became the primary developer of the luxurious Palma Sola Park subdivision. An article in the August 21, 1924, edition of the
ManateeRiver Journal-Herald gives a hint of the close relationship that existed between Barnes and Edison until the latter’s death in 1931:
Edwin C. Barnes of Bradentown and Chicago “brokeinto” the front page of the New York Times in company withThomas Edison the other day. The immaculate Edwindemonstrated that he could kick a hat held shoulder high,and Mr. Edison, who is Mr. Barnes senior by about thirty-five years, demonstrated that he could do the samething….Mr. Barnes, who is the principal owner of the PalmaSola Park Company of this city…has for years beenconnected with the Edison organization and he and the“wizard” are close friends. They have another interest incommon—their love for Florida….Mr. Edison owns a homeat Fort Myers, to which he repairs each winter, and Mr.Barnes owns one of the finest homes in Bradentown.Barnes was also a longtime and close friend of Napoleon Hill.
Hill dedicated his book
Law of Success to three persons—Andrew
Carnegie, Henry Ford, and Edwin C. Barnes. About the latter, he wrote in the dedication a business associate of Thomas A. Edison, whose close personal relationship over a period of more than fifteen years served to help the author carry on in the face of a great variety of adversities and much temporary defeat met within organizing the…
[
Law of Success].”
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