Page 89 - Panama City Living Magazine

"THE first LIBRARIAN, MS. ALICE FELLOWS, SERVED FROM 1902 UNTIL HER DEATH IN 1926. SHE KEPT DETAILED MINUTES OF THE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS IN LOVELY, FLOURISHING HANDWRITING FOR HER ENTIRE TENURE."A collection of antique weapons catches a visitor by surprise. Owens acknowledges its uniqueness amid the books. The collection was donated by author and poet Wallace Bruce, former U.S. Consul to Edinburgh, Scotland, who was also president of the Florida Chautauqua, and a professor at Palm- er College and Academy in DeFuniak Springs. Bruce’s book of poetry, “The Land of Burns” published in 1879, is the li- brary’s oldest book. The weapons are displayed hanging high on the walls, above rows of books, and includes more than 100 items. There are battle axes, one of which is estimated to date from the 12th century, a halberd from the 14th or 15th century Japanese combat and ceremonial swords, Afri- can spears, crossbows, an assortment of cutlasses from India, Ceylon, and Zanzibar, muskets from the 18th century which are in appearance much like the Lawrence of Arabia intlocks seen in the movie. How Bruce came to collect the pieces and their provenance remains a mystery. Owens smiles, “Grown men visit the library today and tell me they used to come here every day after school just to stare at the weapons.”A Regina Music Box from 1897 stands in the corner of the entry hall. With a deep golden patina, the oak cabinet holds beautiful memories and just as the Walton-DeFuniak library, it is a treasure well worth a visit.The Walton-DeFuniak Springs Library is located at 3 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs, Floridawww.PanamaCityLiving.com • March - April 2018 • 89