[FHStoday] TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY FOR DECEMBER 12

[Nick Wynne]

TODAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY
DECEMBER 12
1853            Plataka's First Presbyterian Church was organized today.

1861            Under Special Orders No. 264, issued by the Confederate War 
Department in Richmond, General Braxton E. Bragg's command in the Florida 
Panhandle was extended westward to include Pascagoula Bay and the part of 
the state of Mississippi that lies east of the Pascagoula River.

1863            The Union steamer, Bloomer, continued its operations 
against Confederate salt works on the Gulf Coast.  The Bloomer  continued 
operations in the West Bay area.

1891            The first Elk's Lodge (#221) was organized today in 
Jacksonville.

1932            Elizabeth J. Johnson, the first republican woman in the 
Florida Senate, was born today in Catskill, New York.  Ms. Johnson was 
elected in 1966 from Cocoa Beach.  For five months, the Florida Senate had 
two Senators named  Beth Johnson.  The second Senator Beth Johnson 
represented the 19th District (Orlando).

1978            Mario P. Goderich, a Cuban exile, was appointed to the 
position of Circuit Court Judge today by Governor Reubin O'D. Askew 
today.  Goderich became the first Cuban exile to assume such a position in 
Florida.

1979            Maria Marinello Korvick, who became the first Hispanic 
woman to become a Circuit Judge on August 1, 1981, today was appointed a 
County Judge for Dade County by Governor Bob Graham (See entry for August 1).

1998            Governor Lawton Chiles, born April 3, 1930, in Lakeland, 
died today of an apprarent heart attack while exercising in the gym at the 
executive mansion in Tallahassee. Chiles, who was educated at the 
University of Florida (B.S., 1952-LL.B., 1955), served 18 years as United 
States Senator and 8 years as governor, following service in the Florida 
House of Representatives (1959-1966) and the Florida Senate (1966-1970). 
Chiles gained national fame in his campaign for United States senator when 
he canvassed the entire state on foot. "Walking Lawton" Chiles was a 
Democrat. Twice he defeated Republican candidates for governor. In 1990, he 
handily defeated Bob Martinez of Tampa, and in 1994, he narrowly defeated 
J. E. "Jeb" Bush.
         He is survived by his wife, Rhea, and four children.