September 4
1906 – James R. Shackelford, a leader of Key West’s African American 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.
1956 – Organizers in Key West were working the phones to form a new group called “Democrats for Eisenhower.” As the name implied, it was intended for Democrats “who wish to separate themselves from the old party line.”
1984 – Harry Knight won the Democratic primary race and was automatically reelected as Monroe County Tax Collector. Other winners were Circuit Court Judge Richard Fowler, Public Defender Rand Winter, and School Board Member Dr. Geraldine Caron.
1986 – A “Crackdown on Crack” meeting was held in Key West by the Informed Families “No” Team to bring together families, law enforcement, and educators to help end the crack cocaine epidemic that had swept across the Keys.
2001 – Fifty-five Cuban migrants landed at three different spots along the Marathon shore; all said they had been transported by motorboat for a fee.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Monroe County Tax Collector Harry Knight holding a $1 bill, Key West, October 1988. Photo by Richard Watherwax. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
