Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-04-22
Letter from Florida.

Letter from Florida.
New SMiRSA, VoIUs1A Co., FLA,
March 18th, 1875.
NJ. S. Bui.Lrs, Esq, Austin, MINI.
DEAR S1R.-Your letter Of the Ill, was
received the 18th. have so many IT,
quiries in reference to this section Of the
State, that it takes nearly all my time to
answer them am willing, however, to
give you all the information can, so as
to settle this delightful county. St. Au-
gustinc is now called the Newport ofFlo
rida, and when this section, which is six
ty-fvc miles south Of st. Augustine, is
settled it will be the Saratoga ofthe South.
Now many may think that I have land
for sale and thus have a personal motive
in writing. This is not true, for I have
not a foot of land for sale, but desire to
get this country settled SO as to warrant
parties to build Railroad from Jackson
Vile to- tho Halifax River, where Steamer
viii! connect to run as far south as Jupiter
lnlet as the business may warrant All
there is to do to open this water commu-
nication is, say four miles ofdrcdying and
a canal 800 yards long to connect Nusqui-
to Lawyers with Indian River; this will
give settlers an opportunity to raise gar
den truck for the New York market
New Potatoes, Cabbage, Turnips, Beets.
Peas, Strawberries, etc. can be brought to
perfection here in February and sooner if
desired.
Many ask if it is a healthy country: TO
all would say, that, having travelled
quite extensively in the South, have To-
Gated here, believing it to be the healthi-
est place in The United States. I have
lived here since 1850 and have never call
ed in {; physician, and one would starve
to death if lie depended upon his practice
for q living. Many ask what is the draw
backs? know Of none unless it is the
Mosquitoes, and have see them much
thicker in New York at times than here :;
but what arc Mosquitoes when one has
good health AMI a comfortable home.
Our rivers abound with fish and our
woods with game Wood for fuel costs
nothing save cutting and hauling; this
winter haze not used over two cords in
heating q large house sufficiently warm at
all times for a child Of twelve months.
| Many ask in reference 10 poisonous insects
and reptiles. Ny Rigs came to this State
i'll April, 1861, and / have Travelled its
length and breadth, have slept in the Pine
Woods anu in the Palmetto Iamnoc hs in
all seasons Of the year, and I have never
been troubled. | have seen more reptiles
in single day in Massachusetts than
since have been in Florida. Now I am
u collector" and whenever see snake
or rare insect "bot!lc Kim" and my
collections Gccs not exceed twenty. l
have seen enc Moccas en- and two Rattle
snakes only.
Many ask what we raise in the STATE,
and if we keep COWS, etc. Now this State
is a very large one, AMI il answer to in
! INii ~ L AKA" SAAi>i tlly "1istSA VI AZ
section, and wish to be so understood, for
in some section of this State, one is sub
jcct to malarinus diseases, in some sec
tons you can keep COWS fer milk. Now
then this section is prc-cmincntly the
place for Oranges, Lemons, Shines, Ban
nanas, Ounces, etc. Many ask can a
poor man get living here. Why not
when YOU can work out Of doors every
mont. in the year. AL that is want
cd is men who will work, and ven
ture to say that anyone who will clear NJ
ten acres Of ground and set it out will
orange trees can make one thousand t'ol
lars clear on every ten acres, besides al
lowing handsome wages for time spent
There is more money to be made here 81
the present time in starting groves for 9th
crs than in anything else.
Now as to heat the highest the thor
mometei has ever been at My place is 8,
and but twice or three times, at the sam.
time ore hardly realizes it is so hot Dc
cause Of tie cool brecz: which prevails
t am not writing q fanciCul picture bu
} facts. l was in Springfield, Mass, il
J Mar, 1873, and suffered more with til,
!: heat than ever here have never know,
a caseSof Sunstroke during the war O.
since within the limits Of the State. Man,
ask as to the best route. You can com,
from New York by steamer or by rail t.
Jacksonville, via Charleston or Savannah
OK via New Orleans by steamer to Ccda
Keys, thence by rail to Jacksonville
from thence by schooner direct or b,
steamer to Enterprise, thence by stage O
ifyou buy mule and wagon in jackson
VILE you can drive down in three day
via St. Augustine.
Our schools and churches are built; ~
want ali kinds Of men to make up a ne,
settlement, and above all men Of cneIg
. and enterprise. The Halifax River is til
best place to locate. Daytorm, Grca
Britain and Port Orange all have thci
} Post Office and Stores and Daytorm an
Port Orange their Hotels, and if we ha
. fifty hotels well kept they would be file
> by tourists and visitors.
> Come and help us build schools
churches, etc. You need have no fear g
the White Leage or any thing else. Yo
! are free to speak your sentiments boldl
anywhere. Yours truly,
GEO. J. ALLEN.
]