JOHN WASHINGTON KEYES
IN PROCESS
JOHN WASHINGTON KEYES was born in Athens, Limestone County, Alabama on November 25, 1825 to George and Nelly Keyes. He attended La Grange College in Alabama starting in January 1842 but was suspended the following year for fighting. He returned home before studying medicine at Louis-ville, Kentucky and entering practice with Dr. Welch in Somerville, Alabama. On November 4, 1846
J.W. Keyes married Julia L. Marcellus (1830-8/10/1877 FL), eldest daughter of Prof. Nicholas Mar-cellus and Caroline Lee Whiting Hentz, in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama.
After studying (1849) in Cincinnati, in 1850 he was awarded a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Ohio Dental College, and a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Ohio. He practiced in Florida in the early 1850s, before moving (1857) to Montgomery, Alabama where he practiced den-tistry, and occasionally published in dental journals.
He served in Company A, 1st Battalion of Hilliard's Legion at Mobile, and as surgeon of the 17th Ala-bama Regiment. He also practiced surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Montgomery and elsewhere. The citizens of Montgomery awarded him a horse for his service.
From 1867 to 1873 the Keyes family lived in the Gunter Colony at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before returning to Montgomery.
His daughter, Jenny Rutledge Keyes (ca. 1856-1879) who married James E. Davidson, and an older sister Eula who married Dr. John Coachman. Dr. John W. Keyes of Iola, FL married Miss Marianne Hentz of Alabama on September 18, 1878 at the home of Sr. Samuel J. Withers in Mooresville, Alaba-ma, with Rev. McDonnell performing the marriage (Huntsville Democrat 10/2/1878).
He then moved to Calhoun County, Florida where he grew oranges. Dr. Keyes who was 6' tall and weighted 180 pounds once captured an 8' shark without assistance. J.W. Keyes died on November 27, 1892 near Wewahitchka, Florida.
When pioneers first came to the territory now known as Wewahitchka, they were welcomed by Native Americans, but their resistance grew when their land and hunting grounds were threatened. As a result of this turmoil, many lives were lost. General Andrew Jackson made three trips to the Florida Territory. One such visit brought him to the Wewa-lola area, where he took advantage of the interpretation skills of pioneering George Richards and his family. Thomas Richards later served as an Indian Agent and, along with his brother Andrew and several others, built a fort on the banks of the Dead Lakes. In 1872, Dr. John Keyes moved to the Wewa area and planted pecan, pear, and orange trees. Dr . Keyes referred to the two lakes as “Alice” and “Julia” after his two daughters. Around 1875, residents decided to call the town Wewahitchka, a Seminole word meaning “water eyes,” in honor of the lakes in the center of the settlement.
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In Tuskegee, Alabama, Julia Hentz married John Washington Keyes of Florida in 1846. In 1849-50, he studied dentistry of medicine in Ohio and earned a degree of Dr. of surgery. In 1857, the couple moved to Montgomery. Like his wife, he had Massachusetts roots: his paternal grandfather, John Wade Keyes 1752 – 1839, was from the Boston area. His paternal grandmother, Luisa Talbert 1756 – 1836, from Alexandria, Virginia, was the niece of US Pres. James Monroe. Early in life, John’s father, George, moved from Virginia to Limestone County, Alabama, where he and his brothers engaged in merchandising. In 1820, George married Nellie Rutledge 1799 – 1834 of Solomon County, Tennessee, a niece of Davy Crockett.
Yankee soldiers were encamped by the Keyes family garden fence in July 1865, John was ready to decamp to Brazil. The doctor intent on leaving the country and like many others had his heart set on Brazil, Julia wrote to her cousin, "but I am not willing to go until I see someone who has been there and can assure me that our condition will be bettered, in every respect, I am entirely dissatisfied with this regime, but I must know what I am doing before taking such a journey." John was more emphatic: I am going to Brazil wherever anyone else goes or not— I do not feel that I am living here--- only camping--- I can make money here but I must get to where I can breathe.
John Washington Keyes was attracted to Count's settlements in part because he wanted to quit dentistry. Joining them there were 20 families, and more in all, including the McIntyre’s concerns of William Lowndes Yancey. When the colony failed by mid-1868, Keyes moved his family to Dixie island in Rio and into a new 16-room home in the city itself. By May 1869. Their eldest daughter, Eule, and her husband, Dr. John W coachman, were already in Rio where they had settled upon arrival. Coachman, who was also a dentist, had established a practice by the time his in-laws arrived from the lake.
Julia Luisa Hintz keyrs hated the Rio Dolce but enjoyed and admired Rio. The food, the theater, the opera, and even the sewage system. Once established in the city, Julia was delighted with Brazil: "You cannot know how much we talk about all our friends and neighbors to see them, but I do not care to return to the States. I am so well satisfied with this climate and I believe we become settled we can live much more economically than there, coming to the matter of fact--- and that is a consideration, you know," Julia’s emphasis on the cost-of-living undoubtedly stems from the fact that she and John had 15 children. By 1870, however, a portion of the Keyes family did go back to Alabama. In the letter to a cousin, notifying her of their impending return, Jenny Keyes wrote: 'Immigration has ceased, and we rarely ever make new claimants." Her father attended a counterstatement check-- "immigration has not ceased--- quite a number came on the last steamer and many more are expected to follow. I don’t want to return but for the children would not--- make it off the two months or two years. The coachman said Charles Whiting Keyes ( the eldest son) remained in Brazil, at least into the 1890s, and in Charles’s case into the early 1900s, living variously in Rio, São Paulo, Petropolis, the location of the Emperor Summer palace in the cooler mountains above Rio.
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Julia L. Keyes
Biography
By George Presley Keyes
(Younger brother)
Date Unknown
Is the eldest daughter of Professor N. M. Hentz and Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz and was born at Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, in the year 1839. At the time of her birth, her father filled the chair of Modern
Languages at the University of North Carolina. But whilst Julia was yet an infant, he resigned his
professorship and removed to Cincinnati. He did not, however, remain here long, but finally located
in Florence, Alabama, and in connection with Mrs. Hentz, opened a school for young ladies. It was
called Locust Dell Academy and soon became one of the most popular institutions of the time in the
South. Locust Dell - Ah! It is music to the ears of many a matron scattered throughout the sunny
South.
It was located it was at Locust Hill that the larger portion of Julia's childhood was spent. She was an
artless, happy little girl, beloved by her associates, and admired by all who knew her for the sim-plicity of her manners and the unselfishness of her nature. With such associations and with such a mother, it is not singular that she should, even at an early age, have imbibed a literary taste and yet, whatever distinction she may have attained, it has been done without the slightest expectation that her name would ever be mentioned among the female writers of the South. No such ambition has ever moved her heart and pen.
From Florence, her parents moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the year 1842 and took charge of the
female institute at Tuscaloosa was then the capital of the state, besides being the seat of the
University of the State. The period during which her parents resided there were days of pleasantness to Julia. They were perhaps the very happiest of her girlhood, beloved and admired by all, with scarcely a care to disturb her peace, her young imagination handed to the future with a hue even brighter and more beautiful than those that adorned her sky; for a vision of a land of flowers was ever in her heart. She knew that an abode would be prepared for her in that summer clime- for there was one, the object of her own and her parents' choice, who would there make herself at home.
From Tuscaloosa. Professor Hint in 1846 moved to Tuskegee, Alabama, where in the same year, in the seventeenth of her age, she was united in marriage to Dr. J.W. Keyes. He to whom for several
years her hand and heart had been pledged. Soon after her marriage, she bade adieu to parents and
home and went with her husband to Florida, at that time, the place of his residence. It was here in the early years of her marriage, amid the mournful music of the pines and the bright flowers of the South, she wrote some of her sweetest poems. She wrote, as we have already intimated, not for gain, nor for glory, but from that poetic impulse of which all true poetry is born. It was, we believe, in the second or third year of her marriage, she composed those beautiful lines "To my Absent Husband".
We may be pardoned for here inserting the following verses.
"Why does my spirit so oft
in fancy backward rove?
As beautiful, in mist appears
That golden year of love.
Why do I love to live again,
My first years wedded life?
Og! I was then so young and glad
A childlike happy wife.
Swiftly these few short years have fled,
Abd I am happy yet-
Bit Oh! these bright and sunny days
My heart will not forget.
No care had I, to make me look
Beyond those hours of bliss.
No griefs, that only Mothers have,
No moments such as this.
And, these dear little ones that bind
My heart so near to earth,
So twine around me, that I bless
The hour that gave them birth.
And then, my husband, thou has been
Kind, gentle true to me.
And these bright living links have drawn
Me nearer unto thee.
This happiness is sweet and pure,
But then, so much of pain
Is mingled with our love and joy,
In this domestic chain,
That I am want to wander
To those bright sunny hours.
When life was joyous and my path
Was ever strewn with flowers.
But, think not that I would again
My girlhood's hours recall.
I'd rather bear life's ills with thee,
Than to be freed from all,
And be without thy loving care,
Thy fond protecting arm,
Thine ever constant, anxious wish
To shelter me from harm."
A few years had passed quietly away, and she, who had been the happy, hopeful girl, was now a
matron immersed in the cares of a household, and that tender solicitude which never sleeps in a
mother's breast was her's. And yet, in that land where the birds sing and the flowers bloom always and where the stars from the deep azure sky seem to look so dimly and sadly over the stillness of the
earth, and where, to the sound of the sighing pines and surf beaten shore was heard. Her feelings
would often times constrain her to give expression to them in verse. Few, however, of the many
poems written at this period of her life have ever been given to the public.
The year 1856 was an eventful year and one, too, of great sorrow to Mrs. Keyes, for in that year she
lost her noble and gifted mother. She, too, had wandered to this beautiful land for the remaining
members of the family followed Soon after Julia's marriage. In one of those rare and fatal spells of
cold which cut down the orange and lime trees. Mrs. Hentz was attacked with Pneumonia, her last
illness. Nor was this Mrs. Keyes only bereavement. In the latter part of the same year, her father, who for several years had been in feeble health, died, and on the same day, a beautiful and interesting
little boy of five years to whom her heart most tenderly clung. And yet she bore all these heavy
afflictions in the spirit of meekness and humble reliance upon the goodness of Him, who death all things well.
In the year 1857 Dr. Keyes removed to Montgomery, Alabama, where he has ever since resided, as
though during all her residence in this beautiful and interesting city of the South, her time has been
greatly occupied in household affairs. Yet some of her best pieces have been written in the midst of
these domestic cares. The writer, who has been an inmate of her home, has often wondered at her
economy of time. After doing a large amount of sewing in the day, she would sometimes give to us a
piece of poetry composed while plying the needle written down at odd moments. We may hear remark that her poetical talent would till yet be honored beyond the home circle had not her husband drawn from her portfolio, her fugitive pieces and given them to the public. He, being perhaps her greatest admirer. This, as we may suppose, has given her a stimulus without which her pen would remain idle.
In 1859, she obtained the prize for the best poem under sixty lines offered by the Field and Fireside.
The poem is called "A Dream of Locust Dell" and is considered the most touchingly beautiful of all her published productions. Certainly, few can read it without being moved by its beauty and pathos.
At this time, her husband is absent. An officer in the army, and she is left with all the cares of a large
family upon her. And yet she patiently and cheerfully bears up under all her burdens, for her soul too, is strengthened and nerved by that holy and active participation which has clothed with such
undying glory our woman of the South.
But above all, and beyond all she trustingly, steadily, and hopefully looks to a union of all that is dear to her in that rest which remains for the people of God.
George Presley Keys.
OBITUARIES
Birmingham-Herald
Birmingham, Alabama.
Mon. Dec. 19, 1892. Page 8
Dr. J.W. Keyes.
This estimable gentleman died of heart failure at his home near Wewahitchka, Florida, on the afternoon of November 17th, 1892.
Dr. Keyes was well known throughout Florida and Alabama. He was a native of the latter state, having been born in Limestone County. For many years, he lived in Montgomery and it is hazarding nothing to say they never lived in that city any man more generally known and more highly esteemed. He was a graduate, both in medicine and dentistry, and after years of a successful medical practice and finding its responsibilities and night work too heavy a tax, he retired therefrom and devoted himself to the practice of dentistry. He was eminent alike in each profession and physicians of Montgomery being his warmest friends and admirers. He contributed many valuable papers to the medical and dental journals. And to the day of his death, no man of the South was better posted in the sciences and in the progress of the times.
The South never had a more loyal son than Dr. Keyes. He was on his way to Fort Morgan as a member of the Gilmor Grays when Alabama passed the Ordinance of Secession. He was afterwards a member of the Alabama Legion as a lieutenant in one of the Montgomery companies. But after the retreat from Kentucky, he was detailed far from his command and ordered to report at Mobile, where he was put in charge of the hospitals there in that city. Some months thereafter, he was transferred to Montgomery and put in charge of the hospital there. He remained in charge thereof to the close of the war. On his return to the old home from Mobile, the citizens of Montgomery, as a token of their high regard for him, presented him with a beautiful horse handsomely equipped for service.
After the war, he resumed the practice of dentistry, but after a few years removed with his family to Brazil, hoping thereby to escape the ills and annoyances of negro and carpetbag domination, and to find in that faraway land of the South surroundings congenial to his tastes. In this, however, he was disappointed, and after two or three years, residence there he yielded to the persuasions of his friends and family and returned to Montgomery. Thence, after a few years residence, he removed to a home he had built on the Dead Lakes in Florida. And it was here in this quiet spot amid the beautiful orange trees and the tall pecans his own hands had planted, surrounded by friends and loved ones, he peacefully breathed his last in the 67th year of his age.
When Jefferson Davis visited Montgomery some years ago, Dr. Keyes was on hand and as he shook the venerable Statesman's by the hand, he said, “I am here, Mr. President, to answer roll call”. He was one of the six old confederates who marched on either side of the carriage that conveyed the grand old chieftain from the Exchange Hotel to the Capitol grounds amid the martial music and measured tramp of citizen soldiers and the loud buzzes of that vast multitude of devoted patriots.
It may be of some interest to mention a fact told by Dr. Keyes himself. It was during a conversation with Mr. Davis at the Exchange in Montgomery he told me that twice during his confinement in Fortress Monroe, he received a message from the famous Thad Stevens offering to defend him on his expected trial under the indictment for treason. Mr. Davis declined, saying he meant to defend himself. The “nolle prossing” of that indictment by the United States government, thereby confessing it was without a case against Mr. Davis, deprived the world of what no doubt would have been the greatest effort of one of the greatest heroes, of whom history has made a record.
Dr. Keyes was twice married. His first wife, the mother of his children, being a daughter of the celebrated Caroline Lee Hentz. Though not as gifted as her talented mother, her beautiful poems won for her a place among the literary women of her times - One of the sweetest and most admired being a prize poem, a dream of Locust Dell, her childhood home in our sister town of Florence.
Nine children, with his widow, survive him. Two of his sons reside in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For extensive and accurate information, for resolute courage, for devotion to principle, for helpfulness to others, for scrupulous integrity, for magnanimity of the soul he was a man among men. This brief and very imperfect summary of his long and industrious life is penned by one who knew him well; and now that he is gone, a thousand acts of kindness and affection can shine like stars along a lonely way. When such a one as Dr. Keyes dies, there seems to be a great gap not only in the lives of those who knew and loved him, but in the community where he lived and strong men and tender women paused there to weep and muse and pray and it is well for our sorrow, so humble as this, out of a weakness, so simple and childlike comes a force that fits the soul for the conflict of life and the solemnities of death.
G.P.K.
(Editor: G. P. K. - Brother of J. W. Keyes – George Presley Keyes)
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Aug. 19, 1877. Page 3
Death of Mrs. Dr. Keyes. –
The many friends of Dr. Keyes and of this most estimable lady will read with pain the announcements we have just written.
Since the removal of Dr. Keyes from this city a few years ago, he has resided with his family on the borders of Chipola Lake in Calhoun County, Florida. Here in the wild woods, he had built a pleasant home and kind neighbors had settled and improved around him, and the orange and the lemon had grown and many a tropical plant had spread its beautiful foliage to the warm breezes until it could be said, the solitary place was glad for them. It was here in this quiet, peaceful home in the early morning of the 10th inst., while the waves were still and the sky calm and serene, surrounded by husband and children and friends, Mrs. Julia L. Keyes passed gently away from the sorrows of Earth to the rest and rewards of the better world.
As many of our readers are aware, she was the daughter of the celebrated authoress, Caroline Lee Hentz. Though not possessed of the rare gifts that distinguished her mother, yet as a writer, she was not unknown to fame. Notwithstanding the cares of a large family, her pen was never entirely laid aside. She wrote many poems, a few of which will make her memory dear to some who have never seen the face. If we mistake not, she was also the writer of several prose pieces of considerable merit. Many of our readers no doubt will recollect the exquisite verses written by her at which were read on one of our memorial occasions. But most celebrated, we believe, of all her poems, is “The dream of Lucas Dell.” This was a prize poem and was extensively copied and greatly admired at the time of its publication.
Her death was not unexpected. For several months, she has lingered along with the patient sufferer from a disease which, when once it has fastened upon its victim, rarely, if ever, releases its grasp until its work is done. She was in her 50th year. She died of consumption. We doubt if anyone ever had more or warmer friends in this community where she lived so long. And many will weep today over the memory of one whom they shall meet no more until they shall see her on the shining shore.
We are permitted to make this extract from a letter of Dr. Keyes.
(These excerpts come from the article written by Peter A. Brannon in The Alabama Historical Quarterly Summer -1930)
A Southern Colonization Society for those desiring to move to Brazil was formed. Among its members were: Dr. Hugh A. Shaw, Major Isaac Boles, Mr. B. C. Bryan, Mr. William M. Williams, Mr. T. B. Reese, Mr. Harrison S. Strom, Dr. T. J. Teague, John L. Nicholson, William F. Duriscoe, Benjamin F. Mays, Henry G. Arthur, D. F. McEwin, Thomas J. Davis, S. J. M. Clark, Capt. Tillman Watson, Jr., W. J. Gardner, Charles Glover, John Sentell Esq. Capt. W. H. Brunson, Dr. W. D. Jennings, Mr. G. W. Morgan, John R. Carwile, Major Robert Meriwether
The Officers were:
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President – Major Joseph Abney
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Vice-President – Colonel D. L. Shaw
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Secretary – Colonel A. P. Butler
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Corresponding Secretary – Major John E. Bacon
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Treasurer – Thomas B. Reese
It is not recorded who on this list went to Brazil. Thomas J. Adams and Hiram Q. Adams went down with Colonel Meriwether but did not remain very long.
Diary of Mrs. Julia Keyes
Jennie Rutledge Keyes, the second child of Dr. Keyes, married James A. Davidson, Jr. in Montgomery Feb-ruary 8, 1875. She died in 1879. She was the grandchild of the celebrated novelist, Caroline Lee Hentz. Her
Diary is frank and expressive and at the same time, bubbling with that romantic spirit that the environment of that cultured grandmother would suggest. Mr. Davidson resided, (1930), with his daughter, Mrs. Fitzgerald Salter, in the city of Montgomery No picture of the life of the Americans in Brazil, can be more vividly painted than to quote, just as they are set out, the volumes which are affectionately referred to by the members of the families, as “Jennie’s Diaries.”
The first volume includes a statement of several pages made by Mrs. Julia Louisa Keyes, wife of Dr. John Washington Keyes a dentist, who married the daughter of Professor Nicholas M. and Caroline Lee Hentz.
Certain fly-leaf notations in these volumes, made by Jennie, give pertinent information, and they, too, are used here. A statement of much value is one prepared on board the Barque Wavelet on their return home in 1870. It concludes the story.
Dr. John Washington Keyes was born in Athens, Limestone County, Alabama, on November 24, 1825, and died in Wewahitchka, Florida, on November 27, 1892. He studied medicine and graduated from the Cincinnati Dental College and practiced dentistry in Montgomery. He entered the Confederate Army as a member of a Cavalry Company under Captain, later General, James H. Clanton. He was subsequently a 2nd Lieutenant of Company E, 1st Battalion, Hilliard’s Legion, and later became a 2nd Lieutenant of Company F of the 60th Alabama Infantry Regiment. He was subsequently Surgeon of the 17th Infantry Regiment. In 1867 the family moved to Brazil. After their return to Alabama, in 1870, he removed to Florida.
John Keyes (32) second:son of Captain John Keyes, m. Catherine Groves, December iv3(), 18()4 [a miss-print in the Kvyea history— probably 1806]. 'His. wife dn-d June 20, 1872. Their children: / • .
428. William Groves,,hi February 1, 1808.
429 Nancy, d fit six years. '.
430 John Talbott, b. September 10. 1811.
431. Elizabeth resided ir Canada.
432. Washington, d in Cumberland Conn * • . ty, Tennessee. February 13. 1838.
433. Campbell, residence in Canada. .•.; '.t: ;ii.:-434. Robin, residence in Tennessee.
435. Joseph, residence Waller County, Ga. . -.r - 436. Hiram, d. in Gentry County, Missouri:ii . 437.'Martha resides in Canada.
'William Groves Keyes (428) moved with his parents from Washington County, Virginia, to HankinsCounty, Tennessee, w!i ;re he ro. Evaline Wright, and had one son, Thomas Lilbnrn. Then moved to Green County, Tennessee, where his wife d. September 21. 1859. William m. second time, November 20, 1861, Harriet, daugh. of Charles Cook, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. Thomas Lilburn Keyes was b. Septem-ber 17, 183H; m. September 25, 1859, Elizabeth Nease, of Cocke County, Tennessee. They have four child-ren:
438. Cyrus Hannibal.
439. William Perez.
440. Sarah Evaline.
441. Sabrina Belle.
John (430) m. Lucy Josephine Childress, b. April 1819,—a niece of General Edward Gaines He has in his possession the old family Bible bequeathed by Captain John to the eldest John in the family, successively, from which book many records relating to the family have been taken. Resides in Bristol, Tennessee. Children:
442. Mary Virginia, b. February 12, 1844.
443. Theron or Theodore, b. Sept. 28, 1845.
444. Letitia Catherine, b. March 13, 1847; d. November 18, 1857.
445. Martha Elizabeth, b. September 2,1848.
, 446. George A., b. March 27.1850; d. June 30, 1858.
447. John Matthew, b. December 7. 1851; d. Decem bar 10, 1857.
George Keyes (35), 4th son of Captain John, was b. in Washington County, Virginia. Early in life he and his brother Washington (36) removed to Limestone County, Alabama, where they merchandised and planted in the company. He served at one time as captain of a volunteer company under General Jackson, and later was elected and served as general of the brigade of utility in his military district in Alabama. He m. in Sullivan County, Tennessee, November 16, 1820, Nellie, dau of Robert and Crockett Rutledge, and the young couple made their way to Alabama on horseback. Robert Rutledge was a son of William Rutledge. of County Lyson, and Nellie Gambel, of County Carau, Ireland, and grandson of George Rutledge. George Keyes d. in Lime-stone County June 13, 1833. Nellie, his wife, b. March I, 1797, d. October 22. H34. Children:
448. Wade, b. October JO. 1821.
449. Martha Louisa, b. September 23, 1823.
450. John Washington, b. March 25, 182.).
451. Jane Charlotte, b. November 16, 1827.
452. George Presley, b. September 8, 1829.
453. Husau. b. July 1. 1832; d. June 29, 1848.
Wade Keyes (448) was a student at the University of Virginia in the session of 1837-38. He left the next session on account of ill health mid deaths in the family. He studied law with William kictiardsmt. Esq , subsequently joining a law class- taught by Daniel Coleman, Miki finally graduated from the law department of Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky. In 1842 he sailed to Europe, traveled the continent, and in England and Ireland, returning in the autumn of 1843. He moved to Florida in 1848 and practiced law in Jackson County, in that state. While residing there he published two legal volumes which attracted much attention. In 1851 he returned to Alabama and continued the practice of law in Montgomery, then the capital of the state. He was elected chancellor of the Southern chance
There were also five children who died in infancy.
Martha Louisa Keyes (449) m. Henry C. Jones, October 13, 1844. Mr. Jones has been several times in the legislature, was a member of the Confederate congress, and is now state attorney for his judicial circuit. Children:
457. William Stratton died from wounds received as a Confederate soldier in the battle at Franklin, Tennessee.
458. Martha, m. Melville Allen, of Marion County, Alabama.
459. George, a lawyer in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
460. Ella Rives.
461. John.
462. Jennie Keyes.
463 Martha Balling.
464. Robert Young.
465. Wade K<?yes.
John Washington (450) entered Lagrange College, Alabama, in January 1842, where he was suspended in 1843 for fighting. Returning home he studied medicine, attended medical lectures in Louisville, Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in partnership with Dr. Welch in Somerville, Alabama. On the 4th of November, 1846, he m. Julia L., eldest dau. of Prof. Nicholas Marcellus and Caroline Hentz, in Tuscogee, Alabama. They have had 15 children whose names we have not received. In 1849 he studied in Cincinnati and in 1850 took the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Ohio Dental College, and the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Mediia1
College of Ohio. Dr. Keyes was for a time in Florida and in 1857 removed to Montgomery, Alabama, devoting himself to the practice of dentistry, to the literature of which profession he was an occasional contributor. He was in the Confederate army at Mobile, In Co. A of the Battalion of Hilliard's Legion, and as a surgeon of the 12th Alabama Regiment. He also acted as a surgeon in St. Mary's Hospital, in Montgomery, and elsewhere. The citizens of Montgomery presented him with a fine horse as a mark of esteem. After the war, he went to Brazil. Returned, and in 1873 bought land in Calhoun County, Florida, and engaged in the culture of oranges. Dr. Keyes is six feet tall, weighs 180, with great physical strength, as may be seen from the fact of his having captured a shark 8 feet long, without the aid of man or weapons.
Jane C. Keyes (451) m. John D. Rathen, January 26, 1842. He is a lawyer, has been a circuit judge, speaker of the House of Representatives, president of the Senate of the General Assembly of Alabama, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1875. Has also been president of the Memphis & Ch.'irleston Railroad Co. Resides at Tuscumbia, Colbert Count}', Alabama. Mrs. Jane Rathen died in 1853. Children:
466. George T., connected with the Memphis & Tennessee Railroad.
467. Silas P., lawyer, Decatur, Alabama.
468. Ellen Rutledge, resides at Tampa, Florida.
George Presley (452) graduated from Lagrange College, Alabama, at the age of 18 years
Albert G (472) was educated at the University of Mississippi, at Oxford In the late war he belonged to the 28th regiment of cavalry, was wounded in the charge through Franklin, Tennessee, under Van Dorn, was taken to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, and died there May 23, 1863. He left a dau. whose death occurred soon after his own.
Bettie Keyes (473) m. the 1st of August, 1851, her cousin, Joseph Keyes, a merchant of New Orleans, had four children, Bettie and Lillie, and two boys who died in infancy. Bettie m. Frank Andrews, of Warsaw, Franklin Parish, Louisiana, and has one child. Lillie is the wife of Charles Hunter, Bolivar, Mississippi. Joseph Keyes d. July 1857. In 1864 Bettie [his widow m. A. VV. Hunter, of Claiborne County, Mississippi. He was killed by mistake, on May 20, 1872. Bettie m. the third time, May 12, 187S, Judge William Chambers, of Chambers County, Texas, where she now resides. .,
Frank W. (474) graduated at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, was in the 25th regiment, infantry, was made captain, was taken prisoner with Floyd's Brigade at Fort Donelson, and remained in prison at Sand-usky Island seven months, afterward exchanged. A Southern paper of that period speaks of him as the youngest of a noble family of brothers who moved into Carroll County a few years before the war, all whole-souled and generous, and superior to anything mean or sordid or base. The same paper speaks of him as a splendid soldier. After the war Captain Keyesreturned to Carrollton to the practice of law.
SOURCES
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Diary of Jennie R. Keyes Montgomery, Alabama. This study was made at the request of Dr. Wyatt H. Blake a zealous member of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama State Department of Archives and History since its creation in 1901
They had 14 children:
1. Ellen Keyes (m. James Baker Hunter)
2. Julia Hentz Keyes (Died young)
3. Henry Whiting Keyes (Died young)
4. Jennie Keyes m. James F. Davidson)
5. Caroline Whiting Keyes (m. Ole Pickens),
6. Eula Keyes (m. John W. Coachman),
7. Wade Hampton Keyes (Died Young)
8. Julie Keyes (m. Frank Branch),
9. Alice Keyes (m. Warren Scott),
10. William Baldwin Keyes, (m. Annabel Laurence Christie)
11. Charles Keyes, (m. Emily Suplee Longstreth)
12. David Rebel Keyes, m. Elizabeth Stratford
13. George Keyes (m. Jessie Hentz),
14. Martha Louise "Mattie" Keyes (Died Young)
xx
xx
KEYES
JOHNSON
DR DUNN
YANCEY
STORRS
DAVIS
FARLEY
MILLER
COGBURN
CARR
LINHARES
Snr. RAPHAEL
Col. C. G. Gunter's RIO DOCE Colony
Approximate Homesites
of some of the colonists
Gunter & McIntyre resided in Linhares but farmed on lake "plantations"
KEYES
JOHNSON
KEYES & JOHNSON HOMESITES
The places selected for our future home is very beautiful. In front of us will be the large and magnificent Lake Juparana. Behind the loveliest little lake we have ever seen. On one side is a stream which will, when the rainy season comes flow from one lake to the other.
The gentleman took us in canoes around the little lake to look at various points. We found them all so beautiful we could not say which we liked best. This little lake is larger than ours and has five points extending from it like so many bays and coves. And looking down from the highest hill, it is said to be a perfect representation of an outspread hand. The largest and shortest bays making the thumb.
The final home for the Keyes family in Brazil was in the San Gomingos neighborhood in the town of Niteroy, across the bay from Rio. Their home was large, sat high on a hill, and was named Moro do Inga. The house was within walking distance of the beach and the neighborhood shops at the foot of the hill they lived on. It was also within walking distance of the ferry landing that crossed to Rio. Long after the Keyes family left Brazil, their cousins, (the Hentz - Crocker family among others) would have a large home in Niteroy - Typical of the once very fashionable area. See picture below -
"Corboro" Niteroy home of Charles A Hentz Jr
and Lucinda Andrews
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
The Panama City Pilot
Panama City, Florida
Sep. 2, 1926, Page 2
(From the Bouy, Feb. 10, 1897)
The following, one of a series of interesting papers contributed by the late Dr. J. W. Keyes to a local newspaper a few years before his death, will be read with interest by the doctor's many surviving friends, and by everyone interested in the early history of St. Andrew's and the Bay country.
“In 1849. I found myself at the hospital, White House and there was there, as a guest the Rev. Mr. Mercer, a Baptist Minister from Georgia. He had been a great sufferer from asthma. I never met a man more enthusiastic upon any subject than he was upon the curative qualities of St. Andrew's air. He could breathe, and I can testify there was no lack of breath for a more incessant talker I never met.
Not long before my visit, old Chief Joe had been killed. Joe was a Seminole chief who lived at the head of the sound on the road leading from St. Joseph Bay and Apalachicola to St. Andrew's. A man by the name of King had been to Apalachicola, and was returning to St. Andrew's with a roll of calico upon his back. King passed. Old Joe and his son, a boy about 16 years of age, and. spoke to them as he passed. It is supposed that Joe wanted that roll of calico, for when King was a short distance from him, he fired at him and the ball struck the roll of cloth, and King fell. King recovered his footing, turned upon Joe, and fired at, but missed him Each drew their knives, and King struck Joe on the head with his and toppled him. King threw him to the ground, but Joe got on top. King rose with him and threw him again. About this time, Old Joe’s Son ran up and Joe said “thalkla;” the boy turned and ran. King found Joe's strength was failing, so disengaged himself and took to his heels.
Some days after, King and some companions returned to the scene of conflict and found Joe a few paces from where King had left him, dead. No vestige of his family was to be found, and no one knew whither they had gone. King's knife had penetrated to Joe's brain.
A year later, the skeleton of Chief Joe was carefully gathered and gathered and taken to Ireland, and now stands in a glass case in the Museum of the University of Dublin marked “Seminole Indian chief, Joe,” presented by Mr. Edmund Blood.
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The Troy Messenger
Troy, Alabama
Fri. Jul. 5, 1867, Page 4
From Brazil.
Letter from Dr. Keyes.
Arrival at Rio de Janeiro - The appearance of things - How immigrants are received - A sketch of the voyage, etc.
We present below to the readers of the Mail and enter this letter from Dr. J. W. Keyes, formerly of this city, being the first tidings of him and his party since sailing in the “Marmion” from New Orleans on the 16th April last. His letter will be read with great interest.
Casa de suede,
Rio de Janeiro, May 24th, 1867
Eds. Mail: - In the forward part of the “Marmion” were the boat’s stores, and among them were Irish potatoes, for ceremony sake, I suppose, put up in rotten bags. These burst, and the potatoes rolled down where they could not be easily removed, rotted, raised a mighty malaria, which I inhaled and the result was an attack of certain intermittent - consequences of this is that I have not been able to take such dots as otherwise I should have done. My head is now drunk with quinine, and I must write now, or miss the steamer.
The descriptions of Rio had prepared me to expect something very magnificent, but they are all very tame compared to the reality. One must see to properly appreciate, and ought to have plenty of leisure and a good chaperon to see satisfactorily. From between decks of the “Marmion’ we were transferred to a palace - built long ago by a wealthy Brazilian, and for some offense of his, confiscated and converted into hospital, but now used as the emigrant’s house. Here we are received by Col. Broome of South Carolina, have airy and elegant apartments, comfortable sleeping arrangements, coffee and good light bread for breakfast, good soup, black beans, rice, bread and beef for dinner, and coffee and bread for supper. Everything is clean, abundant and the grounds are elegant with flowers, fruits and shrubbery. From this site, which is near the top of a hill, we have a fine view of the harbor and shipping a part of the city, the Emperor's palace, etc. At this house we are allowed to stay a reasonable time free of expense. After that, if circumstances prevent departure, $0.40 per day is charged.
We have a few flies and mosquitoes. But they would be considered “none at all” in Mont-gomery. The Emperor paid us a visit a few days ago, walking through the building, visited the rooms in which we are quartered, looked at everything and everybody, went into the kitchen, examined the cooking apparatus and the food. Took a specimen of the bread, tore off a slug, put it into his mouth, and actually charred it. He did; - I stood close to him and saw it all, and then his majesty was pleased to say that it was ”good bread.”
So far I have found the Brazilians mild-mannered people;. but the lower classes and Negroes talk, or go through the motions I don't believe they understand each other on all occasions. The little tradespeople will cheat you if they can.
Fruit is abundant in great variety and cheap. I have some pears and grapes as large as I ever saw. A dump means two cents and buys you a cup of coffee or as many oranges or bananas as you can eat at a time. United States currency is not known among the small dealers and does not pass for its value, but you can exchange it for Brazilian currency at par, and sometimes get 1 or 2% for gold. An English sovereign passes for $5. And if our friends can procure them, it is the best road to brings.
I shall leave here on the 27th on a steamer for Rio Doce, Province of Espirito Santo, Mr. Gunter’s settlement. Upon inquiry among some here not interested in any particular locality, I was told that it would be the garden spot in the Empire, and as the incidental expenses of a city like this would very soon dump my pocket empty, I had concluded to take my family there and locate them until I can see my way. In this way, I will get my family a home at once, and then I can look about and see if there is any better place. There is no chance for a professional man to be certain of his subsistence without capital, except to take agriculture. In medicine, the examination is very strict. It is made in Portuguese or French, and a thesis has to be written and defended. My information is from Dr. McCord, who has passed his examination, and he said he had a hard time, although he speaks French.
Rev. J. S. Malone will receive the emigrants here and can give almost all information desired. He is all heart and soul and has no regrets at leaving the States.
I hope to be able to write you more fully by the next steamer and to write a little clearer. I am drunk with quinine and of course not in a condition to string thoughts together. Fish. Oysters. Crabs. Crayfish (as large as lobsters) and shrimps, (the finest I ever saw) are very abundant. Fresh sardines you will find everywhere, cooked and raw.
I send the “Emigration Reporter,” A paper recently started by Rev. Mr. Emerson of Meridian, Mississippi, to several friends.
The chambers are in session; but business and those Yankee chills have kept me from seeing or hearing anything and everything. One thousand emigrants have landed here in the past ten days. Five hundred from Portugal and the rest from the Southern States of America. Still rejoicing that I am free. I am your friend,
J.W. Keyes
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The Times Argus
Selma, Alabama
Fri. Oct, 11, 1878, Page 3
Marriages
...
In Mooresville, ult., by Rev. Sr. McDonnell, Dr. J. W. Keyes, of Florida, and Marianne Hentz.
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Pensacola News Journal
Pensacola, Florida
Tue. Feb. 19, 1974, Page 8
In memory,
They call it Caroline
By E.W. (Judge) Carswell
Panama City - Caroline Lee Whiting Hentz, perhaps America's most prolific woman writer during the 19th century, found inspiration for some of her work here beside beautiful Saint Andrews Bay. She spent her last years in Marianna, but she came here each summer to visit in the home of her daughter. It overlooked the Bay in what is now the St. Andrews section of Panama City. The daughter, Julia L, wife of Dr. J. W. Keyes, was a talented writer of poetry. It is undoubtedly the local Bay shore scene that Mrs. Hentz describes in “Ernest Linwood,” written shortly before her death.
“Come to this beautiful cottage on the seashore where we have retired from the heat of the summer, and you can tell by a glance whether time has scattered blossoms or thorns in my path, during its rapid flight.
Come to the piazza that faces the beach and you can look out on an ocean of molten gold. Crimsoned here and there by the rays of the setting sun, and here and there melting off into a kind of burning silver.
A glorious breeze is beginning to curl the waters and to swell the white sails of the skiffs and light vessels that skim the tide like birds of the air, apparently instinct with life and gladness. It rustles through the foliage, the bright green foliage, that contrasts so dazzlingly with the smooth white sandy beach.
Mrs. Hentz, the youngest daughter of Revolutionary War General John Whiting, was born in Massachusetts in 1800. She married Nicholas Marcellus Hentz, a native of Metz, France, in 1824. He was an educator, who conducted several schools, mostly in the Southern United States. Mrs. Hentz helped with his teaching, reared four children, and engaged in writing. In 1849 her husband became an invalid, his school was closed and his wife thereafter supported the family with her pen.
She produced a series of novels in rapid succession, among them “The Planter's Northern Bride” in two volumes and several collections of tales, among them “The Victim of Excitement and Other Stories,” “Courtship and Marriage, or Joys and Sorrows of American Life” and “The Banished Son,“ and other Stories of the heart.
She also wrote plays “De Laura or The Moorish Bride’; “Constance of Werdenberg”; Lamorch or the Western Wild.”
Novels, believed wholly or partly written at her home in Marianna or there beside St. Andrew's Bay, are “Marcus Wurland, or Long Moss Spring”; “The lost Daughter”; “Robert Graham” and “Ernest Linwood.”
Mrs. Hentz died in 1856 at her home in Marianna. She is buried beside her husband in St. Luke's Cemetery there. Over her grave is carved a broken marble shaft bearing these inscriptions. “My purposes are broken off.” and “The Pure in Heart Shall See God.”
Her memory is perpetuated here by a small bayou that lies in bejeweled splendor in the heart of Panama City. Geological surveyors who were mapping the area as the talented writer worked at her daughter's home nearby, named The Bayou.
They called it Caroline.
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Beach Bay News Panama City, Florida
Sep. 11, 1985, Page 4
Excerpted
The Last information about Saint Andrew's City relates to the home of Governor John Clark. Members of the family remained in the home until circa 1845. Then W.J. Armstead of Marianna took over the building. He was married to Mary Baker. He converted it into an inn and named it “The Inn.” It was a popular place for tourists coming to the Bay during warm weather.
One of the families that stayed there for a time was that of Dr. J.W. Keyes. He married Julia, the daughter of Caroline Lee Hentz, first professional author in Florida. He was a native of Alabama, and they were married in Tuskegee in 1846. They immediately moved to the “Inn” where they resided until 1859. Dr. Keyes and his wife returned to Alabama to set up residence at Montgomery.
After the Civil War. The Keyes family and friends left the United States to reside in Brazil. Dr. and Mrs. Keyes returned to Florida just before their death and are buried in Wewahitchka. Julia was a talented writer and published many poems. Caroline Lee Hentz was the daughter of General John Whiting of Revolutionary war fame. He died in 1810. Caroline met and married Nicholas Marcellus Hentz in 1824. He was a Frenchman, born in Versailles, France, and came to America in 1816. They moved to Saint Andrews City, where he served as postmaster in 1854.
Caroline was a gracious lady and so impressed the U.S. Geodetic survey group staying at the “Inn” that they named Caroline Bayou (Lake) after her. Dr. and Caroline Hentz moved back to Marianna, where she died in February of 1856 of pneumonia. Dr. Hentz died a few weeks later and both are buried in the Episcopal Cemetery at Marianna. Even after returning to Marianna, Caroline Hentz spent her summers with her daughter Julia and Dr. Keyes.
Caroline Lee Hentz was the first Florida author to receive recognition as a writer. She wrote beautiful poetry, but her greatest works were novels. Almost all Had her characters in Saint Andrews Bay.
It is said that she had a premonition about her death. She was visiting at St. Andrews City, working on her last novel. She stated as she prepared to leave for Marianna, that she felt she would never see her beloved St. Andrews Bay again. She was in good health at that time, but came down with pneumonia soon after arriving in Marianna and died. She never saw her last book published.
A son, Dr. Charles Hentz, a physician in Marianna, once boarded with Jason Gregory at the Gregory estate just above Blountstown. This was moved across the river to Terreys Park in recent years. Caroline was a great grandmother of Mrs. Cecil, Rhyne in Marianna. A sister married Dr. J.W. Coachman and they accompanied Dr. Keyes to Brazil. T. W. Hentz, Caroline’s son married a Godfrey pioneer in Marianna.
Jessie Coe constructed a large two story house to the west of the Clarke home. The Hentzs were well known educators and for a while they operated a seminary for girls in the Coe home. They had a similar venture at Pensacola.
A man which captured the imagination of the people living in Old Town was David Blood. Dr. Keyes writes of his arrival and was a correspondent for several years. Prior to Blood's arrival, a large number of magazines and books appeared in the mail at the “Inn.” All were sophisticated writings. One day, a sleek black sloop sailed into St. Andrew's Bay and landed at the dock in front of the “Inn”. He applied to Major Armstead for room and board, and said he would be there a month. He had traveled around the world and had stayed in some of the very best locations.
The date was 1845, and the predicted month extended to twelve years. He purchased two lots next to the burial plot of the Clarke's, and constructed a very unique home. He remained to sail around the Bay in his sloop, which the Armstead children named the “Widow.” They also gave him the name of “Captain” Blood. He spent much time reading and was an accomplished artisan in metals. He had a very large gun collection.
Captain Blood was involved in some sort of legal suit in London, England, and in 1857 he sailed away, never to return. However, Dr. Keyes received several letters from the Captain, giving an account of his travels. The last he received was a long letter with a photograph. In closing, Captain Blood wrote, “Well, Dr., if I was not so far on the shady side of seventy, I would go back to our old bay and invite you to come and live with me. This mysterious man was definitely one of the one of financial strength, and his manners were those of a gentleman. His knowledge was tremendous on most any subject. His library, as well as his gun collection was extensive.
We have covered the development of Saint Andrew's City, which seemed destined for extensive growth. Later I will describe the destruction of the city, which postponed its development for almost twenty years.
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Saint Andrew's Bay News
St. Andrews, Florida.
Jun. 23r 1925, Page 2
Excerpted.
…..The property in the southwest part of town, which Panama City attempted to attach to that city, is being rapidly improved in the way of opening streets, filling low places, getting the dredge in to the bayou that the latter may be enlarged and bulk-headed, the dredge having been at work this week, and the entire tract laid out and platted.
The News is pleased to see the new owners in their platting recognize the original name of what is now Old Town Bayou, changing the word bayou to lake, and naming it Lake Caroline, in honor of the celebrated Southern writer Caroline Lee Hentz, who for a long time lived at Marianna and Old Town, where, at the latter place, her daughter, the wife of Dr. Keyes, resided, and where Mrs. Hentz wrote many of her books. The bayou was given the name of Caroline by the men on the Coast and Geodetic Survey boat when they surveyed this bay in 1855-56, and the estimation in which Mrs. Hentz was held by this party caused them to name the bayou after her…..
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Tue, Jun. 12, 1883 Page 3
Montgomery Boys in Brazil.
From the Alabama Progress. The success of Willie and Charley Keyes in the great city of South America is a matter of interest and gratification to their friends in Montgomery. It ought to be an incentive to boys here and elsewhere - and an incentive to sobriety, to industry and appli-cation. For this reason, the Progress notes their careers
Eight or ten years ago, their father, Dr. Keyes. So long and well known among us, removed from Montgomery to West Florida. There these two boys worked in the fields or orange groves during the day and in the evenings, when not too worn with fatigue, studied their books. About six years ago, upon the inducements offered by Dr. Coachman of Rio de Janeiro, their father consented that they should go there.
They started from their home in Florida in a rainy spell, and certainly they had trials enough before reaching Savannah to have deterred and demoralized boys of less courage and reso-lution. They were delayed by swollen streams, drenched in floods of rain, chilled by the keen winds, and yet they pushed bravely on, tired and sick and drenched, as they were, and at last reached Savannah just in time to get aboard of the steamer for New York. Arriving in New York they were there met by a new trouble. The money that was to meet them and upon which they relied to pay their passage to Rio had through some mismanagement, failed to arrive. What to do now was the grave question that confronted them. It was a question that had to be settled without delay. The steamer for Brazil was ready to set sail. They must go on it or return home. They determined what they would do. They went to the firm that was to have received the money from Rio and explained their situation and requested the advancement of money to enable them to sail on the Brazilian packet, then about to move from her moorings.
The firm, it so happened, knew their father and Dr. Coachman and impressed with the honesty and manhood of the boys, let them have money to pay their way. They sent back out of it the money their father had let them have to take to New York and took steerage passage for Rio. They did this on account of economy.
The next day, after sailing, they settled in. Willie hired himself to the ship's steward to wash dishes and wait on the table. In a day or two more, he had made himself so useful and popular that he had every privilege and comfort he could ask. Besides, he was able to minister to his brother, who from the exposure they had suffered, and from the terrible seasickness, was unable to work or more, to leave his birth, and throughout the entire trip was not well.
Long before they had reached Rio, they were both great favorites with the crew, and the captain had given orders that they should have anything the ship afforded. Arriving in Rio, their brother-in-law, Dr. J.W. Coachman, set them to work in his office. They showed such application and progress that it was not long before he fitted up a place for Willie and turned over to him his charity patients and put Charley in charge of the plate work in his laboratory.
These boys, instead of going to the theater instead of frequenting places of pleasure and dissipation, devoted all their spare time, day and night to their books. Not many months had passed before the older one had developed such a proficiency at the chair that Dr. Coachman set him to work in his office and was gratified to find that his young pupil grew every week in popularity until he stood side by side with his teacher.
Meanwhile, Charley had proven so skillful in the laboratory that work from other dentists crowded to him until he was compelled to decline much that came.
Some months ago, both of them stood their examination and were graduated with distinction. They now have their hands full of practice and stand in the front rank of the dentists of Rio. And Dr. William Baldwin. Keyes of Rio has been chosen by the Emperor to practice in his family and Dr. Carlos Keys, as he is called there, stands close alongside his elder brother as a practitioner and a man of progress. The former is 21 years old, the latter 19.
Their careers prove what pluck and perseverance, application and propriety of conduct will do for boys. And now they mean to add the degree of M.D. to their names and they will do it.
But the best of all is the strong moral characters they have developed and cultivated. They are active and useful members of a flourishing Mission Sunday school in Rio and their influence is always on the side of religion and good morals.
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The Greenville Advocate
Greenville, Alabama
Thur. Apr. 25, 1867, Page 4
On board Steamer Marmion, April 15th, 1867.
Eds, Mail: We are all aboard for Brazil and thus far I have no regrets. This vessel is about 300 ft long and is altogether a staunch and comfortable propeller. Many minutiae I would like to give you, but we have all come on board this afternoon, and I have been unable to see and get the dots from the officers.
There are about 350 on board. Many will be disappointed by not getting the requisite information in time. Our friends, Maj. Ben O. Yancey and his brother Dalton and Col. Censir are with us. Dr. J. A. Dunn, and many whose names I cannot now enumerate. Some from Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama is well represented and Georgia slightly.
Altogether there is here the nucleus of a colony that any State might be proud to receive. A number of old gentlemen are among the emigrants, and from the youngest to the oldest, seem delighted at the near prospect of soon breathing free air; and at any rate, finding a country where they could be at least the equal of the negro, and not compelled to associate with the Yankee and demoralized Confederates.
Most of us are between decks. These are eight feet or more apart, and our bunks, consisting of stretchers, are arranged around the sides, two deep and three in a tier one above another. Accommodations were made for 516, but as that number is considerably less, of course our comfort is proportionately increased.
Our table consists of broad, deal boards, embracing the row of posts which run down the center fore and aft supporting the decks. The boards were not in use, are pushed up to the overhead and a pin pushed through the post secured them. Lowered, when meal time comes, they rest on a long pin passing through the post and are thus secure. The distance between the bunks on one side and the other of the vessel is about ten feet, so that when the tables are up, we have a fine social hall.
My bunk I have located forward of the engine, just behind the forward hatch and on the left side of the ship, and thus have advised my friends. The reason for this location are that being in front of the engines, I avoid the heat from them; just back of the hatch I am near the ventilation, and on the left side of the ship, I will have the benefit of the N.E. trade wind, which strikes ones quarter until we pass the equator and of the S.E. trade wind after we cross it, and part of these breezes we can get through the dead lights - little heavy glass windows, which can be opened in good weather. Around my bunk I have put curtains. Our quarters are lighted by lamps with reflectors, and by this light I am writing. No other light and no smoking allowed between decks. There is no prospect that anything in the way of bedding, except the linen stretchers to lie on will be furnished to us, but as we have blankets, shawls and some sheets, we will do well enough.
In the after-part of the boat. Rev.. Mr.. Damis’ (sp) party are quartered. I am provided with some condensed milk for the ladies, some canned fruits, some juice of corn and grape. besides a little malt liquor, and will be able to minister to a weak so much after the accounts have been cashed up. Another vessel will leave here between the 20th and 25th of May, of which notice will be given through your paper, and I have suggested the name of one of your citizens to act as agent for your locality, so that correct and full information can be had.
If I can, I will add to my note tomorrow morning, but, as the vessel leaves at 3 a.m., I may not be able to do so, and if not, I will write you from the first port at which we touch.
Only some old mail reached me, so I am not well posted in the local matters of my late home. I trust that there will be more regularity when you direct them to Rio.
I should have told you that our baggage, such as we have access to it, is stored in a room on the floor where we sleep and once a day we will be allowed access to it - such baggage as we are compelled to get at often we keep in our quarters - of this there is not much.
Many of the passengers have provided themselves with mattresses. I do not think my family will need them, nor that the comfort of those that have them will be enhanced thereby. You're almost liberated friend, J.W. Keyes
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LETTERS
Letter From N. M. Hentz
To John W. Keyes
Marianna, Florida 1846
(Transcribed from original - very difficult to read - As written)
Editor: N. M. Hentz is John's father-in-law
It takes a sheet of foolscap cap for two reasons. The first is that I cannot bear that thin Italian paper, which. Mrs. H. likes so much. The second is that there is more room in this. I might. Mention another, which is that I have no other paper.
This will be a good excuse for sending back a letter as this Sunday, I cannot send to the store. This has been a delightful day for reading and writing. It rained all night and part of the morning and W. Hoyt being gone there was no preaching to interrupt our studies.
I have been thinking about you all day and wishing that we were about a hundred miles nearer and that now and then we might drop down on you as you are eating your wild turkey. I can imagine the many sources of enjoyment you must have in your preparation for further life at your age, everything of that kind is bright, fresh, and cheery. Even at mine, there is great pleasure in all the labors of an encampment. Every shelf that is part put up, every nail which is driven into the wood, creates a feeling of comfort ever increasing.
But we have been deeply grieved to learn, though it is from her own hand that our dear Julia had been sick so long when she wrote, by her own account, she was not so well as the day before. It shall not be easy game to hear that she is completely restored. Julia has been a very healthy child from her earliest days, but she is not strong and seems to be much enfeebled by even a short illness. It is possible that the change of climate, the exercise she has taken and different diets may have produced a change which ultimately will rebuild in renovated and strengthened state of her system. I pray she may be blessed with health without which there is no comfort in life.
We have begun a new lesson with many pleasant girls and ten boarders. But the school is very small, yet numbering only 42. While the military institute has between seventy and eighty. The war in Texas has infused a military spirit in the country which I suppose is the cause of that increase. But I confess I sometimes, think this neighborhood cannot support a large school and our friends predictd. We are assured by the parents that we give full satisfaction so that we cannot think the small number of our institution proceeds from any objection made to our management or our mode of teaching. Well!, We will give a fair trial to Tuskegee, and if we cannot build up a good establishment here, then we will pack up and start for Florida.
By the by. Mrs. Brumby was telling us that the other day she heard from Mrs. Brevard that you are about to have two colleges in your state, one in Tallahassee and the other in Pensacola, and then she added, we. Must look there for some professorship. I would like to hear from you the particulars relating to the two institutions in contemplation - A professorship would suit my declining years and would let my wife free. I always regretted deeply ever having resigned my position at the University of North Carolina.
Carrie had just finished her paper of fifteen pages - Thaddeus is at the Institute again and studies harder than he ever did in his life. We hope to see Charles in March or April. It will be a day of rejoicing when he comes. He studied so hard that he will need some relaxation. Have you received the box yet? I sent Thaddeus to the Institute for the Electromagnetic Machine. But Mr. Byington, who had borrowed it in my absence, had disorganized it so that I could not think of sending it to you yet, or perhaps, I may carry it to you - who knows what may happen? very much. To my mortification station. I hope I may send it to you yet, or purchase. I may carry it to you. Who knows what may not happen?
I confess I miss Julia immensely, and it grows too long I shall have to go and see you I wish you lived near mobile. It will be such a good idea to go to that place. to attend the Grand Lodge of the Odd Fellows, which meets there in the spring.
Now that I write you a long letter, you must make a long reply. You need not be afraid of mentioning small circumstances. Every little particle about both of you must interest us all. Tell us that Julia is stronger again. That will not fail to please us. - I am sorry the sugar cane gave out. I should laugh to see Julia turn into a fat little woman. If I ever live in Florida, I mean to try the virtue of the cane. Though there is very little prospect of my leaving fast. Guiana. Our scholars brought us some, but I admit I could not see much merit in the tough threads which remain in the mouth after extracting the juice - I am too near lighted that writing at night wearies my poor back immensely. Mrs. H. will add something that will help me and my attitude to any approaching old age. So I will not confess any such thing, but say I am just as young as ever and even younger to please her.
Be it as it may. I see the end of this page, which admonishes me to hope. You must both write. I like above all things to read letters jointly, unedited - May heaven bless you both, and may you be thankful to know who is above.
N. M. Hentz.
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Rio de Janeiro,
July 18th, 1868
My dear Brother,
We are all again in Rio. Having arrived three weeks ago. You told me when you left me on the Lake that if I could get some such place as “Dixie Island” that you thought it probable you would return. You are glad to hear that I bought out. Gen. Hawthorne, I know. My family are now settled there. The girls have been having a gay time in the City at Capt. Freligh’s. The parlor is full of Americans - Confederate gentlemen all the time. Gen. Hawthorne had greatly improved “Dixie Island” since you saw it and I am surprised to find so much more tillable land that I had expected.
I have a good, industrious English gardener who looks after everything and his wife, a quiet, cheerful woman, cooks for us. I bought with the island a mule - twenty pigs - a good deal of poultry - boxes, tools, furniture, etc. We have a fine prospect for a large crop of tomatoes, cabbage, okra, beans, etc. The Gen. has set out a thousand pine apples. I am planting vegetables every week and will in a few days plant a large patch of sweet potatoes. All I want now is a cow, and some Muscovy ducks. I have a large place enclosed for the pigs and poultry and cattle. I only want “Dixie” as a home for the present and not for a source of income. We will continue to sell vegetables to cover a few expenses. Old January, who is a fixture on the island, take them over to the mainland in a boat every morning.
Coachman had rented an office on Rua de Rosario, number 43, near Blounts for five years. I have been at work but one week and thus far we have as much as both of us could do from eight o’clock in the morning until ten or eleven at night. If this continues, and I think it will, I will have no time to go home except on Saturday to remain till Sunday.
If you intend to return, let me know very soon. I am looking for another, and I hope, larger source of income than the dentistry or dairy. If you come in and I succeed, you can share with me in this also. Don't waste any money trying to save my property, if you can get anything that’s due me, all well - but don't pay a dollar to secure real estate for I regard it as that much lost. You and Troy are hopeful about your country. I am not. I have seen no reason to change my mind about what it is to be and I cannot see how real estate is to enhance in value for a great while yet.
The family, from the eldest down are all delighted with their new home. The little ones like the lake better because there were more fish, After you left, we caught plenty of mullet in the net, planted the whole place in corn, beans and mandioca and when I came away everything looked flourishing. Left some fine hogs penned up. Daubed the new henhouse, put a new and secure roof on it, planted vegetables, cut down a good deal of foiced land on the hilltop and altogether made the place look new and inviting. But, I can get no one to go and take charge of it for me whom I think suitable for such a trust and as Spencer wishes to come away for two or three months I must sacrifice my labor. I have written to him to sell pigs, poultry and all perishable property and rent the place to Mr. Miller or someone until I can find a man to go in partnership with me or carry it on. I don't like to give it up as I believe it will yet be a source of income.
Dr. Dunn has gone to Sao Paulo to practice medicine. Ben Yancey and Morgan have a contract on the Railroad and Ben looks better than I ever saw him. Gen. Hawthorne expects to leave for the States in consequence of his wife's health. She not being able to come to him. This is why he gave up the island. I paid him thirteen hundred – 1300 milreis for his lease - this includes the mules, boats, etc. I pay the Englishman and his wife, 40 milreis a month. We have more plums on the island than we can destroy. We eat, sell, cook and feed hogs on them yet they do not seem to diminish.
We had a chance of ministry a few days since and all parties seemed pleased with it. It is said the Minister of Agriculture appreciates Confederates and will do something positive to assist them. Quite an American settlement has grown up around Mr. Newman and they are thinking now of a church and school.
On Tuesday, 31st the steamer has arrived and brought, I understand, ten families chiefly from Missouri. Most of them are at Capt. Freligh’s and seem to be nice people.
I must hear from you soon, as your determination to come or stay may influence my stay or departure from Dixie. I am already solicited to sell out at a profit at three or four hundred dollars upon my investment. I shall however, hold on where I am until secure of the plans I want and the necessary means to work it and until you determine whether you come or not. I am hoping to get a larger and better place - with orchards of fruit and coffee, with two or three hundred acres of land on the railroad four miles from Petropolis with a Confederate neighbor, who will grind my cane and make my orange brandy. But of this, some a little time hence. To those engaged in cane growing the prospect is very flattering. Brazilians cannot understand how so much is made with so few hands.
Some of the families, by the last Steamer, are from Texas. I have been too busy to learn particulars.
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Rio de Janeiro,
August 31st, 1868.
Dear Doctor, your letter reached me yesterday - the Steamer arriving according to schedule.
Among all the friends who write to me, you are the only one who does not take me for a weathercock. They all seem to think I will return to the U.S. when the political troubles are past.
But, if I knew myself I should never leave Brazil. The climate here is such that life is a luxury, even one has hard fare. When I think of your sweltering heat and pinching cold and contrast it with our even and delightfully uniform temperature, I rejoice that we are here. No fans for summer, no big wood fire for winter. Your prospective prosperity cannot be any better than ours and we have everything that you have and much that you do not and cannot have. As for friends and associations, I find them everywhere and whilst I love and miss the old ones, I cannot see that I should give up a country that suits me so well for one that only partially fills the bill.
Forty three Rua Rosario has many visitors. How they find it I don t know, as there is no sign yet hung out - no advertisement - nothing to mark the entrance to the office.
If I succeed in my project, I will have a fazenda and negroes, plenty of stock in less than a year. If I fail, I will have had the pleasure of anticipation and will still have my profession and “Dixie” until Nov.’74. What more could I hope for in the States? There is no place, not even Saint Andrew's Bay, equal to Dixie in your country. Here we are out of the world or in it as we please. In full view and a few hours run from the city, I am a monarch on my island. If any one sets his foot upon my shore without my permission, I can shoot him and the law holds me guiltless. There are plenty of fish and oysters, crabs and more than enough fruit, pigs, poultry and wild guinea pigs, vegetables to sell, small birds are beautiful in abundance. Often the hummingbirds fly in at the windows. Our island is a near paradise. Grand Mango trees, furnishing shade and fruit stretch out their hundred arms like the live oak. We have Japan plums to throw away, sell, preserve and feed pigs on them and they bear at this rate for several months. I don't know the names of some of the fruits on the plate. The island contains about fifty acres, thirty of which I can cultivate. The rest is in fruit and wood and rock. I am satisfied with our home and so are all my family, for the place is cool - has good spring water - healthy, near to market and to the city. I can send a barrel of flour or sugar home for eight cents, and can send anything to town I wish, but I do not expect to remain on Dixie as it is not an in accordance with my cherished plans. I intend to have a home of my own. I could buy “Dixie” as it is for sale and I have a right to buy it when my lease expires on or before - could make a good living by selling fruit and making butter - selling butter, as I can do from 50 to 75 cts. a pound as fast as I can deliver it. Unless I can buy a place elsewhere, I shall get two or three good cows and can raise all the food they require.
I have not given up my home on the Lake and if I could have found a suitable person to carry on my plans, I should regard it as the best investment I ever made. I have given up the idea of a purely Confederate settlement. I may sell out to someone who wishes a place unsurpassed for beauty, richness of soil and indeed all the requirements for making a delightful home. No where in the world is there, I believe, such a body of land, so well adapted to the planter in wood, water, soil producing such a variety of valuable crops. The Vanilla or Cocoa are more profitable than sugar cane, coffee or cotton and grows well there.
There was a great deal of intermittent fever, caused by such a drought and had not been known there for thirty years following a wet season. This might never occur again. Those who lived on old places or plantations were exempt. Those living on new places and in the bottoms between the hills and who exposed themselves much to the sun suffered. I could raise hogs and poultry alone and make a good living. Many substitutes for bread grow without trouble. Mandioca, arrowroot, potatoes, carrah, etc.
Now - I intend to have a home near the City where I can carry out my plan for making butter, etc., and still practice my profession.
Last week I was ailing a little and stayed on the island to recuperate. I spent two nights and the day at Bangu with the Judkins and Porter place. Bangu is a magnificent fazenda, beautiful scenery, lovely valley and grand mountains and hills. If they don't get rich, there is no use trying. I think I will be ready to sell Dixie Island in about a month for two contos and a half $1250, which includes everything indoors and out.
Kind regards to all my friends and believe me - truly yours,
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Rio de Janeiro,
Aug. 24th, 1868.
Dear Brother,
Your letter came by last Steamer. I rejoice to hear that all are well again.*****
I write you by last mail that I had Dixie Island and I hoped that by this mail I would write you that I owned a fazenda, but the “wait a little” esparem ponce of the Brazilians has put it out of my power. On next Thursday I expect to go to look at the place - It joins one just purchased by Capt. Johnson. The man who owns it, has many thousand acres of land but this is disconnected from the rest. The Brazilian neighbors I hear are very wealthy - speak English and are very anxious for Confederate neighbors.
You think I must come back to the States. This is so a remote possibility that I do not entertain it for a moment. I would not exchange countries. Existence merely is happiness in such a climate.
Maj. McIntyre has at last, bought a place with one hundred and thirty negroes. Capt. Johnson has bought one with fifty seven negroes - he already had six or eight. Rousell has bought a fazenda and negroes also. Rousell pays six hundred dollars annually for ten years with the privilege of purchasing at the end of the lease for $15,000. The rent to be counted as part of the payment. Porter says I can buy out one of his marauders for six hundred dollars and that the place has a good new home within a mile of Bangu – plenty of fruit. Coffee, etc. and I can have one, two or three hundred acres of land, or as much as I wish to plant. I saw the place from the road and think it a desirable one.
Only two families came out on the last Steamer. If there is no possibility of your returning to Brazil, I will look out for myself alone. There is no probability that I will go back to the States.
Gen. Hawthorne has gone back to the States. A letter from you will reach him at Mobile. Dalton Yancey starts, in a few days. Ben at work on the Don Pedro R.R. He and Morgan have a contract.
I had a letter today from Mr. Gunter. All are well and he says they are making expenses and he has provisions enough to feed all the community. He is planting cane now and expects to make a large sugar plantation. Had very fine cane when I left and was still planting. Dr. Farley will soon have his mill up. Senor Raphael is clearing a large place for Cane. Dr. Johnson is here, but expect to go to a settlement in the country to practice medicine.
Cencir’s paper is suspended for the present.
War with Paraguay is almost closed. Milreis locking up and property wp’’ soon be higher., A prominent Englishman told me the other day that he will do all he could to assist me.
If I get the place, I hope I will be almost as near Rio as Dixie - measuring time and not distance. I can leave here on a steam ferry boat at two o’clock and reach the place at four o’clock. One hour on the boat and one hour by rail. Leave depot at 8 on Monday and reach Rio at 10 o’clock. This is a daily line with through tickets, expenses, 3$000 - three milreis. Which you remember is a dollar and a half.
I have not received the last numbers of the “Land we Love”. The “Old guard”, I get but it is degenerating into a purely political journal. I don't like it as much as formerly.
I do not like to write such a scattering letter but there are so many interruptions. The office or our laboratory is full all the time with visitors - Dr. Johnson, Coachman, Dozier and I have our meals sent to us – pay a 30$030 – thirty milreis a month. We live well.
Wharton and Seymour have just returned from Minas - I had not seen them yet.
I would write a letter for the Mail, but suppose the columns are all filled with politics and they would have no room for it.
The Frelighs are well. Have a crowded house. Mr. Hall is here, on the way to the U.S for his family. He says he can make more cotton than he can gather, in Sao Paulo. Broadnax I hear, has made a very large and superior crop of tobacco - so large that Cencir would not publish the information until verified.
The English Doctor here, says that vanilla is the most profitable of all crops in Brazil. The family are still delighted with Dixie, but willing to move if we get a house to call our own. Dr. Johnson sends his regards and hopes to see you back again. *****
Love to all the family and our friends.*****
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Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 23rd, 1868
Dear Brother,
Your letter by last Steamer was received. I am glad your people of the South are so hopeful but I fear it may lead you to some rash investments. You look to me very much as a party of dancers appear when and one cannot hear the music. I see nothing in your country to make you feel glad.
Since I write last, I have made several visits to the country and have found a place for which I am now negotiating. The land joins Capt. Johnson – is about two miles from the end of the Mawa Railroad and not far from Petropolis. Capt. Johnson’s place is the finest I have seen in Brazil or anywhere else. His house is located at the foot of the mountains which rise 3000 ft. and spread out, before him, is a beautiful plain of as fine land as I ever saw. Between his house and the one I expect to get, runs a creek, tumbling from the mountain gorge and furnishing water enough to turn any amount of machinery. The bed of the creek is filled with granite boulders from the size of a marble to forty feet in diameter. I do not think I have ever seen scenery surpassing that which breaks upon you in every direction. Capt. Johnson has 6,000 orange trees, 95,000 coffee and numberless fruits. Orange trees are so abundant that he has been digging up many from his fields.
I have visited several planters in this neighborhood. With one I spent a night and found him more like an American than I have met with in their homes. They speak three, four and five languages and have many things just like Southerners. This gentleman has the finest machinery for sugar making just imported from France and told us that in a very short time he should start a steam plow. I found his negroes plowing with the turning plow and a single mule. His house and grounds are very tastefully arranged and he has many pets for his children.
I shall not be able to consumate my pending “trades” in time to inform you by this mail, but by next Steamer hope to be settled for life. I infer from your letter that you have no idea of ever returning to Brazil. You saw the country in its worst aspect. In determining your course for the future do not decide hastily. Don’t fasten yourself yet in the States for you may desire to come here. For myself, I am better satisfied with Brazil than ever. I know you would be contented to live always at a place like Capt. Johnson's.
I think I will succeed in getting that property near to him and he will have a sugar mill and distillery and will haul and work up the cane for me and in the cultivating the cocoa which is under way and that crop pays better than any other and grows beautifully there. I have seen some on Johnson’s place.
Love to all from all, from your brother.
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Rio de Janeiro Oct. 22nd, 1868
Dear Brother,
Your letter and one from Dr. Rambo came by last Steamer. I am yet unsettled and have hesitated about writing – but have concluded the mail shall carry something although I have little or nothing to say.
This is a slow country for trading. I have been nearly two months trying to buy a place and have only just now begun to feel as if I was approaching the matter, seriously. Much of this delay, I think, has arisen from my inability to speak Portuguese entrusting entirely to others. If I succeed in my projects I shall probably do so within the next ten days. By the next Steamer can write you definitely. I shall hold on to Dixie until I have another place ready to go. My pine apples are beginning to bear - tamarinds are ripening. The chickens flourish and the cow continues to improve. Spencer is here now. He had grown quite reconciled to the lake and is interested in planting there. I have ten acres of mandioca and my fruit trees are growing superbly. I still believe my investment there was a good one if I had only stayed there.
Maj. McIntyre had bought another place on the Canta Gallo Railroad. Dozier is still here. Roussell has his negroes hired in the city and is negotiating for a place.
We now have street cars running to Boto Fogo and they will extend to the Botanical Gardens. Gen. Cusicona is here building a railroad to Tijuca.
I have late letters from the Doce. All well and hopeful. You will see Dr. Barney soon and get items from him.
Please send me a few Bene seed – send me, also, some seed of the pine - Chinkapin – chestnut - the Italian, too – beech – pecan, etc.
Our practice continues to improve in quality. I may add more tomorrow. If not kind regards to friends and love to all,
From your brother
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Moro do Inga.
San Domingo near Rio de Janeiro,
June 28th, 1869.
From a letter to Dr. Rambo
After business hours. I can go fishing, bathing or strolling around. This is the beauty of Brazil. I don't have to work every hour in the day. Public gardens are always open and there is rarely a day or night that you are not entertained by music from a full brass band.
From the window where I sit to write, I can see crafts of all sizes and characters and all nationalities, to the number, I should say of one thousand. Flags of all kinds are flying, bands are playing, soldiers are out in holiday attire and rockets and crackers abound. Bless me - What a quantity of pyrotechnics are gotten off here in a year. It seems to me there are enough of five hundred Saints and everyone has some day set apart for his feats.
Night. The lights of Rio, Butafuga, Prais Grande and other circumurban sites are to be seen from our house and it is an illumination on a scale scarcely ever seen. They seem to begin in a horizontal line at the water's edge and wind their way to the worlds overhead. Here and there you see boats with parti-colored lights darting about over the bay and the lights of homes on the islands scattered about in the water.
This is Saint Anthony's faesta and there is a grand display near the beach – sham battles between two forts and a ship – fine music and all manner of fireworks, etc. All the town and my family, excepting Reb, George and myself – Reb sits with over coat on, nodding whilst I write and wants to go, too. This is our winter – but what a luxury not to be obliged to provide for fires. We only need wood for cooking, charcoal for ironing. This is it indeed a delicious climate.
We have two students - one at about fifteen - and a Brazilian doctor. The former is of American and English parents and speaks English and Portuguese. The latter reads our language and speaks a little.
We have never advertised and now have only a small sign on the door post - yet we are found and they come from far and near. Our rent is very high, also taxes and with incidental office expenses we pay fourteen hundred a year.
So far, the firm has kept out of debt and lucid. I think our prospects are better now than ever, for we have a goodly number of patients trained to our practice and prices.
Coachman is a fine operator and stands very high - speaks the language well and is as polite as a Brazilian and he excels the in the French. I wish you could step in and see us.
Brazil is not near so far from the U.S. as it once was. You can run down in a month, from Baltimore, very pleasantly for $100.
I may write more before the end of the month.
Remember me to the other Doctors and all my friends.
Truly your friend
(To Dr. S Rambo Montgomery, Alabama)
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Moro do Inga.
San Domingos, near Rio.
June 28th, 1869.
To Dr. C. A. Hentz Quincy, Florida - Brother-in-law
Dear C.
I would have replied to your letter by the Steamer which brought it, but was too much occupied to write fully as I wished to do.
If I could advise you to come to Brazil, it would give us more pleasure than it would you, but it is a responsibility I cannot assume. If the examination for a license or degree, depended on merit, I could advise you to come, feeling sure that fortune would await you, but you cannot safely practice until you have been endorsed by the faculty. If you can attend an examination in French and then write a thesis in French, then, you might pass. If you would be willing to live on a fazenda in the interior, you could live and do well and practice till you learn the language and that, with your great aptitude, you would be able to accomplish in four or six months. Then you might pass an examination.
I am satisfied when the number of calls I receive to prescribe. (I, who am known to only a few as a physician) That you could soon, among the English and Americans alone, command a practice that would lead to a competence if not a fortune. There is but one English physician here; he has more calls than he can attend - Is not a strong man. Am unacquainted with him. He is just such a man as you would think as loveable – gentle, kind and affectionate - but is not the man to grapple with grave emergencies. This is the estimate I believe, from his friends and patrons. He lives far from the City and of course cannot spend all the time a physician ought, in his office.
July 11th. Time goes by very rapidly, and we frequently receive letters and papers by the English and French packets.
We are on a high hill – In full of Rio, the bay and its shipping. We nightly hear the pulse of the great Atlantic beating on the beach. All around the mountain sides are beautiful residences and gardens, nestled in the luxuriant verdure of this tropic clime. You can form no idea of the richness and grandeur of the scenery.
The Imperial Palms is the most perfectly symmetric and graceful tree that I have ever seen. Four of them stand at our front gate. A large Mango, with its dense foliage, rears itself to the right, from the parlor door and under it a rude bench. All around the yard, within the wall, which encloses it, is a hedge of evergreen of some short shrub, like an air plant. The foliage is a very rich oily green. From the front gate we descend stone steps - which lead out upon our hill, which has a gravel slope to its base - around the foot of it is a fence - which divides us from the street. Our well is also enclosed, as is only a few steps from the lower gate.
Our hill is over a hundred feet high. The side is terraced and planted in fruit trees with spaces in plenty for vegetables and grass. I am preparing to plant grass, capin, so that I can keep a cow.
Capt. Johnson, an American friend, has just sent me a sack of coffee of beautiful quality from his own fazenda. You seldom get the best in the U. States. The best sells here often at 10 & 12 $ 5 & 6 per arroba.32 lbs. and is sent chiefly to England and France. I have been so disappointed in my negotiations for a fazenda that, for the present, I intend to devote myself to my profession and wait like Micawber. I have an interest in a meat curing process but it does not get on to suit me, and I think and I think I may realize nothing from it, though. If I had capital could make it the greatest business in Brazil. Meat is cheap and abundant and could be prepared here, for all Europe. I do not mean in this part of the Empire, but south of this and on the river La Plate. Good fat mutton in the Argentine Republic is said to be used for fire-wood. From 60,000 the sheep had increased to 60 million. That portion of this continent and the Amazon Valley are going to be the great and wealthy portions.
You ask me what Chacaca is. The agua dente de canna made from cane juice, rum being the spirit made from molasses. Good Chacaca is pure and makes a pleasant stimulant – pronounced caxsah - like your whiskey in its effects, but has a flavor of its own. Indeed, when you consider alcoholic drinks - alcohol is the best, because it is pure; brandy, gin, rum, whiskey, etc. being only alcohol, containing some of the essential oil of the grape, cane or corn.
You ask what we eat. I answer almost everything except bacon and greens, and may soon have that. For breakfast, we have either beef steaks, hashed meat - mutton chops- broiled bacon, fish or oysters. There are certain dishes nearly always present. These are, Carne-secca (dried beef), fajecas – black beans – Farinha da mandioca - these three constitute the chief food of the Brazilians. Americans generally became fond of these articles of diet.
We have fruit every day, mostly oranges and bananas. Our dinners are similar to breakfast with the addition of soup and we keep our seats until coffee and wine is brought out to every man's table. We prefer the claret, in our warmest weather. Have a Norwegian friend who has gone to Hamburg on business and will bring me some fine wines.
Our bacon here, is English - canvased cost 50 cents per pound. Duffield hams I have bought for 35 cents a pound. For English or Baltimore hams we pay 50 cents.
The fish market from the side of the bay is poor, but in the Rio market we can get all kinds of fish from fresh sardines to groupers, weighing four or five hundred pounds – have seen sides cut from these fish larger than a quarter of beef. The mullet here are enormous. I have seen them five times as large as any I have seen in the Gulf of Mexico. All the gelatinous fish, sharks, eels, craw fish, as large as lobsters, crabs, shrimps, pompano, a few trout - bluefish - flounders, etc. ad infinitum, are in the market. Indeed, - the market is a wonder, a sort of a world’s exhibition. Ice from Massachusetts and parrots from Australia, onions from Portugal, Codfish from New Brunswick – beef tongue from Baltimore and from the Banda Oriental. You can find anything from anywhere and often the extremes of the earth in juxtaposition.
Occasionally I go down after dinner to the “old ferry house” - now occupied by a friend from North Carolina, and catch fish and crabs. The parasites and the dawnings of animal life that are to be seen clinging to the rocks are very interesting, and I spend almost every day, some minutes in quiet communion with these mute brothers of mine as I wait for the boat. I generally go down a little in advance of the time - for fear of missing the eight o’clock Steamer.
Enough of Brazil for the present. I wish we could enjoy its delights together.
The girls have gone in the city to church. The Episcopal. “The Mother” attending to some household duties - and the little ones at play.
I wish you could visit us and see our whole family, now.
Love to all and write when you can to your friend and brother.
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San Domingo, near Rio
July 11th, 1869.
To Mr. G. P. K. Montgomery, Alabama.
Dear Brother,
Your appeal to me to come back is very strong - the argument is good and addressed very cogently to my feelings and my judgment. It is certainly very flattering to know that we are held in such esteem that our friends would be willing to donate funds to enable us to be with them again. But, granting all - what would I do if I was back in Montgomery in my old home and free of debt? Could I certainly support myself? If much of my practice should return would it be able to pay? Whilst I do not say that I will not go back I think it would be unwise for us now to do so. We are living comfortably and not getting into debt. Our practice is still improving and promises to be much as we wish. Rent and taxes are high. We are proportionally pushing up prices.
My children have not such advantages in education as I wish, but in Montgomery, would be no better off, unless I returned with money. They are certainly improving, however, in their studies and reading at home. The little ones are learning rapidly enough and gaining in health and strength. If I was rich, I would like to live in Brazil and visit the U.S. occasionally. I believe I like the country better every day.
Sunday 18th. The Steamer will be here in two more days, Unless I write today, may not be ready with my letter when she sails, for we are kept very busy lately.
Last night and today it has rained. The first we have had for two weeks. We shall soon have a garden now, and the children are raising poultry - so we are settled down quite homelike.
There has been some yellow fever here, chiefly among the sailors, but no one seems to apprehend that it will become epidemic. And now that it has rained, I suppose it will all disappear.
Dr. Dunn arrived day before yesterday from Sao Paulo, quite fat and says Sao Paulo is the finest country he has seen. He is making money – as is everyone there, whether at profession, trade or planting. All our people are prospering, there. Some are here now to buy more negroes. Cencir has just returned from a visit to Sao Paulo and is much enthused with the country as the others. Ben Yancey is so delighted he is going to try to persuade his Mother to come. Capt. Shippey and Bruce are just up from Santa Catherina. They look very robust and say that is the chosen part of the earth, and they agree it is much the same as the table lands of Sao Paulo.
The railroad system of Sao Paulo has taken a fresh start and will soon be very efficient, bringing the fine lands of the far interior near the coast. Col. Thompson and Maj. Jones think Sao Paulo the finest country they have seen.
Your old friend Newman has moved to Sao Paulo and is, as I understand, doing well. So has Miller from the Doce and indeed, it is almost another Confederacy. Sixteen persons came on Nathan's vessel from New Orleans - all went to Sao Paulo.
One o’clock. Have just finished my lunch. Think you would have enjoyed some fine Vinho Brancho, which we had.
Dr. Hentz wishes to come to Brazil and if you and your family, with his, would join us in Sao Paulo I think I would never desire to get fifty miles from home. The country is growing and prospering so that we could soon have our own of everything - schools and churches, etcetera. We could have peace, health, quiet and independence in a climate that is delicious, affording everything we have in the temperate zones, adding thereto all the tropic productions.
The girls yesterday went over to the city to hear Madam Ristori in “Queen Elizabeth”, the Emperor and everybody was to be there. They intended to go to church today and will remain till evening, but the rain which is falling will doubtless prevent their going.
Mr. Miller- our Doce neighbor, who remained on the lake awhile after we left, is now living in Sao Paulo. He writes to me and me that they are quite satisfied with the country. From all accounts affluence awaits them. Mr. Nathan has a very large tract of land which is said to be very fine. He looks forward to the day when he can establish a cotton factory. If one was in operation there, it would out pay the gold mines. And – if in place of cotton, the ramie was cultivated, they would still be greater. The growing of this plant is going to be a source of great wealth to Brazil and to those who raise it.
Mrs. Miller says the vegetables, poultry and cattle are finer than any she has ever seen. When one can grow provision and fruits so abundantly and cheaply he must keep his physical man in good condition and prosper and be happy.
I have no doubt Coachman’s father and family will come. We'll hear from you again next mail.
For the present, Adieu,
Your brother
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San Domingos.
August 23rd, 1869,
To General Hawthorne.
Dear General,
Your very welcome Letter of July 19th. came by last Steamer.
I received the Montgomery Mail, The Eclectic Magazine and Land We Love and from them gather enough to feel still quite satisfied with Brazil. The climate and productions are such that one feels if they were removed from the necessity of labor, they might reverse Job’s remark and say, “I would like to live always.”
My present home on the high hilltop is more convenient and comfortable than Dixie and, you know we both agreed that we had a small Paradise. I sold my lease on Dixie to some Englishmen. They invested largely in chickens - the pest got among them and killed them. Three very high tides swept over the lowlands and destroyed the vegetables and a long drought finished those above the water. Just then, the gentleman, Mr. Heinemann, received a Letter from his father in England, offering him a situation and money to pay his passage home, and he went. His partner remained and has gone into business here. Dixie then passed back into the hands of its owner.
Dr. Dunn is here - expecting to go before the board, for a diploma. He has done well in Sao Paulo. Morgan left recently for Georgia. Kneece is here, helping to build the new ferry house. Cogburn Is overseeing for Capt. Johnson. Slaughter is teaching in Rio and Cencir still edits the “Reflector”. Sampson has a large contract on Dom S.P. Railroad and Thompson. Shears, Shippey and others are with him. All the Confederates are doing well, perhaps better than they could in the States. Nathan publishes a weekly, edited by Capt. Freligh and it is a good paper.
A few immigrants continue to come from the South, and all or nearly all go directly to Sao Paulo.
The railroad to Campinas is to be built and then extend indefinitely. The country there has grown so rich and prosperous that the demand for a railway is very urgent.
Coachman and I are making a living, and I think building a good reputation. But I am tired of professional life and so long to get away from its peculiar annoyances.
My prospects in curing meat is at a standstill. Wharton, Capt. Johnson and I formed a company and united with Rodacanachi. It was all informal. Rodacanachi was to obtain the privileges and furnish capital and we were to be equal partners in the firm.
The privilege was obtained from the Minister for the Province of Rio Grande de Sul for five years and there the matter stands. We of the company are the only parties that know the secret, but outsiders, I think, influenced R. to believe the process was an old and exploded one, although we exhibited specimens of bacon, hams, dried beef and pickled pork and beef, put up in the hottest part of the summer and under the most unfavorable circumstances, which after three and even six months was perfectly good.
Now, about the matter to which you refer. Must thank you most kindly for the offer you make. It appears to me that I could manage that matter readily. If you can get the right for this continent do so - you can, by paying a certain percent and receipts and thus need no capital there will be no difficulty in getting all the money that might be required in the business here. The plan is first to secure the privilege and then sell local rights for various places - reserving for the company, a right in some good place where the work could be carried on in a grand scale. I went to see Dr. Galvao but he was not in. I know the plan of securing the right and will inform myself fully and then write you if I am wrong. With a little knowledge of chemistry, do not doubt that I can tan leather. The plan is to get the process here - tan some hides and then apply to the Minister for the privilege. The Minister refers it to the Society Auxtil. National, who pass upon the merits of the matter and if they vote in its favor the privileges is granted, if not, refused. This is the simplest way of getting a patent here. Should it fail, it may be brought before the Camara in May next and be granted by special act.
Rodocanachi has the right to slaughter all animals for the Rio market. No one can butcher without paying him so much and this is a princely fortune annually. Now - a tannery, by his slaughterhouse would supply Rio with leather. But for sheep, the Argentine Republic is the country. I have some friends in the Society Auxilidare - think I could very confidently apply to them for assistance in this department.
Let me hear from you as soon as possible. We have another, an English line of Steamers from here to New York. Leaves here on the 7th for New York direct, thence to Liverpool, thence here and hence to and back again, for New York. It takes passengers for L 35, $175.00.
We are all well, Your friend
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San Domingos.
Nov.16th, 1869
My dear Colonel,
Professional engagements during the day and company at night prevented my replying by the Steamer that brought me your letter. Have been very busy and also very tired all the time lately. Read late, but must lie down. But enough of that.
Capt. McEachin had just dined with me and we drank to your health and recalled the days when we were at Cumberland Gap – the good old days – the memory is pleasant.
There is possibility that I may leave this country - as much as I love the climate. Am delightfully located and enjoy life as much as anyone can – although the remote reasons for leaving the States are as forcible to my mind as ever – still, I may return.
I left, as you know, because of anarchy which I expected to prevail - of the poverty that was already at our doors and the demoralization which I thought and still believe will surely cover the land.**** Feeling as I do – philosophizing as I have done - convinced as I am - I say I may return. Why? The reasons must be cogent. They are - but have not yet determined me, if the order of my family was reversed and the boys came first, I do not think I would entertain a thought of leaving Brazil - as it is, I cannot carry out my plans, but must stick to city and professional life which means live rich and die poor.
The practice we have here is good. Within a year, our practice has spread and we get patients from every direction. It daily increases and another year still will give us all the foreign and much of the elite of the native practice we now have. But - I am not as young as I was once.
The social lines that have bound me to Brazil are loosening daily, for despite the fact that I find friends among the foreigners, my feelings fervently fondle about a genuine rebel. - soon there will be but few left near Rio. If I had followed my original plan and gone to Sao Paulo, I should have been located fir life. If my friend Sampson had lived, I might have still settled in Sao Paulo and grown rich. But there is something hewing at my plans and works on them with a will.
My wife has just come in and said “I want to see what you say about going back to the States.”. I asked if she wished to return - She replied “I am satisfied with the country - but we have to think what is best for the children.” She is charmed with Brazil and well she may be for refine-ment is really delicious and all the family in such fine health that life is a luxury.
Capt. McEachin will leave next week and with him you will have some pleasant talks. He and his family will be with me a few days before they sail.
When you must think of me - I'll be with you in spirit. Remember me to all your family. Gov. Watts and other friends.
Your friend,
To Col. D. S. Troy
Montgomery, Alabama ................................................................................................................................................... Rio de Janeiro,
Nov. 21st, 1869.
My dear Doctor,
I embrace the occasion with Capt. McEachin’s return to send you as an earnest of my good feeling, a bottle of Laranginha - an alcoholic drink made from the bitter sweet orange Laranja dos terres of this country.
I write you this note on the bark or cuticle taken from the husk of a leaf from an Imperial Palm which stands by my front gate. This I send as a curiosity - the leaf lies under the thin paper in my manifold letter writer on which I write. We can also use ink and it does not bleed. By the husk I mean the part which is correctly represented by that portion of the corn leaf which encloses the stalk. The leaves are dropped at regular intervals and each one leaves a ring around the body of the tree. This palm is the perfection of beauty and symmetry among trees.
I wish I was sufficiently independent of the necessity for daily labor to give me a leisure month. I would like to make for you and the society a collection of the curious things of this country. Among others, I would like to get a specimen of Eliphantiosis so common here. Monkey hands, heads and feet - specimens of birds, reptiles and curious plants. I might also, collect some parasites so singular, and the flowers, so curious and beautiful.
I think Darwin would get lost among parasites. I long for the ability pecuniary to be confined to my profession never more than three hours a day and to be able to devote the rest to study - learning more of nature in animals, plants, etc, but my nose is to the grindstone and there it will probably stay till it turns its sense into account in that other existence to which I look forward with much pleasure.
All the family are well. Our health has been uninterruptedly good since we got our first imbib-ition of malaria out of us.
I did want to write you a letter, thanking you, for some things and dissenting in your letter to Dr. Nott, but I don't have time. I cannot write at the office - It is rebel headquarters and full of either rebels or patients. At home, I cannot write in the evening as we usually have company - and Sundays, I generally find myself surrounded by little ones, to whose pleasures I must attend. You will learn from my wife, who writes, also by Captain McEachin something of our pleasant home, so I will not add more.
Your friend
To Dr. W. O. Baldwin Montgomery, Alabama
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The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama Sun, Sep. 30, 1877. Page 3
The resolution of the Montgomery Medical and Surgical Society appear in this morning's Advertiser. They are a complete vindication of Dr. J. W Keyes. Nothing of the sort was needed for him with those who have known him so long and favorably as the people of Montgomery, but as unjust and cruel remarks were published in the St. Louis, Globe-Democrat, and perhaps other papers, his medical friends here thought proper to adopt the resolutions referred to above.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Aug. 3, 1913. Page 2
Former Montgomerian,
Dr. W B Keyes is Dead
Passes Away at Home in London, England
A telegram received in the city yesterday from London, England, announced the death of a former Mont-gomerian. Dr. William Baldwin Keyes, a noted dentist, who had been residing in England for the past 15 years.
Dr. Keys leaves a wife and three children in London. A brother and two sisters in Montgomery, D. R. Keyes, Mrs. A. K. Scott and Mrs. L. W. Pickens, also a niece, Mrs. F. G. Salter, one brother, Dr. Charles Keyes.
Dr. W.B. Keys is a son of the late J. W. Keyes who was well known in Montgomery and throughout the state. Shortly after the war, the elder Keyes took his entire family to Brazil, where two of his sons, W. B. and Charles Keyes, became dentists. Before Brazil became a republic, the two brothers were appointed dentists to the Emperor and had offices in the Emperor’s Palace. About fifteen years ago, Dr. Keyes left Brazil and located in London where he made a great success in his chosen profession there. Dr. Charles Keyes is still practicing dentistry in Brazil, being located at Sao Paulo.
Dr. William Baldwin Keys is well remembered here by older citizens, and the news of his death will be received with much regret. He was about fifty years old.
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Panama City Pilot
Panama City, Florida
Thur. Jan. 23, 1908. Page 8
WETAPPO
The earliest history of Wetappo is lost to historical record. Being the nearest point on East Bay to the Apalachicola River, it has always been the stopping place for those traveling from one to the other at an early day. S.S. Williams Located here. In the early 70s. Dr. J.W. Keyes, who lived at Wewahitchka, built him a summer home on the shore at this place, which he maintained until the time of his death in 1892. From this circumstance, it took the name Keyes Beach. When they came to establish a post office here, the government rejected. Keyes Beach as Florida was full of keys with and without attachments and suggested Wetappo from the old Wetappo Creek. This was some 20 years ago, at which time Dr. Keyes established his store in the place.
There are but few settlers in this section at the present time. But as the country opens up through railways and lumbering, more attention will be given it. At present, there is daily connection between this place and other East Bay points by the Daily Mail road. There is an excellent quality of clay near here which furnishes fine material for brick manufacture. Messrs. Dyer and Kronmiller have recently put in an up to date steam brick machine.
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The Weekly Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Tue. Dec. 3rd, 1867. Page 4
Interesting. From Brazil.
From a private letter from Dr. Keyes, we make the following extract.
Estaca, Lake Juparana,
Provenco. Espirito Santo. October 3rd, 1807.
I must go this evening to the woods to cut some paths and try to kill a baboon. Several have been holding a camp meeting just across my little lake, disturbing by their unearthly noises the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. I want one for dinner tomorrow.
This is the prettiest large sheet of water I ever saw. And the little lake lying just behind my house is the handsomest thing in the world.
Dr. Dunn from Pike County, is my next neighbor south of me, about two miles off. Doctor and Captain Johnson from Florida are adjoining me, above. Ben and Dalton Yancey, four or five miles above them with a number of neighbors between but unknown to you. Major Storrs are just across the lake from Yancey and Davis from Mobile is just above Storrs Below Storrs on that side of the lake and in sight of me are Dr. and Sid Farley, Mrs. Cockburn and Carr, and sundry others you do not know. John Berney went up the Doce among the Coogia Indians. I expect he will locate here.
We are not in the wilderness, as you might suppose, but very soon we will have a lake thickly settled with English speaking people, and as a general rule they are of the best class. In two or three years we will have schools, churches, steam mills, boats and all the appliances of advanced civilization. We expect a steamboat in our waters in a few months and Dr. Farley expects to erect a mill.
My trip to Rio will be much against my inclinations. Right here, I wish to stay; and if I had an income of $1,000, I don't think I would ever get ten miles from home. All my family have improved beyond my most sanguine expectations and several who came out when I did looking lean and coughing badly, among them DaltonYancey, have fattened until they do not look like the same people. I think the settlers here are the happiest and best contented set of people I have ever known.
Respectfully yours,
J.W. Keyes
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Thur. Jun 6, 1872. Page 2.
Married
CACHMAN-KEYES. At the First Baptist Church in this city, on the morning of June 5th, by Rev. J. O. Branch of Macon, Georgia, assisted by Rev. D. W. Gwin, of Montgomery, Dr. JNO. W. COACHMAN of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to EULA H. daughter of J.W. Keyes. of this city.
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Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Thur. Nov. 4, 1875. Page 3
Dr. J.W. Keys, who has been absent in Florida, returned yesterday with his family to their home in this city. We are all glad to have them back. Dr. Keys is looking remarkably well and is now ready to serve all his patrons who may need his services in the dental line.
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The Weekly Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Wed. Nov. 11, 1874. Page 5.
Dr. J.W. Keys, Dentist had out a transparency representing the Radical monster in that unenviable fix to which those who have parted with a molar at the point of the forceps will readily appreciate. On reading the motto, which follows:
The terrible tooth, with poison fangs,
Of the Radical Party, is out;
And while they howl with rage and pain,
We Democrats laugh and shout.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Sep. 17, 1871. Page 3
The Alabama Gold Life Insurance Company is a number one institution with headquarters at Mobile. Captain J. W. Smith is the agent for Alabama and is one of the best men in the state For that or any other position. He will be located at Selma. Dr. J. W, Keyes is the district agent for Montgomery and Mr. W. J. Greene will be in charge of the business, with office at Selma, as Secretary and Treasurer.
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The Tampa Tribune
Tampa, Florida
Sun. Dec. 30, 1922. Page 30
CLEARWATER VISITOR FINDS IT EASY TO MAKE MONEY IN BRAZIL
CLEARWATER, Dec. 30 – (Special). - Dr. Charles Keyes of Rio de Janeiro, South America, is the guest of his brother, D. R. Keyes and family. Dr. Keyes has two sons in Philadelphia, both of whom, Dr. Baldwin Keyes and Mr. Tilden Keyes are with him. Dr. Keyes has been in Rio for twenty-three years and he speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently.
He made the long journey to the States to see his brother and sons and is enjoying everything to the utmost, but declared that Rio is the garden spot of the world and will return there. The doctor also states living conditions are comfortable and cheaper than in New York. In fact, about half as much for similar accommodations; and that Rio is an easy place for him to make money and that he has a lucrative business.
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The Tampa Tribune
Tampa, Florida
Tue. Apr. 13, 1948. Page 2
DAVID R. KEYES
CLEARWATER, April 12 – (Special) - David R Keys 82. Clearwater real estate dealer and citrus grower, died today at his 411 Druid Road home after a short illness. He came here 35 years ago from Montgomery, Alabama. He is survived by his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Keyes of Clear-water.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Aug. 19, 1877. Page 3
The Nook. Calhoun Co., Florida, Friday, Aug. 10, 1877.
The shadow has fallen! At 6 o’clock this morning Julia died. She might have lived a few days longer, but I could not get her to take any food except cream for several days and not enough stimulant - not as much all day as she would have taken at once. I talked with her about dying. She said she had no fear of hereafter - no dread, only the pain of dying. She begged me to give her chloroform when the time came and let her die easy. I had just gone out into the yard, leaving the girls, making some change in her dress, which she insisted should be done. When I returned, I found her strangling with the mucus. I tried to get her to take some stimulant, but she would not. She begged me to give her the chloroform. “To give it I was afraid, to withhold it was to see her slowly strangle. When I found she would take nothing - she begged us to let her die and to let her die easy. I gave her a little bottle of chloroform. She breathed a little of it - put a few drops on her handkerchief, then passed her hand caressingly over my beard, gasped a few times - and a great shadow was over the house!
She longed so to be with little Matt. She seemed to forget at times that she had any other dear ones gone before. We buried her in the same enclosure with the dear child she loved so fondly. It is a beautiful, quiet spot between the two lakes.
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Saint Louis Globe-Democrat
St. Louis, Missouri
Sun. Aug. 26th, 1877. Page 4
Euthanasia in Florida.
When they had drunk deeply of the wine of life, and age had begun to creep rapidly upon them, one of the chief aspirants of the Greeks of old was for euthanasia - a gentle and easy passage from this world to the next. Their literature teems with allusions to the idea, and no Greek thought that any of his people could truly be called fortunate unless a happy life was closed by a happy death. To make perfect such a journey to the shades of the invisible life, the last moments of the voyager must, above all things, be almost entirely free from physical pain. Such an exit was the crowning glory of a career blessed by the gods of Olympus.
About two years ago, the conception of this idea of euthanasia was seized upon and expanded by some of the leading scientific writers of England. They argued that as certain diseases, after reaching a certain stage, were known to be incurable and were attended with terrible pain, which frequently could scarcely even be alleviated, and as the patient was then, simply a burden almost intolerable to himself, his existence, from consideration of mercy should be shortened by his physicians. The most ardent supporters of this new doctrine drew up a complete set of rules to govern the manner and practice of this species of euthanasia. They even drafted the legislation that would be necessary to enable the attendant physician to kill instead of curing. The fatal narcotic was not to be administered until at least two physicians had certified to the condition of the sufferer. A magistrate was then to be summoned and in his presence and that of friends of the family, the antidote of all evils here below was to be swallowed. In most cases, the consent of the patient to this novel method of escaping from pain was a prerequisite. But not in all. In hydrophobia, for instance, the doctors were at liberty to act on their own mere volition and to send their patients across the dim borderline without any consultation of his wishes.
To all this theory, many objections were, of course, urged, even irrespective of the natural repugnance which everyone feels at the thought of one man taking away the life of another. It was opposed by men of science, chiefly because they denied that the majority of physicians are capable of distinguishing the exact moment when all hopes of recovery had fled. They also argue that such a practice would be a bar to the advancement of medical knowledge because it would deprive the attendant from a thorough examination of all these symptoms. And thus, while merciful to an individual, it might eventually prove cruel to a great number. It was denounced in the loudest terms by all the churches, and although it created a great excitement at the time, its advocates at last dropped it and except by a few ultra enthusiasts, it passed out of discussion and was spoken of no more.
Strangely enough, however, the doctrine has reasserted itself in practice, if not in theory, upon this side of the Atlantic and in the state of sunshiny Florida. Mrs. Julia Keyes was the daughter of the novelist Caroline Lee Hentz, and with her husband was a resident of Calhoun County in that state. Unlike her mother, she had not been a voluminous writer. But two or three short poems from her pen, especially the “Dream of Locust Dell” had been widely read and justly admired. She seems also to have possessed much of her mother's nervous temperament and to have always felt a great, very great indeed, morbid dread of physical suffering. For some weeks she had been in very bad health, and about the beginning of this month, she felt that her recovery was impossible. On the 10th inst. she died, or rather was aided in death by her husband and chloroform. The widower writing on the day of his wife's decease, says “that she might have lived a few days longer.” “I talked with her about dying. She said she had no fear of the hereafter - no dread, only of the pain of dying. She begged me to give her chloroform when the time came and let her die easy.” And with time, in the opinion of the husband, unsupported it appears, by medical council did come, and when he saw her in a condition of what he calls strangling, he gave her a bottle. She inhaled the chloroform, put a few drops upon her handkerchief, and she so passed away.
This is the gist of the story as the survivor gives it. There is not a hint of the presence of anyone else in the room when the husband took it upon himself so fearful a responsibility. His letter itself shows that the drug was administered not to bring about any temporary alleviation, but to hasten on an immediate and painless dissolution. It is true that so far as we know, it was thus given at the pressing request of the dying woman, but this will not remove it from a direct offense against the law. Uder all the circumstances it would, perhaps, be too severe to call it murder. But so long as in law suicide is self-murder. A man who willingly hands a woman any deadly narcotic with the express purpose of enabling her to destroy herself is technically guilty as an accessory before the fact. It is very dangerous to the community to allow husband or wife, in cases where death is apparently near, to consider that himself or herself the sole judge of its imminence and to determine in how far it would be right and proper to abridge the pains of dissolution, as Mr. Keyes did in Florida two short weeks ago.
Unless Florida vindicates the majesty of the law by a prompt investigation and a punishment which need not be excessive, the example thus set may be imitated as a more expeditious mode of obtaining divorce whenever any slightly alarming fit of illness provides at once the opportunity and the probability of an escape from detection. If indeed such methods of quelling pain and providing euthanasia are to be sanctioned at all, it would be better to furnish some legal machinery like that talked of by the English enthusiasts instead of opening wide a door for the possible commission of the worst of all crimes.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Aug. 19, 1877. Page 3.
Death of Mrs. Dr. Keyes. –
The many friends of Dr. Keyes and of this most estimable lady will read with pain the announcements we have just written.
Since the removal of Dr. Keyes from this city a few years ago, he has resided with his family on the borders of Chipola Lake in Calhoun County, Florida. Here in the wild woods, he had built a pleasant home and kind neighbors had settled and improved around him, and the orange and the lemon had grown and many a tropical plant had spread its beautiful foliage to the warm breezes until it could be said, the solitary place was glad for them. It was here in this quiet, peaceful home in the early morning of the 10th inst., while the waves were still and the sky calm and serene, surrounded by husband and children and friends, Mrs. Julia L. Keyes passed gently away from the sorrows of Earth to the rest and rewards of the better world.
As many of our readers are aware, she was the daughter of the celebrated authoress, Caroline Lee Hentz. Though not possessed of the rare gifts that distinguished her mother, yet as a writer, she was not unknown to fame. Notwithstanding the cares of a large family, her pen was never entirely laid aside. She wrote many poems, a few of which will make her memory dear to some who have never seen the face. If we mistake not, she was also the writer of several prose pieces of considerable merit. Many of our readers no doubt will recollect the exquisite verses written by her at which were read on one of our memorial occasions. But most celebrated, we believe, of all her poems, is “The dream of Lucas Dell.” This was a prize poem and was extensively copied and greatly admired at the time of its publication.
Her death was not unexpected. For several months, she has lingered along with the patient sufferer from a disease which, when once it has fastened upon its victim, rarely, if ever, releases its grasp until its work is done. She was in her 50th year. She died of consumption. We doubt if anyone ever had more or warmer friends in this community where she lived so long. And many will weep today over the memory of one whom they shall meet no more until they shall see her on the shining shore.
We are permitted to make this extract from a letter of Dr. Keyes.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Sep. 30, 1877. Page3.
Miss Julia Keyes
Quite recently under the caption of “A Curious Case of Euthanasia,” we were led, by the article in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat to make some very unjust and ungenerous remarks with respect to the death of Mrs. Julia L. Keyes, which took place in Florida some weeks ago. We had not soon seen the article in The Montgomery Advertiser upon which the Globe- Democrat based its comments. And what we said was based solely upon the comments of the St. Louis papers. These comments are entirely at variance with the article in The Advertiser upon which they are based. It follows theretofore that our editorial, which was in some sort, a synopsis of the article in the St. Louis paper, was utterly unfounded and had an appearance of heart-lessness, which under the circumstances might well be mistaken for cruel misrepre-sentation. We take sincere pleasure, therefore, in publishing the following letter which bears the signature of two of the most eminent physicians of Montgomery. Montgomery, Alabama, September 1, 1877.
Editors. Constitution. Dr. J.W. Keyes and his wife, Mrs. Julia Keyes, whose conduct was criticized in a recent issue of your paper and their large and interesting family have been long and favorably known in this community. We do not speak extravagantly when we say that no one has ever whispered naught against their names in any of the relations of life. Cheerfulness under every fate, loyalty and love to honor and to each other and congeniality of taste and temper have been the recognized characteristics of the members of this truly remarkable family. One who for many years knew them in the relations of intimate, personal friends and family physicians, has been frequently heard to say that although fortune had not smiled upon them with an abundance of worldly goods, they were blessed with contentment and were the happiest family he had ever known.
When adversity was doing its worst all up and down our land, the furrows of the rude plowshares were never seen upon the brows of those who dwelt under the humble roof of Dr. Keyes.
Under these circumstances, you will not be surprised to learn that your editorial of the 20th with regard to the death of Mrs. Julia L Keyes has not only lacerated the feelings of a deeply afflicted and bereaved family, but has excited the astonishment and shocked the sensibilities of all who knew the doctor and his beloved wife.
We do not impugn your motives, but we do feel that unwittingly - we must believe - you have placed an unfair and unwarranted construction upon the letter which you have noticed and have thereby inflicted a most grievous wound upon the character and good name of the husband, the memory of the wife and the feelings of relatives and friends.
As is well known in this city, Mrs. Keyes had been suffering for a long time with consumption and for weeks, nay months, there had been no reasonable hope of her recovery.
We have written you under the impression that in view of this foregoing considerations and in view, too, of a fair construction, after more careful examination on your part of the letter of Dr. Keyes, you will be pleased not only to publish the original letter together with a withdrawal of your editorial of the 20th, but also that in justice to all concerned, you will cheerfully do whatever may be in your power to soothe the quivering nerves and bind up the wounds which have been laid bare and bleeding by the articles of which we complain.
Very respectfully,
W. O. Hardin, MD.
J. D. Gadsden, MD.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Sep. 30, 1877. Page 3
Hall, Medical and Surgical Society. Montgomery, September 28th, 1877.
At a meeting of the society held at 12 today, the following report of the committee appointed at a previous meeting to examine into the charges, made by the Globe-Democrat against Dr. J. W. Keyes - a member of the Society - with regard to his conduct in connection with the death of his wife was received.
Your committee, to whom an investigation of the newspaper charges against Dr. J.W. Keyes and member of this society was referred, respectfully submit: That the charges which have appeared in various newspapers in the United States upon Dr. Keyes in relation to the death of his wife, Miss Julia Keyes, call, for a decided expression of opinion from this society.
After as thorough an investigation as was possible into the matter and cause of Mrs. Keyes death, your committee find from the examination of voluminous sworn testimony that the simple facts in the case are that Miss Julia l Keyes was dying of consumption, and that - at the last, as so often happens with the dying - she turned with loathing and disgust from nourish-ment and stimulants and calmly looking forward to the end, only desired to pass through the final struggle as easily as possible.
She had been in the habit of inhaling small quantities of chloroform at special seasons of dispucon for the relief of her distress, and had thus made her sufferings more bearable and possibly prolonged her life. Knowing from her experience that the soothing effects of chloroform, she had begged that in her dying hours she might be allowed to pass through the death agony, relieved by it from the consciousness of physical suffering. Your committee, therefore, unanimously condemn the position taken by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in its articles upon euthanasia, which seems to have been the starting point of all adverse criticism and unhesitatingly exonerate Dr. Keyes from all censure in his ministration at the deathbed of his wife.
That paper, it seems, for the purpose of writing a sensational article upon the subject of euthanasia, has perverted facts, misquoted plain language, and used the death of Mrs. Keyes - who died from consumption was allowed to inhale a few drops of chloroform during the last moments of her life, and when it was evident to her husband and children that she was in articulo mortis - as a text for an editorial that had invaded the sanctity of private grief and herald the agonies of already crushed and bleeding hearts. Your committee would recom-mend that this Society firmly stand by and sustain the action of Dr. Keyes, feeling sure that he has done nothing unbecoming the intelligent physician and kind husband, but simply carried out an educated and humane instinct, not by shortening her death agony, but by endeavoring to relieve it of its horrors.
Your committee would further recommend, and as a part of his report, the letters of Dr. Baldwin and Gadsden and the editorial accompanying it in the Atlanta Constitution of Sep-tember 25th.
J. F. Waverly, MD. J. M Williams, MD.
S D Seelye, MD
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The Weekly Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Wed. Dec. 1, 1875. Page 1
We regret to learn that little Mattie Keyes, youngest daughter of Dr. Keyes, died at his home on Chipola Lake, Florida, on Wednesday of last week after a very brief illness. She was six years old and a child of unusual intelligence and loveliness. She was a great favorite with all who knew her, and her presence sent sunshine all through the happy home circle. There is gloom and grief there now. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” for God shall wipe all tears from their eyes. Our entire community sympathize with the Doctor and his family in this severe affliction.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. The Montgomery Times
Montgomery, Alabama
Aug. 31, 1911. Page 3
OF HISTORIC INTEREST
The coming of Mrs. John W. Coachman and daughter, Miss Eula Keys Coachman of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to visit Mrs. Coachman's niece, Mrs. Fitzgerald Salter, on Sayer Street, recalls a stirring incident in Alabama history just at the close of the Civil War.
Among many of our best citizens, there was a feeling that carpetbag negro domination would subvert the white civilization of Alabama. Under the leadership of Mr. Charles Gunter, father of Honorable W.,A. Gunter of this city, Dr. Keyes and family, Dr. John Coachman, his son in law, the Judkins family of Wetumpka, Mr. Daniel McIntyre, Mr. Gunter’s brother-in-law and family, Dr. McDade and family and many others made a colony that left Montgomery in 1867 for Rio, Brazil. Dom Pedro, the emperor then, offered many inducements to those splendid citizens to come to his realm. Mr. McIntyre died there after seven or eight years residence. Dr. McDade and the Judkins family finally returned to “The States.” Mr. Charles Gunter and son Manly lived there for the remaining years of their lives. Other members of the family returning to Alabama.
Dr. Keyes became court dentist to Dom Pedro, in which office he was the recipient of innumerable courtesies and favors at the hands of the great ruler Dr. Keyes was succeeded in this office by Dr. John Coachman, his son in law, who held the position until Dom Pedro was deposed.
A daughter of Dr. Keyes, Miss Linnie, now Mrs. Pickens of this city, kept a diary during those eventful years and it forms a wonderfully interesting history of the exodus of Alabamians and their experiences in a foreign land.
The coming of Mrs. Coachman stirs many memories for the survivors of that exodus, some of whom were young children, while others were but youths.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Sep. 17, 1911. Page 18
If Rip Van Winkle was absent from his village home among the Catskills for 20 years, Mrs. Coachman has not visited her native city for nearly twice as long.
The famous old sleeper of Washington Irving's sketch awoke to find himself a tottering old man. His village changed and his country a republic. Mrs. Coachman has, during the years of her absence from Montgomery, been a wide awake, observant citizen of a great South American city, now numbering a half million souls. Rio de Janeiro, “River of January” Picturesquely set among mountains and yet a city by the sea. She comes back, not old and tottering, but with the glow of health. Upon her cheeks, the light of youth in her fine blue eyes and the merry heart of a girl.
It is true that governmental conditions have passed through some changes since Mrs. Coachman left Alabama with the family of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. John W. Keys, the latter being the daughter of Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, who two generations ago held the place in popular esteem as an authoress that is now held by Mary Johnston, the leading position among women writers. As a teacher, her power and influence were comparable to that of Julia Tutwiler in our own time.
Went There After War
Among the Southerners who responded to the fascinating emigration literature that Brazil scattered over the country after the War of Secession were the families of Dr. John W. Keyes. Mr. Charles Gunter, the grandfather of the Mayor of Montgomery, the Judkins family of Wetumpka, Mr. Daniel McIntyre, and the family of Dr. McDade.
In the Alabama party there was a handsome young Georgian, Dr. John W. Coachman, a Confederate surgeon, but who afterwards specialized in dentistry. This young man later became the husband of Miss Eula Hentz Keyes, a marriage ceremony taking place in the Old Baptist Church in Montgomery. The Keyes family having returned to the States after a residence of three years in the land of Dom Pedro.
This great old emperor extended the most cordial welcome to the self-exiled Southerners. And Dr. Keyes was at once made the court dentist. Later, his son-in-law, Dr. Coachman, succeeded to the post of honor and had the position ss long as Dom Pedro reigned.
One of the company of emigrants and speaking of the fact said yesterday, “when Dr. Coachman undertook to fill the position to which he was appointed, there was great jealousy among the native dentists and they refused to grant him a license. He declared that he would practice at his own hazard. And of course, had he lost a patient through his profession, as does sometimes happen with dentists, heart failure or blood poisoning being among the possible dangers, his life might have paid the forfeit. As time passed, the skill of the American dentist won for him so many friends and such a position in his profession that the organization tendered him the very privilege a license which they had once refused him. This Dr. Coachman then refused it, saying he had done very well without it. Thus far, and now he did not need it.”
In the library of the University of Alabama, there is still to be found a pamphlet issued by the Brazilian representatives setting forth the advantages in that country for Southerners who wish to change their residence. Among these advantages were slaves to which the planter was so accustomed that they had become a necessity.
The Seasons Reversed
It would seem very strange to a New Yorker to land in Brazil in January, said Mrs. Coachman in speaking of the country in which she has lived with her husband and a large family of children for so many years.
The seasons are reversed. The coolest part of the year being during midsummer in the States and January, when the rest of you are toasting before open fires or taking your sleigh rides, or at most wearing your furs. We are using electric fans and trying to make ourselves endure the summer season. The climate of Brazil, especially at Rio de Janeiro, is more like Eternal Spring.
Stayed in Palace
When the colonists from this section arrived in Rio, said Mrs. Coachman, reverting to the olden days. We were guest at the Government House, a hotel that had once been a palace. There were marble baths and the edifice itself was very imposing. Here we tarried a few weeks and then the different families scattered, some locating upon plantations, some at Lake Juparana and some at Sao Paulo, now a large city, but then only a small town. Brazil produces two thirds of coffee used throughout the world and great quantities of sugar and molasses.
Among the very curious spectacles witnessed throughout the country a few years ago, she continued, was the milk cow brigade that passed through the streets. A calf was muzzled and tied to the tail of the cow and the primitive dairymen made his two calls a day upon his customers and milked the cow on the spot, delivering the milk fresh but not un-watered for with all the watching in the world the Portuguese milkmen of Brazil can manage by some sort of sleight of hand to introduce a goodly amount of water into the quart of milk.
Seeing that this mode of dairying was unsanitary and unbusinesslike, Dr. John W. Coachman introduced the modern system of milk wagons and established a fine herd of Jersey cows. The natives looked askance awhile, but now throughout the whole country there is not a city that does not use the milk wagon system. In the villages and the interior, the calf is still muzzled and tied to the tail of the cow, marched to the door of a customer - and the milk watered in the same old way.
Until the people from the States taught them that milk was a good beverage and fine food for grown people only babies were given it, said Mrs. Coachman. Now there are milk depots and milk parlors where customers go and sip a glass of milk with the same formality the American boys and girls sip a soft drink or the men a glass of beer.
Joe Coachman Runs First Car
Having studied electricity under the great Thomas Edison himself. Mr. Joe Coachman, the son of Dr. and Mrs. John W. Coachman watched with profound interest the construction of the first electric streetcar established in Sao Paulo, where he was at the time residing. There was a considerable amount of rivalry among the young men of the country as to whom should have the honor of running the first car that moved along the newly laid tracks on the day when the service was opened as a public utility by invitation of the promoters, the honor fell to Mr. Coachman. In the course of time, there arose some trouble with the overhead wires and one of the brakeman was electrocuted in his efforts to repair a broken live wire. When the matter was called to the attention of the young electrician trained by Edison, he walked into a store, bought a pair of rubber boots and rubber gloves, and handled the wires like a snake charmer. The ignorant and superstitious onlookers declared that he was possessed of the devil and fled from his touch when he descended to earth from the top of the car where he had been at work.
This young man was also the owner of the first bicycle ridden in the city of Rio de Janeiro. He had bought an extensive apple orchard in Oregon, and it is upon this Western property that Dr. and Mrs. Coachman and their daughter, Miss Eula Coachman, have been spending the past year.
The Oregon country is very fine, said Mrs. Coachman. But I don't want to live in any country where there are no servants. There are but two things possible to be a drudge or to enjoy the life and neglect the home. A Western sunset doesn't look very good to me on the other side of the clothesline when I’ve had the family wash to hang out on that line. I want to live where there are lots and lots of servants. Certainly, where a cook and a laundress can be had. Give me the South or Brazil, but never the West with its hard life for women.
Miss Coachman’s one great enthusiasm about the West is for beautiful Crater Lake, which lies two-thousand feet below the surface of Mount Mazama, which is said by the scientist to be an extinct volcano which fell in after eruption, leaving only a small volcanic island which is now in the center of the lake.
Social Customs in Brazil
I am enjoying the freedom of the social customs in the state, said Miss Coachman. Of course, in Brazil, things are different among the American girls down there. There they obtain far more freedom than among the natives who are Portuguese.
The chaperon system is faithfully followed among those girls, and their education consists mainly in knowing how to embroider or play upon a musical instrument and sing. Flirting out of the windows is their chief occupation and there are many, many of them who have spent so much time lolling before the window and leaning their elbows upon the sill that they have corns on their arms. During the hours when there are flirting, they are fetchingly dressed, that is from the waist up, a rose in their hair and the invariable fan in their hands but they may be wearing any old skirt or may have foregone the formality of putting on their shoes.
One of the Portuguese young men who has just returned from the States told me that he did not like the way the girls of his country were reared and trained and that he hoped the time would come when they would have the same kind of schooling that North American girls have and the same social customs.
Of the eleven children born to Dr. and Mrs. Coachman there are seven living. Among them, being Mrs. Merrett Fordham who possesses a wonderfully beautiful voice. When the govern-ment was making arrangements for the entertainment of Elihu Root, when as Secretary of State, he visited Brazil, the choice of a singer for the great social occasion fell upon Mrs. Fordham. She was the only woman signally honored. The other music being rendered either by male voices or instruments. Two beautiful gold medals were struck off in commemoration of the event, one of which was presented to Secretary Root and the other to Mrs. Fordham, the Queen of song.
The popularity of the young woman was further evidenced when she sailed from Rio for Switzerland, whither she sought restorative balm from the invigorating Alps following an illness. Great numbers of people followed her to the ship and laid wreaths, bouquets and baskets of flowers at her feet.
Surprised at Growth
Montgomery has grown, astonishingly, said Mrs. Coachman, after a drive over the city. The site of the present Alms House was once occupied by the homestead of the Keyes family. The name of the place was “Hillside” and there were a number of acres surrounding the house. Of course, even the location was lost to recognition, so completely has the whole surroundings changed since the childhood days of Mrs. Coachman. She was deeply interested in skyscrapers, the additions to the Capitol and the Woman's College.
Mrs.. Hentz Heirlooms
The Coachman’s are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald Salter on Sayer Street, where they will remain for a few weeks longer. On yesterday, the different members of the family present brought together the heirlooms belonging to their distinguished ancestors. Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, educator and writer.
Mrs. Salter owns a pair of bracelets made of Mrs. Hentz's hair, which was a dark brown. Miss Eula Coachman has a necklace made of some of the same brown hair which she treasures highly.
An exquisite miniature painted on ivory by Mr. AJ Campbell was presented to Mrs. Salter by the widow of the artist who was herself a friend of Mrs. Hentz, and pronounced the likeness perfect. Declaring that with this miniature was the best picture ever made of the authoress whom she called familiarly by her Christian name. Mrs. Salter is one of the great grand-daughters of Mrs. Hentz.
Mrs. Caroline W. Pickens, called in her girlhood “Linnie Keyes”, one of the granddaughters of the Authoress, owns a Hand-wrought silver sash buckle, a leather purse mounted with silver and an embroidered velvet wristlet or bracelet. The interesting personal relics are held in deepest esteem by the descendants of the woman whose gifted pen wrote “Aunt Patty's Serap Bag,” “Lavelle’s Folly,” “The Mob-Cap,” “Linda,” “ Marcus Warland,” “Eoline,” “Miss Thusa’s. Spinning Wheel,” “Jack,” “Helen and Author,” “Robert Graham”, “The Planter's Northern Birdie”, and others.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Wed. May 15, 1872. Page 5
Dr. John Coachman - Our citizens all remember this excellent young gentleman who studied dentistry in this city with Dr. Keyes. He went to Brazil several years ago and has succeeded in securing a very fine and profitable practice in his profession. About a week ago, he reached Montgomery on a visit to his friends in the city. He is hardly welcomed in our midst. He has been in America several weeks, having stopped in Georgia to see his father who lives in that state. Dr. Coachman has settled in Rio and has a fine reputation among the nobility of Brazil. It is his opinion that Brazil is a good country and he expects to return there next spring.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Wed. Jun 7th, 18, 1972. Page 4
From Advertiser Files
On this date: 100 years ago, (1872), two former townsmen recently returned and bore away beautiful prizes. Dr. John Coachman took Miss Eula Keyes as his bride to Rio de Janeiro. Captain James Lahey took his bride, Miss Lucy Winter, to New York.
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The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
Sun. Jun 7, 1912. Page 20
Dr. and Mrs. M Dickey of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald Salter on Sayer Street for a few days. Mrs. Dickey was formerly Miss Coachman, grand-daughter of the late Dr. J.W. Keyes.
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The Wetumpka Herald
Wetumpka, Alabama
Thur. Mar. 26, 1936. Page 8
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meriwether had as their guests Sunday, Rev. and Mrs. M. Dickey of Sao Paulo, Brazil and Miss Mary Smith of Montgomery. Rev. Dickey was Mrs. Mary Meriwether's, pastor while she was a missionary in Sao Paulo. It will be of interest to many to learn that the father of Mrs. Dickey, J.W. Coachman of Montgomery, went to Sao Paulo, Brazil, in the late 70s and was the first to introduce American dentistry there, which soon became a model of dentistry of that country.
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The Pensacola News
Pensacola, Florida
Sat. Sep. 13, 1890 Page 4
Mrs. J. W. Coachman of Sao Paulo, Brazil, a daughter of Dr. J. W. Keyes of Tampa, Florida, was a passenger of a schooner Nettle on her last trip from Saint Andrew's Bay. The lady was accompanied by her brother, Mr. George Keyes and was in route for New Orleans to visit her brother, Dr. William Keyes of that city.
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HISTORY OF ST. ANDREWS BAY AND ENVIRONS
Source: FloridaMemory.com
History of Bay County
By Alvida Johnston
No date
The territory now included in Bay County does not seem that it has been settled very early. It is thought that a few Spaniards may have had their homes along St. Andrew's Bay during the early part of the 18th century, because orange and fig trees were found growing at favorable locations about the bay by the earliest settlers. The first mention that we find that may apply to Saint Andrew's is in a letter written in 1764 by Thomas Robinson, who made a voyage from Pensacola to St. Marks. He describes a settlement, the location of which resembles Saint Andrew's Bay. Even in 1763, little was known of the coast of this section, but the finding of Spanish coins of early date gives some proof that the Spaniards did settle along these shores.
During the English possession, this section of Florida was governed by Commodore Geo. Johnstone of the British Navy. In November of 18, 1764, he offered the first publicity to attract settlers to this section of Florida. The British government made grants of land to officers and soldiers who had served during the late war and who were still in America. The size of the grant depended on the rank of the applicants. Many soldiers took the opportunity of locating in this section so that a town, Wells developed on the west shore of St. Andrew's Bay, becoming quite important during the English occupancy ( 1765, 1781 or 1782). The first Masonic lodge in what now is Bay County, and possibly the first in West Florida, was established at Wells under a charter of the Grand. Lodge of England.
Most of the Spaniards left this section when the English took possession in 1763. Some of them went to St. Joseph, but most of them returned to Spanish possessions. The English who settled in St. Andrews Bay were composed of fortune hunters who had come over with Gov. Johnstone of discharged soldiers, and probably of Tories who were run out of Georgia and the Carolinas by the Patriots.
The few planters who settled in this section were occupied in the production of indigo and of naval stores. A trading post owned by the firm of. Fenton, Leslie and Co. was established in Wells. Trade with the settlers and Indians in this section was also done by sending out goods by pack swine, and exchanging them for what the other had to offer.
At some point, the shoreline of the Bay County changed often because of the ease with which sand was washed from one point to another. For this reason, many points on the West Coast mentioned in history have never been located, and some references may have been to St. Andrews Bay. When, in 1783, the Floridas returned to the possession of the Spaniards, the English who had settled there, left immediately, and the improvements that they had made were abandoned. The new settlers who arrived were mostly Spanish soldiers who were uninterested in development and improvement of the land.
Little is known of this section between the second Spanish occupation and the purchase of Florida by the United States in 1819. We only know that a few poor Spanish fishermen remained on the shores of St. Andrew's Bay. After Florida was acquired by the United States, the pioneers from other sections began moving into West Florida. Planters from Alabama and. Georgia often came with slaves to St. Andrew's Bay to fish and to salt their catch to take back to the plantations.
In 1827, there were five or six settlers on St. Andrew's Bay. In that year, ex-Governor John Clark of Georgia, the real founder of St. Andrew's, built his home at what is now called Old Town. Gov. Clark also operated a plantation in the Noonfina settlement. In 1830 Captain Loftin, who had been living on North Bay since 1880, built a house about a mile east of the Clark home. In 18 29, the first customs house was established on the Bay, but it is not known why it was necessary, since there could have been but little. Commerce.
The nearest post office at that time was at Webbville, the county seat of Jackson County, some sixty miles north. There were warehouses at Bay Head on Cedar Creek and on the river in Holmes Valley.
Between 1820 - 1835, parties in Jackson County were planning the development of a town on St. Andrew's Bay, at “Old Town,” but the plan fell through when capitalists interested in the venture favored Port St. Joe and concluded to invest there. In 1836, a company was started to develop St. Andrew's and an act was passed by the legislature to provide for the building of a college to be called the “St. Andrew's College of West Florida”. During the year, legislature appropriated $5,000 to build a road from St. Andrew's to Webbville.
The project to develop St. Andrew's would cease when the capitalists who had abandoned it obtained at St. Joseph the building of the first stage railroad in Gulf County, Florida. Most of the settlers were summer visitors. From the interior, while during a great part of the year only fishermen lived on the Bay. The summer visitors were much interested in education and a female seminary was established for their accommodation. Once a week, mail was brought in on horse-back from Marianna.
No title to any lands on or near St. Andrew's Bay, passed from the United States Government until about 1854. U.S. patents were issued to about a dozen people in the Bay County area before 1880, and most of the land passed on to others later by tax deeds. During the Second Seminole War, 1834-1842, wandering Indians in this territory caused much trouble. The Indians were not native in the Bay country.
Mrs. Caroline Lee, Hentz the writer, was well known in St. Andrews, where she spent summers with her daughter, Mrs. Julia Keyes from 1851 to 1856. She is buried in Marianna, her winter home. Much of her writing deals with the territory around the bay.
A map of 1856 shows 38 buildings in the city of St. Andrews. This was the only settlement on the Bay. Silas Stearns, in Geographical Review on the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico, Western Florida, says that in 1850-1860 St. Andrews had a population of more than 1,800. This popu-lation included people at Watson Mill, a sawmill nearby, and all people living near St. Andrews. Sawmills were in operation and shipping was carried on. The port had a custom officer, but his work was light.
Fishing was the most important industry. Fishermen salted the fish, put them in barrels, and either sold them to plantation owners who came to St. Andrews to buy their supplies, or hauled them into the interior to sell at the plantations. During the Civil War, St. Andrews was des-troyed by the Federals and fishing as an industry stopped. After the war, about 1873, the industry became larger than ever.
The first post office, the St. Andrews’ Bay Post Office in St. Andrews, was established January 15, 1857, with. James B Clarke as postmaster. During the Civil War there was likely no post office here because of the frequency with which the place was raided.
For a while during the War between the States, St. Andrews’ served as a base for blockade running and obtaining supplies for the Confederates. A blockade was established at the entrance to the harbor, probably during the latter part of 1861. In April 1862, the fleet captured the “Florida”, a Confederate ship engaged in taking cotton from the bay and bringing back supplies. Salt making, an industry very important to the Confederate troops, was carried on extensively in Bay County during the war. There were numerous salt works from St. Andrews to St. Joseph that were frequently raided by the Federals, but the salt makers were organized in companies, furnished with arms and ammunition. and exempt from regular duty.
On March 20th, 1865, the U.S. Roebuck anchored in St. Andrew Bay where they had come in search of a ship, said to be running valuable cargoes of cotton. Several men were sent ashore for water leaving two men on board. Those who landed were attacked by a group of Confed-erates led by Capt. Robinson, who had been left to guard the salt works. Of the ten Federals, two were killed, three fatally injured, and the rest wounded. The two men manning the boat succeeded by strategy in picking up their wounded companions, and escaping.
On December 10 or 11, 1865. Acting Master Brown in command of the US bark Restless who was in charge of destroying saltworks on the St. Andrew's Bay, took a position directly in front of the town and fired. In a very short time, many of the houses were burning.
Brown reported the destruction of thirty-two homes, but it is believed that he exaggerated the real number. This bombardment and burning came as retaliation for the preceding incident. By the end of the war, little was left of the settlement. Development was slow, but in 1867, a group of. Mariana men set to discuss the building of a railroad north from St. Andrews Bay into Georgia. In 1886, the St. Andrew's Bay. Railroad, Land and Mining Company was formed with J. H. Brown as one of its promoters. He had been employed as postal inspector in Cinci-nnati, Ohio, where he obtained the knowledge of postal laws that kept the company clear of the law.
It has been said that some 350,000 lots were sold in this section to people in the United States. Many people wrote to the Florida governor asking for his advice before purchasing land, and were told that they should see the land first. Others fascinated by the advertisements, pur-chased lots and came to Florida, only to find that their property was valueless and that the proposed railway had fallen through. Some of those who came, stayed and started settlements of their own. A newspaper, The “Messenger,” was started, followed by the “Bouy.” The popu-lation of St. Andrew's is said to have reached nearly 2,500 during this time.
Among the settlements established by northerners enticed into these parts by the St. Andrews Bay Railroad, Land and Mining Company was. Parker, (settled by W.H. Parker) and Croman-ton, named after W.H. Croman, both of which had their own post offices. Lynnhaven, a northern settlement, was founded by Senator W.H. Lynn of New York. It is incorporated and has its own post office.
In 1888, a small village about two miles south east of St. Andrews was known as Park Resort, but was changed to Harrison for President Harrison in 1889. A post office was established there in 1889, but was discontinued in 1906? This is now Panama City.
In 1913, Bay County was taken from Washington and Calhoun, and Panama City was made the county seat.
South of Panama City is Millville, where a lumber mill was once operated by the German American Lumber Company. During the World War, the property of this company was confiscated to prevent its being of assistance to the Germans. It was purchased in 1960 by the St. Andrews Bay Lumber Company and was operated until 1931, when it burned.
In 1928, St. Andrews, Millville, and Panama City were combined and incorporated as Panama City, generally called “Greater Panama City.”
JEANNETT KEYES, ERIK KEYES AND KEYES COACHMAN
CHARLES KEYES HOUSE, j. MERRITT FORDHAM HOUSE - 2 UNIDENTIFIED GENTLEMEN PETROPOLIS BRAZIL 1900
#L-R Eula Hertz, nee' Keyes,Coachman, Capt Johnston, Ellie Keyes, John William Coachman
Eula Hentz Keyes
Joseph Edward Coachman
John and Eula Keyes Coachman with family
Coachman;John William Coachman Dr. Birth 19 April 1845 in Decatur Co., Georga,USA . Death 10 Jul 1918 in São Paulo, Sao Paulo,
L-R James Joseph Coachman.(*James Joseph Coachman;Birth 30 Apr 1873 in Montgomery, Alabama Death 24 Jun 1950 in Brazil) , John Keyes Coachman (*John Keyes Coachman;Birth 4 Jul 1878 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Death 1940) Kendrick Powel Coachman,(*Kendrick Powell Coachman;Birth 24 Mar 1895 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Death;1953) Hentz Keyes Coachman (*Hentz Keyes Coachman;Birth 4 July 1874 in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Death 7 July 1934 in São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil )
Coachman, Fordham and Keyes family members; #Seated: Leon Fordham, Eula Helen Coachman Standing (l-r): Eulyn Fordham, Kendrick Powell Coachman, a Hentz cousin?, Carie Hentz, Eula Hentz Keyes (Coachman), John William Coachman at Victoria Rd., Asheville - North Carolina
ALICE, ELDON AND BETH 1913 HIGHLAND HOMES ALABAMA
HOME OF CHARLES KEYES PETROPOLIS, BRAZIL
NELLIE SELDON FOWLER
VERY GOOD FRIEND OF ALICE KEYES SCOTT - JUST A COOL PICTURE 1890
Source:
Thomas Jefferson University - tradition and heritage, edited by Frederick B. Wagner, Jr., MD, 1989 Jefferson History and Publications January 1989 Part III: Clinical Departments and Divisions --- Chapter 29: Department of Psychiatry (pages 477-496)
Baldwin L. !Zeyes, M.D., D.Se., LL.D. (1893-); Clinical Professor of Psychiatry (1937-1942), and Professor of Psychiatry and First Chairman of the Department (1942- 1959)
A separate Department of Psychiatry was set up under the Directorship of Dr. Baldwin L. Keyes who in 1937 had been appointed Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Neurology and in 1942 was made full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry. The establishment of a separate Department of Psychiatry was to have far-ranging effects on the program of instruction at the medical school, symbolizing the changing times, changing attitudes, and the increasing importance and awareness of mental processes as a pan of physical disease and as causes of mental disorders. There could not have been a more appropriate choice for Chairman than Dr. Keyes. He served as a leader, father figure, scholar, and superb clinician for hundreds of psychiatrists and literally thousands of medical students. He was "a man for all reasons" in his ability to maintain an open mind regarding any reasonable concept of the causes of mental disorders. Throughout a full lifetime of psychiatric practice, he preserved a posture of objectivity through a burgeoning set of theoretical positions about mental functioning.
Baldwin Keyes, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1893, had a unique childhood. His paternal grandfather, a dentist from Montgomery, Alabama, was a strong supporter of the Confederacy and a close friend of Jefferson Davis. He invested large amounts of money in the secession government, only to lose it in the fortunes of war. He migrated from Alabama to Rio de Janeiro, established a practice in dentistry, and raised his family. His mother, Emily Supplee Longstreth, was from an old Quaker family in Philadelphia. Because of his religious persuasion, her father purchased his way out of the Civil War, which was possible to do at that time, only to learn that the man who took his position for $200 was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. This cast such a heavy burden of depression upon him that he was advised by his physician to take a long sea voyage. Arriving in Rio de Janeiro after much seasickness, he refused to return to Philadelphia and called for his family to join him. Emily Longstreth married Baldwin Keyes' father (also a dentist), and seven children were born of this union. Throughout her life, she preserved much of the philosophy of Quakerism, a force that was to have a considerable impact on her son Baldwin. The children were raised in an area of Rio in which there was considerable cultural enrichment because much of the diplomatic corps lived nearby. All of the children were registered with the American Embassy as Americans. They learned to speak not only English but also Portuguese, German, French, and some Spanish.
After a brief education in the schools of Rio to the fourth-grade level, Dr. Keyes was sent to a boarding school in England for six months. He then continued his education in Philadelphia, the home of his maternal grandparents, at Germantown Academy and at Swarthmore Preparatory School, from which he graduated in 1912. Dr. Keyes enrolled in the Dental School of the University of Pennsylvania because of his desire to become an oral surgeon like his father and grandfather. After one year of such study and the ensuing summer in England, he decided to enter medicine. Following additional studies in botany at the University of Pennsylvania he enrolled at Jefferson in 1913 and graduated in 1917. At this time Europe was being ravished by World War I, and Dr. Keyes joined the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant, Medical Reserve. The United States declared war on April 6, 1917. The British forces requested 1,000 doctors for combat duty; Dr. Keyes volunteered and was assigned to the Gordon Highlanders in France as a combat surgeon. He was awarded the British Military Cross in 1918 for meritorious service and showing bravery under enemy fire. When the American Expeditionary Forces came to France in 1917, Keyes was recalled to the American Army, where he continued to work as a combat surgeon for a short period. He was then assigned to a hospital for treatment of the sick and wounded from frontline duty at Aix-Les-Baines in the French Alps, where he became Hospital Adjunct (second in command) and was promoted to Captain in the Regular Army. He returned home in June 1919 and transferred his commission to the Army Reserves.
Following World War I, Dr. Keyes entered the Misericordia Hospital on the advice of Dr. Ross V. Patterson, Dean of Jefferson, for completion of an Internship. This had not been done following his graduation from medical school because of immediate war duty. Following this, he entered the Graduate School of the University for the purpose of becoming an oral surgeon. In order to support himself, he took the position of assistant to Dr. Edward A. Strecker at the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital as a paid physician. This experience led to an interest in neurological and psychiatric disorders, thus terminating his goals in oral surgery. Keyes studied psychiatry instead, at the Department of Nervous and Mental Diseases of the Pennsylvania Hospital under Dr. Earl Bond. He remained on the staff of the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital as an Assistant in Neurology and Psychiatry from 1921 until 1925. With interest in psychiatry and neurology firmly established, Dr. Keyes carried out work with Dr. Strecker at the Pennsylvania Institute on ovarian therapy in involutional melancholia. This investigation was reported to the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society in 1922 and published later that year.
Despite an active clinical practice, teaching at Jefferson, serving as an Attending Physician to the Pennsylvania Hospital, Roseneath Farms, and as one of the founding members of the Fairmount Farm Hospital, Dr. Keyes again turned his attention to military matters occasioned by World War II. At the outbreak of the war, Governor Arthur H. James appointed Keyes a member of the Selective Service Board. In June, 194-0, before the outbreak of the war, the Army Surgeon General promoted him to Colonel and ordered him to organize and command the Jefferson Unit, the Thirty-eighth General Hospital. This hospital was to station in Cairo, Egypt, and serve the Mrican and European theaters of war. From 194-2 to 194-4-, Dr. Keyes served as the Unit's Executive Officer and Commandant in charge of medical affairs but was then transferred to England as a consultant in neuropsychiatry. He remained in the organized reserves of the United States Army until 1954-, when he retired. His last active military post was that of Commandant of the School of Military Neurology and Psychiatry at Mason General Hospital. Following the war, he was assigned as a Senior Consultant to the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army and to the Veterans Administration.
On returning to Jefferson after the war, Dr. Keyes became active in the development of the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, was appointed Psychiatric Consultant to the Municipal Court of the City of Philadelphia, and served on many advisory boards and committees as a part of his sense of civic duty and pride. He was an original member of the Admission Committee of the Medical College. The Jefferson Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha awarded him an Honorary Membership in 1952. In 1966 he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from Drexel University and in 1967 the Doctor of Laws from Jefferson.
A charming man, gifted conversationalist, world traveler, superb photographer, and most of all a man able to influence students through his personal example, Keyes stimulated an interest in more students to enter psychiatry than his predecessor Dr. Strecker was doing at the University. Both continued to teach actively at their individual medical schools and at the Philadelphia General Hospital, but more students went into psychiatry from Jefferson than from the University of Pennsylvania. Indeed, there was more than one occasion when more residents from Jefferson went into psychiatry than into surgery, in spite of the enormous dynamism of the Department of Surgery. When medical students, residents, and staff started to form a Keyes Psychiatric Society, he demurred, recommending that it be called "The Jefferson Psychiatric Forum."
Through the efforts of Dr. Keyes, aided by generous financial support from Mrs. Mabel Pew Myrin, the fourteenth floor of the Thompson Building, a former area of operating rooms, was converted into a Psychiatric Unit opening in November 1957. This was the first specific unit for the care and treatment of nervous disorders at Jefferson Hospital and one of the first in Philadelphia. There was a bed capacity of 25 with an outstanding corps of nurses under the direction of Mrs. Rachael Clark. The first Director was Dr. John A. Koltes (Jefferson, 1947).
Dr. Koltcs was trained in psychiatry at Jefferson, the Friends Hospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He also received training in psychoanalysis at the Philadelphia Association for Psychoanalysis. In 1955 he studied the operation of certain European mental hospitals at the direction of the Secretary of Welfare. J4 The work of Dr. Maxwell Jones in the Therapeutic Community in Londonl5 and that of Dr. Manfred Bleuler at the Burgholtzli Hospital of the University at Zurich were the primary sources. Dr. Koltes at that time was Clinical Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, a facility built in Philadelphia for the purpose of improving the quality of state mental hospital systems by providing training and research for members of the system and for new members to join. Drs. Baldwin Keyes, Robert Matthews, and Jolm Davis, in conjunction with the Secretary of Welfare, were instrumental in the establishment of this program. They visited Dr. Jones in London and several other psychiatrists and hospitals. This latter group was revolutionizing the entire mental hospital system of the country before the days of drug therapy by unlocking the doors and permitting fresh air to enter the dank halls of these large institutions. T.P. Rees at the Warlingham Park Hospital, Surrey, and George Bell at the Ding1cton Hospital, Melrose, Scotland, were prime examples of this new approach. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published a journal, Letters from Europe, by Dr. Koltes outlining these programs.
Initially, it was considered feasible to admit patients to the Jefferson psychiatric unit from any ward of the hospital, including patients who were operated upon neurosurgically. It was quickly determined, however, that this was a successful effort and only patients who were not intensely psychotic or were suffering from severe brain damage could be treated in the inpatient unit. This led ultimately to the recognition that a variety of patients came from sources that had not previously been addressed. They were too sick to be treated as outpatients but not sick enough to be committed to mental hospitals. This work thus led to the establishment of a new perspective about inpatient care of a short-term, intensive nature that previously had not existed. Philadelphia psychiatry had tended to be divided into two groups, private facilities primarily at the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, Friends Hospital, Fairmount Farm, and Roseneath, which together housed 400 to 500 patients, and the public hospitals at Byberry and Norristown, which together housed about 8,OOO patients. The psychiatric inpatient service of the general hospital, in contrast, served an entirely new group of people and has continued to do so since its initial establishment. 16,17 Dr. Koltes remained the director of the inpatient unit from 1957 until 1965 when he relinquished the administration to Dr. Howard L. Field (Jefferson, 1954) in order to enter full-time private practice.
In 1958 Dr. Keyes retired by reason of age from Chairmanship of the Department to become Professor Emeritus but continued to practice until July 1979, when he closed his office at the age of 86.A1umni Association President in 1955, presentation of his portrait to the College by the Class of 1955, recipient of the Jefferson Alumni Achievement Award in 1971, services in the affairs of Jefferson w1til past the age of 90, brought Dr. Keyes the seldom given title of "Mr. Jefferson."
The Weekly Advertiser
montgomery, Alabama
3 DEC. 1867 Page 2
