VERO AT 100
LIVING HISTORY
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killed by a close vote, taking the choice out of the hands of
voters. After the official split between the counties, the newly
formed county of Indian River had a population of 5,400 and
St. Lucie had a population of 6,250.
For some time, the people of Stuart had wanted the southern
half of St. Lucie County and the northern part of Palm
Beach County. The Martin County bill was passed by the
House on May 27, 1925, and the Senate passed it on May 28.
This new county was named after Martin while he was in
office. The governor signed the bills on May 30, creating both
Martin and Indian River counties, effective June 29.
CELEBRATION
Immediate plans were made for a huge celebration in Vero
Beach on Monday, June 29, to include people from both of the
newly formed counties. No less than 4,000 people attended.
Barbecue, baseball games, contests, parades, fireworks and
speeches happened throughout the day until midnight when
the Vero crowd could finally say they were officially in a new
and separate county.
At the celebration, William Jennings Bryan, a three-time
candidate for president and noted Scopes trial lawyer, may
have given his last speech in honor of the Indian River
County celebration as he died less than a month later. A historical
marker can be viewed in front of the Heritage Center
on 14th Avenue commemorating this event. Young, who was
introduced as the “father of Indian River County,” also spoke
at this historic event.
During the celebration, Irene Young, the representative’s
wife, presented a banner for the creation of Indian River
County bearing the words: “Indian River County, Veritas,
FIRST OFFICIALS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Prosecuting Attorney – Paul H. Nisle, Vero Beach
Clerk Circuit Court – Miles Warren, Fort Pierce
Tax Assessor – George T. Tippin, Vero Beach
Supervisor Registration – Albert Schuman, Sebastian
Sheriff – Joel W. Knight, Vero Beach
Tax Collector – Gordon Olmstead, Wabasso
Superintendent of Public Instruction – W. E. Riggs,
Vero Beach
County Commissioners – John M. Atkin, Vero Beach;
O. O. Helseth, Oslo; Donald Forbes, Quay; George A.
Braddock, Sebastian; J. W. LaBruce, Fellsmere
Board of Public Instruction – Louis Harris, Vero Beach;
William E. Feazel, Fellsmere; Dr. David Rose, Sebastian
Vincit (truth prevails or conquers or the truth shall prevail),
created Jun 29, 1925.” Only a picture of the banner could be
found over the years, and not the banner itself. The picture
was donated by James Tippin to the local library.
The new county offices were first located in the Seminole
Building on the corner of 14th Avenue and 21st Street. All
convicts in the custody of St. Lucie County were turned over
to the authorities of Indian River County on June 30. The Fort
Pierce newspaper reported nothing of the event except for a
small paragraph on William Jennings Bryan.
Indian River County owes its creation to law enforcement
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