Vol. 4, Number 1, Spring 2013

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Vol. 4, Number 1, Spring 2013 TheThe TustenegeeTustenegee A periodical devoted to the history of Palm Beach County Published by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County Vol. 4 No. 1 Spring 2013 Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church Pioneer Mail Service The Battles of Loxahatchee Johnson History Museum The Tustenegee Spring 2013, Volume 4, Number 1 Contents 10 Bethesda-by-the-Sea: The Spanish Memorial By Jethro M. Hurt III 16 Pioneer Mail Service on Lake Worth: A Settler’s Memoir By Lillie Pierce Voss 10 22 The Battles of Loxahatchee By Richard J. Procyk 30 Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach 16 County History Museum Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary! By Debi Murray 22 38 Did You Know… 39 Hidden Treasures 41 Special Exhibits 30 On the cover: The third Episcopal Church Bethesda-by-the-Sea, ca. 1940s. Courtesy Historical Society of Palm Beach County. 3 Spring 2013 From the Editors The Tustenegee Dear Reader, Editor-in-Chief Debi Murray In this issue of The Tustenegee, readers will find Editor articles about the plans for building the third and Richard A. Marconi current Episcopal Church Bethesda-by-the-Sea Graphics and Layout written by the church’s archivist Jethro M. Hurt Richard A. Marconi III. Pioneer Lillie Pierce Voss explains early postal service on Lake Worth in her transcribed memoir. Printed by To commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the two MDH Printing Second Seminole War Battles of Loxahatchee, The Tustenegee is a journal about Palm Beach County his- aurthor and avocational archaeologist Richard J. tory and is published online twice a year by the Historical Procyk has allowed the reprinting of a portion of Society of Palm Beach County. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County is a non-profit his book Guns Across the Loxahatchee about the organization whose mission is to stimulate public apprecia- 1838 Battles of the Loxahatchee. Final we celebrate tion for the rich history and cultural heritage of Palm Beach the 5th Anniversary of the Richard and Pat Johnson County. Palm Beach County History Museum. Historical Society of Palm Beach County 300 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33401 As always, we would like to thank our readers Phone: (561) 832-4164 Fax: (561) 832-7965 for their enthusiasm and interest about The www.historicalsocietypbc.org Tustenegee. We hope you enjoy this issue of The www.pbchistoryonline.org Tustenegee, and we welcome your comments and Mailing Address: article submissions. Historical Society of Palm Beach County PO Box 4364 West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4364 Sincerely, The contents of The Tustenegee are copyrighted by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. All rights are re- The Editors of The Tustenegee served. Reprint of material is encouraged, however; written permission from the Historical Society is required. The His- torical Society disclaims any responsibility for errors in fac- tual material or statements of opinion expressed by contribu- tors. The contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editors, board, or staff of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Article submission: Please submit articles in Microsoft Inquiries and Contributions Write to: Word format to the following email: rmarconi@historicalsoci- Editor, The Tustenegee Historical Society of Palm Beach County etypbc.org, with author’s full name, email, mailing address, and PO Box 4364 phone number, and if applicable, organization. Once the article West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4364 has been reviewed, the author will be notified via email whether or not it has been accepted for publication. Additional instruc- tions will be sent about images, author biography, and photo- This issue is generously graph. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County reserves the right to edit all articles. The editors follow the Chicago Man- sponsored by ual of Style for writing. Authors submitting articles do so with PNC Wealth Management. the understanding that they will not receive compensation. The Tustenegee 4 The Historical Society of Palm Beach County would like to give special thanks to our Corporate Members & Partners Corporate Members ART EST. 1870 EST. WALLY FINDLAY Corporate Partners Barry Behar Inc. Ketel One Vodka Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative Blue Ocean Capital Kofski Antiques, Inc. The Forbes Company Classic Bookshop Mark Edward Partners The O'Donnell Agency Cheney Brothers, Inc. MDH Printing The Palm Beach Kennel Club City Mattress McCranels Orthodontics The Palm Beach Post Deborah Koepper Beauty Moroco Orthodontics The PGA of America Echo Palm Beach Murray & Guari Trial Attorneys PL Thomas M Kirchho Architect Erneston & Son’s Produce Nievera Williams Design Tiany & Co Florida Airmotive, Inc. Ocean Properties, Ltd. & Aliates TKM Bengard Farms, LLC Gracie Street Interior Design, Inc. Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches Very Important Paws Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Pioneer Linens Virginia Philip Wineshop & Academy Havana Restaurant Prefered Printing Wedgworth Farms, Inc. Holyeld & Thomas, LLC Samuel Adams Brewery Wells Fargo Bank Howley's Restaurant SandyJames Fine Food and Productions West Palm Beach DDA John C. Cassidy Air Conditioning, Inc. Schutz & White Marital & Family Law, LLP William R. Eubanks Interior Design Just Ask Boo, LLC Stephen Mooney Interiors To learn more about becoming a Corporate Member or Partner, please contact us at 561.831.4164 x 106 or visit our website at www.historicalsocietypbc.org 5 Spring 2013 Become a Part of History - Join Today! Curiosity,Curiosity, Discovery,Discovery, Engagement…Engagement… Board of Benefactors – $2,500 & above The success of any organization rests with strong The Richard and Pat Johnson leadership commitments to its mission. Benefactors The Richard and Pat Johnson will be provided with special events that expand Name their understanding and appreciation of historically PalmPalm BeachBeach CountyCounty HistoryHistory MuseumMuseum significant individuals and events. In addition, members Address Apt # are listed on the Society’s letterhead. City State Zip Pioneer Circle – $1,000 AA remarkableremarkable experienceexperience Recognizing the challenges of our forefathers, serve as Daytime Phone Evening Phone a Pioneer in the Society’s continued growth and impact on the County. Email Flagler Circle – $500 Board of Benefactors $2,500 Individual, $5,000 per couple Henry Flagler was a visionary – you can be one, too, by supporting the Society at this important level. Lectures, special events and a distinguished publication by a Pioneer Circle $1,000 noted local author mark this forward-thinking category. Mizner Circle – $250 Flagler Circle $500 Addison Mizner changed the face of Palm Beach Become a County and you can, too, with support of the Society. Mizner Circle $250 member today! At this level you will also receive a print of a historic photograph from the Society’s Archive. Barefoot Mailman $125 Barefoot Mailman – $125 Imagine trekking from Jupiter to Miami– continue the journey through your membership and learn more about Family/Dual $75 our area through free lectures and special events. Family/Dual – $75 Individual $50 Learn how our county was shaped, and meet others through a variety of events and the Annual Meeting, with one other family member. Educator $30 Enclosed is my check in the amount of Individual – $50 payable to: Your support of the Society allows you to meet others who share your interest in history, including an Historical Society of Palm Beach County invitation to our Annual Meeting. Enjoy a 10% discount in the Museum Book Store and Gift Shop. Or, please charge my: Visa MasterCard AMEX Educator Membership – $30 Card # Become part of a community of educators dedicated to making Palm Beach County history accessible and Exp. Date ___/___/___ making the most of the Museum as a learning tool. Free research session in the archives and notifications Name (as it appears on card): The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum of events including invitations to special events is operated by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County Complete, cut out, and return to: and workshops created for teachers and education Open Tuesday-Saturday/10:00 am-5:00 pm professionals. Education professionals must show Historical Society of Palm Beach County Member Services proper accreditation to qualify. Please call for further 300 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 PO Box 4364 (561) 832-4164 information. West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4364 www.historicalsocietypbc.org www.pbchistoryonline.org The Tustenegee For Special Interest Memberships, please contact the Historical Society at 561-832-4164 Curiosity,Curiosity, Discovery,Discovery, Engagement…Engagement… TheThe RichardRichard andand PatPat JohnsonJohnson PalmPalm BeachBeach CountyCounty HistoryHistory MuseumMuseum AA remarkableremarkable experienceexperience The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is operated by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County Open Tuesday-Saturday/10:00 am-5:00 pm 300 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 832-4164 www.historicalsocietypbc.org www.pbchistoryonline.org 9 April 2012 Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum Bookstore Books now available In Harvey E. Oyer III’s third book, The Last Calusa, teenage Charlie Pierce continues his adventures in the wilds of south Florida. His fearless sister Lillie and Seminole friend Tiger join him as they venture deep into the Everglades, where they once more find adventures and the last remaining Calusa Indian. Once referred to as a "veritable paradise" by Florida developer Henry M. Flagler, Palm Beach has transformed from a small frontier community to a remarkably picturesque historic town. The seaside resort's charm is found in its diverse architecture, landmarks, mega-mansions, beaches, and land and streetscapes. A book by Richard A. Marconi and Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Palm Beach's sunny and idyllic shores had humble beginnings as a wilderness of sawgrass and swamps braved only by the hardiest of souls. Two such adventurers were Fred and Byrd "Birdie" Spilman Dewey, who pioneered in central Florida before discovering the tropical beauty of Palm Beach in 1887.
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