Page 69 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Politicians Of The Past

July 6,1993

Here are some recollections of several local politicians.

Governor: The highest ranking politician ever to come out of Columbia County was
Frederick Preston (Fred P.) Cone, who served as Florida’s twenty-seventh governor (1937-41). A

banker and lawyer, he also served as president of the Florida Senate in 1911. While governor, he
accomplished many things for our county — and once hosted a CHS football banquet in the
governor’s mansion.

Tax Collector: Alvin Hosford served as our tax collector for thirty-two years. He was so

popular that he was re-elected once even though he was living outside Lake City—outside the United
States! - serving in the military in the in the Pacific during World War II. Who ran the office while
Alvin was away al war? The governor appointed Lamar Maxwell to serve until Alvin returned.

Supervisor of Elections: Incumbent Carolyn Kirby is the fourth consecutive woman to hold
this position. Before her were Darlene Ward, Mary Jim Melton, and Ethel McDonald. Many years

ago, our elections supervisor (then called Supervisor of Registration) was a man named Fred
Johnson.

Bent forward nearly double at the waist by physical infirmity, Fred’s appearance reminded
some of a fish hook — and he was affectionately known as ‘Fish Hook’ Johnson.

Public Defender: The highly popular Milo Thomas died while in office, the only local public
official to do so in recent years. Milo’s sudden death came as a particular shock because he was so

well-liked and because his wonderfully rousing, outspoken personality made you think he was
indestructible. Nobody was ever bored around Milo. Assistant Public Defender Jimmy Hunt was

appointed to finish his term.
Constable, Justice of the Peace, County Surveyor: These were once local elective

positions that no longer exist. Ike Moses, Selwyn Thomas, and Bennett Wattles, respectively, were
the last politicians to hold these offices. Worth noting: Ike Moses once defeated eight- eight other

candidates who opposed him in the election for Constable.
School Board: Board Member Tom Davis had run for several elective positions before he
was elected to the School Board. While campaigning, Davis repeated told audiences, “I am READY

-64-

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: CD05D759-5273-4705-A6D7-381FCF749098