Looking dapper in his white suit, one-eyed convict John Ashley impressed the warden of Raiford Prison, seen with him here, as a “model prisoner” - until he escaped.
The moon was shining brightly as a refreshing breeze rolled in off the Indian River. After a long, hot summer, this first evening in November 1924 was a welcome relief to two young men, Ted Miller and S.O. “Fat” Davis, who were driving home along the Old Dixie Highway. It was, they agreed, a perfect Florida evening.
But as the teenagers approached the Sebastian Bridge, something seemed less than perfect. A red light glowed through the dusk and an iron chain blocked entrance to the bridge. When Miller slowed down, a man emerged from some bushes and asked the boys for a ride to his car, which, he said, was parked on the other side of the bridge. The boys immediately recognized the man as Sheriff James R. Merritt and readily agreed. Merritt then lowered the chain and hopped on the running board.
Read the entire article in the January 1999 issue
True Tails is a series written by Amy Robinson for Vero Beach’s dog lovers. Ask Amy about your dog’s behavior by clicking below.
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