Library : Books, Articles, Clippings Etc.
Title:
The Flaming Sword
Accession#:
1991.10.03
Pubication Date:
1935/05/00
Object ID:
PA—0126
Collection:
Flaming Sword
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Community Current Events - May 1935
by Claude J. Rahn
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ON THE SEVENTH before daybreak a storm accompanied by brilliant electrical display and strong winds swept in from the southwest and deluged the parched earth, thus terminating the most protracted drought recorded in this area. We have acquired more than forty young budded mango trees to replace those frozen during the cold weather of last December. They are of superior varieties and when they begin to bear will supply us with one of the most delicious of tropical fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Warren H. Wilkinson and child were dinner guests on the seventh. Mr. Wilkinson; now living in Fort Myers, is the leading advocate of the theory that Hernando De Soto made his landing in this country along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River, near Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida, in May, 1539, rather than in Tampa Bay as has been supposed. He has devoted years in extensive research on the subject, and has assembled what appears to be very conclusive evi- dence to support his. theory. Mr. George Bassett who has been with us for several months returned to his home in Montclair, N. J. Brother Alien H. Andrews attended the annual meeting of the Tamiami Trail Blazers in Fort Myers on the fourth. He was one of that small body of men who some years ago were the first to cross the lower Everglades in automobiles, through unknown forests and trackless swamps, to reach Miami and thus crys- talize sentiment leading to the eventual construction of the splendid highway spanning the lower peninsula. Word has been received that Peter Hanson, former resident here, died at the Veteran's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was buried there on the -fifth. Brother Franklin F. Jacke's sister, Mrs. Anna Eaton and her daughter, Naomi, of Fond Du Lac, Wis., visited us for several days. On the tenth Wade Stephens, son of Sister Cora Stephens, left to visit relatives in North Carolina. Mrs. Thomas A. Edison of Fort Myers was host- ess to a large party of friends on the thirteenth to a boat ride on our beautiful Estero River and later to dinner at the local Tea Garden. Sisters Emily Bessemer, Vesta Newcomb and Brother Jesse Putnam were guests of Mrs. Isadora Boulware on a motor trip to Miami on the fourteenth where they visited the latter's daughter. Sister Vesta is still talking of the thrill of her first trolly car ride while there. Quite a number enjoyed a picnic to Bonita Beach on the seventeenth in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Leonard and son, John Paul, of Duluth, Minn., and Mrs. Leonard's mother, Mrs. Edith. Johnson, who has been visiting in Estero for several months. On the following evening the Tea Garden honored them with a reception to which the Unity folks were invited. Mrs. Lovelle Ahrano and her sister, Mrs. Marie McConnell of Tampa, Florida, came on the twentieth to visit their parents, Brother William and Sister Ab- bie McCready. Mrs. McConnell returned the -following day, but Mrs. Ahrano remained for a longer stay. A census of the State of Florida is being taken at present, and it is estimated that there are 425 inhabi- tants in the Estero district, an increase of approxi- mately one hundred in five years. Automobile traffic along our highway has gradu- ally lessened during the past few weeks until now the sight of a tourist has again become a novelty. Where once the interested and wide-eyed visitors from the north wandered and enjoyed the beauties of our semi- tropical scenery and sunny climate all is now quite deserted, leaving with. us and taking with them many . pleasant experiences and memories. Many of these visitors stopping at Estero on their tour of the state become acquainted, for the first time, with our institu- tion. and beliefs, and in this way many spread the story in their northern communities of the people they en- countered in Florida who believe they live on the inner surface of a cellular universe. At Estero there is a quaint structure of wood, proudly eloquent of past and present glory, now stained and weathered with the passage of years. It stands at the far extremity of our lovely park, surrounded by flowering trees, and ornamental plants. Through large windows .and opened doors light streams, revealing a high ceiling and w^lls hung with paintings in oil. A raised platform crosses the western end, before which are rows of seats. Always peaceful, and cool during the heat of day, it is balm to the weary and those perplexed with doubt amid the stress of portentous times. Here, alone, com- muning with the delicate fragrance of a thousand hal- lowed memories one is stirred with deep emotion as many delightful occasions are recalled, and vivid, throbbing events of yesteryear kindle the heart. Here the Lord enthralled with words of promise. Here music has diffused its softening influence, quiet- ing restless souls, and spreading peace; and the memory of stern events crowd to the fore, but today all is tranquil, only the low rhythmic hum of insects and the mellow song of cardinal and mocking bird is heard. No cathedral hoary with the ravages of time could awaken more inspiring thought, none could be more peaceful, none more potent with events impending, none more fraught with the forces of destiny—our beloved Art Hall.
Notes:
See originals in Archives building. Most issues have been photocopied and are bound. These copies are located on the Public Shelf