The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-21


rur p,Spy 7 lSps--TlIE INHABITANTS OF THE
1NrERIos---THE I" CRACKER" MADoSA-THk
political, sITUATIoN-A LARGE NUMBER OF
WIDOWS.
rro.,o<,>,,a,pce Of the Richmond lhSDatchL
RnsnsroRp VILLAGE. March IL, 49, 3.
THE season Of 1857 is fast approa' jhahg
;ts end. The trains and STEAMBOATS, como IN
with but few passengers, while t"o"' se,uE
o,,t ,re generally crowded. There are still
many tourists and invalidS in JaCSsoaflile,
and fhe numerous villas on tlc lower aha
nnncr St. Johns have their Tall qeeaSs usua'
at This time OF the year
The weather for nesray two weeks mas
haen uncon,tortably wsrm--so Feaeh SO tnst
a great many yisitoss from tee Sere hor.lr
ern c,imes have already dofica snelr winter
clothing, and not few are 70 De seen ~
summer suits and large-bistns.ed palmetto
sa.s The orsnge, peach, snd other fruit
trers are in full blooms the gardens are
Green. ireSA, and lovely, and vegetsaon
Generally Is fully matura& Ehis is what
have seen on atwo-hGheced-miles zip In,
The interior OF Flortaa.
Recent correspondence from thss state TO,
several leading papers has had ssEprisIns
effect in elicl,ing innHiries about orange;
culture. numbering, Openings OF fsfsiness on
all kinds, and morc especially about tis:
..borrible suxarnerS.N the fear III when de-
ters vast numbers rem permanently sctti"fS
here. From whatE can learn no subject
needs writing up IN the NoTta morctean
the pleasures of'a FLORIDA su1sesner
There Is perhaps no Staseih the 'UFion
that has been mere persisteTtiy advertised,
and vet the w'kole history OF TINS la1a OF
"oranse-groves and alligasorS' has 'oeen
one OF promise rather thai Il successs tut
fiIment. \ saubrious Climate and gene
rous soil, which affords SIMPLE reward to
the cultivater, her forestS:are yet un0roken
and the population is sadly dtfcientaor her
needs. Wnh all the advantages possessed
by this State, what is NEST needed us an IN
tellicent, Industrious, working popSfatlon-
such population us shall build school
houses, open up roads canals. ETC. and de-
yelop the Industries of the people
The fne lands OF Nblusia coung show to
some extent the grand capabilities OF FLO
rida sdii and climate for gardening an0
horticultural purposes. [ actually saw a
field oY;corn more tkan knee-hgs:, and look
ing rs stocky and green as that commonly
seen an Nav and ,aHne in Virginia. l also
saw full grown Irish potatoes, 7and on tnts
magnificent ridge the orange~trecs were
blooming abundantly: the perfumes from
the groves could be discernee nearly tHo
miles off.
The view asttff. steamer passed out or tite
river into Lake Beresford and up to lts
head, at Beresferd village, os delisetful
one. The high, rolling lands, rising from
the lake and rusning back Sor many males
at considerable elevation, have such an
array OF settlers clearing lands that the
smoke in the distance appear asif tue fe'rest
was on fire.
Pushing my way in thelnterior on horse
back. crossed several streams, q :n,t:nber
OF small rayineS, and inuumerablc 'sioughS.
Edginc interminable piDe-treeS, i was more
than astonished to noticeShe production OF
the soil. The corn crops were good, OATS
grew superbly, and the orange-trees pre-
sented q healthy appearance. All this, too,
in a piney region, where secmlngiy'Eothlng
but Dine-trees could grow.
| cannot say that / was iavorably inn
pressed with the inhabitants {" Crackers
so-cailed) of the immediate neigheorhood.
The men generally are tall, slim, and wiry,
fap-slaed and unhappy-looking. The Wo-
men ;re sloven and not in the least attract
i've. Their costume, de toAs les Os:rS, con-
sists simply of bloaSzs-uolante, short Sleeve
and low neck. The material of the wrapper
is Of faded calico not overclean-no over
skirt or hustle, but plain and straight. This
garment is tied ut the waist with dirty,
smoky cord Their hairsf mostly Of dingy
red) is short. disheSelled, and failing on
the back of the neck. Their manners are
automatical, and their voices haisky and
sonorous. With this and the Lrestaeft'tothe
imaginative genius Of Jack Elder, perfect
picture Of the - Cracker" madonna could be
had without sitting.
Going further on. / reached thriving
settlement called Registers Ferry, which is
ut the head of navigation on Black geek
broad stream meand daring and circlingfor
4 distance OF TWENTY-FIVE miles, and flowiug
into the ST. Johns river. 1t is en- attractive
spot, with evidence of thrift and prosperity
all around.
After travelling for nearly week, and
enjoying the summerlike weather, j am
puzzled to remember whether 1T is May or
June. Everywhere 1t seems rs if nature
has commenced in earnest to restore Mo-
Their Earth's natural yerdure, and the
"sere and yellow Leaf are giving place TO
the beautiful pea-green Of early vegetation.
The white people of Florida, though sadly
disappointed at being cheated Of their Presi-
dent, have gone to work in earnest, and are
endeayoring to rebuild the prosperity of the
State. All they want ls to be left alone.
They have Governor of their choice and
the controlling power in the Legislature.
The city Of Jacksonville is all astir at the
approaching municipal election The Re
publieans have already nominated their
Mayor and other city officers Abbott, their
candidate for Mayor, is carpet-bagger of
the worst kind. He lately acquired seme
notoriety, and processes to be a bosonl-friend
Of the negro.
After the adjournment of the Republican
Nomir ating Convention the other night he
invited the molly assemblage to his house,
where he entertained them regardless of
race, color, or previous condition Of servi-
tude.
The Democrats will in all probability
nominate Mr.. Stokes Boyd, gentleman OF
community. Mr.. Boyd is an intimate friend
and right-bower of William b. Aston, the
millionaire. who resides in Jacksonville
during the winter months.
1t is stated that Mr.. Boyd will be elected
by a very large majority. In which event,
capitalists from the North and West will in-
vest largely in Jacksonville, and make it
frst-class city. Among other Improvements
contemplated will be the erection OF
splendid CITY hall and magnificent opera
house,
Among the lady tourists in Florida no
tice that widows predominant largely, and
most OF them are pretty and fascinating.
One Of them few nights since attempted
suicide by an overdose OF laudanum-cause,
says Mother Rumor, too much affection and
too little reciprocity. / will not name her,
as it would doubtless pain her friends and
numerous admirers.
Professor j. WilloughSy Reade has made
his bow to large audiences in Jacksonville
and other points ON the st. JOHNS. His
readings were greatly appreciated.
There are but few VHginians here.