In the first half of the century the town of Bogia was small compared to some of its nearby neighbors, but there was still enough industry in the area to keep its inhabitants busy. Dr. Charles C. Driver was a well-known character who lived in Bogia at the time and had taken some correspondence courses through the mail to become a self-proclaimed chiropractor. But to the people in the backwoods he was all they had and therefore was called upon to treat most ailments that his patients were suffering from. One of his methods was to take the “electrodes” of his “electric machine” and rub them all over the area of complaint. Depending on how high he set his dial it would cause anything from a tingling of the skin to a jaw clenching jolt. It seemed to work but whether the positive effect was physical or psychological will never be known. Dr. Driver’s lapboard home, which is said to have been built in 1857, is still standing today next to the entrance road to Ray’s Chapel off Highway 29 on the south side of the road.
His great grandson Cary Ellis of Bogia, states that Dr. Driver was living in Pensacola at one time while he was trying to sell some property located on Highway 90 at the Escambia River. While here he was staying in a small house on Pottery Plant Road, later renamed Fairfield Drive, across from where Carson’s Pawnshop is located today.
On or about May 23, 1949, Charles walked over to a woman’s house to heat up some dinner. As he was coming back across the street, a 50-year old man by the name of Robert Denham stepped out onto his porch with a shotgun in his hand. For whatever reason, Denham aimed and fired his weapon from about forty feet away striking Dr. Driver full in the shoulder and stomach. The mortally wounded Driver fell instantly to the ground and was rushed to the Pensacola Hospital where he lingered close to death for three weeks. Finally, on June 12, 1949 Dr. Driver died from his injuries. His body was driven by hearse back to McDavid and buried in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery. His wife, Martha C., would join him in death two years later May 5, 1951. Robert Denham was ordered to the State Mental Hospital to receive a complete psychological evaluation. However, there was never any motive established for his violent actions and it is doubtful if he ever stood trial for the murder.
Pensacola News Journal March 1, 1945
The "Driver" house off Ray's Chapel Rd. in Bogia, FL
Dr. Charles C. Driver's grave in Ray's Chapel Cemetery, Bogia, Florida