May 24

Eddie's Fish Basket on Sugarloaf Key, ca. 1950 (now Mangrove Mama's).

1829 – Charles Hawkins shot William A. McRea, as he walked on Whitehead Street, in the back with both barrels of a shotgun. McRea died two hours later. The two men had fought a duel in February over Hawkins finding McRea leaving his wife’s bedroom via the window. Both men were wounded in the duel. Hawkins was charged with murder, but an impartial jury could not be found and the case was transferred to St. Augustine where there was no one to testify against him. The court dismissed the case and Hawkins left for Texas where he became the first Commodore in the new navy of the country of Texas.

1898 – A U.S. Marine Corps Battalion arrived on the USS Panther and established a camp on the ocean end of White Street near the West Martello Tower.

1934 – Dozens of “blackfish” (pilot whales) that had beached themselves around Key West died. The creatures were first seen along the island’s north shore and harbor the day before.

1946 – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department held a public demolition of recently-seized slot machines at the courthouse in Key West. The illegal gambling devices had been taken from Weaver’s Tourist Camp on Stock Island and Eddie’s Fish Basket on Sugarloaf Key. 

1960 – In the run-off election Jack Saunders was elected State Representative Group 2; William L. Osterhoudt was elected to the county commission and Robert Vargas defeated Gerald H. Adams for the school board.

1987 – Leonte A. Valladares, owner of Valladares and Sons bookstore, died at age 84.

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

Image: Eddie's Fish Basket on Sugarloaf Key, ca. 1950 (now Mangrove Mama's). Gift Betty Bruce. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.