Title:
Bee Hives: William McCready(?) in the Apiary
Accession:
1991.10.02
Catalog Date:
09/29/1994
Collection:
Stephens Collection
Item ID:
2—023
Notes:
The following text is from "Memories, Memories, Days of Long Ago" by Marie and Lovelle McCready (1966):
In later years, when Lovelle and I, with the children, would be in Estero for visitsg it was at the bee house he liked to have his picnics. This property was across the river and there was a building where the honey was extracted. It had an oil stove which provided for cooking, but Pappa liked to cook outside over an open fire when the weather permitted.
The Unity purchased the San Carlos Hotel on Pine Island with the intention of operating It commercially after extensive renova— tion. Meanwhile It provided another vacation facility for any who wished to spend awhile in It, and of course this was quickly taken advantage of by the young folks. I remember looking at the hotel register, which was still in the office when I first visited it with an orchestra group, and the first name on it as Roach. I have often wondered why people persist in using this,, to me repul— sive, spelling when Roche is synonymous. Never were mangoes more delicious than those around the hotel2 nor mosquitoes more ubiqui— tous and vicious, especially during the early mornings and In "Llhe evenings; this detracted somewhat from our pleasure but was later helped by clearing out the rank growth of brush and weeds which had resulted from several years of abandonment of the hotel and grounds,
In addition to Pappa's duties at the printing office, where he read proof as long as he could be up and. around, he took on the bees. bees had always been kept, but It was rather a hit or miss operation until Pappa began to put his "as near perfection as possible" methods to work. Once when a cold winter and spring had made honey producing flowers scarce, I remember he took his own portions of honey, sugar, syrup, etc. to supplement what he was able to obtain from the kitchen to—keep them going until the blooms were more plen— tiful again. He built new and Improved hives of his own design, and the colonies multiplied rapidly. When just about ready to take off a tremendous amount of honey as measured by previous output, the worst flood In the history of the area occurred, resulting from un— usually heavy hurricane rains in that watershed. The Estero River overflowed its banks, as did others, and so much flooding resulted that the launches could be taken from Eeero to Fort Myers right over the countryside. When Pappa could get back to his bees, there were few left. Many of the hives had been barged further down the river to where the mangroves were blossoming and. these had generally been washed out into the bay and lost. He retrieved what he could find and brought them back but, though bees still clung to some of them, the honey was mostly ruined.
Also note that the Koreshan minutes, "Bulletin No. 10", dated 25 February A.K. 62 (1901), states: "Brother Moses Weaver was appointed by the Master as beekeeper"
In later years, when Lovelle and I, with the children, would be in Estero for visitsg it was at the bee house he liked to have his picnics. This property was across the river and there was a building where the honey was extracted. It had an oil stove which provided for cooking, but Pappa liked to cook outside over an open fire when the weather permitted.
The Unity purchased the San Carlos Hotel on Pine Island with the intention of operating It commercially after extensive renova— tion. Meanwhile It provided another vacation facility for any who wished to spend awhile in It, and of course this was quickly taken advantage of by the young folks. I remember looking at the hotel register, which was still in the office when I first visited it with an orchestra group, and the first name on it as Roach. I have often wondered why people persist in using this,, to me repul— sive, spelling when Roche is synonymous. Never were mangoes more delicious than those around the hotel2 nor mosquitoes more ubiqui— tous and vicious, especially during the early mornings and In "Llhe evenings; this detracted somewhat from our pleasure but was later helped by clearing out the rank growth of brush and weeds which had resulted from several years of abandonment of the hotel and grounds,
In addition to Pappa's duties at the printing office, where he read proof as long as he could be up and. around, he took on the bees. bees had always been kept, but It was rather a hit or miss operation until Pappa began to put his "as near perfection as possible" methods to work. Once when a cold winter and spring had made honey producing flowers scarce, I remember he took his own portions of honey, sugar, syrup, etc. to supplement what he was able to obtain from the kitchen to—keep them going until the blooms were more plen— tiful again. He built new and Improved hives of his own design, and the colonies multiplied rapidly. When just about ready to take off a tremendous amount of honey as measured by previous output, the worst flood In the history of the area occurred, resulting from un— usually heavy hurricane rains in that watershed. The Estero River overflowed its banks, as did others, and so much flooding resulted that the launches could be taken from Eeero to Fort Myers right over the countryside. When Pappa could get back to his bees, there were few left. Many of the hives had been barged further down the river to where the mangroves were blossoming and. these had generally been washed out into the bay and lost. He retrieved what he could find and brought them back but, though bees still clung to some of them, the honey was mostly ruined.
Also note that the Koreshan minutes, "Bulletin No. 10", dated 25 February A.K. 62 (1901), states: "Brother Moses Weaver was appointed by the Master as beekeeper"
Print Size:
3.25x5.5
Date:
c. 1905
Description:
This photo shows what is believed to be William McCready among his bee hives. The photo has "McCready and Bee Hives" written in pencil onthe back. See the notes for more information about McCready.
People:
McCready, William
Click to Enlarge
McCready and Bee Hives
McCready and Bee Hives