New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-09
AN INVALID IN FLORIDA.

AN INVALID IN FLORIDA.
WINTER IN PURSUIT OF HEALTH-A STEAM
BOAT IN THE BUSHES-FOxEs, WILD TURKEYS
AND DEER-CAMP LIFE-BY NEw-ENGLAND
PARSON, WHO WENT OUT SICK AND CAME
HOME WELL.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, May l5.-ln December
last was arragned before Boston Judge OF diseases
and pronounced guilty Of pulmonary affection AS 1t
was a first Ofense and there mitigating crcum-
stances, and possibly also because minister Of
the "sandng ORDER" the sentence made lenient.
condemned 10 proceed promptly to Florida, live
much possible in the open air. medicines,
report to Doctor in this State for instructions TO
localities in which TO pass my period Of exile and not to
return TO the Bay state till the strawberries pen there
in the fields. There are multitudes in Florida
serving out a similar sentence The outward signs Of
pulmonary weakness as hardly to excite
remark. Consumptives from the North and West
sent to ST. Augustine or to various points on the St.
Johns River by every steamboat. Alas not few that
seek this land return not.
reported TO the Florida doctor for instructions TAX
ing down military map captured in the late war, he
placed his finger spot in Sumter County and said,
There you will find the highest land in Southern Fori
da. The pne-cOvered hills about 200 feet high The
water is pure Scarcely any visitors have gone there
Game is plentiful. There you must camp and hunt"
can from my experience add TO the foregoing
There also beautiful lakes, some Of which, when the
water high, flow at the time into the Withacoo
ehee, which emptics into the Gulf and into the Ottawa
ha, and thence into the ST. Johns and the Atlantic
From the summit Of one of the high hills could look
eastward upon Lake Apopka northeast Lake Harris
and westward to depression wherein lies the house
Lake Very little is known by the public concerning this
portion Of Florida Invads who come here must rough
it, in outOfdoor life fail to the best advant
ages Hotel life elsewhere is unsuted TO many in
valid who is trying IL but comfort economy and health
may all be had in this region.
From Jacksonville, the traveller takes steamer to
mill thor fIa T. lima
smaller steamer for ride Of $50 miles up the Oklawaha
This name Is said 10 crooked river" and never
was aname more appropriate. The little steamer bumps
against trees while turning in the sharp angles of the
stream, and Oyerhangng branches brush against the
sides OF the windowless cabin The traveller WILL how
ever find himself very comfortable in these unpre-
tending steamers. They touch at Silver Spring where
volume Of water issues from the earth capable of bear
ing up convoy vessels The spring nearly 60 feet
deep and is the sole supply Of considerable On its
margin stands large warehouse, and the arrival and
departure Of muewagOns indicate business center In
this vicinity planters who, with free negroes,
raise much cotton with coo slaves before the war
1t is not such who murnur at the new order OF
things it is those who socially lifted above the
poor white trash merely By the ownership Of black
man. But the farmers that come 10 the landings to dis
pose of venison and pine wood cannot be classed
with salwart and intelligent yeomen of New gland.
They appear gaunt allow, and moping Their oxen are
timinutive and tier carts dilapidaed The steamer
passes through the PRAIRIE" inundated plain over
grown with water and across several lakes Of
which Lake Griffin is the largest, at length reaching
Okahumka on Lake Dunham at the head Of steam nav-
CATION AT this point my camping "traps' were set on
shore. Thence made our way up the Paattahaha In
small hat-bOat floating easily broad stream,
now with utmost difficulty by pole and paddle stem
ming the swift current OF some narrow run; now III
deep and clear pools, and shortly aforward struggling
for an occasional shot at alligator, to crawling
along shore after the wild duck l and a man named
turkeys standing on the bank Of the stream 1t quite
broke the monotony Of the afternoon 70 land cautiously
and other bush with utmost caution, to find
let directly through the body of a fine gobbler.
The said Joe refugee in the war. He thriyed I'M
der gunbOat protection, and great his gratitude But
the system in which ne is bound still grinds him Being
mprovident he is nobody but Joe ragged and penniess
but faithful He my Friday the Palatlahaha.
We camped together on beautiful pine bluff between
First Lake and Indian House Lake Joe taking his place
tant just within open tent We roed for trout
Joe padding gg 5e te OD b Sc ne mes s %9
wasteful TO load a boat with fish for two persons
TO eat "I'ye peerehed them said joe evening; he
But alas fingered TOO long the tent the next morn
Seerohed only to see them leaving in full flight
the last day in February Joe and moved our tent TO
humka. We padded through Second Lake, fine sheet
of water caught noble trout, killed mocassin snake five
"a kind of grass which grows out Of shallow water TO
the hg9 GI Iron s g yen edges d nsu 70 On nn ae
trate this peculiar growth. applied
stoned magnificent spectacle. The fame roaring in the
wind Ieaped sometimes the hight Of % feet
aud accompanied by almost unbroken succession
reports exactly simar-sO an old soldier since told
me-to the noise of a great battle with rifles.
Finding near the place where was to make my
stay old hunter who had slain 1870 deer In ten months
lust past and who has had 80 years OF hunting expert
ence arranged that for couple OF weeks We
should explore together the hilleountry lying west OF
Lake ApOpka.
NY Old hunter found living in-or, rather, around-a
rude Enclosure OF sxlO feet but partly rooted Here
in berths like those shpboard sleep the master OF the
house his wife, and three children The Oldest boy is
capital shot, makes free use OF tobacco,
and knows much his dog about books The family
meals taken from aboard resting on above
the sand There Is not chair on the premises To the
Inquiry, "Why this pOyeTtyl' the father SAYS, ms
COnfedrit war ruined me-" He sold al the wars
commencement his improvement" on some piece OF
land and took promises 10 pay which became worthless
His small purchases must now be made ~ e1OrblAht
rates short intervals he makes hard journey OF
two days TO obtain his scant supplies IoDacco IL ms
solaee and q family necessity Joe was wont TO say,
Half rAtOns and tobacco rather tlah "hOle fhtiOns
without IT," The old hunter says IL costs me as much
10 keep family in tobacco as IN bread On one occ-
sion be walked 45 miles 10 oDt4h tls IhdlsPeh5aple
fire hunt" was arranged as follows First in line is
Dur hunter bearing lOng-handled nreIai, IN shape
unlike warming pan. Behind him an assistant car
ries large sack filed with pieces of fat pine; large
dog is held In check by strong leash fastened TO this
mans waist. Back Of these walks the parson honored
with the privilege OF carrying Old Cnp" the trusty
rife OF the hunter As emerge from the baInInoek,
the flames rising high above the head Of leader, the
nrepaa swinging 70 rght ana ei tne silent grGup ,ne
flame In the grass the fire pan II empsd Of Goals u
receive fresh supply Of fuel aud the pine smoke ilu-
minated in surrounding darkness, combine 10 form
Suddenly there is halt Two bright red balls confront
fhe party They seem great way of but they are really
ewlOs ~ &lS necessary for shot diSgUUted that