Perry, Florida

March 8 1938

Mr. B. J. Nettles

District Supervisor

Historical Records Survey

State Archives Survey

Pensacola, Florida

Dear Sir:

I have read the History of Taylor County that you have prepared and I approve of the statements contained.

Yours very truly,

James R. Jackson

Clerk of the Circuit Court

MAR 12 1938

WPA

Taylor County

B. J. Nettles

District Supervisor

State Archive Survey

Historical Record Survey

Taylor County was created December 23rd, 1856, comprising [1,100] square miles and is bounded on the west by Jefferson County, on the north by Madison County, on the east by Lafayette County and the south by the Gulf of Mexico.

Immediately after the creation of the county and the organization of its officials, the County Commissioners purchased 40 acres of land upon which to build a court house and for other purposes. The site of the present court house as well as those preceeding were on this original purchase which is often referred to as the original town of Perry.

A log cabin was constructed in which the county offices were housed, which was followed in 1871 by a plain wooden structure. This was replaced by another wooded building in 1892. The present structure was contracted for in 1907 and completed in the same year at a cost of $54,000.

The county was originally heavily timbered with pine and cypress. Large sawmills were erected and Perry its county site became the business center of the county. Several of these large sawmills remain, there still being much valuable timber yet uncut.

The county has excellent transportation facilities, splendid paved roads leading to the north, west and south. It is served by three railroads, The Atlantic Coast Line, the Live Oak Perry and Gulf, and the South Georgia Railroad. It is traversed by three small rivers, the Econfena River, the Aucilla and Fenholoway, all of which empty into the Gulf of Mexico. About fifteen miles above the mouth of the Econfena River there is a natural bridge and on the west side of the river below this bridge and along rocky and blue creeks are a number of remarkable springs. The most prominent of which is Hampton Springs, a few miles south of Perry.

The first federal census of 1860 showed a population of [1,384]. The 1935 census shows a population of [11,142]. While the timber was being taken off the land, small farms began to develop. Corn, peanuts and cotton are raised in abundance, and recently a number of persons have begun to raise cattle on a large scale.

The numerous streams and bayous are teaming with fish and wild game are plentiful in its forests. This county is really the hunters and fishermans paradise.

Perry, the county site is a prosperous town of approximately 3000 population, having excellent banking facilities and splendid schools and churches.

MAR 12 1938

WPA

(Taylor)

Answers to Chapter 14 of Revised Manual    

#6 (a)

The first record found concerning the first meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was located on page 11 of volume: "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not numbered or lettered, 1862-1871, where the date of the first meeting was recorded as being held December 12, 1868.

#6 (b)

The place of meeting of the above Board was Perry, Florida, which has been the county seat since the creation of the county in 1857 (see "History of Taylor County Court Houses" for description of court house of 1868.

#6 (c)

Those named as present at the first recorded meeting of the Board ---"A. B. Davis, Thomas York and D. T. Blanton present Allen O'Quinn chairman" the minutes of this meeting were attested by John Timmons, Clerk. (page 11 of vol. "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not #'d or lettered, 1862-71). The fifth member of this Board was Wm. Grubbs who was present at the Board's next meeting-Jan. 18, 1869 (page 12, of above reference).

# 7

According to J. R. Jackson, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Mr. Abner Parker (age 85), Perry has been the county seat of Taylor County since the date of its creation. (Interview on Feb. 6, 1940). The only recorded record found concerning a change of the county seat was the following: "Ordered that an election be held on the first Saturday in May A. D. 1869 for removal or no removal of county site of Taylor County" (page 18 of "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not #'d or lettered, 1862-1871). No further records was found concerning the above order and the writer was unable to secure further information from any source.

#8 (a)

The county agencies has never occupied a temporary Court House. When a new court house was built, the old one was moved to one side and used by the county until the newer building was completed (Information from J. R. Jackson, Clerk and Mr. Abner Parker on Feb. 6, 1940). The only record found pertaining to a "temporarily" occupied building by a county agency was found in the minutes of the Board at a meeting held April 12, 1869"----"Ordered that James W. Wentworth be paid two dollars for the use of store room for Grand Jury at Spring Term 1869 of Circuit Court (page 17, of "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not numbered or lettered, May 5, 1862-Feb. 9, 1871).

(Taylor)

History of Court Houses of Taylor County (Ch. 14, Para. 8)

*No record of the first courthouse of Taylor County was found in any records of the county. However, Mr. Abner Parker of Perry, one of the county's oldest citizens (age 85) stated in an interview with the writer on February 6, 1940 that the first court house that he could remember was a one room log building approximately 20 ft. by 18 ft. containing only a judge's stand, some benches and one window and the above building stood on the plot where the present court house now stands. Mr. Parker spoke of the fact that when he "was a yearling of a boy" that the judge's stand was raised and another window added in the building. This fact is verified by an order recorded in the minutes of the county commissioners at a meeting held Aug. 6, 1869--"Ordered that the Sheriff of Taylor County have the following repairs to the C.H., (sic) raise the Judge's stand two or two and one half feet higher. Put a window in the west side four and one half feet long and two and one half feet wide" (Page 23 of Vol. "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not numbered or lettered, May 5, 1962-Feb. 9, 1871). The above order is the first record concerning a court house in the county.

The next recorded mention of a court house is an order recorded in the minutes of the Board held March 22, 1870--"Ordered that the Clerk and Chairman of the Board be appointed to draft a plan and estimate the cost of building a clerk and Sheriff's Office" (Page 26 of Vol. "Minutes of Commissioners Court", not numbered or lettered, 1862-71). No further mention or record of the above order was found. However, on page 28 of the above reference, the Board at a meeting held April 2, 1870 made the following  order; "Ordered that the Chairman of the Board be empowered to arrange for a loan not to exceed two thousand dollars and the Clerk be authorized to issue bonds for same at 8% interest for the purpose for building a court house and jail". No further mention or record of the above order was found.

The next record concerning a court house for the county was made when the Board at a meeting held May 1, 1873-- "Ordered that we have a court house build 30 feet square with 4 rooms below, one for Grand Jury, one for [Petit] Jury, one for the Clerk and one for the Judge of Probate with the court room above 30 feet square 8 feet from the first floor to the second. We [appropriate] 300 dollars for [purchasing] (sic) material to build said Court House. We [advertise] for the building to be let out on the first Monday in June to the lowest bidder. A plan can be seen at the Clerk's office at any time" (Page 56, order #121 of Vol. "County Commissioners Dicket" not numbered or lettered, 1871-1881).

"It is ordered that A. J. Cruce act as agent on building Court House to employ hands to perform the labor at such prices as he may deem sufficient" (Page 61, order 134 of Vol. "County Commissioners Docket,"not [numbered] or lettered).

NOTE: For additional information concerning the material used in the construction of this Court House see attached sheet: "Material for Court House of 1873".

(Taylor)

According to an order made by the Board at a meeting held Dec. 15, 1873, the building was completed according to contract--"Ordered that J. J. Faulk be paid the sum of 300 dollars for building court house, the clerk to issue order for same--" (Page 81 of Vol. "County Commissioners Docket", 1871-1881)

The need for a larger Court House became greater and at a meeting held Oct. 10, 1890 the Board ordered: "that the building committee on the Court House be requested to draw up plans and specifications for a Court House in order to advertise for same" (Page 5 of Vol. "Record of Proc'd'gs Co. Comm.", not numbered or lettered, 1890-1897).

At the next meeting of the Board (page 9, of above reference) held Dec 1, 1890, the following was found recorded: "Ordered that J. A. Jackson, T. J. Faulkner and D. M. Gornto to meet in Perry for the purpose of drawing up specifications for the Court House and advertise same in "Banner" for sealed bids to be received before Jan. 5, 1891".

NOTE: The specifications for this building were not recorded in any record by a copy of floor plan and specifications of the building will be found on attached sheet--as copied from a copy of the "TAYLOR COUNTY BANNER" of Jan. 25, 1890.

The Board at a meeting held April 6, 1891 awarded the contract for building of Court House to J. J. Andrews for $3,300 (Page 20) to be completed by the first day of March 1892 (page 30) of Vol. "Porc'd'gs Co. Comm.", not numbered or lettered 1890-1897).

It is to be taken for granted that the above Court House was completed as per contract as no further information was found recorded concerning same.

At a meeting held Oct. 6, 1902, a contract was awarded to F. M. Dobson for the construction of a fireproof vault for the Court House for $2,350. (Page 202 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered, Aug. 2, 1897-July 7, 1906).

The above mentioned Court House served the county until 1906. However the need for a larger and more substantial Court House became greater until the Board at a meeting held Oct. 8, 1906 made the following resolution: "Resolved that the Board do now make a start to build a Court House" (Page 19 of Vol. Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered, Aug 6, 1906-April 24, 1912).

At their meeting on Oct. 6, 1906, (Page 21 of above reference) the Board recorded the following: "Ordered that sealed bids be received by this Board until noon Dec. 3, 1906 for the building of a Court House".

The Board awarded the contract for the construction of the present Court House to F. M. Dobson for $54,000.00, to be completed before Sept. 1, 1907. (Page 30, of Vol. above, 1906-12).

(Taylor)

This Court House was paid for by County Warrants of $5,000 each per annum with 6% interest. (Pages 44-47 of Volume: "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered, 1906-1912).

At their meeting on Jan. 6, 1908 (Page 111 of above reference) the Board ordered the old Court House (of 1891) sold to and moved by the lowest bidder.

-------------------------------------------------

The only record of any damage to any of the Court Houses of the county from fire, windstorm or rain was recorded in the minutes of the Board at a meeting held April 14, 1908--------"B. P. Smith, Architect, filed an estimate on damage done to Court House by fire of $123.00 and same was referred to Insurance Agent. (Page 131 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered 1906-1912). No further information was recorded concerning the above and no information is available from any of the old officials.

According to Mr. Abner Parker (interview on Feb. 6, 1940), who remembers every Court House that the County has had, each Court House has occupied the tract where the present Court House now stands. Each Court House was moved aside and used until its successor was completed. Each new Court House was built because of lack of space or (and ) condition of old Court Houses.

(Taylor)

TAYLOR COUNTY BANNER, DEC. 25, 1890

Published at Perry, Florida.

Specifications of Perry Court House:

Size of Court House 50 feet square. Two stories high. 12 feet studding each. Seven rooms on ground floor and jury room and main court room on second floor. 32 windows and 9 doors as per draft attached, to be built as follows: one hundred and eight ground blocks 8 inches square, 2 feet long solid lightwood. 54 top blocks 2 feet long, 18 inches high, 15 inches broad at bottom, 10 inches square on top, good pitch pine. Sills to be 10 inches square pitch pine. Sleepers to be 2x10 inches, 2 feet apart on second and third floors, and joist for the attic to be 2x8 inches, 2 feet apart, studding to be 2x4 and two feet apart. Corner posts to be 4x6 inches. Door and window posts to be 4x4 in. Plates for second floor to be 4x8 in. Rafter plates to be 2x4 in., doubled. Rafters to be 2x4 in., 2 foot apart. Corner or hip rafters to be 4x4 in. Roof to be hipped at 1/3 at each end with plates and studding about center of rafters to make roof strong, as per draft attached. To have a base board 1x12 in. and a drip board 1 1/4x2 1/2 in. to be weather boarded with 3/4x6 in. weathering boarding, all heart and free from wind shakes. Door and window frames to be made with an arch lap on top of frame, on the outside, (door and window sash will be furnished by the county) to be tunished with drop cornice 15 in. wide; to be overed with 18 in. shingles showing 5 in. to the weather; to be floored with 1 1/4x6 in. lumber, first and second floors tonge and groove and secret nailed, and dressed and leveled and to be all heart, free of wind shakes; to be ceiled with 3/4x6 in. ceiling, dressed and tongue and grooved. Good locks for doors and substantial catches or springs for window sash, 4 sets door steps set wide with sufficient number of steps. 1 stair case with square turn 4 feet wide with 8 in. rises and 11 in. steps, and twenty benches 18 feet long and 8 benches 8 feet long. One Judge stand 4x6 feet, and one circular bar in [front] of stand from window to window. To be painted inside and out and on upper ceiling and two coats on inside walls. All to be furnished by contractor except doors and window sash. All to be done in good workmanship style, subject to approval of the building committee, in all stages of the work. It is further understood that the contractor move the old court house for the use of material in it.

Sealed bids will be received until Jan. 5, 1891 and will be considered on that day and let out to the lowest and best bidder. The work to be completed within six months from date of contract unless a reasonable cause is shown to the board why it should not be done.

Done by the order of the Board of County Commissioners on the 3rd. day of December, A.D. 1890."

James A. Jackson,

Chairman

Robert Williams

Attached sheet to History of Taylor County Court Houses.

Bill of Lumber for Court House of 1873.

Found on page 68 of Volume: "County Commissioners Docket", not numbered or lettered, Feb. 6, 1871-Dec. 5, 1881.

"Bill of lumber for the Court House----

125 planks 18 ft. long 1 by 12 inches.

2,000 feet flooring 6 in. wide.

12 joists 15 ft long 3 by 9.

24 joists 17 ft. long 3 by 9.

12 corner posts 17 ft. long 5 by 6.

16 door post 17 ft. long 5 by 5.

16 cripples 17 ft. long 3 by 5.

5 plates for over head 36 ft. long 4 by 6.

6 plates for the center story 30 long 4 by 6.

12 posts 9 ft. long 5 by 4.

360 feet of base boards 12 in. wide.

48 rafters 20 ft. long 3 by 5.

200 casings 3/4 by 5.

200 ft. casing 1/2 by 6.

400 strips 16 ft. long 3/4 by 4.

40 planks 16 ft. long 1 by 12.

"Ordered that J. W. Faulkner be hereby contracted with to saw the above bill of lumber to be delivered at Faulkner's Mill for the purpose of building a Court House----The lumber to be good hart lumber and to be sawed at the rate of 15 dollars a thousand."

Robert Williams

History of County Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney. Paragraphs #'s 9 & 14 of Chapt. 14.

The first record concerning an attorney for the Board of County Commissioners was found in the minutes of the Board at a meeting held March 8, 1869 when: "Ordered that the salary of the County Solicitor be $30.00 per annum"(Page 15 of Vol. "Minutes Commissioners Court", not numbered or lettered, 5/5/62-2/9/71.)

On April 12, 1869, the Board "Ordered that the County Solicitor be paid five dollars for each case (State Case) prosecuted to conviction" (Page 18 of above reference).

The last record of the County Solicitor, during this period, was the payment of his salary by the Board at a meeting on Jan. 19, 1874 (page 84 of Vol: "County Commissioners Docket", not numbered or lettered--1871-1881).

No record of the regular employment of any attorney for the Board was found from 1874-1907. However, from time to time, The Board employed attorneys to represent it in specific cases. Example: "The Clerk was instructed to employ Reese & Reese to represent Taylor County in the case of Armstrong Vs. Taylor County---" (page 138 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered-- 1897-1906.)

The Board at their meeting on Oct. 7, 1907 recorded the following: "Ordered that T. B. Adams be employed as Attorney to represent County in all cases both criminal and civil--"(page 89 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners" not numbered or lettered,- 1906-1912).

Next record concerning a county attorney was recorded Feb. 3, 1919 when the Board appointed "W. B. Davis as County Attorney to advise the Board in all matters at a salary of $20 month" (page 183 of Vol. "Record Proceedings County Commissioners" #6).

The Board appointed a Prosecuting Attorney for 1921 at their meeting Jan 4, 1921 (apparently appointment was made annually) (Page 359 of Vol. "Record Proceedings Co. Comm." #6).

Presently, Col. T. J. Swanson serves as both Prosecuting Attorney for the Board (salary $50 mo.) under Ch. 7331, Acts of 1917, section 1 and as Attorney for the Board ($20 monthly) under Law 2155 of Compiled General Laws of Florida.

Robert Williams

Answers to Chapter 14 of Revised Manual (Cont).

#11 There is no record of the Board of County Commissioners paying the Judge of County Criminal Court a salary nor any mention of a county Criminal Court. For salary of County Solicitor see answer to #14.

#12 There is no record of a legal Clerk of the County Judge's Court ever being appointed. However, Mrs. Louise Butler has served in this capacity since 1936(Information from Judge Byron Butler 2/22/40) There is no record of this clerk or any other having been appointed.

#15 The first record of a game warden for Taylor County was found in the minutes of the Board at a meeting Oct. 3, 1910 when the following was recorded: "Ordered that the petition of citizens asking that a Game Warden be appointed was laid over until next meeting"(page 300 of vol; "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners", not #'d or lettered, 1906-1912). However, this matter was not taken up at the next meeting nor until a meeting of the Board held July 5, 1915 when the following order was approved: "Ordered that O. L. Farnell be and is hereby appointed game Warden for County at a salary fixed as $300 per annum" (page 265 of Vol" "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners", numbered 5). The next record located concerning a Game Warden was recorded in the minutes of the Board for 2/2/20 when W. F. Strickland was recommended to the Governor for appointment as Game Warden(page 272 Volume: "Record Proceedings County Commissioners" numbered 6.) The next and last record found concerning a Game Warden was the [recommendation] to the Governor of a person for office for the year 1921 (page 359, volume above #6). The above are the only records located concerning this office.

#16 A Financial Committee (Bond Trustees) were appointed by the Board Oct. 28, 1916 (page 395 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners" #5). The Trustees functioned until 1930 when their duties were taken over by the State Board of Administration(J. R. Jackson 2/20/40). On page 36 of Vol: "County Commissioners Minutes" #9 there is a copy of a  complete audit of the Bond Trustee's Records by a State Auditor, under Chapter 14486, Acts of 1929. This audit covered period up to April 26, 1930.

#17 The writer was unable to find any mention or record of the Board serving as a County Board of Health between 1879-1885. Nor do the minutes of the Board show a tax levied from the County Board of Health between 1885-1897.

Robert Williams

Evolution of Justice of Peace Districts of Taylor County Chapter 14, Paragraph 13.

The first record located concerning the creation of Justice of Peace Districts was found on page 136 of Vol. "County Commissioners Docket", not numbered or lettered- 1871-1881, when the Board at a meeting held August 2, 1875 created 3 J. P. Districts and numbered same 1-3.

At a meeting held Sept. 5, 1887, the Board of County Commissioners re-districted the above districts and created two additional districts and numbered same 1-5. (Page 134 of Vol. :None -(Actually County Commissioners Minutes) not numbered or lettered, 1882-90.)

Another J. P. District was created by the Board on April 4, 1888 but it was not numbered (Page 155 of Vol. None (County Commissioners Minutes) not numbered or lettered--Feb. 5, 1882-July 7, 1890).

The Board at a meeting held Sept. 2, 1901, consolidated J. P. Districts #'s 2 & 3 into J. P. District #2 (P. 150 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners" not # or lettered-1897-1906).

Justice of Peace District #6 was created by the Board June 6, 1904 (Page 280 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners" not numbered or lettered--Aug. 2, 1897-July 7, 1906).

Justice of Peace District #7 created by the Board June 5, 1905 (Page 331 of reference given for Dist. #6).

The Board on March 13, 1907 revised and re-districted the county into seven J. P. Districts numbered 1-7. (page 55 & 56 of Volume: "Record of Proceedings of County Commissioners" not numbered or lettered--Aug. 6, 1906-April 24, 1912.)

J. P. District #8 was created May 3, 1920 (page 287 of Volume: "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners" #6).

-----------------------------------

Currently, there are only two active J. P. Districts in the county:

Justice of Peace Dist. #1--M.S. Linton, Perry, Florida. Justice of Peace Dist. #3--Jonathan Dukes, Steinhatchee, Fla.

From time to time the other six J. P. Districts have become defunct because of candidates failing to qualify, etc. (information from J. R. Jackson, Clerk of Circuit Court 2/22/40) However, there is no record of these districts becoming defunct.

Robert Williams

Answers to Chapter 14 of Revised Manual (Cont)

#18 Presently, Taylor County does have a Health Unit. This Unit was first organized in May of 1930 (page 59 of "County Commissioners Minutes" #9) and abolished Sept. 1, 1933 (page 460 of above vol. #9) The present Health Unit [was] established Feb. 3, 1936 (page 196 "County Commissioners Minutes" 3 10)

#19 There is no record, in the minutes, of the Board ever assisting in the employment of a W.P.A. Nurse for the County. The present officials of the Health Unit have no record or information concerning the employment of such a nurse. The Health Unit, However [sic], does have a nurse but she is paid partly by the county, state and Public Health Service.

#20 The first record concerning a Captain of Convicts was found in an order of the Board dated May 5, 1915: "Ordered Supt. of Roads and Captain of Guards give a good and sufficient bond" J. E. White filled this position at this time (page 259 of "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners" # 5). The county has employed a Captain of Convict Guards ever since, according to paid bills recorded in minutes listing his salary. Reports of Captain to Board have been located from Jan. 3, 1918--. Convicts are used by the county to build and maintain the public roads of the county.

#21. Taylor County does not have, or share, a detention home with another county. Delinquent girls are sent to "Girls Industrial Home" in Ocala and boys are sent to "Boys Industrial Home" in Marianna, Florida (information from Judge B. Butler on Feb. 26, 1940).

#23 There is no record of Taylor County ever having any Special Tax Road Districts. (J. R. Jackson, Clerk, verifies the above findings.)

#24 There are no Special Road and Bridge Districts in the County nor, according to records, has one ever functioned in the county. However, a Special Road and Bridge District (not #) was created by an election Sept. 26, 1926 (page 196 of Vol: "County Commissioners Minutes" #8). This district never functioned but there is no record of same becoming defunct.

#25 The only record located concerning a Superintendent of Public Roads was recorded in the minutes of the Board Jan. 19, 1915 when J. E. White was appointed to this position at a salary of $110 per month (page 225, "Record Proceeding County Commissioners" #5) According to records found (see #20) the Supt. of Public Roads was also Captain of Convict Guards. Presently the Capt. of Guards is also ex-officio Road Supt. although he is referred to as Captain of Guards (information from J. R. Jackson, Clerk of Cir. Court.)

Robert Williams

Answers to Chapter 14 of Revised Manual (Cont)

#26 Mr. C. E. Jackson was appointed County Engineer on Nov. 6, 1922 (page 171 of Vol: "Minutes County Commissioners" #7) and functioned until Jan. 1, 1929 (this part of information from Mr. C. E. Jackson-- 2/25/40 --. There is no record of the termination of this service and there is a record of Mr. C. E. Jackson's salary being paid until 1929).

#27 There is no record of a Drainage and Improvement Districts in Taylor County (The above is verified by J. R. Jackson, Clerk).

#28 No record was found of a Bicycle Sidepath Commission ever functioning in Taylor County.

#29 There is no record of the Board having ever established a Bureau of Immigration.

#30 & 31 Recorded information concerning Stock Districts and their [inspectors] found is very limited. The first inspectors for stock sold, shipped, driven or butchered were appointed by the Board Dec., 1909, when districts #'s 1, 8 & 9 were created and three inspectors for them appointed (page 236, Volume: "Record of Proceedings County Commissioners", not numbered or lettered, 1906-1912). Districts #'s 3 & 5 were created and two inspectors appointed for same by the Board June 5, 1911 (page 339, Vol. above). The Board at their meeting Sept. 7, 1914 recommended two inspectors for appointment for districts #'s 2 & 3. (page 181 of Vol. "Records  of Proceedings County Commissioners" #5). The Board on July 6, 1915 recommended "J. P. Gonza to Governor for appointment for stock inspector of stock driven or shipped from district #1" (page 275 of Vol. above #5).

The county was last re-districted Sept. 7, 1936 when five cattle districts were created and numbered 1-5 and inspectors named. The present districts with inspectors are:

District # 1--J. A. Wright and L. H. Hendry.

" # 2--J. P. Carelton

" # 3--Bill Ezell

" # 4--W. H. Louis

" # 5--A. J. McFail and C. J. Wilson.

#32 There is no record of a Board of Fruit and Grove Commissioners ever functioning in Taylor County.

#33 The county has employed a County Agriculture Agent since 1915. (information from historical data in Home Demonstration Agent's Office which list all agents from first to present one) The only record of the above office found in the Board's minutes is mention of Agents reports and salary paid from agriculture fund.

Robert Williams

Paragraph 22 of Chapter # 14.

Evolution of Special Tax School Districts in Taylor County

Special Tax School Districts #1 (Perry) was created June 30, 1901.

--Record of Proceedings-School Board" (Jan. 8, 1901-May 6, 1912, not numbered or lettered).

Special District #2 (Salem) was created May 22, 1906. Page 140 of vol. "Record of Proceedings-School Board (1/8/01-5/6/12).

Sub-School District #3 (Lake Bird & Shady Grove) was created June 26, 1906. Page 148 of above volume.

School District #4 (Shady Grove) was created June 30, 1906. Page 149 of above volume.

District #5 (Fenholloway) was created June 3, 1907. Page #179 of Volume above, i.e. "Record of Proceedings-School Board" (Jan 8, 1901-May 6, 1912).

District #6 (Blue Creek) was created June 29, 1908. Page #218 of volume above.

District #7 (Pisgah), #8 (Pine Grove) & #10 (Deer Place) were all created at a districting meeting held by the Board July 1, 1908. Page 218 of volume above.

District #9 (Rockville) was created by the Board at a meeting held July 5, 1908. Page 266 of above named volume.

District #11 (Pretty Pond), District #12 (Bee Tree) were created by the Board Aug. 2, 1909. Page 274 of above volume.

District #13 (San Pedro), Dist. #14 (Saw Grass), District #15 (Pleasant Hill) and Dist. #16 (Stephenville) were all created at a meeting of the Board held May 12, 1910. Page 310 of above mentioned volume.

District #17 (Hall Creek) was created June 6, 1910. Page #314 of above volume, i.e. "Record of Proceedings-School Board" (Jan. 8, 1901-May 6, 1912, not numbered or lettered).

District #18 (Flat Creek) was created May 1, 1911. Page #358 of above volume.

District #19 was created on May 6, 1912. Page 397 of Volume-- "Record of Proceedings-School Board" (1/9/01-5/6/12, not numbered or lettered).

Special Tax School District #20 (Cabbage Grove) was created on July 1, 1912. Page 5 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings-School Board" (June 3, 1912-June 29, 1918, not numbered or lettered).

Tax Districts #21 (Waylonza) was created June 3, 1913. Page #59 of volume above.

District #22 (Hampton Springs) was created June 3, 1913. Page #59 of above named volume.

District #23 (Pleasant Grove) was created June 7, 1915. Page #186 of volume above.

Robert Williams

Dissolution and Consolidation of Special Tax School District.

District #6 was discontinued May 6, 1912 (Page 397 of Vol. "Record of Proceedings-School Board" 1901-1912) and was recreated as Spring Head on Sept. 3, 1917 (Page 353 of Volume: "Record of Proceedings-School Board", 1912-1918).

District #17 'Hall Creek disappeared from the school districts Book of Accounts between 3/5/23 and 3/21/23 (pp. 341-348). No mention of this is made in the minutes but according to information from an office worker during that time (Mr. D. S. Register) this district was consolidated with District #2.

District #10 (Rockville) was consolidated with district #8 between 6/2/24 (page 120) and 7/7/24 (page 130) of Volume: "Record of proceedings-School Board" (July 1918-June 1925, not numbered or lettered). According to Mr. D. S. Register, still an employee in the office, this district was consolidated with district #8. No formal consolidation is recorded.

District #6 (then Spring Head) was consolidated with Dist. #15 between 3/5/23 (p. 341) and 4/2/23 (p. 252) of above volume. No Formal record of consolidation was found but information came from Mr. D. S. Register.

Districts #'s 20 & 21 were consolidated into District #20, June 15, 1929. Page 117 of Volume "Minutes of School Board" Book 2 (1925-1934).

Districts #'s 5 & 13 were consolidated into Dist. #5 on June 15, 1929. Page 118 of above volume.

Districts #'s 7 & 1 were consolidated into Dist. #1 on October 7, 1929. Page 127 of above volume.

Districts #'s 14 & 1 were consolidated into Dist. #1 on June 6, 1930. Page 145 of above volume.

Special Tax School Districts #'s 3, 4, 9, & 18 were consolidated into District #3 on Sept. 1, 1930. Page 156 of Vol. "Minutes of School Board", 1925-1934.

Districts #'s 1 & 11 were consolidated into District # 1 on March 2, 1931. Page #162 of above volume.

Districts #'s 12, 22, & 1 were consolidated into District #1 on June 5, 1933. Page 246 of above volume.

District #'s 2, 15, & 19 were consolidated into District #2 on June 5, 1933. Page 246 of above volume.

There has been no consolidation or creation of Special Tax School Districts since June 5, 1934.

Robert Williams

Dissolution and Consolidation of Special Tax School Districts. (Cont'd)

Currently, there are eight Special Tax School Districts as left from the consolidations listed above. They are:

1. District # 1 ---------------------- Perry  

2. " # 2----------------------- Salem  

3. " # 3 ---------------------- Lake Bird (Shady Grove)

4. " # 5 ---------------------- Foley

5. " # 8 ---------------------- Pine Grove

6. " # 16---------------------- Stephenville  

7. " # 20---------------------- Cabbage Grove

8. " # 23---------------------- Pleasant Grove

Answers to Chapter 14 of Revised Manual

#34. The county has employed a Home Demonstration Agent since 1917 (information form source mentioned in #33) No information concerning this agent found in Board's minutes except salary paid from Agriculture Fund.

#35. There is no record of the Board of Public Instruction ever employing an Agriculture Agent (verified by D. S. Register, 2/25/40, former Superintendent and Present Supt. Clerk).

#36. No record was located concerning the employment of a Traffic Officer by the Board of County Commissioners.

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NOTES:

The Board at their meetings on April 12, 1869, the Board  [revoked] ? the privilege of Hon. Allen O'Quinn, Judge of County Court to sit a chairman of the Board of County Commissioners (page 17 of Vol: "Minutes of Commissioners Court" 1862-1871).

The Board at their meeting on Sept. 5, 1887 listed the bounties paid citizens for the scalps of bears ($5.00) and Wild Cats ($3.00) payable under Chapt. 3763 Laws of Florida. (page 135 of Vol. None (County Commissioners Minutes) 1882-90).

On page 168 of the above volume is a copy of the quarantine regulations put into effect by the Board because of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1888.

TYPIST'S NOTE: this article copied Verbatim.