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General Note

Note sign in background at the left: "Do not spit on the sidewalk Fine $5".

Biographical Note

John Wellborn Martin, Florida's twenty-fourth Governor (January 6, 1925-January 8, 1929), was born in Plainfield in Marion County on June 21, 1884, the son of John M. and Willie (Owens) Martin. He attended school for four years, then continued his education by study at night. Admitted to the bar in 1914, he began law practice in Jacksonville. He was Mayor of Jacksonville for three terms from 1917-1924 and returned to that city after serving as Governor.

As Governor during a land boom attracting national attention, Martin gave leadership to progressive endeavors which outlasted the speculation. These included the building of highways on a statewide basis, the financing of public schools by direct state appropriations, and the furnishing of free textbooks to all pupils in the beginning six grades. He was defeated for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate and in 1932 for nomination for Governor. Beginning in the 1940s he was co-receiver and subsequently trustee of the Florida East Coast railroad. He died in Jacksonville on February 22, 1958. Martin County, Florida is named for him.

A. J. Roberts served as police chief from 1921 to 1947.