Boschong Subscribers, John Tolbert Bushong Sr. was passionate about starting a Bible School in Florida. He wrote many letters to various people in hopes of achieving his goal. Gainesville, Florida is in Alachua County, Florida and eventually there was a school established there under the guidance of Latimore but it went bankrupt. ---------------------- This letter was written by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. while in Myakka, Manatee County, Florida Miakka, Florida 16 July 1908 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainesville, Florida Dear Brother, Bro. H. J. Miller of Bowling Green, Ky requests that I write you relative to visiting your city to investigate it with a view to establish a college there. He tells me he has put our plans before you so I suppose you understand. If I am to visit Gainsville I should be glad to do so about the latter part of August. I should like to hear from you. I am to leave here about the 23rd for Ft. Meade where I shall be for about ten day. You might address me there. Your brother in Christ. J. T. Bushong ----------------------- This letter was written by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. while in Safety Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida Safety Harbor, Fla., 26 August 1908 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainesville, Fla. Dear Bro., I have been and am still so situated I can not visit your place now; can't say just when I can; will let you know later. Keep the school idea before the minds of your people. Yours Fraternally J. T. Bushong --------------------- This letter was written while by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. in Safety Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida Safety Harbor, Fla 20 January 1909 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainsville, Fla. My dear Bro. I have just received a letter from Bro. N. A. Jones, Highland Home. Alabama, relative to our school. He states he had expected a letter from you but had not yet received it. I had expected you have written some of those brethren before now but do no remember that I gave you the above address. Will you please write Bro. Jones at once. I shall send his letter to you. Please explain to him why the school closed at Bartow. I thought I had told him but guess I did not make it clear. I have an option on the Bartow property till the last of January but do not see now how we can close a deal by that time. I hope you and family are well. I so often think of the pleasant stay I had with you. How is Sister Bowers? How did young Bowers (I forgot his name) come out in the contest--in front I hope. I guess you know I started to Gainsville the 14th. Cant' understand why the Dir. {Director's} letter was not mailed till the 12th and that at Jacksonville. I sure did "miss put me." I have but five more weeks of school. With best wishes and Christian love to you and family. I beg to remain. Yours fraternally, J. T. Bushong --------------------- This letter was written by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. while in Hernando, Citrus County, Florida Hernando, Fla. 30 April 1910 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainsville, Florida Dear Bro., I made my trip to Hernando all O. K. am one week nearer the close of my school. (Yes and one week nearer Eternity.) My wife is still sick though she may come home on the night train. I trust you survived that splendid feast that was awaiting your return. Judging from the splendid sample, which I had by the kindness of Sister Colson, I feel quite sure it was well for me that I did not stay. I have a voracious appetite. See? Many thanks sister Colson, that lunch was perfect. Truly, I enjoyed my trip to your city, to your home and to the congregation. Brother, enclosed please find my questions addressed to the Nashville School and the answers. The same questions were sent to Bro. Johnson. You see his reply. Can't we do the same in Fla? If you think it worth while, put these things before the church, then sometime when you are writing please return same to me. I believe by the grace of God we can build a School in the state that will reflect credit to the founders and glory and honor to God. Bro. I believe in it. I am full of it. I must see it start. I am believing more and more that Alachua County is the place for it. Enclosed also, please find a letter of commendation from Supt. Turner. Now I am asking a favor. Please show this letter (from Turner) to Supt. Kelley, then return it to me. If he desires a copy please touch him off one. Please tell Mr. Kelley that I want Trenton School. If Kelley can do anything with those people and if you can do anything with Kelley then there is where I want to ask that you "break a lance" for me. Show him Turner's letter, have a talk with him and then tell me how he "looks" about it. I am asking quite extensively of you but I feel that you will kindly do these things. With lots of Christian love to you, Sister and little Colson. I beg to remain, Yours fraternally, J. T. Bushong --------------------- This letter was written by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. while in Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida Plant City, Fla. 16 June 1910 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainsville, Fla. Dear Bro. If I should go to Gainsville next Monday would you be in position to show me some of the bargains? You have an idea of what we want. Please answer me at so I can get it Saturday. How is the meeting progressing? Please remember me with love to the congregation and to Bro. Hoover as well. Hope you are all real well and enjoying life to its full. Yours fraternally. J. T. Bushong ---------------------- This letter was written by John Tolbert Bushong Sr. while in Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida South Florida Seminary J. Tolbert Bushong, Principal Plant City, Florida 12 August 1912 Mr. B. R. Colson Gainesville, Florida Dear Bro., I understand that steps are being taken to launch a Bible School at Gainsville. Please let me know at once if I am correctly informed. I am trying to start a work here. Of course the effort is very feeble and prospects gloomy. If such a move is ......at your place I shall give up my feeble efforts. Please inform at once. Yours in Christ, J. Tolbert Bushong Hope all are well and happy. ------------------------ Copied and Submitted by Gloria Bushong