Dot Butler
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Many people get the chance to share the experience of history at the San
Luis Mission here in Tallahassee. FABA members, Skeeter Prather, Lloyd
Wheeler along with Alex Hartsfield dress in traditional Spanish blacksmith
garb as they demonstrate at the wattle and daub forge. This weekend they helped to observe a special day for the mission. 300 years ago to the day, July 31,1704 the mission and the surrounding village were burnt to the ground. The British were preparing to attack and thus the inhabitants of San Luis left them no treasure. Fleeing the coming invasion the Apalachee Indians, Monks and the Spanish scattered as far as Louisiana to south Florida and all parts in between. The last descendants of the Apalachee tribe came to honor this symbolic day with speeches, music and the demonstrations of everyday life at that time. That of course included the blacksmith shop. Lloyd made a traditional fork while we were there. Many new aspiring blacksmiths were in attendance.        |
