Title:
The Flaming Sword
Accession#:
2006.08.29
Pubication Date:
1921/04
Object ID:
PA—0232
Collection:
Flaming Sword
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Current Events in Our Community Life
BY D. J. RICHARDS
April 1921
The Florida Legislature is now in session, and coming up before it is a bill known as the "No Fence Bill." The title is not very illuminating, but its object is to pass a law prohibiting the cattlemen of this state the privilege of allowing their cattle to run wild everywhere throughout the state, irrespective of the inconvenience to which the citizens are put. But this is not the worst feature, cattlemen have come to believe that the country is theirs by divine right, and when the grass becomes tough and wiry, the thing to do is to start a fire and burn everything in sight so as to provide fresh green pasture for their scrub stock. But patience has ceased to be a virtue, and this practice has become a real menace, so much so that several buildings have been burned during the past month and communities endangered, including" the Koreshan Unity.
On Thursday, March 24, some lawless person, not taking the wind into consideration, started a fire about a mile south of the Community, and in less than half an hour the majority of both sexes were obliged to go out and fight the fire. It was only by a streak of good luck that we managed to save our buildings. The fire raged around our large barns that are thatched with palmetto leaves, burning up several tons of hay, besides threatening the poultry yard, hog pens, the garage, and several dwelling houses; the roof of one of the latter took fire, but was put out before serious damage was done.
We have a great deal to thank our neighbors for, who willingly came to our assistance and kept the fire from doing serious damage, although the fire swept into our sugar cane, burning some of it, severely scorching a good many fine hills of watermelons, besides burning up hundreds of fence posts. We sincerely hope the above bill will pass, so as to remove the incentive of furnishing fresh grass for scrub cattle by burning up the landscape.
Mr. and Mrs. Einar Christensen, who have been spending the winter at Tampa, Fla., were guests of the Unity for a few days. Their being in Tampa was a surprise for Brother Alfred Christensen, whom they had not seen for twenty two years, and at his invitation came to Estero; needless to say the meeting was a happy one. Brother Alfred, who for some time has been talking of taking a vacation, is now on a leave of absence for six months. We shall miss him very much, but hope the change will do him good.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Miller of Chicago have been spending the winter in Fort Myers, and we have had the pleasure of entertaining them at the Unity. Mrs. Miller is contemplating building a winter home on her property adjoining the Unity; she has already drilled a well and planted an assortment of fruit and nut trees.
We also had a friendly call from Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Boomer, of New York City. This was Mrs. Boomer's first visit, and she was charmed with Estero and surroundings.
The Florida Press Association held its annual meeting this year at Tampa. The American Eagle was represented by its editor, Brother Allen Andrews, who reports having had a most interesting time.
Among the pleasant things transpiring in the Unity during the month was a concert given by the K. U. Orchestra, the first since Brother Frank returned from the North. Besides orchestra music, Master Floyd Moreland played a couple of lively selections on the flute, and Mrs. Guy Smith, of the Estero Inn, entertained us with a number of vocal selections. Needless to say that both solists did themselves proud, and gave the audience a great deal of pleasure.
One of the most unique entertainments ever given at the Unity was given by four of the younger children, the two older ones being about nine years old; all were girls. No one seemed to know what they were up to, but the Matron's permission seemed to be all that was necessary, because they were fully confident they could entertain a Koreshan audience. They were assisted by Brother Frank Schoedler, who confessed he had not had a rehearsal with them, but was ready to do his part as directed. For about an hour we were entertained with songs, recitations, dancing, and a physical culture drill, each number eliciting a lively round of applause. The old adage that children should be seen and not heard is a safe maxim, but we never saw so much initiative and self confidence.
Many times in looking at the old Herr sawmill tractor that was brought to the Unity by outside parties for repairs, we considered it as so much junk. But it is not always safe to judge from appearances, because the Unity purchased the 17 h. p. gas engine, which was in it, and Brother Stephen Chislett has installed it in our carpenter shop, and we now have a first-class equipment in our saw mill.
A few years ago a trip to LaBelle, a distance of about fifty miles from Estero, was a whole day's journey, but with hard-surfaced highways the distance is now covered in a little over two hours'. Some days since we were pleased to have a visit from' our friends, Mr. and Mrs. James Newcomb and daughter, and Dr. Seebold, of LaBelle, Fla.
BY D. J. RICHARDS
April 1921
The Florida Legislature is now in session, and coming up before it is a bill known as the "No Fence Bill." The title is not very illuminating, but its object is to pass a law prohibiting the cattlemen of this state the privilege of allowing their cattle to run wild everywhere throughout the state, irrespective of the inconvenience to which the citizens are put. But this is not the worst feature, cattlemen have come to believe that the country is theirs by divine right, and when the grass becomes tough and wiry, the thing to do is to start a fire and burn everything in sight so as to provide fresh green pasture for their scrub stock. But patience has ceased to be a virtue, and this practice has become a real menace, so much so that several buildings have been burned during the past month and communities endangered, including" the Koreshan Unity.
On Thursday, March 24, some lawless person, not taking the wind into consideration, started a fire about a mile south of the Community, and in less than half an hour the majority of both sexes were obliged to go out and fight the fire. It was only by a streak of good luck that we managed to save our buildings. The fire raged around our large barns that are thatched with palmetto leaves, burning up several tons of hay, besides threatening the poultry yard, hog pens, the garage, and several dwelling houses; the roof of one of the latter took fire, but was put out before serious damage was done.
We have a great deal to thank our neighbors for, who willingly came to our assistance and kept the fire from doing serious damage, although the fire swept into our sugar cane, burning some of it, severely scorching a good many fine hills of watermelons, besides burning up hundreds of fence posts. We sincerely hope the above bill will pass, so as to remove the incentive of furnishing fresh grass for scrub cattle by burning up the landscape.
Mr. and Mrs. Einar Christensen, who have been spending the winter at Tampa, Fla., were guests of the Unity for a few days. Their being in Tampa was a surprise for Brother Alfred Christensen, whom they had not seen for twenty two years, and at his invitation came to Estero; needless to say the meeting was a happy one. Brother Alfred, who for some time has been talking of taking a vacation, is now on a leave of absence for six months. We shall miss him very much, but hope the change will do him good.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Miller of Chicago have been spending the winter in Fort Myers, and we have had the pleasure of entertaining them at the Unity. Mrs. Miller is contemplating building a winter home on her property adjoining the Unity; she has already drilled a well and planted an assortment of fruit and nut trees.
We also had a friendly call from Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Boomer, of New York City. This was Mrs. Boomer's first visit, and she was charmed with Estero and surroundings.
The Florida Press Association held its annual meeting this year at Tampa. The American Eagle was represented by its editor, Brother Allen Andrews, who reports having had a most interesting time.
Among the pleasant things transpiring in the Unity during the month was a concert given by the K. U. Orchestra, the first since Brother Frank returned from the North. Besides orchestra music, Master Floyd Moreland played a couple of lively selections on the flute, and Mrs. Guy Smith, of the Estero Inn, entertained us with a number of vocal selections. Needless to say that both solists did themselves proud, and gave the audience a great deal of pleasure.
One of the most unique entertainments ever given at the Unity was given by four of the younger children, the two older ones being about nine years old; all were girls. No one seemed to know what they were up to, but the Matron's permission seemed to be all that was necessary, because they were fully confident they could entertain a Koreshan audience. They were assisted by Brother Frank Schoedler, who confessed he had not had a rehearsal with them, but was ready to do his part as directed. For about an hour we were entertained with songs, recitations, dancing, and a physical culture drill, each number eliciting a lively round of applause. The old adage that children should be seen and not heard is a safe maxim, but we never saw so much initiative and self confidence.
Many times in looking at the old Herr sawmill tractor that was brought to the Unity by outside parties for repairs, we considered it as so much junk. But it is not always safe to judge from appearances, because the Unity purchased the 17 h. p. gas engine, which was in it, and Brother Stephen Chislett has installed it in our carpenter shop, and we now have a first-class equipment in our saw mill.
A few years ago a trip to LaBelle, a distance of about fifty miles from Estero, was a whole day's journey, but with hard-surfaced highways the distance is now covered in a little over two hours'. Some days since we were pleased to have a visit from' our friends, Mr. and Mrs. James Newcomb and daughter, and Dr. Seebold, of LaBelle, Fla.
Author:
[various]
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Object Name:
Periodical
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Phys Desc:
24 p.
Publisher:
Guiding Star Publishing House
Publication Place:
Estero, Fl.
Search Terms:
Flaming Sword
Community Current Events
Community Current Events
Subjects:
Periodicals——Theology