CHS Class of 1961 and More Winding River Road
ASHS Column for 08 31 06
Margaret Collier


   Those of you who attended the August meeting of
The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society will
remember that a camera crew from WSRE was there to
record the fascinating performance by Kelly
Reynolds as pioneer empire builder Henry Plant.
Those of you who had the misfortune to be elsewhere
are in luck. You see, that fine portrayal will be
aired on WSRE, Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 P.M.,
so mark your calendars now for excerpts that will
delight you. The name of the program is “Food for
Thought.”
    Your PBS station deserves your support for its
fine programs; therefore, when you have finished
enjoying this, and many other enlightening
offerings, why not send the station a donation in
appreciation. Do it!
    Next we want to mention that the Century High
School class of 1961 is having one of its
bimonthly meetings Saturday, September 9. This will
be held in The Leach House from 5 - 8 o'clock. We
are pleased that this group will get together in
our meeting place as it will give the ones new to
the museums a chance to see what we have to offer. Those of you who need details about the reunion may call Sue Kelly (256-4282) for details.
Finally, we'll get back to more of the Winding River Road story.
* * *
    Uncle Tom Sunday who traveled this historic road when it was known only as the Indian Trading Trail and traveled by the Indians and Spaniards and later after it became the Winding River Road lived not many miles from the residences of the Gaylor brothers related this true incident in connection with an argument between Rix and Talc: It seems a cattle sale was being held in the community and the two brothers became involved in an argument about the sale. The argument soon waxed warm. A few harsh words were exchanged. Talc then struck Rix a hard blow over the head with an old time gun bending the barrel, completely ruining it and causing Rix to stagger and drop to his knees.
    As Rix recovered and saw Talc trying to shoot him he snatched a large knife from his pocket and stabbed Talc inflicting a severe wound, evidently cutting an artery because of the large quantity of blood flowing from the wound. A number of bystanders carried Talc to a nearby cabin and began to apply all remedies known to them to stop the flow of blood from a fresh wound. It seemed for a while Talc would bleed to death in spite of all the resourceful pioneers could do for him. In the meantime it was learned Rix possessed the supernatural power to "stop blood." He offered to go to the cabin and "stop the blood" if his brother would permit him to do so. The offer was made known to Talc who refused it by informing the men he'd rather die than accept aid from Rix.
    The men finally got the blood stopped and Talc was soon well. This incident occurred only a short time before the purchase of Florida and is probably one reason why Talc left Florida, the land of his choice, to seek adventure in other lands.
    Tradition tells us the large double-pen mansion beside the Old Indian Trading Trail, later the Historic Winding River Road, was occupied by Mr. Rix Gaylor and his beautiful Spanish wife and, a few years later, a pair of twin boys. All went well in the double-pen mansion for a few years. Under the new form of government the country prospered. The Old Trading Trail became the Historic Winding River Road. The big timber remained plentiful and the range luxuriant and succulent. The wild game continued to play and scamper around the big double-pen mansion in abundance and the great woods continued to be beautiful and attractive.
* * *
    Be patient, dear Readers, because eventually we'll complete this historical account. Keep buying those Ledgers!
    One more item: There is a small building in Century that has been given to the Society, if we'll move it. What makes this building attractive to us is the fact it is made of lumber that was taken down from the old Alger-Sullivan Office (and later Century Post Office) building. The lumber is well over 100 years old and is in top-notch condition.
    The problem is that we need someone to move it or help us move it to the Historic Park. No one in the Society has the capability to perform this feat and we're appealing to the public to lend a hand. A low-boy trailer, some house jacks, and a little elbow grease is required. We have a little we can pay for your help, but a person's time can be tax-deductible if you will do it from the goodness of your heart.
    It's a little over 10' X 12' and may reach 12' tall. The distance to travel is about a mile and a half.
    Do we hear any volunteers? Call Jerry Simmons at 850-256-2661 for more information.

This page last modified on Saturday, September 02, 2006

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Henry B. Plant aka Dr. Kelly Reynolds, as he checks the time left for the presentation. The Florida Humanities Council's "Road Scholars" Speaker's Bureau underwrites these programs.
(Click picture for full size image)