By the summer of 1901, leaders of the community of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, had decided that it would be advantageous to incorporate the community into a town. Accordingly, due notices to the electors were printed in The Breeze, calling for a public meeting on July 30th, 1901, to decide whether or not the community would incorporate. All registered voters residing within the limits of the metes and bounds of the proposed municipal corporation would be eligible to vote on the matter.
The good people of DeFuniak Springs, met in mass at the Platform, which had been erected for the outdoor concerts of the Chautauqua Band during the Chautauqua seasons, in Chipley Park (now Lake Yard Park), immediately south of the L&N Passenger Depot, at Five O’Clock P. M., on Tuesday, July 30th, 1901.
Seventy-eight electors answered the roll call of qualified voters, and this was more than two-thirds of the qualified electors being present. A vote regarding incorporation was conducted, without a “nay” vote being cast.
This having been accomplished, the meeting recessed until Eight O’Clock, supposedly for the purpose of doing a bit of politicing before the election of officers.
During the recess, the whole crowd was invited by the ladies to a most enjoyable supper donated and served by them at the Restaurant of L. E. Stubbs. This business was located where the Service Drug Store is now located, and it was easily accessible from the south side of the railroad tracks by way of the two walkways, on either side of the “Opinion lace” site. (It was a “Sad Day” in September, 1985, when these walkways were closed by the City Council and the L&N Railroad in connection with and agreement regarding public parking spaces on the south side of Baldwin Avenue.) Two years later, Mr. Stubbs sold his business to Mr. Charles Murray, who opened up his Ice Cream Parlor and variety store at the location.
After the supper, the crowd returned to the Platform for the conclusion of the business at hand. The meeting was called to order at Eight O’Clock P. M., and the following Town Officers were elected:
Dr. G. P. Henry, Mayor [George P. Henry]
Aldermen:
A. L. Beach [Arthur Lyman Beach]
J. C. McSween [Dr. John C. McSween, Sr.]
D. D. Laird [Daniel Dozier Laird]
W. L. Cawthon [William Lee Cawthon]
P. L. Biddle [Perry Louis Biddle]
James A. McLean
W. C. Eddy [William C. Eddy]
Mr. Malcolm McCaskill, Marshall
Mr. G. B. Campbell, Clerk. [Giles Bowers Campbell]
It was noted that the meeting closed in “general good humor”.
Prepared by hwg [Harold W. Gillis]
October, 1986.