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Post by elmo on Sept 9, 2009 14:32:49 GMT -5
OK folks lets get everyone to contribute to this thread. I'm looking for the Lil' Known facts about this community, you know things like business's that may not be known to most of us, or other community tidbits of interest. In other post's I've learned that one of our past Sheriff's married a 14 yr old girl and now with Johns Front Page story today about the lynching back in 1945. So lets give some history.
Ok I'll start:
Did you know Madison has a Credit Bureau, I did not know this as there is no building or sign that I know of, I think I heard it was an office in another business. But it does come up on Google.
Anyone familiar with this? And in the past they have been so kind that they put out a monthly newsletter for a yearly fee so that those that subscribed to this newsletter could see all the important stuff going on, like who bought a house and how much they paid, any liens on anyone, divorces (I guess this was so you could go grab your money they owned you before there was none) Any judgments against you, Like I said all the Important stuff that Important people in Madison needed to know!!!!
As I say all of this with Tongue in Cheek!!!! I know the bureau exists , at least to Google, cause they have a phone number, but funny, no listing in the White Pages or Yellow Pages of our Local Phone Book.
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 9, 2009 14:41:58 GMT -5
Actually another man that married a 14 year girl was Richard Mays who founded the Southern Baptist Convention and there is a monument erected to him in Madison County. The sign on Little Cat road directs you to the Clifton Mansion where he lived.
I also just found out that Madison has a BMX track.
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Post by elmo on Sept 9, 2009 16:29:45 GMT -5
Oh, Elmer, my bad, that was the one I was thinking of!!!!!!!!
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 11, 2009 13:01:46 GMT -5
How is this for a fact - during the 1930’s you could buy any alcohol beverage that you wanted. All you had to do was to drive up to Cherry Lake. I recently published a book on Cherry Lake Farms 1935-1939. I interviewed a 92 year old gentleman while in CA working on this book. He told me that while the Federal government operated Cherry Lake Farms that they sold all kinds of spirits. The local sheriff showed up one day to shut them down and before the day was over the local sheriff was ordered off of FEDERAL property. They sold liquor until the day that the commissary was closed and I know that when the assets that were left were sold they were sold to a local gentleman. I also know that that man had probably never taken a drink in his life. Elmer
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 11, 2009 13:04:01 GMT -5
I have a fact but I am going to pose it as a question. Now, please, do not yahoo or goggle this - who was Waddy Thopmpson and how is he related to Madison County. Elmer
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 11, 2009 13:06:19 GMT -5
What do you call the shinny silver structure on the court house lawn? How many were built in Florida and how many are standing today? Elmer
I probably have 400-500 of these typee of facts -
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Post by elmo on Sept 11, 2009 13:29:54 GMT -5
I have a fact but I am going to pose it as a question. Now, please, do not yahoo or goggle this - who was Waddy Thopmpson and how is he related to Madison County. Elmer I don't have a Clue and I googled him!!!!!! lol
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Post by elmo on Sept 11, 2009 13:35:25 GMT -5
What do you call the shinny silver structure on the court house lawn? How many were built in Florida and how many are standing today? Elmer I probably have 400-500 of these typee of facts - This one I think I know, is it an old water standpipe or storage for water, whatever they called it back then!!!!
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Post by liberty on Sept 11, 2009 18:12:26 GMT -5
Elmo add + madison Florida to your search
Interesting history
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Post by papredoll on Sept 11, 2009 20:10:25 GMT -5
Waddy Thompson lost his fortune in the Civil War,qv moved to Madison, Florida, in 1867, and died on a visit to Tallahassee on November 23, 1868. He was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery in Tallahassee. Usually they lose their fortune here!
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 11, 2009 20:30:55 GMT -5
Papredoll - you are correct Waddy Thompson was ALSO an Ambassador to Mexico - can you believe that - Madison County has had one ambassador in it's history and Waddy was it. Elmer Spear
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Post by cowboyvoice on Sept 12, 2009 8:27:21 GMT -5
Elmer, Very good stuff. Thanks for making me search to know more about Waddy. On Wikipedia I chuckled at his position that you called "Ambassador to Mexico." Wikipedia says he was "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plentipotentiary to Mexico." I sure am glad you put in laymen's terms. LOL. Thanks for the brain teaser Elmer.
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 12, 2009 12:35:22 GMT -5
Elmo- Congrats - it was a standpipe There were 169 of them built in Florida in the 1800's and today there is one remaining - OURS!
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Post by elmerspear on Sept 12, 2009 13:14:51 GMT -5
How about this for an interesting fact? Did you know Madison County has probably the biggest CAT HOUSE in the United States? It is called the Caboodle Ranch and is located in Lee - they are in the phone book. About 500 cats live here in style - the property resembles a mini-city for the kitties with a city hall, police department, chapel, elementary school, Wal-Mart and the Cat Nap Inn with lake front cabins. I found this interesting fact was found in American Profile this weekend. I have lived in Madison County for 16 years and this is the first time anything about Madison was mentioned in this weekend paper. Guess that about sums up Madison County. Elmer Spear
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Post by cowboyvoice on Sept 12, 2009 13:37:25 GMT -5
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