September 4

Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension, Marathon Station, ca. 1920.

1835 – The schooner Pee Dee was found inside the Florida Reef, full of water and with its masts hanging overboard. One man who had had no food or water for five days was found on board, but 11 others were missing. Wreckers towed the vessel into Newfound Harbor to pump it out and recover any cargo.

1906 – James R. Shackelford, a leader of Key West’s Black community, died after a short illness. Shackleford had kept a grocery store at the corner of Duval and Petronia streets for many years. He was buried from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he was a member.

1925 – A freight train derailed at Marathon. A wrecking crew from Key West was dispatched immediately after receiving the news, but clearing the tracks delayed the arrival of the passenger train from morning to afternoon.

1944 – Rosabell Bethel was chosen Miss Key West 1944 at a festival held at the city stadium and presented with a $20 war bond.

1972 – The new facilities at Smathers Beach were dedicated by the Key West mayor and city commissioners.

1975 – A backlog of 54 possible trials on various felony cases, ranging from drug sales to manslaughter and rape to car theft, loomed before the Monroe County Circuit Court. It was hoped that last-minute plea deals would cancel the need for dozens of hearings.

1984 – Harry Knight won the Democratic primary and unopposed reelection as Monroe County Tax Collector. The other winners were Circuit Court Judge Richard Fowler, Public Defender Rand Winter, and school board member Dr. Geraldine Caron. All the other candidates faced a runoff election or opponents in the general election.

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

Image: Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension, Marathon Station, ca. 1920. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.