I'm looking for a letter written by John Apthorp (Deputy Surveyor) in South Florida to the surveyor general at the time.
On March 11, 1883 a member of his survey crew had a difference of opinion with another surveyor on the same crew, resulting in a duel. One man shot the other, and when they tried to ferry him south to Key West, the man died in transit. John Apthorp wrote a letter to the surveyor general explaining the events in detail, giving a full description of where he had buried him, and why he had decided to abandon the survey.
I saw a copy of the original letter at one time, I know it's out there but I'm not sure where.
If anyone knows where I could search for old letters please let me know!
I found the following here;
http://www.surveyhistory.org/chokoloske e's_wilderness_world.htm
But couldn't find the "letter" If you do please post it.
“While surveying in the hot South Florida sun, two of Apthorp’s crew had a difference of opinion which continued into the evening of March 11, 1883. Before anyone could stop him, one Duke Pindar had drawn a gun and fired at his antagonist. The results were unexpected. Instead of hitting its target, the bullet passed by and struck Henry Jones of Tallahassee in the stomach, causing much pain and suffering.
In a letter to the Surveyor General, Apthorp described the attempt to save him: "We made him as comfortable as possible during the night and in the morning started to carry him on a stretcher to the coast 13 miles distant, hoping to get him to Key West in time for medical treatment. We had gone less than two miles when it became evident he would not outlast the journey. We put him down to rest, and in an hour he died. There was nothing left now but to afford the body as decent a burial as lay in our power, which we accordingly did.
"On account of this sad event we were obliged to abandon the survey of the two difficult Townships of 50 S Ranges 28 & 29 East which we were about to enter upon. To attempt such difficult work shorthanded, and with the men so demoralized a condition was out of the question; besides the guilty party must be turned over to the Authorities and the affair investigated."
After burying Henry Jones, the crew left the area and arrived at the home of William S. Allen on Chokoloskee Bay. Apthorp decided to take Duke Pindar to Key West and place him in the custody of the sheriff.”
Have a great week! B-)
And that is why I work solo now. Now only the land owners get to shoot at me.
You might try this site:
Or contact the gentleman by email, he has a lot of historical stuff or access to it I think. We had some guys at one of our Alabama retracement Seminars about 7 or so years ago that were interested in this area because they had a contract to do some work there and found some interesting things, but I can't remember any details except I think those lines were never finished or if they were there was some anomoly with them.
- jerry
