Florida and the Spanish-American War of 1898

Documents

Governor Bloxham to the Secretary of War in Washington, D.C.

From: Territorial and State Governors letterbooks, 1836-1909 (Series 32, Volume 51, page 238)

Series 32 contains the official outgoing correspondence, in bound letterpress volumes, of Florida's territorial and state governors from 1836-1909. The records reflect the official, constitutional and political duties of the Office of Governor.

In the first telegram, Governor Bloxham writes to the secretary of war in Washington, D.C. about racial violence in Lakeland, Florida. In the second telegram, Bloxham wires the mayor of Lakeland.

Bloxham' response to events in Lakeland

Aug. 15/98
Hon. R.A. Alger, Secty. Of War.
Washington, D.C.

Mayor, Sheriff & Prosecuting Attorney at Lakeland call for protection from threatened riot and outrage by the tenth Cavalry. Well founded reports are that this Regiment has threatened to burn the town and murder those who were prominent in securing conviction of murder against one of their number upon the eve of the departure from the town.
The recent outrage by twenty five of these soldiers in rescuing a negro civilian from the Sheriff leads to apprehension that they may attempt such outrages. Please wire precautionary orders to commander.
Please wire me precautions taken.
W.D. Bloxham, Governor.

 

State Acct. war rates.

Hon C.M. Marsh, Mayor,
Lakeland, Fla.
Have wired Secty. Of War and asked that precautions be taken against apprehended trouble.
W.D. Bloxham, Governor.
State Acct.

 

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