Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 6-6-17

Local
Governor Signs Dozier Bill For Reburial Of Victims
Tampa’s First African-American Chiropractor Passes
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill per- taining to the victims of the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. The bill allows for the victims whose bodies were found on the property to be re- buried and memorialized.
The bill, entitled HB7115 states, “This bill provides for the care, re-interment and memorialization of remains exhumed from the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, establishes a memorial at the Capitol Complex in Leon County and the for- mer school in Jackson County and preserves the areas known as the Boot Hill Cemetery and the White House.”
For more than a century, the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys operated in Marianna, Florida. Its original purpose was to house delinquent juve- nile boys. However, allegations of abuse, beatings, disappear- ances and murder at the hands of the employees led to the closing of the facility in 2011. The investigation into the alle- gations also led to the un- earthing of 55 bodies by the University of South Florida Forensic Anthropologists.
Composite of one of the remains excavated from grave at Dozier School for Boys. This child is estimated to be between the ages of 8 and 10 years old.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Tampa’s first African- American Chiropractor passed away on the evening of June 1, 2017 – 9 days before his birth- day, and 9 days after the death of a brother, Arthur Cutler. Dr. Albert E. Cutler was 82 years old when he passed in a longtime care facility in Olds- mar.
Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Cutler came to Tampa with his parents, Bishop William and Rosa Cutler that same year. His family was residents of Nassau St. One of 8 children, Dr. Cutler graduated from Middleton High School, after starting school at age 5. After high school, he worked in a car detailing shop that his father owned.
He married the late Sarah E. Francis, who passed away in 1982, after 29 years of mar- riage. They were the parents of 4 daughters and a son.
Although married, having started a family and working for his father, Dr. Cutler was inspired to attend the Palmer Chiropractic College in Daven- port, Iowa by Dr. Bragg, who was a Chiropractor. Dr. Bragg, a customer of Bishop Cutler, had told Dr. Cutler’s father that he was too smart to be detailing cars.
In 1958, he and his family headed to Iowa, where he en- rolled in the college. In less than 6 years, he had completed his schooling and returned to Tampa in 1963.
“Those were some difficult times,” daughter Shirley Cut- ler said her father shared with them about his early years.
He opened his first practice on 22nd St. He eventually opened an office on Cass
DR. ALBERT E. CUTLER
Street. He was the only Black Chiropractor on the Westcoast of Florida and 1 of only 4 in the state when he started his busi- ness.
As business began to thrive, he later opened Tampa Chiro- practic Clinic in another loca- tion on Cass St. He employed several persons and provided employment opportunities for Manuel Garcia in the clinic; Dr. Aliya Redwood, an in- tern, who now has an office in Pasco County, and Dr. Erica Bethune, who now has her of- fice in Temple Terrace.
Dr. Cutler later down- sized his business and retired in 2011.
He was a member of the Hillsborough County Chiro- practic Society and the Florida State Chiropractic Society, as well as the Pentecostal Assem- bly of the World Religion.
In 2005, Dr. Cutler mar- ried Marilyn Davis, who also preceded him in death in 2009.
Funeral services for Dr. Cutler will be held on Satur- day, June 10, 2017, 2 p. m. at Mt. Tabor M. B. Church. Ray Williams Funeral Home will handle arrangements.
During their search of the property, the Forensic Anthro- pologists located more than 50 unmarked graves on a parcel of the land known as “Boot Hill.”
A laboratory in Texas com- pleted DNA profiles on 12 of the bodies unearthed and the location of family members of boys housed at the school.
The school housed boys from throughout the state. In- formation about some of the victims from Hillsborough County is as follows:
Willie Adkins, died 1918, relative, George Adkins; Hilton Finley, died 1918, rel- ative, J. D. Finley; Walter Fisher, died 1914, relative un- known; Joshua James, died,
1916; relative unknown; Archie J. Shaw, Jr., died 1932, relative, Archie J. Shaw, Sr., who lived at 1609 Central Avenue; and Wilbur Smith, died 1918, relative, Tam Smith.
From the research con- ducted, it has not been deter- mined if there were two separate gravesites. The ma- jority of the school’s existence took place during the segre- gated era.
In the cases in which race has been determined, seven of them were African Americans. USF released a composite of a body recovered from the ceme- tery. The child is estimated to be between the ages of 8 and 10 years old.
Fatal Accidents
Hit & Run Accident Leaves Pedestrian Dead
The Tampa Police De- partment is currently investi- gating a fatal hit and run accident. The accident took place shortly after midnight Saturday morning.
According to police, the unidentified pedestrian was near the intersection of W. Hillsborough Avenue and N. Hesperides Street. An un- known suspect reportedly struck the adult male victim.
After striking the man, the driver continued on with- out stopping. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.
His identity has not been released, pending the notifi- cation of his next of kin, po- lice said.
The vehicle is described as being a dark, low-riding sedan. It should also have damage to its front end, po- lice said.
Anyone with any infor-
mation about the accident is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130; or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can be filed with crime stoppers at www.crimestopperstb.com.
Woman Dies From Injuries Sustained In Accident
A 49-year-old woman died Sunday after being struck by a car. The accident occurred on I-275 at Pinellas Point Drive.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. Melissa A. Dannemiller, of Lancaster, Ohio, was standing in the safety zone on I-275 at the entrance Fri- day morning, shortly before 10 a.m.
Ms. Deborah Math- ews Waldecker, 55, of Sun City, was driving a 2017 Lin- coln MKZ in the outside lane approaching Pinellas Point Drive. For unknown reasons,
Ms. Dannemiller stepped into the path of the vehicle.
She was transported to Bayfront Health Center, where she died of her injuries on Sunday.
The investigation into the accident is continuing. No charges are expected to be filed in the case.
Man Dies In Single-Car Accident
A 47-year-old man died early Monday in a single-car accident. The accident took place shortly before 3 a. m., northbound on I-75 at the 240 Mile Marker.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Michael Eric Wedden, of Gibson- ton, was driving a 2004 Jeep Wrangler, when the vehicle left the highway. Once it was on the shoulder, it over- turned and Wedden was ejected. He died at the scene.
The investigation into the accident is continuing.
DAILY VERSES
Psalm 62:5 My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Psalm 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017