Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-04-21
ON THE way TO FLORIDA.
what tlo Boys Saw and Felt.
PsArrs rronEurrlp, onlsos Co

FLORIDA, April 8, 1875.
Bao. TfNNoSs Not having received any
papers from homo, we came to the conclusion
that you wanted US to redeem our promise Of
sending you a letter-so here goes.
Soon after we left you at Toledo, we took the
train for Cleveland. Our stay in that city was
brief Met "Joe" at the tram as we we're start
ing FOR Pttsburg. The ride 10 Pitlsburg was
very pleasant, and the 6rst site Of special in
terest was the Ohio rver which we first saw at
Welsvile. The color Of the strea m made us
wonder whether the editors Of Wellsville were
in the habit Of washing their feet 10 its cold
waters. From wesville The road follows the
bank of tie Ohio almost 10 Pittsburg, at times
runuing so close that one could almost jump in
t, the river. At Pittsburg we changed cars
for Philadelphia. Our ride over the mountains
was a failure, so far as sightseeing is concern.
ell. 1t was all there, because the conductor
sid 50, but the moon went back on us, and
nothing was visible to the naked eye. At day
break we reached Philadelphia, and as we
were entering the city, the Ccntnnial Buildings
were visible. The sight made us regret that
we would not be able to be there next sumner.
AS the steamer, which was to take us to Sa-
vannah, left at noon the next day, we had not
much time to spend in seeing the city, but
what time we had we put to the best advan-
tage. After embarkng on the good ship Jani-
oia, we devoted our FIRST moments to arrang-
/ ing our stateroom, paying particular attention
To certain tin cans, which were hanging on the
1 outside OF each berth, and which we surmised
wauld be Convenient in an emergency. The
first afternoon were all right, but the next
/ morning we found out the cnuyenience uf those
/ liitle tin cans; but the use we made Of them
that dav was nothing compared to that Of the
next. Etrly the next morning the wind began
/ to blow and before noon "A regular hurricane
was lin the language of a citizen Of Perrrs-
burg) tearing us wide open" We took no in
1 tercst in ANYTHING lltu was going on outside
/ that dhv, only wishing that we were on shore,
vuwing that II W. we're only there once mere
We would never 60 to sea again. However, we
survived, and the next day cuming out pleasrtl
I we all becH me nlly in relating our experiences
Of the day befnre. At night after running
aground and b'ing transferred to another boat
we rea chel SLvannih Now, thought we, all
our troubles are over, but not So for some un-
explained reasons the streets and the ho RS ol
the hotel were almost as unsteady as was the
ship, at least we found ourselves making nj.
lowance Tor the motion, stepping high and sumo
= times wide Of the mark Which we should follow
savannah. what we saw of it, is very pretty
but we hadn't time to gp to the noted places il
! it. At noon we left on the steamer CITY Pom
for Jacksonville and Piatka: we didn't spent
any time al jacksonville, but kept on cur wav
mp the river to Pilatka, where We changed
boats for the Upper ST. John. Along the shore
If this stream are handsome residences, put NJ
by people who spend their winters here. w
had gnud view of Mrs. Stoves residence it /,
/ ,,tn nft th "A n lam IN ri I
ka we had half n day to roam about, before th'
steamer left which was to take us mp the st
John. Everything was strange To- us, and We
enjoyed ourselves hugely. The trees were III
in fall foliage, aud birds were singing amoul
them. Here we invested in some oranges ant
we all came u the clnc usiuh that Florida or
anges were equal to all that had breu claimet
for them.
Our trip up the st. John was the pleasantes
part ofour journey. fhe air was warm and pleas
auf, aud the scenery varied at times the boa
would be running ia barrow chtunel, will
densel wooded bhnks. again the shore wOul,
stretch away in wide prairieS, and then agai
, the river would widen into lake. All tn
way the passengers were looking ont for aiga
tors, but they declined to put in their appear r
ance, having learned by experience probably
thai it would not be healthy for them. Ab0u
3 P. II. We reached sanford, which We left a
soon we found out VII, re we were to gn
, We secured team Of mules and wagon t
trhnspTt our baggage; then leaving "JUe" {
: take charge of them, we struck out for "Char
lies" place. At night we found a place T.
hang ont and waited fOr' joe" who reached VI
about noon the next day. 4 hen we all set ou
together; about dusk we came to the Wekiv
river, which we had to ford. Half way acros
we ran into hole, and had tp unload and car
nv our trunks ashore then the mules wer
= able to pull the wagon out, After loading IL
We made another start, and by this time it wa
dark. We got along about two miles furthe
when the wagon bruke dawn aud we had
camp out till morning, when we rugged up
cart out OF the remains of the wagon aud star
Ell again This time we went through all rigl
? and reachedonr destination in time for Dime
We are we'll pleased with the country aruun
here, ana ~ 81 n rs we Gun get through wit
necessary lurmaties. will squat on 100 acre
! apiece 0f as pretty laud ever was seen. Bl
. this letter will make ynu wish that F!oril
had never been discovered, If it is spun uut M
longer, so more anon, A. d =.