My Panama City buddy, Kenneth Redd, had an article published in last week's Panama City News-Herald concerning the impact of the BANANA KING, Minor C. Keith, upon commerce in Bay County. As owner of the Bay Line, Keith also had quite an impact upon Dothan. Dothan had a vested interest in the Bay Line. Keith's partner in much of his business in the Tri-States was W. C. Sherman, namesake of Panama City's old DIXIE-SHERMAN HOTEL. At the time that Keith bought the Bay Line about 1917, W.C. Sherman lived in Dothan. Keith spoke to the Dothan Chamber Commerce dinner in 1919 to promote the idea of extending the Bay Line all the way to Birmingham. Keith's dream of turning Panama City into the Gulf's greatest banana port fell through because rail rates to Tampa were cut making it the most profitable place to build a great banana port on the Gulf. Keith also donated 35 acres on St. Andrews Bay near Lynn Haven so Dothan's Bob Jones could build BOB JONES UNIVERSITY.(clippings from November 9, 1938 DOTHAN EAGLE, and )

from the June 23, 1926 SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

from the July 10, 1919 ABBEVILLE HERALD

clippings from November 9, 1938 DOTHAN EAGLE