 1961 by Rush Hughes with Albenia Delancy (1892-1970).
  • Alfred B. Michael (1877-1964) was interviewed on 5 July 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Michael arrived in Florida in 1887 at just ten years old. His family settled on Orchid Island near Wabasso. As a young man, Michael became a trade boat captain, delivering supplies to isolated communities along the Indian River. Later, he shifted to citrus farming, planting his first grove in 1902 and founding Deerfield Groves a decade later, helping to establish the Indian River citrus industry.

    Discussion chiefly focuses on operating a trade boat and citrus groves. Also interactions with the Seminoles, descriptions of frontier life, and fishing.
  • Belle Simmons Ross (1877-1968) was interviewed on 30 April 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Belle Simmons Ross moved to Martin County in 1890 at the age of 13 with her family, led by her father, Eli Simmons. Eli was both a farmer and boat builder, and Belle herself became a skilled boat captain.

    In this interview, Ross reflects on life during the pioneer era. She shares memories of purchasing supplies in bulk, participating in community social events, keeping bees, and her family's interactions with Native American communities.
  • 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.
  • Earl Julius Ricou (1900-1984) was interviewed on 1 June 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    They discuss Ricou family history, fishing in the early twentieth century, Gosling, the DeSteuben Dry Goods Store, Ricou's hardware store (Ricou Hardware), hurricane preparation, and Palm City as a Hungarian settlement.
  • Edward H. LeTourneau (1888-1973) was interviewed c. 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    LeTourneau spoke about Thomas E. Richards (his grandfather) establishing the pineapple industry in about 1883 and its decline. Also provided are details on pioneer life, including using boats to get supplies in Titusville and how settlers would watch their barometers to predict hurricanes.

    LeTourneau's father, Joseph Howard LeTourneau (1862-1938), was an early settler of Eden (near Jensen Beach), arriving in 1885 and soon after marrying Lucie Richards, the daughter of Thomas Richards.
  • Elena Smith Gregorie (1871-1966) interviewed on 30 April 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Gregorie became a resident of Palm City in 1914. She is asked mostly about housework. She also speaks of her two daughters dying of diphtheria.
  • Emma Hicks Kindred (1889-1973) interviewed on 16 May1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Kindred was a teacher in Alabama and Martin County, and a principal of Salerno Elementary School (1931-1948).

    Discusses the schools in Martin County in the early twentieth century. Notes that teachers used to love teaching more, and weren't paid after the Boom failed for a couple of years.
  • Ethel Thomas Porter (1880-1966) was interviewed on 25 June 1960 by Rush Hughes.

    Porter discussed the Catherine Fallis Backus (1863-1955), an artist who started the first flower farm in Martin County.
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