The Foreman Brothers

Image courtesy of Historic St. Andrews A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN: Historic St. Andrews Marina in 1953. During the 1950s, Farris Foreman owned and managed several beer parlors and juke joints in the Glenwood and St. Andrews districts.

THE FOREMAN BROTHERS

The Foreman brothers’ story, and the sources for the money they invested, is a familiar one in the Black South.

Descome was born in 1899 and Farris in 1900 to James and Lara Foreman in Waycross, Georgia. The family remained in the South during The Great Migration — the relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to Northern, Midwest, and Western cities beginning in 1916. The brothers labored in nearby turpentine and lumber camps until Descome joined millions of Americans employed in government sponsored work projects under the direction of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. By 1940, both brothers sought improved economic opportunity in Florida. Farris, better known as Frog, relocated to Panama City and became involved in the production and sale of illegal moonshine. Moonshine production supplemented the incomes of many

SERVING THE COUNTRY: World War II Draft Registration Cards issued to Descome and Farris Foreman.

local residents, both Black and white. Farris had the business acumen to use his illicit operations to build several enterprises including juke joints — bars featuring music on a jukebox and dancing — and beer parlors in the Glenwood and St. Andrew’s districts.

Farris enjoyed a supportive and protective relationship with local law enforcement. In 1941, Farris and Bay County Sheriff John Scott were placed on trial for liquor-related bribery and conspiracy charges. Scott reportedly paid the rent on a property leased by Foreman, and one witness stated that Farris “talked like he was the deputy.” Both men were acquitted of all charges. Farris again faced similar charges in 1943. Despite his legal disputes, Panama City Commissioners issued Farris retail beer and wine licenses for several establishments including the Foreman Café on 15th Street across from Foreman Park.

Farris provided financial support for other African Americans that could not secure loans from local banks and lending institutions. His economic support also extended to his brother, Descome.

Upon his arrival in Panama City, Descome became a barber at the Royal Service Barber Shop located on Cone Avenue. By 1943, he managed the barber shop and represented Glenwood in the Community Chest War Fund Campaign during World War II. In 1947, he joined with his brother to purchase the land for Foreman Park. The following year, Descome became the owner of Foreman Cabins, located a block from the ballpark, and sole proprietor of Ideal Dry Cleaners on 7th Street.

Farris assisted and looked after his brother’s economic interests. However, when Farris faced murder charges in 1949, most of the land he owned transferred to Descome.

IN MARRIAGE: A copy of the marriage license for Descome (Descum) Foreman and Melvina Holt, who married in Gainesville, Florida, on December 22, 1931. The couple resided in Newberry, Florida, before moving to Panama City, Florida. Farris Foreman married Pecola Darby on February 22, 1938. The couple divorced in 1949.

NEGRO LEAGUES: Pictured above, on April 11, 1948, The Panama City News Herald reported that “Lefty Raydell Maddix and his Panama City Blue Sox defeated the Homestead Grays, members of the Negro National League, 10-9 at a game in Foreman Park.” Luke Easter (second from left) starred for the Grays. Pictured at far right, Raydell “Left Bo” Maddix, the most accomplished pitcher in Blue Sox history, joined the ranks of Professional Negro League baseball as a member of the Cleveland Buckeyes.

PUBLICITY AND THE GAMES:

Pictured at right, Jack M. Hunt, publicity manager for the Blue Sox from 1947 to 1951, advertised and scheduled games with prominent national and regional Negro League ball clubs.