Embedded in Clay

“these stories about clay inhabitants captivate and lure

one in. I wanted to see, feel, taste, and touch through these local

heroes. The authors imbued the work with dialect, empathy,

history, and humor. Not living in Florida, I enjoyed looking up

each locale on a map to further dip into the legacy of Clay.”

Shonnie Brown, M.A., writer, editor, visual artist, Healdsburg, California

“Ever heard of the ‘Water Dogs’ of Black Creek? Martha

Chalker of Middleburg? Or Augusta Fells Savage of Green Cove

Springs? How about Bokar of the Monkey Farm? Or Frank

Towers in Camp Blanding? These and other unique characters

leap from the pages of Embedded in Clay to hint at horizons of

history in northeast Florida. Some remained in Clay County their

entire lives; some traveled worldwide. All are worthy of our

glances into the past. As you read, you see the creek, soak in its

darkness, or revel in its neighbors’ triumphs. Find a deeper

appreciation of this place as you learn more about its individuals.

The stories bring delight and joy to readers.”

Bobbi McDermott, engineer and former Orange Park

High School physics and chemistry teacher

“As a Clay County resident for over three decades, I’d

grown immune to its natural beauty, quirky characters, and

unique history. Embedded in Clay transported me to the dark

waters of Black Creek. I marveled at the history of artist Augusta

Savage and the beauty of her works, and I enjoyed the story of

the chimpanzees at the Monkey Farm.”

Ron Word, retired wire service correspondent

“When brought face to face with [the train], Frank

Towers seized the moment in history and became a messenger of

providence and sustenance to the desperately sick Jews. Long

after the war, he continued to reunite veterans and Holocaust

survivors around the world to tell their stories. As American

Jews, we felt touched by his compassion and regret we didn’t

meet him.”

Gary and Penina Weltman, Jacksonville, Florida

“These stories taught me a great deal about where I grew

up, yet knew little about. Born and raised in Jacksonville, my dad

and I went fishing on Black Creek, one of his favorite places. I

loved the story and could see that dark water and feel the cool

mud on my feet. What strong pictures it paints of life long ago.”

Linda M. Ashley, LMSW, Winthrop University,

Social Work Department, retired

“The story about Martha Chalker was lyrical and

informative. Paula Hilton's story about Augusta Fells Savage was

inspirational! I knew Savage was an artist of the Harlem

Renaissance, but had no idea about her rough family life or her

interesting academic background. Learning she grew up in Green...

table of contents

• Introduction .......................................................................... ix

• Clay County Map .................................................................. xi

• Diane E. Shepard, Dispatches from a Water Dog: Stories

from the Creek ................................................................. 1

Remember Me ................................................................. 6

Women of the Creek ....................................................... 9

• Major Bryan J. Pitchford, Brothers Procession ................... 17

Private Robert C. Burns ................................................ 20

• Joan T. Warren, Women Forming Clay .............................. 24

• Paula R. Hilton, Shaping Clay:

The Story of Augusta Fells Savage ............................... 37

Augusta Fells Savage, Old Homestead ......................... 50

• Tim Gilmore, Ph.D., Looking for Bokar at

Orange Park’s Monkey Farm ........................................ 56

• Marshall Lenne, Ice and a Coca-Cola ................................. 70

• Nancy E. Moore, Dreams and Legacies: Penney Farms

and the Penney Retirement Community ........................ 85

• Inez Holger, How Hollywood Found its Way to Clay ...... 101

• Michael Ray FitzGerald, Ph.D., Radio Country Club:

The Big WAPE ............................................................ 113

• Lena Crain, The Bardin Booger Unmasked ....................... 125

• Lillian Kiernan Brown, A Tale of Friendship:

Blondie and the Bardin Booger ................................... 132

• Beth Eifert, Frank Towers: A Consequential Stranger ...... 137

• Maureen A. Jung, Ph.D., A Life on Hill Top:

Restoring a Community of Hope ................................ 153

• Edward Guest, Myself ........................................................ 166

• Lynn Skapyak Harlin, Clay Today .................................... 171

• Contributing Writers .......................................................... 173

• Image Credits ..................................................................... 179