On a sultry night the end of July, a 4th generation Floridian presented a one women show depicting the 3 wives of Henry Flagler. Henry was the co-founder of Standard Oil with John Rockefeller, and whose insight created Saint Augustine, Florida.

Henry Flagler

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Dianne Jacoby, portrayed the 3 wives with robust clarity and costume. The first Mrs. Flagler was the woman who created the man. By working for her father Henry acquired his business acumen. This much loved Mrs. Flagler birthed 2 children – a boy and girl from their union, however, she was a frail creature dying prematurely as did her daughter.

Henry did not have to look far for his second wife. His next wife cared for his first wife during her illnesses. She was the exact opposite of the first Mrs. Flagler. She was a party girl, and one who later was diagnosed with mental illness requiring long term institutional care.

It was during the second Mrs. Flagler’s institutionalization that Henry met his third wife, who was decades younger than he. They traveled together for many years prior to marriage. Eventually he was able to divorce the second Mrs. Flagler by paying off legislators to change the Florida divorce laws. Once married the law was reversed, however, his long time companion had secured the lauded title – Mrs. Henry Flagler.

What a delightful evening!