Page 249 - a-history-of-columbia-county-florida-(1996)-edward-f-keuchel

A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 238/340

The Early Twentieth Century

City. Quinelle Fuller, a Fort White 4-H girl, gained recognition for
the health program by placing “second” in the National Health
Contest. Fuller also publicized the county’s 4-H programs by
placing “first” in the National Pasture Contest. Social life for
families was enhanced when the county agent showed motion
pictures (using a gasoline-illuminated, hand-operated projector)
before family club meetings in rural areas.52
Sports played an important role in the social and recreational
life of the county during the early part of the twentieth century as
today. Baseball and football were especially popular, and Co­
lumbia High and Columbia College both fielded noteworthy teams.
Two Columbia College athletes, “Doc” Nance and “Stuffy”
Stewart, went on to establish careers in professional football.53
There was always considerable interest in Columbia High
football. Mackey Ives, a graduate of the 1919 team, played varsity
football at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The
highlight of the 1919 team was the six to six tie with Valdosta. The
deadlock was regarded as one of the finest games Columbia High
played in that period.54
Of special interest was the 1920 Columbia High team, which
finished off a successful season with a trip to Havana and a
postseason “bowl” game with the Cuban Athletic Club. The team
under Coach “Ham” Dowling had finished the season with a record
of six wins and two losses and was regarded as one of the best high
school teams in the Southeast. Team Manager A. W. Bethea
accepted the challenge of the Cuban club, and the team arrived in
Havana on December 31, 1920. For this game the team was

^Ibid.', Lassie Goodbread Black Interview.
53Robert B. Harkness, Jr., “Columbia County Athletes,” typewritten copy,
Columbia County Historical Society Interview, Robert B. Harkness, Jr. Interview,
December 8, 1976.
54Harkness, “Columbia County Athletes;” Lake City Reporter, November 28,
1919.
185

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 02905885-C4E0-4A35-9DAE-804ED8349EC9