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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 279/340

Since the Second World War

of Cassava pudding eaten by the Columbia Countians a century
ago. Symbolic of the present movement for women’s rights was the
photograph of Mrs. Emory Carter, Mrs. Leland B. Booth and their
deer hunting trophy. Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Booth were the first
women in the county to purchase hunting permits, although one
may assume that many farm women in the county’s past knew how
to and did use firearms for hunting purposes.13
Of particular interest in the centennial edition was a com­
munity recognition of the role of its black residents. By 1974
considerable advancement had been made in the domain of civil
rights in the South. It is not surprising that Columbia countians
would take interest in the accomplishments of Minnie Jones
Niblack, the black teacher who helped to bring about consolidated
schools in the county, and whose role in the county’s education is
currently honored in the “Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School.”14
Agnes “Aunt Aggie” Jones was also the subject of an article which
recognized the role which she and her “boneyard” played in the
social history of the area.15
Another important advancement in the realm of civil rights in
the county was made in 1975 with the formation of the Bi-racial
Committee in Lake City composed of leaders of both races. Alyce
Caesar, one of the members of the committee, had been a leader in
integrating restaurants in Lake City after the passage of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. Her actions in taking small groups of black
students into previously white-only restaurants were not en­
thusiastically received by the white community, although, for­
tunately, no serious incidents resulted.16 The fact that such actions,
although not popular, were nevertheless accepted, was recognition

13Nettie Ozaki and Anne Knight, “Sheriff Raids Still Near Lulu;” Mary E.
Anderson, “Thrifty the Word in Home Economics," Lake City Reporter, December
13, 1974.
14 “Minnie J. Niblack: A Pioneer Leader of Columbia Education,” Lake City
Reporter, December 13, 1974.
16“Aunt Aggie’s Boneyard,” Lake City Reporter, December 13, 1974.
16 Alyce Caesar Interview.
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