Curl, Donald W.

This thesis was prepared as a study of a new church
located within a rapidly growing county. The fifteen
year history is one of enthusiasm, devotion and
construction countered by disappointment, dissension
and overextension. Economic problems dominate the
history of the church. Whether the economic situation
will eclipse the spiritual goals is a question yet to
be resolved.

This thesis traces the history of the Populist Party in Florida from
the first stirrings of agrarian discontent in that state to the election
of 1896. The Independent movement, which was the antecedent to
the Populist Party, is also dealt with. The political campaigns of
1892 and 1896 are especially stressed. Finally, some causes of the
defeat of Populism are presented.

This thesis examines the origins and growth of the
United States Life-Saving Service, from early volunteer
efforts through the merger of the Service with the Revenue
Marine to form the United States Coast Guard in 1915. In
particular, it describes the history of the ten Houses of
Refuge located along the southeastern coast of Florida,
with emphasis upon the story of the original five houses
built by contractor Albert Blaisdell in 1876. The text
includes the dimensions of the buildings, accounts of the
keepers' daily routine, and selections from various wreck
reports prepared by the keepers. House of Refuge Number
Two at Gilbert's Bar is referred to as being typical of
all the houses. The appendix contains a duplicate of the
original contract for the houses, a copy of a wreck report
form, and lists of the keepers of the original five houses.

The history of automobile insurance in Florida provides a case study of economic adaptation to the negative consequences of rapid technological change. The emergence of the automobile in early twentieth century Florida brought with it widespread bodily injury and property damage. The insurance industry and the state government interacted for several decades in trying to fashion a way of reducing the economic cost of automobile accidents. Florida resisted a comprehensive application of insurance to the problem until 1971, when it passed the Florida Automobile Reparations Reform Act. Had Florida acted sooner, the economic impact of automobile accidents could have been greatly mitigated.

Several unusual circumstances combined to influence the development of the Palm Beach Police Department. Seasonal activity in the Town of Palm Beach created a unique environment for the men who worked as police officers. Even though the town incorporated in 1911, year-round law enforcement consisted of one man, Joseph Borman, for the first ten years. Borman's interaction with the town's founding fathers, before and after incorporation, played a significant role in how council members dealt with law enforcement on the island. Despite the pressures of policing an area many of the world's wealthiest people called home at least part of the year, Chief Borman insisted on courteous professionalism from his officers. This helped the Palm Beach Police Department overcome the death of two police officers, terrible hurricanes, Prohibition, and the inevitable growing pains experienced adjusting to new technologies and social pressures. The department continues to exemplify Borman's high standards.