1865 – Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Salmon P. Chase visited Key West, accompanied by his wife and daughter. A military salute was held, and a soldier said of the distinguished visitors, “He is a noble looking man, and his daughter is very pretty, indeed.”
1923 – B.P. Roberts appeared in Monroe County Criminal Court on a charge of vagrancy. He pled guilty and asked for 60 days in jail. His wish was granted.
1924 – Due to a strike by the United Railworkers of Havana, the Havana ferries were to be docked at Key West until the dispute was resolved. The pineapple business expected to be hit especially hard, as it was the height of season, and the fruit needed to get to the Key West trains for distribution across the U.S.
1933 – There were 48 members of Key West High School’s graduating class.
1937 – Sloppy Joe’s Bar held a grand opening celebration at its new location on the corner of Duval and Greene streets. There was dancing to George Dean’s Swing Band and free souvenirs for everyone.
1962 – In the Democratic primary Hilario “Charlie” Ramos Jr. won a stunning victory over Bernie C. Papy for the post of State Representative. Papy had held the office for 28 years and was the dean of the Florida House.
1969 – Norman D. Artman left the Key West Citizen as publisher. He had taken over the paper after his father’s death in 1952 and was owner and publisher until December 1968, when he sold the paper to Charles H. Morris but remained as publisher during the transition.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Two men in front of Sloppy Joe’s Bar at 201 Duval Street, late 1930s. The Scott DeWolfe Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.