News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 101

the news-press 1 17 1900 News arrived here of the drowning of old man Gomez which occurred on the 12th. The old man was bom in 1778 which made him 122 years old, probably the oldest man in the United States. But for his accidental demise he might have lived many years longer. 4 1 i ,4 ed in 1898, the year before diary starts. It was open at the time are Lilly.

He is a gentleman of be the old school a very dig-e nified and slow of speech, but I understand has a wife jus- who has sufficient aggres-ilap- siveness for both, are June 24, 1899 1 Find Ft. Myers girls quite charming and very modest es. notwithstanding that I have heard that they were the de- fastest, brazenest and most ime reckless girls in South Flori-stri- da. if come any further but Alford continued to advance, cursing Dr. Winkler flourishing his revolver and threatening to do the Doctor bodily harm.

Dr. Winkler coming from a country where men use their guns when threatened, after further ordering him to stop, fired, bringing him down from his horse. Walter Langford who was close behind, sprang from his horse and jumped behind a tree, begging Winkler not to shoot any more. He was ordered to throw his revolver, which he had in his hand, out into the brush. This brave man complied with such alacrity it would have been amusing but for the seriousness of the situation.

Dr. Winkler then offered to attend the wounded man but was not permitted to. Instead he was allowed to lay out in the rain in a pool of water and blood until Dr. Brecht could be brought from town. Winkler came to town with Eli Pool, one of the cattle men and surrendered himself to authorities.

Alford was brought in about mid night. Alford died at 9:00 a.m. Possibly it is better that it should end thus. If he had gotten well he would have way laid and assassinated the doctor. Public opinion is generally with Winkler who deeply deplores the tragedy.

Nov. (date obscured) 1900, final entry The census of Lee County made public, showing an increase in the last decade of 117 13 percent. This is an enormous gain. The population in 1890 was 1,413, in 1900 3,071. down considerably since his school days he won't be in this town long before he will be in trouble.

Aug. 17, 1899 E. A. Gilbert exhibits an ice cream freezer which he has invented and is trying to patent. Aug.

21, 1899 Irvin Locklar, an old cracker cattle man died last night. His wealth is estimated at any figure between $100,000 and $200,000. He left insurances of $60,000 on his life. He was a queer character and never trusted banks, would not buy enough to eat or wear and could not write his name. He was but one of many such characters in this section of the state.

Sept.15,1899 Dr. Voorhis gets into trouble by falling off the porch into a tub of water and taking an impromptu bath. Sept. 22, 1899 Through blundering or criminal carelessness, Nick Langford, son of the sheriff, permits old man Graham and one of his sons to break jail while he giving them their supper. Such carelessness should not go unpunished as these men are too dangerous to be turned loose on the community.

Public opinion is very much wrought up over the matter. Nov. 16, 1899 Santa Armeda brings news to town of the killing of Nat Walker by Tom Weeks of Marco yesterday. It seems to have been a cold blood assassination. Walker has threatened to kill Weeks several times and so worked up his fears that the latter finally got a gun and slipped up and shot him in the back.

If caught and tried he will probably swing as an example to others who are too quick with the trigger. Nov. 22, 1899 Sam Thompson and Matti Lybass married and moved into the two rooms in our house. Oh! what a cat fight there will be. Dec.

16, 1899 Special election for mayor held today to succeed L. A. Hendry, resigned. Hendry's failure to fine several drunks and disorderlies aroused such a clamor he was forced to resign. Capt.

Robt. Lilly was elected to fill the unexpired term. The people can now expect an enforcement of the law. Jan. (date obscured) 1900 Attend the funeral this morning of Dr.

T. E. Langford who died in Bartow Sun. morning. The children, particularly Mrs.

Stella Voris, furnished the tragedy with a touch of burlesque. The hysteric and boisterous display of grief reminded one of savage funerals while the drunken antics of Walter were too disgraceful to be commented upon. Feb. 21, 1900 The first telephone system in Lee County was put into operation today. March 11, 1900 Take Miss Winkler to Buckingham to a drive.

Discover that she is a Christian Scientist in belief. Pretty bad dose to swallow but hope she has other redeeming traits. July (date obscured) July (date obscured) 1900 Naples presents a very pretty appearance from the seaboard but looks dull and dead. The hotel and half a dozen residences are quite pretty buildings. Aug.

6, 1900 Lee County goes "wet" by a vote of 95 to 56, nearly a two thirds majority. I hope the people will get all the disorder and lawlessness they have brought upon themselves. Sept. (date obscured) 1900 Considerable excitement is created over a shooting affair on Whiskey Creek about six miles from town in which Dr. W.

B. Winkler shot Lumph Alford. It seems that Lumph and a party of cattle drivers were returning from Punta Rassa when they came across Winkler's negro on a horse. Some of them being more or less under the influence of liquor began attacking him and the horse with long cattle whips, also shooting promiscuously to terrorize him. Dr.

Winkler, hearing the noise went to the door and seeing his negro in trouble got his gun and went out to the gate to protect him. He ordered them not to July 4, .1899 In tk I 11 1 an unnatural father who would give his consent to the marriage of a daughter at this age. Aug. 2, 1899 News reaches here of the killing of Robt. Downs in the Corkscrew section by James Graham and his two sons.

From the news received it seems to be nothing more than a cowardly assassination. It is said that human life is held very cheaply in Lee County. Aug. 8, 1899 T. T.

Henderson beat L. M. Stroup for marshall by a vote of 48-31 Stroup was backed by the better element. T. Henderson was the candidate of the whiskey and drinking class.

Henderson succeed Stroup, the latter having been appointed to fill out the unexpired term of James Ford who had been run off the street by a crowd of drunken rowdies. Aug. 10, 1899 Virgil Voorhis, an old Stetson University friend of mine, arrives today to make this his new home. Unless he has quieted wn 11 1 10 evei 111 ly i uunaueu are a crowd of girls at Dr. Williams residence to go to t0 the Green Bros, opening dance at their new restau- 3rs rant up First Street started off merrily.

Soon a hich crowd drunken loafers ira congregated about the door making rude side it 1 remarks about the dancers. Thus ended the dullest 'n Fourth I ever spent. July 27, 1899 Walter G. Langford married Carrie Watson the rate yUfigest bride I ever knew a personally to be led to the a altar. She was fourteen last Jan.

but extraordinarily ert large for her age. It must be.