SOMETHING I DID NOT KNOW

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I long ago realized that no matter how much I have learned about Key West, there is always more. Yesterday, a new discovery!

Captain Tony’s was once a morgue. In fact, bodies may still be lying around under and in the walls of the building. For real!

The building was erected in 1851. It was an ice house and the Key West  City morgue. Makes sense that in that time a morgue would be located as part of or very near an ice house.

There is a tree inside Captain Tony’s known as the hanging tree. So named because executions took place by hanging from the tree. I am not certain, but probably because the tree was located within steps of the morgue. Seventy five people were hung from the tree.

Ice found its way to the building from New York City. Sailboats loaded with bananas would travel to New York. The return trip found the boats loaded with ice for Key West. The ice had been removed from frozen lakes north of the City.

Key West got hit with a pretty bad hurricane in 1865. Corpses stored at the morgue went flying. All over Key West and the ocean. Only one body was returned. It is claimed that body lies buried in the pool room area of present day Captain Tony’s. The body was buried with bottles of holy water which were built into the wall.

At some point in time, a new foundation was being layed. The bodies of 16 pirates and one woman were found. How they were determined to to be the remains of pirates, I do not know. It is claimed the woman resides in the building to this day. She is a ghost. Generally remains in the ladies room. She has occasionally been seen floating around the bar area.

Sometime in the 1980s, repair work was being done. The old plywood flooring was ripped up. The skeletal remains of 8-15 people were discovered. Plus a grave marker with the name Elvira on it.

Hanging behind the bar today are the skeletal remains of a body. The bones are very aged. Brown in  color. It is assumed the skeleton was one of those found during the 1980s renovation work. The grave marker is now incorporated into and exposed in cement in the room where the pool tables are located.

The number of bodies discovered over the years amazes me. I always thought a morgue was an in and out place. Apparently the morgue staff was burying the bodies within and around the building itself.

Over the years, the ice house and morgue went. Other businesses moved it. The present day Captain  Tony’s was home to a wireless telegraph office, a cigar factory, a house of ill repute that also provided gambling and bootleg rum. Sloppy Joe’s Joe began operating his first bar out of the building in the 1930s. During the time he and Hemingway were friends. In 1958, Captain Tony bought the building and opened Captain Tony’s Saloon.

For additional and perhaps more accurate information, I suggest you take a Ghost Tour. Captain Tony’s is  one of the stops.

I became aware of what is contained herein yesterday for the first time. I was researching something else involving Key West on the internet and found some information which led me to the morgue story.

To verify my findings, I went to Captain Tony’s last night. I occasionally stop. Never paid attention to bodies or anything of that nature.

I saw the skeleton behind the bar for the first time. I probably saw it before, but it never registered. I walked the pool room looking for the Elvira grave marker and the place where one of the hurricane bodies was buried. I found neither. I looked through the room next to the pool room. Nothing. The ladies room was off limits so I could not check for the ghost.

I wanted to ask a bartender about the things I could not find.. However, the place was packed and I was lucky to even get a drink. Another time.

Enjoy your day!

CHART ROOM LAST NIGHT…..HEMINGWAY AND OTHERS

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I wrote of Peter Anderson yesterday morning. Indicated he was ill and things did not look good. They were not. Peter passed away yesterday. Key West has lost one of its finest citizens and a most loved neighbor. May he rest in peace.

I started my yesterday with a gym visit. The first in ten days. Albert was waiting for me. The hour was grueling, especially since I had been away so long.

While Albert was abusing me, we talked about the children immigrating from Latin America. Albert shared an observation I had not considered. Imagine how bad/desperate things must be for parents to send their children off alone to the United States. How they must have scrapped, borrowed and perhaps stolen the $7,000 necessary to pay a coyote.

For two reasons. First, to make sure their children avoided the death and rape that might confront them if they remained at home. Second, for the better life America promised.

The Republicans in Congress make me sick. Almost to a person, they are opposed to the help the President wants to provide. Senator McCain was on television this morning saying in effect…..Put them on planes and send them back!

There is a child problem ongoing in South Sudan. Children are dying daily of malnutrition. A humanitarians crisis. Money needed from all over the world to help these children. The United States is doing its part. Last week, we sent $22 million. Total sent by the United States this year $456 million.

Where did this money come from? Was it part of a House bill? Was it appropriated? If we can help these kids on a foreign shore, why can’t we help the children who have made it to our shore?

It is all politics. Disgustingly so.

Dinner was with Lisa last night. The grandkids are away visiting their other grandparents.

Stopped at Don’s Place afterwards. Quiet. Chatted with Randy. Met a new person. Ann Marie. Lovely. Just got hired to work the outdoor bar at La Te Da. Good for her! A great job!

Then to the Chart Room for what turned put to be a big night.

I was supposed to meet Sheila. She was there. As was David, Jean Thornton and granddaughter Paris, and several others.

Friends Hank and Pat from Melbourne. I met Hank for the first time last year. He comes to Key West each year to participate in the Hemingway Look A Like contest. He has been doing it for 21 years. He is still waiting to win. Don’t know why he has not. He looks like Hemingway!

Dianne was back. Have not seen her in a year. She is a good friend of Sheila’s. Dianne is an artist from Champagne, Illinois.

A fellow sat next to me at the bar. There was an empty seat between us. He had white hair and beard. Looked like Hemingway! No question about it. I asked if he was in the contest. He gruffly said yes and then ignored me and everyone else, except for an occasional word or two with Emily. A most impolite individual. I hope he loses.

Billy and Cindy Schott showed up! Great people! Friends from Texas.

Billy and Cindy married in Key West in 2011 on Smathers Beach. They visit Key West frequently. This trip they are here till the end of August.

Billy has an interesting job. Something to do with college football and TV. His title is Big 12 Conference TV Liason.

Billy and Cindy know everyone. On the drive down to Key West, they stopped to visit their friend Kyle Chandler. I knew nothing of him, had never heard his name. Chandler is an actor. Has several featured roles in movies and television under his belt. He is presently starring with Sissy Spacek in the new television series being filmed in the upper keys. The show’s base of operations is Islamorada. Where they met up with and spent some time with their friend.

It was a big night at the Chart Room.

Enjoy your day!

 

PETER ANDERSON

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A busy morning yesterday. Started with some scheduled heart tests at Dr. McIvor’s office. Then a manicure with Tammy. Finally an 11 o’clock business meeting downtown.

Spent a bit of time in the afternoon reviewing my notes for last night’s Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Dinner was at the Roostica bar. Chatted with the lovely Megan.

Showtime at 9. My blog talk radio show. Enjoyed doing it. I was disturbed about many things and vented. Things like the 52,000 children and China wanting to buy most of our American Fortune 500 companies.

Peter Anderson is sick. His condition reportedly serious. The cancer returned. He is bedridden and Hospice is attending him. Peter is the Secretary General of the Conch Republic. A major contributor to Key West history and folklore. Pray for him.

I continue to be concerned for the close to 300 girls who were forcibly removed from their school in Nigeria. Their captors said they were to be sold into slavery. That was three months ago. Nothing heard since. What has happened to the girls? Is anyone still looking for them?

Key West Citizen’s this Day in History section notes that on this day in 1941 Joe Di Maggio hit in his 56th consecutive game. Quite a feat! A record that stands to this day.

I met Joe Di Maggio twice. A privilege. Especially the second time.

The first occasion was in my home town Utica. Rufie Ventura owned a restaurant. Ventura’s. Each summer he sponsored a charity golf tournament. Joe Di Maggio would attend. He and Rufie were friends. I met Di Maggio at one of the tournaments.

The second time was years later. Di Maggio was long retired. I had finished playing a round of golf at La Gorce in Miami. I was sitting at a table with several La Gorce members after the game having a drink. We were in the Men’s Lounge. Di Maggio was a member at La Gorce. He came in and sat with us. He knew the others. I was introduced. I spent the next hour enjoying his company and graciousness.

I return to the gym this morning at 11. It has been 10 days since my last visit. Albert just telephoned to ask if I was going to appear. I was happy to say yes. I fear I am going to be extra sore after the workout because of the time I have missed. All for good health!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

CHARLIE ROBINSON

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A Key West neighbor died. Charlie Robinson aka Charles Robert Robinson.

Whenever we met, we greeted each other with…..Hi neighbor! We were not geographically close, however. We both lived in Key Haven. I at the end of Cypress Terrace, Charlie on Key Haven Road. A half mile separating us.

We first met at Antonia’s or La Te Da. Charlie and his charming wife Regina would occasionally visit Key West haunts. Both always smiling, always friendly.

About two years after I started writing this blog, I ran into the two of them at Antonia’s. Rachel put together that I was Key West Lou. She was so excited! Not because she met me. Because she enjoyed reading the blog so much. She told me she went back to the beginning and read it all. Loved her!

Charlie was a Key West fixture. An icon. He owned a motor/scooter operation on Truman just below Duval. The one with the big American flag flying over it.

Charlie was active in an antique car club. Big time! Antique cars were his thing!

Charlie and Regina lived on one of the best streets in the Key West area. Homes in Key Haven can be special. Theirs was. As were those of their neighbors. Charlie needed a place to park some of his antique cars. They could not be left outside subject to the sun and salt. Charlie bought a piece of property directly across the street from his home on Key Haven Road. The property was located on open water. Charlie built a four stall garage. He did it right, however. I am sure he did not wish to insult himself or his neighbors. It was built like a house, at quick glance looked like a house. and was always well maintained.

A Key West luminary is gone. His star now shines in the heavens.

Did a little Mel Fisher Days yesterday afternoon. Walked the closed off streets. Listened to a bit of music. Enjoyed a sausage sandwich.

This morning’s Key West Citizen carries a major front page article on drones. They are not only military. They are public, also. Two drone companies have already opened in Key West. They fly over where ever and take pictures.

One hit a spectator during the July 4 fireworks.

Privacy laws are involved. As well as federal regulations. If drones are to be part of our everyday lives, they must be controlled for the good of the public. I would not want my picture taken as I lay by my pool bare ass for the whole world to see. Nor is it anyone’s business who I am out with.

When it rains big time in Key West, certain streets flood. Sometimes deep enough for kayaking, sometimes for swimming. I have a dear friend in Novara. Milly. I met Milly on my first trip to Italy three years ago. Milly unfortunately had a bad stroke in her 30s. She is still in her 30s. The stroke left her with some disabilities and discomfort. It did not affect her sense of humor, however.

Milly posted a photo on Facebook this week. It was of a flooded Novara street. A young man was standing on a surf board. Milly’s comment was…..Surfing in paddy fields no longer fashionable.

The Novara area is replete with rice paddys. As far as the eye can see in any direction. The area is one of the largest rice growers in the world. The reason is that the land is always flooded. There are natural springs below the surface which constantly feed the ground. Rice fields are referred to as paddy fields.

I met Germana and Nini on the same trip. They own the biggest parcel of rice paddys in the Novara area. Miles of it. They also own and operate a golf course.

Nini told me the golf course parcel was too hilly for a rice paddy. So he built a golf course. This man of affluence is hands on. I can see him working on its construction. He also worked on maintaining the golf course after its construction. He cut the grass on occasion. On a large tractor mower.

Two years ago, the tractor tipped and pinned Nini under it. Many broken bones. He spent two months in the hospital and then close to a year at home. He still has pain. However, he is up and about again. I do not know if he cuts the grass anymore.

Milly, Germana, and Nini know each other and are friends. Great people all. I am pleased to know them and call them friends, also.

Enjoy your day!

 

NORMALCY RETURNS

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Got my car back! Yesterday afternoon. Freedom returned. I can once again go anywhere anytime.

The problem was twofold. An electric box above the ignition and the battery. All fixed! The car even feels different.

Food was a continuing problem without wheels. Could not get out to shop. Cupboard and refrigerator bare. So bad that at 7 this morning I was at Publix when it opened.

Jim Wallace of Joy Gallery was over in the afternoon. I am unloading some of my art work. He is a very knowledgeable fellow.

Big night last night! First time out in roughly a week. Stopped at Don’s Place first. By prearrangement, we were going out to dinner. We turned into Don, David, Hershel, Erika, and Randy. A few drinks and we were on our way to Benihana. One of Don’s favorites.

The food and company were enjoyable.

Met Jose and Judy while at Benihana. Jose is originally from Cuba. He nows lives in Marathon. Delivers lobsters up and down the keys. His lady friend was Judy. She makes cigars in Cuba. She is here visiting. I wondered how it was possible. Turned out she is a citizen of Spain.

I did bad things last night. Felt good, however. Had a few drinks and smoked cigarettes. It felt good!

This week end is part of the Mel Fisher Days celebration. Streets will be blocked off all day. Fun time big time, especially this afternoon and evening.

Enjoy your day!

DON’T SLEEP ON THE JOB

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Do not fall asleep when you are supposed to be working! It happened to me last night.

I had an early dinner at Lisa’s. She had me home by 6:30. My blog talk radio show was scheduled for 9. I had time to kill.

Normally, I get ready mechanically at 8:30 for the show. Then at 8:45 connect in with Blog Talk Radio. By 8:50, I am ready. I have 10 minutes to kill till show time. I spend those 10 minutes reviewing my notes for the show.

A few seconds before 9, a female voice comes on. For my ears only at that point. YOUR SHOW BEGINS IN FIVE SECONDS……5 4 3 2 1. There is a brief pause and then the voice returns. This time everyone can hear. WELCOME TO BLOG TALK RADIO!

Back to Lisa dropping me off at 6:30.

I decided to watch some TV. I had two hours to kill. I laid on my bed and inadvertently fell asleep. When I woke, the room was dark. I thought I had enjoyed a deep long night’s sleep. Then it hit me! I slept through the show! I hit the light. It was 8:59. One minute to show time!

The race was on.

I rushed like hell in that minute to show time.  Down the stairs. Completed the 8:30 and 8:45 preliminaries. As I connected with blog talk radio, I heard…..YOUR SHOW BEGINS IN FIVE SECONDS.

God was with me.

I enjoyed an early dinner with Lisa. My car is at the repair shop. Joe’s Auto Repair on US 1. He took care of my Mercedes when I brought it to Key West 4 years ago. I had dropped the Volkswagen off in the morning. He called later and explained the problem. Needed parts from Miami. The car would not be ready till thursday. Which means I am stuck at home till then.

No problem from my perspective. I will hang home for a couple of days and hopefully get my book writing caught up. I am behind.

Yesterday morning, I still had the car. I stopped at Lori’s for a hair cut. She leaves tomorrow for three weeks on Long Island and in Maine. Then I delivered the Volkswagen to Joe’s. He provides good service. Had one of his men drive me home. The car will be delivered to my house on thursday.

I completed writing next week’s KONK Life column. JOHN PAUL JONES Part 1. I had to break it into two parts. There was much to write. Part 1 involves the good he did. Part 2 will follow one week later. Part 2 will center on his shortcomings, most of which are generally unknown, yet nevertheless interesting.

Ain’t no frightful weather in Key West! Another dramatic morning. Another quiet and still morning. Peace abounds. Beauty everywhere.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

TONIGHT…..TONIGHT…..

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My blog will be short this morning.

Comcast screwed me up. Lost an hour. The screen came up no internet service. Telephone help re do this, then that, disconnect, connect, etc. Finally worked after an hour. Made me tired.

I have an early haircut appointment. Do not want to miss it. Lori leaves tomorrow on a three week vacation.

Then the car to the garage. Many thanks to all who wrote and gave me advice as to the cause of the problem. I will let you know what when I know.

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9. My blog talk radio show. A half hour of fast moving dialogue re current events. From my perspective, of course. Join me. www.keywestlou.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight will include my warning to the ladies that contraception is back on the table, a police epidemic of murders, an update re the children’s immigration, the disgrace of Marietta, corporate welfare and Eric Cantor, GMO info re Cordoba’s cancer deaths, Australia and milk, and Hillary Clinton supporting GMOs, wood in our food, and more.

My time out was limited last night. I was fearful the car would not turn over at some point. So I limited my travels to Don’s Place. Enjoyed chatting with Grant and Don.

Robert came in. I have not seen him in ages. He now bartends at Smokin’ Tuna. I overheard a brief conversation between Robert and Don. Robert told Don the great score he had shot on the golf course. Don reponded…..Did you play all the holes?

The lines coming out of Don’s Place could form the basis for a funny TV show. The problem is no one seems interested when I bring it up.

Enjoy your day!

KALISPERA

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Kalispera is Greek for good evening. It might also be Greek for hello. I am not sure. My Greek is not that good.

Anna is on the Greek island of Fourni at the moment. She skyped yesterday to wish me a happy birthday. She was at dinner. Standing behind her was a group of roughly 15 persons. Other guests, locals and the restaurant owner.

As soon as I appeared on screen, they shouted in unison…..Kalispera Key West Lou! Happy birthday! How nice. Other than Anna, I knew none of them. I have never been to Fourni.

Then we lost skype. There was not even time to say thank you.

Since yesterday was my birthday, I slept late and lazed around most of the day.

My son in law picked me up at 4 to take me to Lisa’s for dinner. I asked that we stop first at Don’s Place. I wanted to check on the car. I tried to turn the car on, for the hell of it. It started. It started again when I left Lisa’s. I am not sure when it will not start again. It will find its way to a garage today.

Lisa prepared a terrific birthday dinner. Specifically what I requested. Lasagna and chocolate cake with white frosting. I enjoyed. We all enjoyed.

After dinner, we did Happy Birthday! As I suspected, Ally directed the event.

The grandkids each wrote me a card. Lovely! Ally’s was exceptionally long.

Ally also gave me a painting she did at summer camp. A boat at sea. It sits on my kitchen cupboard already. Robert gave me ceramic plant vase. On it was Robert’s thumb print and his initials. A summer camp result, also. Robert had to first break the vase and then glue it back together. Could not have been an easy feat. There were several broken parts. The vase sits on the counter here where I work already filled with pens and pencils.

Bread is the subject of the day.

This morning’s Key West Citizen in its This Day in History section stated that on this day in 1927, an individual invented a machine to slice bread. The term “sliced bread” is defined to include packaging. The invention was a big deal.

The company involved produced Kleen Maid Sliced Bread. A small company. Sliced bread did not take off however till 1930 when Wonder Bread got involved.

Wonder Bread was national. They came up with a slogan that they thought would sell their sliced bread big time. It did. The slogan…..The greatest thing since sliced bread.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOUIS

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Today is my birthday. Seventy nine years old! Wow!

I thought of titling today’s blog Happy Birthday Key West Lou! Would have been an error. Key West Lou is only 8 years old.

Two previous birthdays bothered me. Forty and 50. Forty for a whole year. Why, I am not sure. Perhaps because my 30’s were behind me. Fifty lasted 24 hours. Not even worth commenting on.

Reaching today has bothered me for 3 months. I have a feeling it will continue to bother me after today for a period of time. I suspect it is because the next birthday is 80. A real big number! Whether I like it, I am  getting old.

It is Cindy’s birthday today, also. Cindy of Tom and Cindy. Cindy from Iowa who frequently visits Key West. Cindy my friend who has had many cancer surgeries. She has only one leg and one breast. Yet, the most positive and fun filled personality of any person I have met.

Happy birthday Cindy!

I am running late doing today’s blog. Almost 11 in the morning. Probably being lazy because it is my birthday.

The world responds. It is wonderful. So far I have received at least 15 happy birthday e mails and telephone calls. Some from as far away as China, Indonesia, South Korea, and South Africa.

It is a small world. Thank you all.

Finished my research yesterday for my next KONK Life submission. I will write the column this afternoon or tomorrow. The title is John Paul Jones. Revealing! An interesting figure. He of…..”I have not yet begun to fight” fame. I compare him in many respects to World War II’s General George Patton.

Car problems yesterday. I shaved and showered. Dressed a bit tidier than normal. And was out on the town to celebrate my birthday. Stopped first at Don’s Place. Don had just returned from a family reunion in Buffalo.

I went to leave. The car would not start. A 2010 Volkswagen convertible. Had its 10,000 mile check up in Miami. Due soon for the 20,000 mile one.

The starter was not kicking in/turning over. Jimmy came outside to see if he could get it going. To no avail. I had Lisa and family come over and pick me up and return me home. My night on the town a bust! I was disappointed, but not unhappy. I enjoy many celebratory evenings in Key West. An evening of TV and reading was ok.

Lisa is cooking for me tonight. She and the grandkids baked me a cake. They will also be chauffering me back and forth between houses.

Tomorrow, I will have to get someone over to look at the car.

This morning’s Key West Citizen had JJ’s picture on page 3. Person of the Day. JJ is now at the Galleon Sunset Pier. I stopped three times to see him. Wrong day each time. I have not tried again in a while. Parking a problem.

KONK Life’s E Blast carried a picture of the Vandenberg today. In celebration of the 4th, several divers attached a huge American flag to the Vandenberg. What a sight divers will have to behold!

Only in Key West. It has roughly been three years that we have had to put up with the construction work on North Roosevelt Boulevard. The repair work is not expected to be completed till the end of August. Driving has been a pain in the ass for three years. No one will deny the representation.

I have avoided North Roosevelt as much as possible. Instead, I have used Flagler. Rather than going right at the triangle at the end of US 1, I turn left onto South Roosevelt Boulevard for several blocks till I reach Flagler, where I make a right to head into town.

I read this morning that repair work will begin on South Roosevelt Boulevard tomorrow. To last several weeks. From the triangle at the end of US 1 to the Riviera Bridge. The same distance basically I have to travel to get to Flagler.

Both entrances to Key West will be screwed up at the same time!

Why must this second construction be started before the first is completed? Key West City fathers fouled up here!

Enjoy your sunday!

FIREWORKS!

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I had intended to join Lisa and family at Higgs Beach for the fireworks last night. At the last minute, I decided to stay home and watch the PBS Washington Symphony U.S. birthday extravaganza on TV. Great music, singing and fireworks!

The Washington show was outstanding! As always.

I can hear and see Key West’s fireworks from my home. The PBS show concluded at 9:30. Still no Key West fireworks. Shortly after 10, I began hearing the boom booms. I went outside on my deck. The Key West fireworks had begun. I sat down outside with a drink in hand and watched. A good show!

I did lose out however in not going to Higgs Beach. I enjoy watching Robert and Ally’s reactions to the fireworks. An exciting event for them.

The President and Mrs. Obama were not present for the Washington show. They usually are seated in the front row. A safety concern?

Lisa and family came over in the afternoon. To swim. Turns out my pool is sick. Pea green. Only the second time in 16 years. They went swimming in the canal instead.

Two days ago I mentioned George M. Cohan, the super dooper entertainer. I mentioned one of the songs he wrote. Yankee Doodle Dandy. Late yesterday afternoon, Turner Classic Movies showed the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy starring James Cagney. The life of George M. Cohan. I watched the movie for the 21st time.

Thursday was David’s birthday. I did not know. I feel even worse since I spent some time with him at Don’s Place thursday night. I called him yesterday to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Beware. Contraception is back on the table. More government intrusion. Not from Congress this time. From the Supreme Court.

The case involves Wheaton College. Wheaton College has a lawsuit pending before the Supreme Court. Wheaton does not want to provide insurance for contraception coverage. As with the Little Sisters of the Poor case, they do not want even to sign/self-certify that they are opting out in providing the coverage. They feel doing so makes them complicit in contraceptive activity.

Wheaton will not be heard for some time. Wheaton therefore asked the Court for an injunction allowing them to get off the hook, so to speak. Sign nothing till the Supreme court decides, not be required in any sense in even recognizing contraception. In a 6-3 decision thursday, the six males of the Supreme Court granted the injunction. The three female members dissented.

The gauntlet has been thrown big time!

On monday last, the Supreme Court decided in the Hobby Lobby case that abortive contraceptives were a no no for certain corporations. Twenty contraceptives were involved. The Court’s ruling seemed muddied. Abortion was the issue. Yet the Court intertwined abortion and contraceptives. In the end, the decision seemed to state the four abortion contraceptives did not have to be provided and the sixteen non-abortive contraceptives were permissible.

Louis, the media and some who read this blog were confused it appeared. I was not, though I did not state it. I recognized only abortive contraceptives were involved. As some of you did, also.

This past thursday, three days following the Hobby Lobby decision, the Supreme Court got involved with both feet in the contraception issue.

I did not know contraception per se was still an issue. The other side never gives up. Especially where a woman’s body and private rights are concerned. A bad situation overall.

As Justice Sotomayor said in the dissent, the Wheaton College ruling undermines confidence in the Court. It came out of the blue. It does.

Enjoy your day!