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before I came. In the later part of November, 1925, the rain came and for one week we did not work. It seemed to me that the mosquitoes were gone, normal rains followed and there have been no more mosquito epidemics.
So far, I have told of the bad features of Clermont Harbor, but there is a good side also, first, my health showed a marked improvement within a very short period of time. Again all kinds of seafood were available just for the taking. Living costs were lower than any place I had ever lived. But the most important thing was the people living along the Gulf Coast. The one thing that impressed me most was friendly spirit of these people, the fact that they were always willing to help a stranger feel as though he belonged to the community. In the North and other sections of the country where I had resided, a person was made to feel like an outcast if his religion or political opinion were not in union with those of this community. When I came here, no one asked me what religion I practiced, or to what political party I belonged, it made no difference. I could write a whole book about this Gulf Coast area, better yet, I invite you all to come see me some time, and see for yourself, you will be very pleasantly surprised at what you will find here.
Now back to the construction of the Hotel. With the mosquitoes gone, and warm weather at hand, we were making fast progress with the reconstruction work, so much so that it was opened for business on July fourth, 1926. A day I will never forget, a special train from New Orleans, Louisiana, brought five hundred people for the opening. In an area of one mile square, with one little country store, less than a dozen houses, and one hotel of forty rooms, there was standing room only. However, I believe most of these people enjoyed their visit. I am sorry to say that this Hotel was never a financial success. The end came in 1946 when it was completely destroyed by fire.
The Hotel now complete and open, it was now time for me to return to my old job with Mr. Hopkins at Silver Spring, Maryland. The saying here is "If you ever came here and ate mullett (a species of fish), you will never leave". I had eaten mullett and liked it, so I stayed. Mr. Hopkins did not chastise me for not returning, instead, he wished me every success. I visited Mr. Hopkins, his wife and son, Page Hopkins, in 1945. For one full day, Mr. Hopkins showed me the improvements at Silver Spring, a day I will always remember. Mr. Hopkins died about 1950. Thus ended our long association.
July, 1926, was the beginning of a new era in my life,by no stretch of imagination could I see what the following years had in store for me. Even today it is like a wonderful dream come true.