In the decades beginning the twentieth century, the Fourth of July was a big deal in Clay County. Times were simple then and, for most of the children, the biggest deal of the day was sucking a sugar soaked lemon that had been marinating in sugar at the bottom of one of the huge lemonade barrels.

The date falls in the middle of the hot Florida summer and represented a welcome respite from heat and blood-sucking insects.

By today’s standards, the celebrations were not spectacular at all. But for the people of the time, it was an event to look forward to through the monotonous first half of the summer and remembered through the dog days of July and August.

Events of varying size were planned in all parts of the county to recognize the founding of the nation. In small inland settlements, the day was mostly sharing news, food and conversation.

Green Cove Springs, as the county seat and the most populated area, gathered the largest crowds and organized the biggest show. As the date approached, merchants and townspeople unpacked the holiday paraphernalia of assorted ribbons and bunting and American flags and gradually the town took on the theme of red, white and blue.

Churches and social clubs planned their displays, mostly game booths for children, with prizes for all and special foods for judging and sale. Wood stoves in kitchens all over town stayed fired up for days in preparations despite the heat.

In Orange Park, first on the day’s agenda was preparing for the children’s parade. Clusters of mostly little girls gathered on quilts to make red, white and blue paper chains. All kids were well trained in the manufacture and assembly of paper chains because they made miles of it at school in preparation for Christmas.

Boys’ activities focused on teasing and tormenting the girls until it came time to catch the Mierfeldts’ goat and attach his cart. The goat never cooperated and had a true aversion to being swathed in paper chains because he crunched every step he took.

Families shared a picnic lunch under the trees then the older children scattered and the men migrated toward the bandstand and parking area to lean against something, confer about politics and make deals. The women settled toddlers and babes on quilts to nap and commenced to revel in the real purpose of the day – simple conversation.

The desserts entered in the baking competitions were auctioned off and shared with all.

But as peaceful and innocent as this scene may seem, there was as always a tension in the air. In this time at the turn of the century law enforcement was a fragile thing. Men were accustomed to looking out for their own.

That all changed in Orange Park in 1911 when, after a similar celebration, one man was gut shot and died. One man went on trial for murder. Citizens were divided over where justice lay and, for almost a year, the county was locked in the turmoil of a trial and an unsuccessful appeal to the state supreme court. In June of 1912, Abe Middleton was hanged in the yard behind the courthouse in Green Cove Springs. It was the last legal execution in Clay County.

Like the lemons at the bottom of the barrel – memories are bitter and sweet.