Century's US Post Office 1913-1948, now located in James Houston Jones Historic Park, houses some of the history of Miss Eva Vaughn's days as Postmaster.
I was recently given a copy of an article written by John C Bush about his aunt, former Century Postmaster Eva Vaughn, titled "Miss Eva: Fifty Years in the Century Post Office." Paragraphs in quotes are the words of Mr. Bush.
"Miss Eva Vaughn was eighteen years old when she began work at the Alger Sullivan Lumber Company's commissary store in 1902. .... The post office occupied a cubical in one corner of the company store, and she would assist there when her duties as dry goods clerk allowed."
At that time Mr. Edward A Hauss, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the lumber company, served as Postmaster ad Mr. James Houston Jones, Commissary manager, served as Assistant Postmaster. In 1909 Mr. Jones became Land Agent for the lumber company and Miss Vaughn replaced him as Assistant Postmaster. In 1911 Mr. Hauss became Vice President of the lumber company, resigned as Postmaster, and asked that Miss Vaughn be named as his replacement.
"On May 18, 1913, President Woodrow Wilson officially appointed Miss Eva to be Postmaster of Century. Of six such appointees in Florida announced at that tie, she was the only woman."
Miss Vaughn had to be recommissioned every four years. Besides President Wilson, her commissions bore the signatures of Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the Truman administration the postmaster jobs were moved to the Civil Service system and no longer required presidential appointments.
In 1913, the post office was moved from the commissary building to a free standing building across the street. This building was the scene of heroic actions by Miss Vaughn and her staff worthy of the post office's unofficial creed: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
During the flood of March 1929 Miss Vaughn and her assistant, Ilma McNeil, moved the records, supplies and mail to the attic of the little building. Not a single letter, record, or postage stamp was lost or damaged.
In September 1939, when the planing mill caught fire and the fire began to spread, Miss Vaughn and her staff loaded the financial records and undelivered parcels into a truck, padlocked the truck, and parked it in a place away from the fire. The undelivered First Class mail she locked in the trunk of her car and drove around all night. The post office building survived the fire, although the flames came close enough to blister the paint on it. When the fire was under control the Post Office staff returned the records, parcels, and mail and resumed normal operations.
On March 10, 1953, the town had a celebration marking Miss Vaughn's fifty years of service to the Century Post Office. She was presented a sterling silver tray engraved, "Eva R. Vaughn, for 50 years continuous service March 10, 1953 Patrons of Post Office Century, Florida."
Miss Vaughn continued to serve as Postmaster until her retirement in June of 1954.
The next ASHS meeting is Tuesday, April 16th at 6 pm in the Leach House Museum, 610 4th Street in Century. All are welcome.
Don't forget about Sawmill Day on May 4th. We hope to see you there.
