Page 180 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Angry Day

1 December 20,1994
i
k
< It was an angry day in Lake City in 1905 when local people first learned they had lost their

I beloved University of Florida to Gainesville. One man said, “It was the angriest crowd of humans
I have ever seen. If members of the Board of Control had been present, I am sure they would not
i
1 have escaped alive.”

Here was the scene. A large crowd had gathered near the courthouse and telegraph office to

await news of a decision on whether to leave the University of Florida in Lake City or move it to
Gainesville. The Board of Control was meeting in Tallahassee and they had promised to telegraph
their decision as soon as they voted. Thus, the crowd waited, nervously confident. But when the

news came, it was bad news for Lake City. Gainesville had won the university away from us.

When the shocking news reached the Lake City telegraph operator, he was too stunned to read
it. After composing himself, he announced the dreadful news to the crowd and they nearly rioted.
I Tempers boiled over throughout the community and continued to run hot right up to the day

| of the actual move. In fact, packing operations were delayed because nobody from Lake City would
work for the university to help pack. Livery stables refused to provide drays to haul the packing

' crates to the train depot. Wagon teams and packers had to be brought in from Gainesville to do the
moving.
Threats were made against the Gainesville movers and packers. The state hired W. S.

Cawthon, a powerful man and a crack shot, to insure the safety of those involved in the move.
On the day of the move, Cawthon boarded the lead wagon with a loaded rifle in his hand. As

the wagon started rolling, crowds formed on both sides of the road to hiss and boo the caravan, then
fell silent as if they were watching a funeral procession. Losing the university was a desperately
painful blow to Lake Citians and the pain showed on their faces.

Lake City had been confident the university would remain here. New Governor Napoleon
Bonaparte Broward had promised to do his best to keep the university here if Lake Citians would

support him. Lake City did support him, and he did try to keep his word, but the Board of Control
members were split between Lake City and Gainesville. Then, in a secret vote, one member

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