Below are some of the things happening in and around Lake City during the years 1916 to 1919 not the least of which was World War I. The sons, fathers and brothers of every single family in the area was affected by the draft and the war in one way or another. Also, during this time quite a number of citizens passed away due to the world-wide pandemic. The newspaper was printing only a couple of pages per week when it published.
Citizen Reporter – 26 May 1916
“The lot on the shores of Lake Isabella which was recently granted to the Woman’s Club, and upon which they intend at an early date to erect a Club House, was put into splendid order last week by the Civic Department of the Club.”
Citizen Reporter – 28 July 1916
“Bicyclists are Warned by Mayor Moseley
It is a $5.00 fine to ride a bicycle or tricycle on the sidewalks of Marion Street, Railroad Street and West Duval Street to the public school building. Also, to fail to display lights and have bell at night and to get off the walks 20 feet from pedestrians on meeting or passing them while riding such vehicles on any side streets.
This ordinance is going to be enforced.
Parents should see that their children do not break the law.
A.J. Moseley, Mayor”
Citizen Reporter – 20 October 1916
First Ad for Chevrolet in Lake City
Frank E Lautz, Agent
First electrically equipped automobile in the world designed for women in mind.
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Citizen Reporter – 12 Jan 1917
First Major Cigarettes Ad in newspaper
Sovereign Cigarettes
For the Gentleman of the South
“Kind of them all”
Citizen Reporter – 25 May 1917
Local Red Cross Organized on Thursday at the courthouse.
Citizen Reporter – 25 May 1917
Male Persons Between 21 and 30 Must Registered for the draft – WWI
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Citizen Reporter – 25 January 1918
“Notice to German Alien Enemies
Under instructions from N.H. Boswell, United States Marshal, notice is hereby given that I have been appointed Chief Registrar for Lake City to register German Alien Enemies under the President’s Proclamation of Nov. 16, 1917.
This registration will commence at 6 and on Feb. 4, 1918, and will continue each day successively from 6 am to 8 pm up to and including the 9th day of February, 1918 at 8 pm. All German Alien Enemies are required to register, whether resident or transient, and must register within the time mentioned.
All aliens will call at the Blanche Hotel for registration.
W.J. Shackelford, Chief of Police, Lake City, Florida”
I understand why they did this and would love to get copies of these documents to share with their ancestors. Since the manager of the the Blanche at this time along with his wife and daughter were all born in Germany it would make for a great addition to their biographies. From looking at copies of these documents recently released in Kansas they included a six page questionnaire of the person’s family, their current pictures as well as their fingerprints! Now, who in 1918 was using fingerprints? According to a representative of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office all records prior to the 1970s have been lost due to flooding in the storage area at the time.
Citizen Reporter – 12 April 1918
“Light Work For Women
Large manufacturing industries all over the country are giving employment of light work to women. As a result of the scarcity of labor, positions have been made vacant owing to the fact of draft law having taken so many men into the army and as a natural consequence women all over the country are filling the positions of men. The East Coast Lumber Co., at Watertown are advertising in this week’s Citizen-Reporter, offering employment at $1.50 per day to as many as thirty women applicants, white or colored. The work offered is suitable to women who may wish to accept the positions.”
Citizen Reporter – 07 June 1918
“Female Aliens Required to Register
All German alien females are required to register on Monday, June 17th, 1918, between the hours of 6:00 am 8:00 pm up to an including Wednesday, the 26th of June 1918. City Marshal W.J. Shackelford has been instructed by the attorney general of the Federal Government of the United States to have all female aliens register as prescribed by law. The place of registered will be at the National Highway Garage on West Duval Street. All aliens must comply with this order within the time limit as instructed or take the consequences. In non-urban areas registration will take place in the post office.
W.J. Shackelford
Chief Register”
Citizen Reporter – 20 December 1918
Unemployment Bureau formed to help returning soldiers find work
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Citizen Reporter – 17 Jan 1919
Women’s Suffrage Movement Wins – women can vote
Citizen Reporter – 17 January 1919
Obituary Column Started in Newspaper
Lake City Reporter – 01 August 1919
A Guide to Healthy Living is posted in the newspaper
Lake City Reporter – 08 August 1919
Local Happenings is changed to “Of Interest to Women”
Till Next Time…Still looking for those Hotel Registry Books….
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