Title:
The Flaming Sword
Pubication Date:
1936/03/00
Object ID:
PA—0136
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Community Current Events -- March 1936
By Claude J. Rahn
--------------------------------------------------------
THE ANNUAL fair of southwest Florida was held at Fort Myers, February 18 to 22, incl., and upon invitation the Unity exhibited under the direction of Brother W. Theo. Naeselius some of its rare and ornamental horticultural plants making a specialty of the Cajeput tree. This tree was introduced into southwest Florida from Australia by Brother Alien Andrews in 1912, and has proven to be well suited for growingin this area. The bees make a fine quality of honey from its bloom and its hard wood and bark are adaptable for many uses. Our display elicited much favorable comment and was the center of considerable interest. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Chaliss of Santa Barbara, California, were camped in their house car for two weeks on our grounds. They were here two years ago and returned for another visit. Mr. Chaliss is an expert banjo player of many years' experience in vaudeville, and gave two performances for our members, in one of which he told the story of the banjo which he claims is the only truly American musical instrument, having been designed by Joseph Sweeny who lived near Richmond, Va., about 100 years ago. His associates called him "Band Joe" which name in contracted form eventually was applied to the instrument as banjo. It is said that Gen. J. E. B. Stuart of the Confederate army had Sweeny among his followers to provide entertainment on his newly designed instrument which Mr. Chaliss states is more rhythmic than melodious. Brothers Alien Andrews, David J. Richards, L. W. Bubbett and the writer visited the state fair at Tampa on the tenth and eleventh. Brother Henry D. Silverfriend was also a visitor for several days. An excellent showing of fruits and vegetables was seen together with some fine breeds of cattle, but the disturbed economic conditions in most counties of the state prevented a more representative showing. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wiandt and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Greer of Detroit, Mich., visited us on the seventeenth. They are active in the promotion of the Direct Credit Society and in the Art Hall that evening gave a talk explaining its objects. They purpose through political agitation to eliminate gold for use as money, substituting paper currency as the only medium of exchange, doing away with interest and private banking, and have the government extend financial credit for any and all needs without interest. They wish to retain the capitalistic and competitive systems but reform its abuses. They claim a large membership, and are one of the many current reform movements clutching at straws. Mr. W. Stanley Hanson, a friend for many years of the Koreshan Unity, possesses the confidence of the Seminole Indians more than any other contemporary white man, and he is known throughout Florida as the "white medicine man" of the Seminoles, a once powerful tribe of Indians whom in years past our government had difficulty in trying to subdue. It never wholly succeeded since a remnant of this freedom loving people consisting of approximately 500 persons are still living in the fastnesses of the Everglades subsisting as best they can on a diminishing supply of wild game and such vegetables as they are able to raise. In an effort to alleviate their distress Mr. Hanson arranged with Governor Dave Sholtz of our state for a powwow with their medicine men at a rendezvous in the Everglades on the twenty-second, the first time on record that a governor of the state has met the Indians in their native surroundings for a powwow. Brother Alien Andrews and the writer were honored with an invitation by Mr. Hanson to be present, and we were greatly interested in the ceremonies attending the occasion, outstanding of which was a tribal dance participated in by both sexes, the smoke signaling that notified other Indians throughout the length and breadth of the Everglades that the powwow was under way, and also the excellent manner in which Mr. Hanson interpreted the native speeches of poetic character for the benefit of the governor and his party. Mr. Hanson was master of ceremonies and in him the Seminoles have a true and helpful counselor. Immediately after breakfast certain sisters volunteer to assist the cook in preparing vegetables for the meal at noon. They are known collectively as the "'Bee" and practice has made them proficient not only at the work in hand, but also in the ancient art of conversation. To give full reign to the latter delight Sister Ida Fischer gave a party for the "Bee" on the nineteenth, among the skillets and stewpans in the kitchen, in the surroundings conducive to their vocal propensities. Several brothers who "crashed" that sacred domain reported getting some refreshments, but were unable to "crash" the conversation. Brothers Will Fischer, Alfred Christensen and John Watson visited the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers' circus at Sarasota, Florida, on the thirteenth. The severe winter weather prevailing in the north has been reflected in Florida by heavy rains, and it is claimed more water has fallen during February according to records that have been kept than during any previous February. The excessive water and frequent cold spells have retarded the growth of our winter vegetables, but several of the more hardy kinds are now being brought into the kitchen.
By Claude J. Rahn
--------------------------------------------------------
THE ANNUAL fair of southwest Florida was held at Fort Myers, February 18 to 22, incl., and upon invitation the Unity exhibited under the direction of Brother W. Theo. Naeselius some of its rare and ornamental horticultural plants making a specialty of the Cajeput tree. This tree was introduced into southwest Florida from Australia by Brother Alien Andrews in 1912, and has proven to be well suited for growingin this area. The bees make a fine quality of honey from its bloom and its hard wood and bark are adaptable for many uses. Our display elicited much favorable comment and was the center of considerable interest. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Chaliss of Santa Barbara, California, were camped in their house car for two weeks on our grounds. They were here two years ago and returned for another visit. Mr. Chaliss is an expert banjo player of many years' experience in vaudeville, and gave two performances for our members, in one of which he told the story of the banjo which he claims is the only truly American musical instrument, having been designed by Joseph Sweeny who lived near Richmond, Va., about 100 years ago. His associates called him "Band Joe" which name in contracted form eventually was applied to the instrument as banjo. It is said that Gen. J. E. B. Stuart of the Confederate army had Sweeny among his followers to provide entertainment on his newly designed instrument which Mr. Chaliss states is more rhythmic than melodious. Brothers Alien Andrews, David J. Richards, L. W. Bubbett and the writer visited the state fair at Tampa on the tenth and eleventh. Brother Henry D. Silverfriend was also a visitor for several days. An excellent showing of fruits and vegetables was seen together with some fine breeds of cattle, but the disturbed economic conditions in most counties of the state prevented a more representative showing. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wiandt and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Greer of Detroit, Mich., visited us on the seventeenth. They are active in the promotion of the Direct Credit Society and in the Art Hall that evening gave a talk explaining its objects. They purpose through political agitation to eliminate gold for use as money, substituting paper currency as the only medium of exchange, doing away with interest and private banking, and have the government extend financial credit for any and all needs without interest. They wish to retain the capitalistic and competitive systems but reform its abuses. They claim a large membership, and are one of the many current reform movements clutching at straws. Mr. W. Stanley Hanson, a friend for many years of the Koreshan Unity, possesses the confidence of the Seminole Indians more than any other contemporary white man, and he is known throughout Florida as the "white medicine man" of the Seminoles, a once powerful tribe of Indians whom in years past our government had difficulty in trying to subdue. It never wholly succeeded since a remnant of this freedom loving people consisting of approximately 500 persons are still living in the fastnesses of the Everglades subsisting as best they can on a diminishing supply of wild game and such vegetables as they are able to raise. In an effort to alleviate their distress Mr. Hanson arranged with Governor Dave Sholtz of our state for a powwow with their medicine men at a rendezvous in the Everglades on the twenty-second, the first time on record that a governor of the state has met the Indians in their native surroundings for a powwow. Brother Alien Andrews and the writer were honored with an invitation by Mr. Hanson to be present, and we were greatly interested in the ceremonies attending the occasion, outstanding of which was a tribal dance participated in by both sexes, the smoke signaling that notified other Indians throughout the length and breadth of the Everglades that the powwow was under way, and also the excellent manner in which Mr. Hanson interpreted the native speeches of poetic character for the benefit of the governor and his party. Mr. Hanson was master of ceremonies and in him the Seminoles have a true and helpful counselor. Immediately after breakfast certain sisters volunteer to assist the cook in preparing vegetables for the meal at noon. They are known collectively as the "'Bee" and practice has made them proficient not only at the work in hand, but also in the ancient art of conversation. To give full reign to the latter delight Sister Ida Fischer gave a party for the "Bee" on the nineteenth, among the skillets and stewpans in the kitchen, in the surroundings conducive to their vocal propensities. Several brothers who "crashed" that sacred domain reported getting some refreshments, but were unable to "crash" the conversation. Brothers Will Fischer, Alfred Christensen and John Watson visited the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers' circus at Sarasota, Florida, on the thirteenth. The severe winter weather prevailing in the north has been reflected in Florida by heavy rains, and it is claimed more water has fallen during February according to records that have been kept than during any previous February. The excessive water and frequent cold spells have retarded the growth of our winter vegetables, but several of the more hardy kinds are now being brought into the kitchen.