Chapter Eleven

REX BEACH, SEBRING CITIZEN

Now it can be told, although during their lives, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Beach would not permit any information to even “leak” out regarding their many acts of charity and/or civic effort assistance.

When they first came to Sebring, they were merely winter tourists at one of the two luxury hotels. Their presence was noted in the local paper but created no stir inasmuch as it was no uncommon occasion for the hotels to host people of wealth or national prominence to spend the season here.

Evidently the Beaches liked the location for, after spending several winters at the hotel, they purchased a home and some farm property in the county and, in a very conservative way, became a very important part of the community. A few of the local citizens were accepted as close friends and it was a great privilege to be included in this circle although it was not a “snobbish” group. They often invited guests of no particular social standing or no financial stature, for en evening visit.

Mr. Beach enjoyed a game of poker and, although he was a man of ample means, the Saturday evening sessions were limited to five and ten cent bets and were usually restricted to orthodox stud and draw and to what was known as “pauper poker”. This meant that when a player had lost his two dollar stack of chips, he could stay in the game for free until he won a hand. Thus, he could lose no more than two dollars in an evening. And, when eleven o’clock sounded, the game stopped. No all night sessions. Those were pleasant, companionable evenings!

The household included “Mimi” and “Geeky” Shurtliff, relatives of Mrs. Beach. These were also lovable people. Geeky was taken into the hearts of the volunteer firemen and he spent most of his evenings at the fire house although he was too advanced in years to answer alarms so he was classified as an associate member. He wanted to be a part of the organization and to do his share in the projects of the department. As one instance of this desire, he volunteered to sell or collect tickets on the rides or shows at the Firemen’s County fair. Promptly, at the appointed times, the chauffeur-driven Beach limousine would stop at the fair entrance and drop off its passenger and then return hours later and wait for Geeky to finish his tour of duty. And Geeky always sold his allotment of tickets for minstrels, carnivals and other firemen’s fund-raising projects. Each Christmas and Easter, the Firemen received a substantial check from both Mr. and Mrs. Beach to “help their civic projects” and, upon the death of Geeky, they wanted to preserve the memory of his association with the Firemen which has been adequately accomplished by the presentation of a game table for the meeting room. This table has a most unique top with Geeky’s name inlaid.

Other relatives joined the Beach family in Sebring and they were influenced by Rex and Gretta to use their artistic talents to help in promoting worthy enterprises and contribute to the cultural development of the town. In the late 1920’s and early 30’s, the Hattons (who were close relatives of Mrs. Beach) organized the first of the “Little Theatre” movements.

While the Beaches were still living at Harder Hall, they were joined by Fred Stone who was a recognized star of the first magnitude on the stage and in movies. He had suffered a broken leg and, while recuperating in Sebring, he developed a dance routine publicized nationally as “the crutch dance” because he presented it while still on crutches. Later, on his periodic visits to Sebring, he appeared on several of the Firemen’s annual minstrel shows as well as special benefit performances, giving his talents without cost. He had a wide range of showmanship abilities and, in addition to character parts for which he was nationally known, he was adept in the use of a twelve foot long “bull whip.” He was a fair hand at knife throwing and had a bag of magic tricks. He was especially proud of his levitation act. Fred Stone could stage a full evening of variety features. He did just that on time when the Firemen needed funds to finance the - promotion of a State Fire College in Sebring.

(Television viewers of the 1960’s and 70’s will recognize the doctor in “Gun Smoke” who is a member of Fred Stone’s family)

Sebring was visited several times by Fred Stone’s three daughters who were billed nationally as the “Stepping Stones.” They were a superlative dance team and (no doubt inspired by Mrs. Beach) took an intense interest in the Girl Scout movement in Sebring; then sparked by Sophy Mae Mitchell. The Stone sisters helped promote a drive and also contributed financially to a fund to build a Girl Scout home which has since borne the name “Stepping Stones” in their memory and honor.

Other important and renowned personages of worldwide prominence followed Rex Beach to Sebring. Among these was the famous movie star, Marjorie Rambeau, whose husband was a senator from North Carolina. She, too, aided in civic affairs to some degree (probably influenced by the Beaches.) Whenever a world traveler, a lecturer or other individual of interest visited the Beach household, they would give benefit appearances the proceeds from which would be given to some worthy cause.

On more than one occasion, Mr. Beach arranged with producers who made movies of his stories, to stage the world premiers in a Sebring theatre. This was both a financial and cultural boon.

It was but natural that the people who were associated in the same professions as the Beach family, would be interested in having winter homes in Sebring. The stage and screen celebrities were acquainted on Mrs. Beach’s side but Courtney Riley Cooper (a good friend of Rex) had gained his fame by his writings, principally short stories of circus life and books on life in New York City. Although Mr. Cooper was not exposed to the public in Sebring, his wife was active in a way. They bought one of the better homes in town but Mrs. Cooper interested herself in building several “model homes.”

Mr. Cooper and Mr. Beach were good friends and both had imagination and a sense of humor. Among Sebring folks of that era, Mr. Cooper is universally remembered by the fact that he installed several wooden ersatz fire plugs around his spacious lawn. He had several fine hunting dogs.

Robert Fox (Mr. Beach’s secretary) tells of an episode with which he helped. Mr. Cooper had installed on his lawn, one of those familiar hitching posts in the form of a stable boy. At a time when the Cooper family was away from home, Rex and Robert used a mattock to chop up the lawn around the hitching post so that it would appear that a horse had tethered there. To make the hoax more realistic, they placed some stable refuse at the scene. Mr. Cooper never solved the mystery.

Mr. and Mrs. Beach were both compassionate and generous. Not only did they give lavishly to civic projects; they also provided the necessities of life to many individuals and families in Sebring but these folks never knew the source of their windfalls. There were some who tried to impose on their generosity but there were secret ways of checking so they were seldom duped.

One project in which Mrs. Beach took a personal interest, was the construction of a market place for small vendors of garden produce. In the late 1920’s, the lot on the corner of the Circle and South Commerce was vacant so several of the homesteaders set up a market at which they sold produce several days each week. The fixtures consisted of orange crates and packing boxes and there was no shelter from either sun or rain. Recognizing the value of such a market and the need for suitable facilities, Mrs. Beach offered to pay for a building and the owner of the lot (Ed Hainz) gave his permission for its use, rent free. The building served for many years and, as this was the period of deep depression, it helped the gardeners make a living and made it possible for citizens to buy good, fresh vegetables at a reasonable figure.

The depression of the 1930’s plunged many folks into dire need. The story is told that some of Mr. Beach’s friends who had had ample money, were wiped out in the stock market crash and that they had been helped by Rex and Gretta. It is definitely known that, in Sebring, some people who could not find work, were fed until their fortunes were bettered. At times, the water and electric bills of from 20 to 30 families were paid secretly by Mr. Beach.

Many of the palm trees on the streets and dooryards of Sebring were grown on the Beach farm east of Avon Park and given by him, gratis.

He was probably attracted to the Highlands of Florida by the excellent facilities to indulge his favorite hobbies- hunting and fishing- at which he was an expert, He had a wonderful collection of hunting guns and dogs.

Since he was naturally modest and retiring, he avoided public appearances as much as possible and did not join any civic or fraternal organizations but he did lend his time, efforts and talents to organizing the group that was responsible for the establishment of Highlands Hammock, for which he has never received the recognition that is due him.

In 1929, he was joined by other men of means, to form the Tropical Florida Parks Association, of which he was named president. He wrote publicity items and the text for brochures and, by his executive ability, inspired the association in such a manner that others saw the possibilities of the area. Because they had confidence in him, they provided the money necessary for procuring and preserving the area. He even contributed a complete, autographed set of his books for the competition of selecting the accepted name for the park.

Among his writings, is his autobiography which is recommended as interesting literature but it does not mention any of his philanthropic activities nor does it give even a hint of the respect and love that his Sebring friends held for him and his family.

In June 1931, the Sebring Firemen were hosts to the Florida Fire College and, as they needed substantial funds for the project, Rex Beach and Fred Stone offered their services. Much local talent was employed in producing a variety show but, of course, Fred Stone was the feature attraction. Mr. Beach introduced him and his remarks in this connection formed a part of the evening’s entertainment.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is the toughest spot on any bill and, as usual, the worst actor opens the show.

This entertainment is advertised a benefit for the Sebring Fire Department but, as a matter of fact, it is for you. Every dollar that goes to the firemen benefits you and me ten dollars worth. That’s the kind of a Fire Department we have here. It is the most unique fire department I ever saw. It is more than a fire department: it is also a civic body and in some ways the most important and the most efficient in our city. It leads the way in every public spirited enterprise. If you have a new idea for the betterment of Sebring, take it round to the Fire-house. You’ll get quick action!

Who built a splendid athletic field and dedicated it to the free use of the public? The firemen did most of that with their own hands. Who wears Sebring’s baseball, basketball and diamondball uniforms? Most of the boys are firemen. Who made the first energetic move towards cleaning up and beautifying our city and who volunteered to plant and beautify a part of the road into Highlands Hammock? The Firemen! At the formal opening of that park they handled their share of the intricate details so that there wasn’t a hitch. They led in the movement for fish and game conservation and for the protection of our county from forest fires.

If you want something done in Sebring, call the Fire Department. It your oil stove, or your Frigidaire or your husband won’t work, call a fireman. If you quarrel with your girl friend, call a fireman and if she’s good looking you’ll have no more trouble with her. And girls! If you can’t find a parking space, call a fireman. They know all the nice dark ones.

If Junior swallows a fish bone, don’t yell for a doctor. These firemen will get up anything at a moment’s notice. Take this show, for instance. Fred Stone has been out of work for several months and boarding with me. We’re closing the house tomorrow and he had to get back to New York so he decided to put on this benefit. He was afraid it might flop so he called in the department and said, “Firemen, save my show.” Did they respond? There are ten firemen, ten, count them, in his first number. And how those boys act! It’s scandalous.

The other artists on this bill have also volunteered their services to help Fred out of town and get him into the theatrical profession. I hope you will be generous with your applause. Now a word about Fred- Some of you may not have met him and this account is taken from dependable sources but without his knowledge or consent. For your benefit I’ll briefly sketch his career. He is a full blooded Seminole Indian. He was born in Hicoria, with a full beard, which he still wears, He learned to speak English when he was eighteen years old while attending the Crewsville College of Veterinary Surgery. He graduated with high honors due to his ability to utter bird songs and imitate the cries of wild animals.

He was full of pranks, like any wild Everglades child. I’ll never forget one day he hid himself in the branches of an orange tree growing on the campus and imitated the love song of the Mediterranean Fruit fly. He did it in such a lifelike manner that the good professors cut the tree down in order to keep him from spreading. Those were the happiest days of Fred’s life. As punishment for this practical joke he was sprayed with Bordeaux mixture and sentenced to live for seven years in a cave. There be opened a day nursery and school of tattooing which gave him his start in the business world.

When the boom came along he moved to Palm Beach and went into the real estate business. He traded town lots for arrowheads and fish hooks, and did very well at it. Soon he had tons of arrowheads and hooks in every bank in town and was considered the richest Indian in Florida.

Then came the bank failures and in a single night he was wiped out. All he had to show for his industry was one rusty fish hook which was embedded in his left heel. With this he returned to the old family estate on Fish Eating Creek and began life anew.

One day while doing window shopping in Palmdale be dropped in at the principal theatre and heard his first grand opera. It was a turning point in his career. After hearing that singing he decided to become a dancer. Let’s hope be makes good here tonight. His name isn’t Fred Stone, at all, you know. He took that as a stage name after Dorothy and Paula Stone, my nieces. His real name is Elmer Upsalquitch, which in Seminole means Horace Short and Dirty. His courage and perseverance are proverbial. He is the only man in the world who learned to like cauliflower. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the famous Indian guide, harmonica player and wart doctor, Fred Stone. Let’s give the young redskin a big hand.

(This article is reprinted from Bulletin Number Fourteen.

Sebring Historical Society, July 1973. Pages 463-468.)

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