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Dunedin sailor witnesses Spanish Civil War bombings

By THERESA BLACKWELL
Published October 22, 2006

OCT. 10, 1936

DUNEDIN - Wallace Dort of Sunset Point has written to relatives and friends of his experiences on the destroyer Quincy while it was in Spanish waters. Mr. Dort says that while the boat was anchored, the Quincy crew could see the bombing of churches and other public buildings in Spanish towns.

"One minute a church or some other building would be there and the next minute, after an airplane had flown overhead dropping its cargo of bombs, you would see it go up in smoke," he wrote.

While the local youth had an opportunity to see much of the Spanish Civil War first hand from a fairly safe place, he indicates that many of the sights were far from pleasant. Those on the USS Quincy and other boats could never be sure when some government or rebel aviator might mistake them for an enemy boat and let fly with a few choice bombs, and this is what kept them on edge.

Oct. 14, 1924

Safety Harbor casino draws 6,000 persons

SAFETY HARBOR - More than 6,000 people passed through the new Safety Harbor casino Sunday, according to an announcement made today by Joe Townsend, developer of the springs resort.

Three girls were kept busy from morning until night passing out water to the visitors, according to Mr. Townsend, the people coming from as far as Lakeland and Bartow.

The casino is now open to the public and the sanitarium with complete modern equipment will be ready for use within 60 days. The contract for the new hotel, the third building in the proposed group on the waterfront, has already been let and work is expected to start shortly. A great number of residences, together with several business buildings are now under construction, making the greatest activity this resort city has ever experienced.

Oct. 16, 1936

More slots than ever to operate in county

CLEARWATER - Slot machines reached their saturation point in Pinellas County today with the issuance of 646 licenses. State Comptroller Lee wired that Pinellas had reached its quota of one machine per 100 population and no more permits would be issued.

The fact that the county has reached its quota means that more slot machines will operate in the county than ever before. Over 500 were licensed during the 1935-36 fiscal year.

The county votes in the next election on whether to ban the slots. The Junior Chamber of Commerce will conduct a campaign to get out the vote against them.

Oct. 19, 1948

Seining work launched on fishing hole

CLEARWATER - Crews of workmen from the state game and fresh water fish department today began seining predatory fish from Crest Lake, owned by the city and located in east Clearwater, preparatory to converting the lake into a year-round fishing hole for youngsters.

The project, launched by the Pinellas Conservation Club, is believed to be the first of its kind in Florida.

Times staff writer Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at blackwell@sptimes.com or 727 445-4170.

[Last modified October 22, 2006, 08:36:01]