THE SETTLING OF SARASOTA (10th in a series)

The last issue of “Settling” included a short paragraph about Jack Tatum*, the town’s blacksmith, cobbler, and wagon builder. Enumeration of his versatility was space limited, and is continued here.

When the men of the town ran out of liquor, Jack would fire up the boiler and steam sour mash until everyone was satisfied. He had an organ in his home that he pumped vigorously, sweating up a storm, while playing for everyone’s entertainment. Records show that he was an accomplished (?) veterinarian and also pulled teeth. He was regarded as a pillar of the community.

A well was being drilled at what is now “Five Points. (Downtown Sarasota)” Someone noticed a few shiny yellow particles in the borings, and several hundred people came from everywhere to collect the “gold.” A jokester had scattered brass filings from Tatum’s shop in the dirt. As the saying goes, “A little work, a little play, to keep us going, and so good day.”

W. A. “Old Man” Bacon, a born jokester, built a house on the newly constructed pier from which he served oysters, raw or cooked, and donated a large glass of corn beer with each serving. It was a dizzying experience. The village pranksters were continually “egging” on W. A., a willing conspirator, and decided that they wanted some of John Gillespie’s newly arrived Kentucky bourbon. Bacon thought about it for awhile, took out his pocketknife and pricked his arm twice. When the blood covered his arm, he hollered as though in pain, and ran toward Gillespie. “Mr. Gillespie, a big rattler got me and the pizen’s goin’ all through me! I’m a goner.”

Just as expected, Gillespie said, “you need some whiskey and I’ll get it for you.” He ran to the warehouse and came out with a bottle of Old Crow.

Bacon took a big swig and slumped down, whereupon his co-conspirators grabbed the bottle and finished it off. Gillespie realized that he had been flimflammed, and to show that he wasn’t offended, brought out another bottle, the contents of which soon disappeared.

John Gillespie introduced golf to Florida. On May 16, 1886, he laid out the first gold course in the country, a long fairway with a tee and a green at each end. It was located in a clearing on what is now Main Street. He practiced daily for many years.

Brought over from Scotland, the name GOLF is an acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.

*The community of Tatum Ridge is located in Sarasota County just north of Fruitville Road and east of I-75.

*The Tatum House (inset) has since been moved to Old Miakka at the Crowley Museum and Nature Center. ca.1892 Credit: Sarasota County Historical Resources

To be continued..

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