At Water’s Edge

At Water’s Edge

We are often reminded that a picture is worth a thousand words. When I saw this photo come across my desk, I immediately knew that just one thousand words would never cover the life story of one of Plant City’s most outstanding citizens, Judge James DeWitt Bruton, Jr.

I knew the Judge and his dear wife, Quintilla, as friends and mentors at the historical society. They were instrumental in preserving the historic 1914 Plant City High School as a community center, as their bonds to the site were strong. One of his favorite stories was about how he supported Quintilla in her quest to be the Valedictorian of their graduating class in 1926. His nickname for her was Bubbles, and his signature was the cigar.

It was with a gentle touch that he hand-fed his friend, Wallace. And, it was with a gentle touch that he treated his family, friends, and community. His family came to Plant City when he was ten years old and he grew to love everyone and everything around him. Quintilla’s family came to Plant City from Kentucky when she was a young lady of sixteen, and together they built a life and made significant contributions to every good cause that touched their hearts. She was instrumental in helping our city establish a public library that would have a lasting impact on its citizens. As a couple, they were always supportive of endeavors that provided qualityof-life services for children and families, and education. You will find their name across the face of our public library, Bruton Memorial Library, and the Bruton-Geer Hall on the law school campus of the University of Florida, his college alma mater. Their community philanthropy touched the Tampa Children’s Home, the Florida Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, the First United Methodist Church of Plant City, and countless others.

Time moves on, but the lasting touch of friendships and trust bonds us forever.

The photo caption from this APWirephoto dated 1971 reads: (TPI) PLANT CITY, Fla., June 29—JUST FEEDING A FRIEND – Hillsborough County circuit court Judge James D. Bruton Jr. feeds a piece of chicken to an alligator he has named Wallace. Judge Bruton, who visits Wallace almost every day after court at the pond where the six foot gator lives, says the alligator recognizes his car and its horn. The Judge also visits a family of owls daily. (AP Wirephoto) (rk30500aks) 1971. ST. PETERSBURG OUT—

Sources: East Hillsborough Historical Society – Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives Center – printed books, newspapers, vertical files, photographs, and plat maps.