Letter from Randall Chase to Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase (February 17, 1931)
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Randall Chase to Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase (February 17, 1931)
Alternative Title
Chase Correspondence (February 17, 1931)
Subject
Windermere (Fla.)
Chase, Sydney Octavius, 1860-1941
Chase, Joshua Coffin, 1858-1948
Chase and Company (Sanford, Fla.)
Railroads--Florida
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company
Description
An original letter of correspondence between Randall Chase and his father Sydney Octavius Chase and his uncle Joshua Coffin Chase. Topics discussed in the letter include the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company's proposition to set poles through Isleworth Grove.
Chase & Company was established by brothers Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase in 1884. The company sold insurance and later invested in storage facilities and fertilizer sales. Chase & Company was known mainly for its agricultural interests and maintained a series of citrus groves throughout Central Florida. The company was based out of Sanford and became one of the city's largest employers into the early twentieth century. By 1886, the Chase brothers purchased several citrus groves to expand their business, including Isleworth Grove in Windermere, Florida. Isleworth Grove covered a total of 1,300 acres along the Butler Chain of Lakes. Between 1894 and 1895, Central Florida was hit by several freezes and most of the citrus crop was destroyed. Chase & Company did not grow citrus crops again until 1904 when Joshua came back from an extended stay in California. Between 1894 and 1900, different types of pesticide equipment was created, including equipment driven by steam, machines, and horses.Randall Chase joined in the family business soon after his brother, Sydney Chase, Jr., did in 1922. Randall became the president of Chase & Company from 1948-1965. The Isleworth property stayed in the Chase family until 1984 when Franklin Chase, the son of Sydney Chase, sold the property to famed golfer Arnold Palmer.
Chase & Company was established by brothers Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase in 1884. The company sold insurance and later invested in storage facilities and fertilizer sales. Chase & Company was known mainly for its agricultural interests and maintained a series of citrus groves throughout Central Florida. The company was based out of Sanford and became one of the city's largest employers into the early twentieth century. By 1886, the Chase brothers purchased several citrus groves to expand their business, including Isleworth Grove in Windermere, Florida. Isleworth Grove covered a total of 1,300 acres along the Butler Chain of Lakes. Between 1894 and 1895, Central Florida was hit by several freezes and most of the citrus crop was destroyed. Chase & Company did not grow citrus crops again until 1904 when Joshua came back from an extended stay in California. Between 1894 and 1900, different types of pesticide equipment was created, including equipment driven by steam, machines, and horses.Randall Chase joined in the family business soon after his brother, Sydney Chase, Jr., did in 1922. Randall became the president of Chase & Company from 1948-1965. The Isleworth property stayed in the Chase family until 1984 when Franklin Chase, the son of Sydney Chase, sold the property to famed golfer Arnold Palmer.
Creator
Chase, Randall
Source
Original letter from Randall Chase to Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase, February 17, 1931: box 49, folder 20.83, Chase Collection (MS 14), Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Date Created
1931-02-07
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original letter from Randall Chase to Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase, February 17, 1931.
Is Part Of
Chase Collection (MS 14), box 49, folder 20.83, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Isleworth Collection, Citrus Collection, Chase Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Is Referenced By
Folder referenced in Chase Collection finding guide, http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/pkyonge/chase.htm.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
137 KB
Medium
1-page typewritten letter on Chase & Company letterhead
Language
eng
Type
Text
Coverage
Chase & Company Office, Sanford, Florida
Isleworth Grove, Windermere, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Economics Teache
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Entire Chase Collection is comprised of four separate accessions from various donors, including Cecilia Johnson, the granddaughter of Joshua Coffin Chase, and the children of Randall Chase.
Rights Holder
The displayed collection item is housed at Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Rights to this item belong to the said institution, and therefore inquiries about the item should be directed there. RICHES of Central Florida has obtained permission from Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida to display this item for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Special and Area Studies Collections, University of Florida
Digital Collections (UFDC), University of Florida
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
University of Florida, Special and Area Studies Collections
External Reference
"Sydney Chase Sr. (1860-1941)." Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Copyright 2012. http://floridacitrushalloffame.com/index.php/inductees/inductee-name/?ref_cID=89&bID=0&dd_asId=600.
"Joshua Coffin Chase (1858-1948)." Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Copyright 2012. http://floridacitrushalloffame.com/index.php/inductees/inductee-name/?ref_cID=89&bID=0&dd_asId=960.
Transcript
CHASE & CO.
SANFORD, FLORIDA
February 17, 1931.
Mr. S. O. Chase,
Office.
Mr. J. C. Chase,
Office.
Gentlemen:
A. E. Carpenter 'phoned this morning that Mr. Crawford, representing the A.C.L. was in his office, and that he had a letter from Mr. McCranie with reference to the poles thru Isleworth.
As I understood from Mr. Carpenter the A.C.L.'s proposition now us that they be allowed to set the poles a uniform distance of 14 1/2 feet from the center of the track, and in such a position as they would not interfere with the grove operations. We can see by this that they are trying to establish their right way of approximately 30 feet.
In talking the matter over with Carpenter he and I reached the conclusions that it might be well to grant them an easement to place the poles as they have indicated, without in any way jeopardizing our rights regarding an additional right of way to the railroad. In other words, instead of granting the additional right of way it would simply be an easement, also we would grant this easement provided the railroad would allow us to put our telephone line on their poles.
Will you please get in touch with Carpenter as son as you return to the office and indicate to him what your pleasure is in this matter?
Your very truly,
R.C.
RC :HMR
2/21/31
JCC
Saw Carpenter today and advised him if ACL[?] stayed [?] of track they could have 14 1/2' placement for poles after cross.
SOC
SANFORD, FLORIDA
February 17, 1931.
Mr. S. O. Chase,
Office.
Mr. J. C. Chase,
Office.
Gentlemen:
A. E. Carpenter 'phoned this morning that Mr. Crawford, representing the A.C.L. was in his office, and that he had a letter from Mr. McCranie with reference to the poles thru Isleworth.
As I understood from Mr. Carpenter the A.C.L.'s proposition now us that they be allowed to set the poles a uniform distance of 14 1/2 feet from the center of the track, and in such a position as they would not interfere with the grove operations. We can see by this that they are trying to establish their right way of approximately 30 feet.
In talking the matter over with Carpenter he and I reached the conclusions that it might be well to grant them an easement to place the poles as they have indicated, without in any way jeopardizing our rights regarding an additional right of way to the railroad. In other words, instead of granting the additional right of way it would simply be an easement, also we would grant this easement provided the railroad would allow us to put our telephone line on their poles.
Will you please get in touch with Carpenter as son as you return to the office and indicate to him what your pleasure is in this matter?
Your very truly,
R.C.
RC :HMR
2/21/31
JCC
Saw Carpenter today and advised him if ACL[?] stayed [?] of track they could have 14 1/2' placement for poles after cross.
SOC
Document Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1-page typewritten letter on Chase & Company letterhead
Collection
Citation
Chase, Randall, “Letter from Randall Chase to Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase (February 17, 1931),” RICHES, accessed April 26, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/2765.