American Life Histories
Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project
1936-1940

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GREEK STUDY
(Florida)

Christ Tabaras was sitting on an old empty orange crate in front of one of the largest resturants eating grapes and enjoying the morning breeze, when the writer approached him and said she would like to have a little talk with him.

He had a good memory, when I informed him who I was his dim old eyes brightened and he said," yes I remember you and you have four sisters," I told him he was correct. He remembered when I was quite a youngster -much to my surprise- for it has been thirty years since he had talked to the interviewer. He says he arrived in New York in 1883 coming over in an "American Steamship". His trip over was very pleasant and uneventful. He did not tarry long in the Metropolis leaving almost immediatly for the city he had heard so much about, Pensacola.

His native city is Solanico, and has a population of three hundred and fifty thousand, it is the largest seaport in Greece. When he spoke of the old country his eyes glistened, and he said "it is indeed very beautiful." He informed the writer that the Greeks live a life of the average American. Some are farmers and many own their own farms, others are merchants, the majority make a living with boats- which they own- fishing and in the coast-wise trade.

He is eighty years of age the oldest Greek in Pensacola and been living here for fifty six years. There were only four Greeks in the city when he arrived. The streets were of deep sand, sidewalks made of planks and a few brick buildings. He recalled the old street cars pulled by two mules or horses up and down palafox street and chuckled over this remembrance. His first business venture was a retail fruit store later combined with a resturant in a few years branched out in the grocery business. He was a tireless worker and won the respect of the people of this city. He has great admiration for his adopted home, received his citizen-ship papers many years ago and lived a useful and happy life. He has retired from business, age and ill health prevented him from continuing. He says"money is not everything, what is the use of piling up millions? you can't take it with you. I would rather have my health than all the riches in the world."

His skin is withered and wrinkled and he looks very feeble, but says he will soon be well and will continue to enjoy the remainder of his life with his friends under Florida sunshine.

End

W.P.A. Federal Writers' Project
Greek Study

Interview With Oldest Greek
In Pensacola
Modeste Hargis
Writer
Approx. 375 words

Modeste Hargis
Pensacola, Fla.
August 9th, 1939

* * * *

In old St. Michaels cemetery there are a number of Greeks buried. In checking over the graves one finds a tombstone here and there with inscriptions in Greek. The grave of a native of Skopoles was found and a copy of inscription is enclosed.

The graves of Constantine and Nick Apostol are also in St. Michael's, the lettering in Greek was badly worn and could not be copied, however, the name, date of birth and death was plain.

" C. Apostol Born 1845- Died 1909

N. Apostol Born 1863- Died 1913."

These two brothers were written up in the sketch of early Greek community. They were the first Greeks to arrive in Pensacola.

W.P.A. Federal Writers' Project
-Greek Study- Pensacola Florida-
Modeste Hargis
Writer
Approx. 100 words
Modeste Hargis
Pensacola, Florida
August 8, 1939

Text from: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection