Animals – Jacksonville Blogger

The First Protestant Prayer, Fort Caroline Monument and Lee Adams

Lee Adams, as he was known, was a botanical artist, painting birds, fruit, flora and fauna. He is known for his opportunity to paint four large murals for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. His home was in Jacksonville, Florida where he attended West Riverside Elementary and graduated from high school in Duval County. For a time he and family lived in Mandarin as indicated in the 1940 census.

Early Years

For much of his life he painted birds, flora and fauna. His work is colourful and rich with detail to the intricacy of body parts including the beak, wings, legs and more. His paintings can be found in the St Vincent’s hospital, West Riverside, elementary school auditorium, the Beaches library, and a remarkable refurbished 12’ x 30’ mural of Ribault’s Landing on the fourth floor of the downtown Jacksonville library.

Lee Adams was the youngest of three children with two elder brothers, Thomas Burton Adams, Jr. and Alexander Hamilton Adams. His elder brother was a real estate developer turned politician. He was a member of the Florida Senate from 1956-1960, Florida State Secretary from 1961-1971 and the 10th Lieutenant Governor of Florida from 1971-1975.

Adam’s father, Thomas Burton Adams and mother, Carolyn Sykes Hamilton Adams are buried in the same cemetery as he and Lee’s wife, Mimi.

Making the Past Come Alive

My grandson, Ramey and I spent a day following leads to the life of Lee Adams, as he was called. It was at Oaklawn Cemetery that we met Nicole Ruff, one of Oaklawn’s consultants. It was great discussing the life of Adams, his influence on Florida, life in Mandarin and artwork that is now world-wide. Her help in our finding his grave and realizing that his family also had a family plot.

Adam’s wife, Mimi, was known for her environmental passion and headed up the Jacksonville Air Pollution Control Board. She was the first chairperson of the board formed in 1968. The two of them were interested in environmental issues. The Avondale park in Duval County is named in their honor and there are some plaques in various parts of the city given for their work on the environment.

This entire week, time was spent visiting each place where his work can be seen and it was found highly insightful. At the Beaches library, the mural work is colorful and beachy. At West Riverside Elementary School, Data entry clerk, Jeanine Mann, a seeming authority on the history of the school, gave the tour of the auditorium where three large paintings sponsored by large corporations hung high and grandeur. One painting was themed of NASA and space, another of Florida and transportation, including airplanes, trains, with communication ties, and the third of the cowboy and cattle segment of the Sunshine State. In that auditorium is also where the music class with Mr. Warren is held. While we were viewing paintings, he could be heard literally, singing to the children’s they entered the class. He also has stories to tell of the history of the school built in 1911.

Researching this artist, the most favourite in our minds was finding that of the 12 x 30 colourful mural of “Ribault’s Landing”, celebrating Christian Huguenots landing along the St. John’s River and the first Protestant prayer “within the limits of the present-day United States”. This painting, now hangs on the South wall of the 4th floor in the downtown Jacksonville library. In May of 2021 the city of Jacksonville announced the mural would be “installed in the Florida Collection” area after having been revived from years of neglect.

The scene, painted by Lee Adams and refurbished by artist Jim Draper, represents the story of Huguenot, Jean Ribault, his crew and Timuquan Indians at the landing in Fort Caroline in 1562. It was the place where the French “knelt in prayer, beseeching God’s guidance and commending the natives to His care”. The marker on Fort George Island says, “This was the first protestant prayer in North America.”

First Protestant Prayer Marker, Fort George Island, Jacksonville, Fl. This marker was erected by the Jacksonville Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, on March 11, 1938. The text on the marker reads as : ” Jean Ribaut and a party of Huguenots landed the morning of May1, 1562 on this island. Here they knelt in prayer, beseeching God’s guidance and commending the natives to his care. This was the first Protestant Prayer in North America.”

Incredible Surprises

According to the Florida Times Union story by John Carter, the large mural was found rolled up in the basement at Robert E. Lee High School. It was originally created in 1959 and hung at the downtown 2nd floor dining area in the Sears building on Bay Street, not too far from the Main street bridge. In 1981, the store relocated moving to Regency Square and the building was demolished making way for the Omni hotel. The art piece was rolled up and taken to Lee High school. Although it has been said the artwork was stored in a box which was even nailed shut, the rolled up artwork was nested by rats, roaches and took a toll on the beautiful oil work. It would need a full restoration.

In the newspaper article, Jim Draper, Pedestrian Gallery owner helped with the restoration promoted by City Council President Jim Overton. Through a turn of events, and special project of the school principal, Jane Condon, the painting was displayed at the LaVilla School of the Arts for a time.

According to The Daily Record, the Fort Caroline refurbished painting was “officially unveiled on the fourth floor of the library” on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in celebration of the 450th landing.

Lee Adams and his wife were killed in a tragic automobile accident on Roosevelt Blvd in 1971. We looked on Findagrave.com for the location of his internment but we had to search further. Soon, we found that he was buried at Oaklawn Cemetery along with family members.

Regarding Adams’ work

Finding Adams’ artwork is sketchy and quite expensive in most venues. On eBay, his art is going for $450. and up. On the “Invaluable” auction site, his “Parrots” piece is estimated between $800- $1,500. On Facebook Marketplace, there are two prints going for $50. I have purchased them along with World’s Fair tickets and the official guide. The paintings now hang on my wall. Pleasure.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources:

Wikipedia, The Daily Record, Family Search, Jacksonville Library, Oaklawn Cemetery, Florida Times Union, Oaklawn Cemetery, Personal visits. 2-29-24

Photos: Wikipedia, US. Senate .gov, Ramey

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February 10

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Mounted Unit

The Spanish conquistadors brought European horses to North America so we know that by the time Jacksonville, formerly called “Cowford” was established. Horses were a mainstay. With great grasslands, and water sources, horses were in fields for growth and expansion as they adapted to their surroundings.

The city of Jacksonville police used horses dating back to 1822 when the first sheriff was James Dell. When you think about the 1869 headquarters for McMurray Livery Sale & Transfer Company at 220 East Forsyth Street, you can imagine that horses were of importance in the early years of the sheriff’s department . After the Great fire in 1901, another stable was built at that location and had a thriving horse business.

Livery Stable on Forsyth Street (Ramey Collection)

Little is known of the policing efforts during this period but Jacksonville was getting well established by 1832 including setting up the government which included law and order. By 1845, “all free males were to participate in evening patrol duty” so there had to be some mischief going on for so many to be asked to “participate”.

When the Civil War began, policing was done by the soldiers and so from about 1865-1869 patroling was under martial law which does not take away from the fact that mounted horses were used during this time by Union forces. The automobile would not come to Duval County until the first month of 1900.

Florida Mounted Police ( Florida Memory photo).

By 1888 James Hoey was serving as Chief of Police. The mode of transportation was horse, carriage and paddy wagon. The bicycle was gaining popularity at that time but could people afford them? The first bicycle squad for the Jacksonville police was in 1897.

Florida Memory of a mounted police protecting Pres. McKinley.

In 1895 the first patrol wagon was used with 2 horses pulling. Also prominent during this time was the trolley and streetcars that ran on tracks throughout Jacksonville, Fl. Early trolleys and street cars were pulled by horses. Over time horses were replaced by motorized cars .

The first car to come to Jacksonville was on January 4, 1900. The Locomobile Stanley No.2 was purchased by Charles A. Clark. It could travel 40 mph and had a steam-motor. It would take time for citizens to grasp the enormity of owning a car and also to pay for it thus the horse, buggy and on occasion the bicycle was still prominent. The Sheriff’s department was still using horses.

With the car gaining popularity, the police department of Jacksonville established a “traffic squad” for downtown streets in 1919. The department was growing and by 1926 the Liberty Street Police building was completed. The automobile was replacing horse details and the change from mounted police and wagons to automobiles came after 1900 when Charles A. Clark, from Jacksonville ordered and had delivered the first car to arrive in Florida.

Charles A. Clark with the first car in Florida. (Florida Memory photo).

The automobile would prompt changes in laws and ordinances and by 1903 the speed limit was 6 mph. There were 32 cars in town at this time. By 1905 there were a total of 166 cars autos traveling the dirt roads and some gravel streets of Duval. The population in Jacksonville was 28,429 at this time so transportation by and large was by horse and carriage. Jacksonville was the largest city in Florida at this time. Financially, a horse was more cost-effective also.

In 1911 there were approximately 1,120 cars in the city. That year the police department acquired its first car. Mounted police were still in use for the department. Also, a “traffic squad” for downtown was established with the first traffic lights being installed in 1924.The horse would be less used as time went forward and the auto industry increased.

There is little mention of the mounted police for Jacksonville but there are references that indicate the use of the horse which was disbanded in 1911 to make way for the newer transportation options such as trolleys, streetcars, bicycles, motorcycles and the automobile.

Florida East Coast transportation.( Florida Memory).

The mounted police would return to Jacksonville in 1942 with little mention. In 1982 horses were used for crowd control, crime prevention and community engagement. In 2012 there were 5 horses on the Mounted Police squad. Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration cut the budget for the program leaving the canine unit in place. Horses were taken from the West Duval Street location in LaVilla and moved to the Lannie Road prison yard also known as the Montgomery correctional Center and prison farm where there were acres of grass and room to live easy. They were tended to by staff and inmates and received visits from their former riders.

At Super Bowl XXXIX, which was held in Jacksonville February 6, 2005 at Alltell Stadium the mounted police were used.

In January 2020 Duke, the newest addition graduated from his training program. All of the police horses receive training and the riders work with the horses for continued focus.

In 2022, when the Governor of Florida visited the Diamond D ranch, the mounted police were there more for a community service effort than for patrol. However, should there be a concern, they were all ready to do their duty and provide security. Guests were able to see their presence, and pet the horses.

Funding again was provided for the unit in 2021. There are 6 horses in the current unit: Bandit, Midnight, Duke, Dutch, Jaxx and Judge. Judge completed his training this year and was named in honor of Jimmy Judge a former police officer. Judge and his rider were at his memorial held for Officer Jimmy Judge in January of 2023.

Tribute to Jimmy Judge (JSO Facebook page photo-2021)

Judge” is named after 30-year police veteran, Assistant Chief Jimmy Judge, who is currently battling ALS or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Judge and his handler attended Office Judge’s home-going event in 2023.

Please help us in welcoming our newest member to the team. We hope you will say “hi” to “Judge” when you see him out and about in #Jacksonville.(JSO Facebook page-2021)

Current officers in the unit: Sergeant B. Rhoden, Officer J. Alexander, Officer M. Bergo, Officer T. Dudley, Officer M. Reddish.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Mounted Unit

1076 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204

Sources: James B. Crooks, Cowart, 1976 Annual Report: Dale Carson, J. Bailey, Mounted Police visit.2-10-2023. Feel free to use all information with credit to “Ramey Collection”.

Category: Animals, Government, Transportation | Comments Off

September 28

The Queen’s Corgis

Queen Elizabeth died during the summer of 2022. She is known for being the longest living monarch, a true leader of her people, one of the most famous known faces known and for loving corgis. Corgis are Pembroke Welsh dogs.

There is a full and complete write-up about her dogs on the well-known Wikipedia site describing the Queen’s love for that type of dogs and even noting that she has has as many as 30 corgis during her reign as queen from 1952 until her death in 2022.

This photograph was supposedly taken by the royal family with Queen Elizabeth II and two of her royal dogs. If this is not photoshopped it shows the queen’s humor.

See you tomorrow,

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September 6

Country vs. City-Folk Chickens

When I drive onto the property owned by my parents, Alec and Geneva Vaughan, I always look for the chickens. Generally, they will hear my truck and come out from beneath the azaleas. The area has been a rural place in the country for years and years. Being rural, chickens can free-range and roam the land only worrying about the hawks and racoons. Now-a-days it has become more populated with city-folk, neighbourhoods, people and cars zooming up the long road.

My parents, who bought the Westside property in the 1960’s, have been gone for some time now but there are still chickens on the property. I bought a 50 lb bag of corn and when I come, the chickens get a nice meal. For a time there was a group of chickens, then a handful and finally just one lone hen.

When the lone hen began to nest, I went to a neighbour on the south end of Milson, a dirt road and bought 4 fertilized eggs for $5.00. They were exchanged for the unfertilized eggs under her. In twenty-one days, she hatched three of the four eggs. They were tiny yellow birds that turned brown over time. She is white and she was one happy mama.

For a time I would see her and the babies in the front yard but for at least a month I would drive in and there was no sign of them until yesterday. All three of the babies were with her and what a happy sight it was. They look like teenagers now, bigger and darker brown. Of course, they were fed a nice meal.

Hopefully they will free-range nearby in the coming days. The concern now, is more than hawks and racoons getting them but cars, and trucks. ‘Hoping for the best.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Animals, Country Life | LEAVE A COMMENT

September 4

Fishing Boxes in Jacksonville

“Back-In’the Day”

‘Crazy, but I do not remember the man’s name. He lived at the South end of Milson Road, off of Crystal Springs on the Westside. Milson was and still is a dirt road and very much in the country. Now a days it is still a single lane dirt road but the city has definitely come to the area including large subdivisions nearby. His home was just behind our 10 acres. He provided fish boxes for the fisheries in the Duval County area.

When I was about nine or ten a bunch of us kids would go to this house and nail together fish boxes. The side strips and ends were already cut and all we would do is line up the sides and two ends and nail it together, stack it and begin a new.

The old man needed the help and we loved the change. It would be used to go to Anderson’s Dairy on the Northeast side of Crystal Springs Road to buy a honey bun and a coke. So, I guess my first job was a fish box nailer.

The old place is pretty much gone now but as I rode past there recently, all of those memories of learning how to nail together fish boxes came rushing back. The remembrance of the heat, hitting my finger with a hammer and then the happiness of getting paid for such, rushed back.

Jacksonville, being on the St. Johns River and having the beaches has always been a huge industry for fishing. The United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service put out a circular in 1963 called “The Annual Report of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological laboratory”. It highlighted programs such as “The Blue Crab” program, “Sampling the Catch” program, “Florida Studies, St. Johns River” and more. This business helped meet the needs for those in this important business.

Those were the days, blue finger nails and all.

See you tomorrow.

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August 30

Looking Back

In a recent post, I wrote about a sorry excuse for a person who dumped a helpless dog out in the country. Who would do that? Who has absolutely NO heart so as to drop off a dog into a totally wooded area with country homes miles and miles apart?

As I was looking through the photos on my computer, I came again, across the image of this poor helpless pup and noticed how after putting him in that woman’s car, he was tenderly looking back at me. My heart breaks.

As noted in that post, it appeared the woman was in a B line to come get this dog. Thinking back, she had probably seen him there earlier and returned to rescue him. It all happened so fast and I did not ask questions. It was all so crazy how I stopped to take a simple photo and ran across this hungry and thirsty animal. Then out of no where, the lady appeared asking about him and took him right away. How kind!

People can be nice too.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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August 28

The Story of Two Dogs

On Sunday, August 28th, while traveling from Augusta to Jacksonville, I decided to go “the scenic route”. The GPS took me through the little towns in Georgia and down the back roads where there were loads of flora, fauna, farms, and such. Upon stopping at a forever-field of pecan trees, I got out of my car to take a photo because it was so impressive. There were trees as far as the eye could see.

While heading back to my car, I noticed in the not-too-far distance a rather big dog; a blonde lab type. It startled me, being so far out and seeing it by the ditch. Not knowing if he was friendly, I walked straight to the car and just after closing the door found the dog looking in the window at me; paws on the glass! His tail was wagging and that long wet tongue lapping so obviously, he was friendly. Up close, he looked skinny too, so someone had apparently let him out and driven off. How horrible!

My car was a load full of wagon wheels to decorate this fall, 3 very huge ligustrum trees, luggage from my trip and items from shopping with my sister over the weekend. I wondered right then and there where he was going to sit.

Immediately, I got my glass of water and opened the door giving him water to drink. He savoured every lick. Then I thought, about what to do. How would I take him? Where would he fit? What would I do with him once I got him home? I already have a dog and cats galore! The very dog I have was rescued. I have cats galore because when tenants walk away from their homes leaving them there, they end up in my home. Oh my!

It wasn’t long when a lady turned the corner. She rolled her window down and said, “Are you going to rescue that dog?” I said, “Well, I’m from Jacksonville. I just saw him and didn’t know what to do”. She said, “If you help me get him in my car, i’ll take him”, and she did!

Reaching down, he was picked up and put in her front seat. She had already laid down her jacket for him. She said, “People can be awful”. I totally agree but I was totally grateful she wasn’t awful but kind-hearted instead. She must have known he was there and headed to get him.

What would I have done with another animal? For sure, something! There is no way I could have driven off leaving that dog on that lonely road but was so thankful for this woman who took in that stray.

Traveling along further, I saw on a hill a pretty home. On the front lawn was a black, healthy looking dog laying on the lawn looking as if he was waiting on someone. I slowed and passing by noticed he watched me carefully. I turned my car around so as to get a photo. When I did, he ran at me barking as if to say, “Don’t bother my home”.

The story of two dogs…. One dog skinny and hungry for attention; lost and in need of help. The other, waiting on his master, full, happy and protecting the land.

What kind of person would leave an animal out on a lonely road? God Bless the lady who took him. There are good people out there too. 8-28-22

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28: 5-6.

See you tomorrow,

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August 8

Today is”International Cat Day”

If you have a cat, you know they can be “just something else.” Sometimes they are doting, weaving in and through your legs, and within your reach, but other times…not-so-much. Cats definitely have a mind of their own! God intended it that way! What a creator.

Jacksonville is a no-kill city so very often if people have ferrel cats in their neighbourhood, the city sends someone to get them, fix them and return them to that same area. I do not know from where the kittens we found came. Two just appeared one day, skinny and hungry. We immediately went to the store and bought cat food and soon they will have happy homes with full tummies all of the time.

On this International Cat Day, our family actually rescued one of those kittens. We called her “Callie” because she’s a calico breed. If you’ve been following, you know that kittens came out of our pool area about the time we were in demolitioin mode. They were rescued from “an untimely death”. (Charlotte’s Web fame). Today we brought this one home who will go to a nice family.

Happy International Cat Day!

See you tomorrow.

8-8-22

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August 6

Kitties in the Pool

In 2005, the Jacksonville Humane Society became a no kill organization. In 2014, the city of Jacksonville joined in with that same decision and now works in cooperation with other groups in the city to save animals.

If you’ve been following along, you know that we are going to tear down our childhood pool to make way for other things. Today, while preparing the 20 x 40 olympic size pool for demolition, two kittens moseyed out onto the floor (no water) of the swimming pool into the open surprising all of us, especially Daniel who was driving the excavator.

Everything stopped and we tried to catch the young kittens but to no avail. We thought they could not get out of the pool area but as we prepared to “go in”, out jumped both of them.

Daniel went to the store and bought soft cat food and in short time, they were full and happy. They stayed around to watch the pool come down.

We do not know the future of these young kittens but you can be sure they are visiting with a no-kill family. (Oh, BTW, we’ve already named the black one with white paws, “Socks”. Also, food is already on the counter for tomorrow.)

See you tomorrow,

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July 30

“Dog of 9 Lives”.

Dog Gone it! The Puppy has lost her way again!

After my Father passed away, we were at the home place cleaning and straightening when a wild looking schnauzer-type dog ran up. She was dirty, matted and frightened. We could not catch her, yet she wanted to be caught. There was no petting her, though she wanted to be stroked. It took a couple of days to lure her to us. We fed her and when I left the first day, gave food to a neighbor to keep her fed until we could figure out what to do with her. I had 3 cats. I did not need another animal.

For the next few visits I determined to wash her and offer her to someone on Facebook. I felt that someone had dropped her off on the long, Crystal Springs Road so giving her a new family would be great. After I listed her photo on Facebook, a woman claimed her and gave me a tongue lashing about offering her to a general audience without trying to find her owner. That actually never crossed my mind as It was obvious (in my mind) she had been dumped.

This woman contacted the police and told them that I had her dog and would not release her. Through a turn of events, a police woman called and we met at a vet on St. Augustine Road in my city where the dog could be checked for a chip. There was no chip thus the puppy did not belong to her as she indicated her puppy had a chip. The police officer released the dog to me and I’ve had her since 2015. It is believed she was about 6 then making her about 13 now. She’s beginning to show signs of age, plus she’s blind and deaf. Her life is often a bit challenging.

I have an outdoor Russian Blue male cat who cannot be trusted around Puppy. Just last week, after cutting Puppy’s hair , she stepped off of the front porch to shake and stretch. Hardly before she got down the walkway, the large and very strong cat rolled her before I could get to her causing wounds and hurt feelings. Poor Puppy.

She has been lost twice and thankfully, both times she made way to the safe arms of a good Samaritan. The first time was about a year ago when she went out to piddle. Somehow, she got turned around and ended up through a long patch of woods to the neighborhood next door. A family kept her a week and finally turned her into the animals shelter where they posted her photo and I found her and quickly got her home. At that time, I realized she cannot go outside alone at all.

The most recent loss was when I went to Augusta to spend time with family and left her with a caregiver. She somehow got out and ended up a quarter of a mile from home where at 7 AM she was found in the middle of a busy road, lost and confused.

Even being out of town, I took to the internet posting her photo on multiple sites. When that happens, animal lovers unite and if an animal can be found, it is… Such was the case. By midnight, when I received a call from the vet in Mandarin, I learned she had been found and was sleeping “curled up” and safe. She is now in her own bed…happy and safe.

See you tomorrow,

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