June 8

Key West resident Arthur Sawyer was killed in action during World War I in France on June 8, 1918

1859 – The California steamer Star of the West arrived at Key West from Aspinwall, Panama to take on coal and transfer New Orleans-bound passengers to the steamer Empire City, from New York for that port. The Star of the West planned to make regular stops at Key West through the summer.

1918 – Private Arthur B. Sawyer, U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in action in France. He was the first Key Wester to die in battle in World War I.

1935 – The Bureau of Fisheries reported that in 1934 Monroe County produced 4,706,700 pounds of fish valued at $156,733. The sponge catch was 87,200 pounds valued at $87,502.

1958 – Famed band leader Guy Lombardo announced he was buying the Shamrock Restaurant and Key Colony Beach Club from Phil Sadowski. Lombardo said the Florida Keys should expect to see more of him and his band, the “Royal Canadians.”

1974 – Dr. Isabel Knowlton celebrated her fiftieth anniversary in the practice of medicine. She practiced in New York City from 1927 to 1961. In 1962 she came to Key West and was elected chief of staff of Monroe General Hospital.

1976 – Anthony L. Ulchar of Little Torch Key was elected State Commander of the American Legion, Department of Florida.

2001 – Marathon Airport officials were negotiating with Pan American World Airways and Florida Air to provide regular passenger service to and from the Middle Keys airfield. Commercial air service there had ended in April of 2000.

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Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: Key West resident Arthur Sawyer was killed in action during World War I in France on June 8, 1918. Photo from Dean Lopez Funeral Home "Boys of the World War" Honor Roll. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.