The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-22
FLORIDA.

A.. 81, mlunlSnt, 0l.
-.s--.-
FLORIDA.
| An EXCURSION UP THE ST. JOHNS RlvER-PAN
oRAMIC VIEW OF POINTS OF 1NTEREsT-TBF
! IMPRESsIoS-wHAT IS TO BE SEEN-RAli'
| ROAD COMPETITION, ETC, ETC.
! GCorrespondcnce OF the Richmond DispatchI
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, February IA, 1877.
There was an excursion up the romantic
st. Johns yesterday on board the Hamp
| ton, an elegant steamer OF the Old DO
minion Line. The party consisted o.
about fifty ladies and rs many gentlemen
mostly from the eastern and northern cities
This noble and maj aiestic stream Is probably
the most remarkable on the continent.
History tells us that the st. Johns is ere
ated by the overflow OF numerous springs
and swamps. Its width varies frequently
Some places, from hank to bank, 1t is fully
six miles wide, and suddenly contracts te
not more than one half 4 mile. All along
| the banks OF the river is succession Of
beautiful villas, adding greatly to the
scenery, which is like a panoramic view
| with changes at every stroke OF the wheels
Every one on board seemed to forget al
cares; thought of nothing else but what
they saw, and expressed joy at every new
transformation. 1t was indeed feast tc
the eyes as we'll as to the mind. There
were several young girls and young men
fresh from school, who spoke with eyes and
heart OF love and cottage by the river ST.
Johns.
The first place reached was
MANDARIN,
a small settlement of about two hundred in
habitants. Here it was, during the Indian
wars, that the Seminoles committed so many
depredations. The winter residence OF
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe is located here,
and is almost obscured by the thick foliage
surrounding it. The location is pleasant
one, and from the cliffs at the landing the
view OF the circuitous river is quite en-
chanting. A few miles above, on the OF
posite bank, is
HIBERSIA,
a beautiful resort, mostly patronzed by in
yalids on account of its elevation and dry
atmosphere.
MAGNOLIA
came next, and from its cheerful appearance
it is not surprising that tie place should be
considered one of the most delightful re-
sorts on the St. Johns. A short distance
south of Magnolia is the famous
GREEN-covE SPRING.
1t is famous on account OF its sulphur
springs, clear as crystal, and highly recon-
mended by the medical profession. The
hotel accommodations are good, and the
tourist to Florida never fails to take in this
place during the season. Steaming up ten
miles more
is reached. This place is forty-nine miles
from jackson. There is nothing worthy OF
notice here beyond it being the landing for
passengers bound for St. Augustine, the
oldest town in the United States. The boat
connects with train which Is always in
waiting. The distance from Tocoi to st.
Augustine is only fourteen miles over a
tolerably good road.
PILATKA
is finally reached. 1t is the largest town
on the river after Jacksonville. It's situa-
ton is 100 miles from the mouth Of the
river, on high, dry site. There are from
fifteen to twenty stores, three hotels. sevc-
raj churches, number Of saw-mils, and
great many fine residences, telegraph and
in the ncighborhood of 1000. Most of the
new settlers are from New York State, who
have invested largely in the surrounding
~
into the Lower and Upper St. Johns.
The place is regarded as general steam
boat landing, where transfers are made for
the upper and lower river and it's tributa-
ries.
OTHER POINTS.
The other principal points on the st.
Johns are San Mateo, Buffalo Bluff, Ocla-
waha river, Welaka, Mt. Royal, Lake View,
yolusia, Cabbage Bluff, MelIonville, Enter
prise, and Salt Lake--all of historical fame,
and reserved for future occasion. Salt
Lake is 275 miles up the river.
OUR STEAMER.
The Hampton is splendid steamer-the
finest on the river-and belongs to the Old
Dominion Line. Its capacity is 624 tons.
Like all peasure-boats, the whole Of the
lower deck was occupied by machinery and
freight for the various landings, while the
upper deck was devoted entirely to the use
Of the passengers. Captain A. w. Stark, Of
Virginia, an elegant gentleman and a gradu-
ate OF Annapolis, is in command. Mr.. James
NJ. Gallagher. who is well known in Rich
mond as the purser of the Wyanoke, has
charge of the Office and Of the affairs OF the
company at Jacksonville. A splendid Knabe
piano has been placed in the saloon Of the
boat for the special accommodation of the
ladies.
THE IMPRESSION
to all made by this short trip on the river,
was its width, and in some places its lake
like appearance. The weather was delight
full, the sun shone brightly, and the air was
filed with an odor OF summer, which made
us cav and happy. Our thoughts naturally
reverted to the aborigines who habited the
shores, their customs, how they lived, etc.
At their very door there were fsh, flesh,
and fowl. Flocks OF wild ducks flew past
the bows OF the Hampton, and as we neared
the banks of the river in some places i'm
mense aligators would make inimical de-
opening their large mouths,
as il ready TO swallow up the boat, with oil
on board. There were a number OF cracked
shots, who would enjoy themselves in shoot
ing the monsters as they protruded their
heads from the water.
OTHER DOTS ABOUT JACKSONVILLE.
There are three daily and one weekly
newspaper published in Jacksonyille-the
Sun, Press, Union, and Agriculturtst. The
Union is a Republican organ, and the other
three conservative Democrats.
One would suppose that oranges and
lemons were so plentiful here as TO be had
at almost nothing. But this is not so.
Oranges arc sold at retail two and three for
Ten cents, and lemons about the same. Shad
IRE sold at three for twenty-five cents, and
.ront five cents pound.
RAILROAD COMPETITIONS.
Considerable energy Is shown by the
.gents and representatives OF the various
.aiIpoad companies. Combinations are being