LIVING HISTORY
51
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Tommy Sloan usually led the Cow Creek Ranch unit during the annual
Cattleman’s Day Parade.
of Fort Pierce. Having grown up in modest means, his civic
involvement in organizations such as Red Cross, the Jaycees
and the Elks, in addition to his leadership of the cattlemen’s
association, creates a wide network of influential friends. He
never loses his boyhood self-assurance and marries one of the
largest landowners in the county. With a cigar clinched in his
mouth, he begins to exude a sense of money and power to
those around him.
People and the press begin to take note. A 1962 article in
The News-Tribune credits him with creating a doctoring chute
that holds cattle still during the administration of antibiotics
and a drenching syringe that stays loaded with stomach
worm and liver-fluke medicine through pressure hoses
instead of having to reload the syringe after each usage.
The next year, Tommy becomes head of the Florida Beef
Council, an arm of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association aimed
at increasing the consumption of beef. The Sloans also attend
the National Cattlemen’s Association convention in Las Vegas.
But perhaps feeling overconfident in his establishment
support, Tommy in 1966 makes an impressive but unsuccessful
run for state House of Representatives on the Democratic
ticket against longtime incumbent representative Frank H.
Fee. In his concession speech, Tommy says, “Let me assure
you that my interest in obtaining good clean government for
our area is only strengthened and I will continue to work in
every way possible for the advancement of our four counties.’’
Tommy’s work with the beef council and his ranch garners
further statewide recognition. In 1967, the Alachua Lions
Club honors Tommy as the man contributing the most to the
Florida cattle industry in the past year. The club cites Tommy’s
work as president of the Florida Beef Council. In the >>
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