The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-09
LETTER FROM FLORIDA.
From an Occasional Correspondent.
PALArKA. Fla. Feb. %, l,


and fower-garland shores, studded even in
mid-winter with tropical bloom and vcr-
dure. And while the Northern forests are
'brown and scar" and the snow king grasps
with icy hand both hill and dale of his
broad domain, our Southern stream flows
on in silent majesty, proclaiming itself to be
to Linda Florida" what the Hudson is to
the North and the Rhine to the Father
Landw The scenery along its banks, al
though generally monotonous, is of that
monotone of which one never wearies, and
which must be seen to be fully and justly
appreciated.
Situated OH the st. Johns, about one hum
dred miles from its source, is Palatka, the
largest town on the river south of Jackson
vile, and the highest point of navigation
for large steamers. 1t numbers about fifteen
hundred inhabitants, and is favorite resort
with the thousands of visitors who annually
register at the several large, attractive hotels,
and also q central place from which to di-
verge. Between twenty-five and thirty
boats, varying from one to twelve hundred
tons, anchor weekly at the commodious
wharves, and yankee" thrift and capital is
rapidly building the town into considerable
commercial importance. Palatka contains
seven churches, o number of beautiful, pic
turcsque private residences, some of them
almost hidden by the dark-green foliage of
the orange and banana, besides many large,
well-fllcd stores, which do an extensive
business with the flourishing interior coun-
try. At the "News Depot" may be found
telegraph facilities, and all of the latest
papers, books and periodicals. Especially
pleasing to note is the "Old Curiosity Shop"
where may be found in great profusion
Florida curiosities of every conceivable
kind, consisting in part of q variety of pal
metto work. (Which has become on article
of commerce,) walking-canes made of pal-
metto, orange and other native woods, CO.
quina ornaments, sea-weed and beans coral
and shells, grasses, moses and other treas
ures of the deep. Besides these there are
tropical birds with brilliant plumage-both
living and "stufed"-as we'll as huge SER
pents and alligators of every size. There is
at present on exhibition mammoth alliga-
tor measuring 101 feet in length, which is
intended for the centennial at Philadelphia.
One is not loath to leave the shop and return
to the cool, inviting streets, Lemon being
the most important thoroughfare, many Of
the principal ones having plank pavements,
and are shaded with avenues of orange trees,
bending meath the weight of their golden
treasures.
Opposite Palatka on the east bank is the
magnificent orange grove owned by Col. Fl.
L. Hart, consisting of seven hundred trees,
and yielding q yearly income of about five
thousand dollars. At present may be seen
the ripe yellow and small green fruit hang
ing in tempting clusters from the same
branch which bears the snowy blossoms,
and makes redolent the air with their exqui-
site fragrance There are here, also, beautiful
groves of lemons. lines and bananas, besides
citrons, grape fruit, shaddock, guavas, while
further South the delicious pineapple is
grown. The fisheries are of no little impor-
tance at Palatka, and there are thousands Of
fine, white shad shipped weekly to savan-
nah, Charleston and elsewhere.
About twenty-five mile, due South the
Oclawaha River flows into the st. Johns,
and near this stream is a freak of nature
that may we'll take rank among the natural
anomalies of our country. 1 refer to the
celebrated "Silver Spring" in Marion Co.
As its name implies, its waters are 80 limpid
and pure that not only may be seen the
fishes sporting below the surface for sixty or
seventy feet, but pin dropped from the
hand may be seen distinctly on the bottom,
eighty or ninety fectbelow, which is magni-
fled in the crystal waters and resembles
bar Of silver. Small streams run directly
through the spring from the Oclawaha, thus
enabling passengers to obtain commanding
view of the imposing scenery which sur
rounds it.
Emptying into tho st. Johns some miles
below, is Dunn's Greek, the outlet to large
lake which bears the same name, that has
IN inland situation. The lake is as treach-
erous Us it is beautiful, and is fair but to
deceive, as many luckless experiment has
proven. 1t was my pleasure recently to
enjoy with party of excursionists tour to
the lake, and it will long be remembered by
all who participated in its delights. The
passage through the creek was especially
charming. The banks were clad in yerdure
from the ash, maple, cypress and magnolia,
while here and there graceful palmetto
waved its pennans to the breeze. AT inter
vals could be observed lazy turtle or alli-
gator perched on log, basking in the sun
shine, only to dart beneath the waves as the
steamer drew near, and betimes THO shrill
voice of the heron greeted US as we startled
it from its drowsy attitude among the rushes.
The creek is quite narrow in places as well
as mcandering, and the most skillful steer
ing did not prevent us from encountering
some clashing with the overhanging bougks.
Bordering the lake are many fine orange
groves and We visited one which has no
superior in the State, and from which has
been sold this season 10000 oranges, and
there remains still 10000 to bo shipped. 1t
is hard to resist SHINING against at least one
of the injunctions of the decaloguc as we
stand beneath the shade of trees that bear
each from $500 to 1000 oranges annually
and most tantulizing of all is the fhct that
the ground is covered with luscious fruit
which the stranger is not allowed to touch,
except for the paltry sim of ten cents.
Our homeward journey was not so agreea-
bic or expeditions as it was in going. a
considerable guile sprung up, which not only
retarded our progress but damped our ardor
somewhat. But withnl We made the wclkn
ring with Jest and song in the forward cabin,
and as we steamed down the lake the night
was wild, and the scene without became
-