THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Elbert Acuff; Born: 1887, Died: 20 May 1956

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: The Acuffs came from Texas shortly before the birth of Arthur, who was born in the thatched cottage on the river bank. Mollie, who had apparently been something of a beauty in her younger days, abandoned the family, including Arthur, and left before long. Maude was one of those who died during the typhoid epidemic.

FORT MYERS PRESS; Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida; Thursday, March 19, 1908: TOOK THE BOY---This week K. B. Harvey, who runs a line of steamers between this city and Sanibel, had a peculiar experience according to his account which is as follows: "Last Saturday as I was coming up the river, a launch containing Dr. Teed and Messrs. Hunt and Gray, of the Koreshan Unity, came alongside my boat and said I had a boy on board that belonged to their colony and for whom they had a warrant for running away. They wanted the boy and I asked that they would wait until I got to the dock and unloaded my boat when we would see what was the matters. We went to the dock and I started to unload, when I had some business down at the express office to which place I went. When I returned to my boat the men had the boy and were gone. I saw them out in the river and called to the boy who said he was under arrest. They went off with him. The boy had run away but I was an innocent party in the matter, and think they should have shown some consideration. We do not know what Mr. Harvey intends to do in the matter, but give the story as told by him." (See Coleene Acuff Huddlestun Notes)

FORT MYERS PRESS; Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida; Thursday, April 2, 1908:
THE OTHER SIDE; The Eagle Gives Reply to K. B. Harvey Regarding Runaway Boys. "In the issue of March 19th, The Press contained an article from K. B. Harvey, relative to a boy that was taken away from him by Dr. Teed and others of the Koreshan Unity. Below we give a reply from the Eagle. We have nothing in common to do with the question, but publish in reply in a spirit of fair play. This is what the Eagle says:"

In the first place, Mr. K. B. Harvey (without the consent of parents or guardians) was harboring and giving employment to a minor who had run away from home. He neglects to tell the public that he was also harboring and employing a younger brother of the above mentioned young man who had been enticed away from home. The boys are aged respectively nineteen and fourteen years. The older one says Mr. Harvey promised before long to place him in charge of the launch Pastime at a salary of one hundred dollars a month. Quite a pretty salary, indeed, to promise a boy of nineteen for running a launch! As for the smaller boy, of course Mr. Harvey will say that he did not employ him, but the facts are that he was found living and working on the Pastime, and it makes no difference whether an agreement existed between the two or not.

The Press editor concludes the published complaint with the remark: "We do not know what Mr. Harvey intends to do in the matter." Inasmuch as the return of these boys to Estero was instigated by their father, Mr. Wm. Acuff, who is a member of the Koreshan Unity, it would be advisable for Mr. Harvey not to do anything further, as he might render himself liable for prosecution. Of course we do not claim to be greatly versed in legal lore, but we believe there is a legal tradition existing somewhat to the effect that parents are supposed to exercise a sort of guardianship over minor children until they become of age. For this reason it will be argued that the father of said boys has possibly a greater claim on them than has Mr. Harvey, and it would thus be well for that gentleman to drop the matter and forget it." (See Coleene Acuff Huddlestun Notes)

WORK RECORD FOR ELBERT ACUFF: Born: Jacksborough, Texas; July 24, 1889; Wharton C.? Texas Grammar School--1894-1900; Koreshan Unity private school--2 years--7 & 8 grade--1903; Work at Unity 2 years; June 1905-June 1908, 3 years, Koreshan Unity; Occupation: Boat carpenter and sawmill; Reason for leaving job: left sect. (From 1908 until 1920 Elbert worked as a carpenter at various jobs in Texas, Florida, and Alabama. He was in the U. S. Army from February 6, 1918 until January 21, 1919, when he was discharged. He was a carpenter in 131st ? Squad.)