The Milton Journal of 1896 also tried to advertise the various businesses located downtown in an attempt to let would-be settlers know what was available and at the same time let the citizens know what was currently available. You can also see that so many of the merchants were former soldiers in the Civil War and returned to take up positions of responsibility in their community. An example of the Milton downtown merchants are as follows:
"R. R. Sheppard (Robert R. Sheppard 1832-1901) is one of Santa Rosa's tried and true citizens, having served as clerk of the circuit court for 12 years. He does a nice business in the line of confectioneries, fruits, and house furnishings good." (Sheppard enlisted in Company "F" of the 1st Florida Confederate Infantry Regiment in 1862 and fought throughout the War. He passed away in 1901 and was buried in the Milton Cemetery."
"Next comes the irrepressible Sam Robertson (Robert Samuel Robertson 1864-1928) with a line confectioneries, toys, fruits, etc. and in season serves the public that luscious bivalve, commonly called oysters."
"Frank Harrison occupies the next building with a newly opened stock confectionery and fruits." (This may be Frank Marion Harrison, 1841-1919, of Company "A" of the 2nd Florida Confederate Infantry Regiment and buried in Milton Cemetery).
"Violetto Vincenzo and Santo occupy the adjoining store as tailors and shoemakers and are doing a splendid business in their respective trades."
"Alex Collins is a native of Mexico and is a devoted disciple of Isaak Walton. He is fully as good a barber as he is a fisherman and that is superlative. Alex is an old citizen of this city and has 'tonsorized' every prominent man in this state, as well as in his native 'Mexic-heath' of which he speaks in such laudatory terms." (Alex A. Collins settled in Milton sometime before 1885. He is listed in the '85 Census as a barber as well as his son Miquel.)
"The office of Mr. Charles Perrenot, one of Florida's ablest lawyers, is in the adjoining building and every visitor is given a cordial greeting at his sanctum."
"The post office under the management of Mr. Turner Hemphill and his two charming sisters, Hattie and Sallie, is next visited. Here when calling for one's mail, can be purchased stationary of all kinds, a stock of which has recently been laid in for the benefit of the proprietor, and convenience of his patrons." (This is Louis Turner Hemphill, 1864-1908, who married Gertrude Alice Curtis, and both buried in the Milton Cemetery. Sally A. lived past 1945 and sister Hattie I. married and passed away in 1905. His father was Cpl. Sherwood Lewis Hemphill of the Confederate 3rd Battalion Florida Cavalry, later the 15th Confederate Cavalry Regiment.)
"Just around the bend is the millinery store of Mrs. Jernigan where everything in the line of the ladies. Mrs. Dell is always on hand with her charming manner and cultivated taste to assist the doubtful ones in an appropriate selection of personal adornment."
"Scattered over different portions of the city where are several stores where are kept complete lines of family groceries. Among them are Mr. Jack Johnson and Will Barnes (W. A. Barnes), and the (African American) restaurant of Mr. Martin Patterson. (Martin is most likely Martin Patterson born c1863 who became a drayman in 1900. A drayman is the driver of a mule drawn flat bed wagon. By 1910, Martin was a hotel keeper in Milton while living with his family on Henry Street).
"The Harrison House under the management of Mrs. Lewis Harrison is one of Milton's famous hostelries where the inner person is made to feel the soothing effects of a well managed cuisine and rest inviting bed." (This is the hotel of Louis Lofton Harrison and his wife Julia Rayborn. Louis enlisted in the 15th Virginia Confederate Cavalry in Tobin's Artillery Battery and was taken prisoner until his parole in Mobile, Alabama. Upon his death, Julia applied for and received his military pension in 1918. After the war, he worked at various jobs to include a liquor retailer and such until he and Julia opened their hotel. The 1900 Census was taken on June 8th and Louis passed away on October 2nd followed by his buried in the Milton Cemetery. Julia would follow him in 1936)
c1897