The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-14
QUE FLORIDA LETTER.
a Description OF aOine Beautiful
Iakes-A EaErOW-Gauge Railroad
"A Beautiful TOwn-Orange Ex-
pOrt-A Prospective Canal.
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Register.

E.HheS-A NRkGO"-Sah&e hkhiIEoau
"A Beautiful Town-Orange Ex-
port-A Prospective Canal.
Correspondence OF the Register.
SUMTER Co, FLA, May 5, 1878.
have read many accounts in North
ern and East Tn pspers II the beauty OF
this Gland OF flowers" but have tailed to
find in any Of them even brief mention
of the loveliness of that portion of the
State known as "the lake country"
The "lake country" is situated in the
centre of the peninsula, 10 latitude 2S0,
at a considerable elevation above the
level OF the sea. A glance at the map
will show that q number drivers flow into
il from various directions. The principal
of these are the WithlockcOOchee which
flows westerly and empties into the gulf
near Cedar Keys, the Ocklsnaha, flow
ing morrill, and the Kissimmee, which flows
south and empties into the great Lake OF
Okeechobee. Never was the term lake
country more fifty appropriate to sec.
ton than this, for here extends chain
Of noble lakes worthy the painting OF the
most accomplished artist.
The first in the chain is called Lake
Apopka. From this narrow stream
leads TO Lake Beauclaire, the smallest
of the chain, and thence with Lake Dora
From the latter somewhat larger stream
carries the waters into Lake Eust!s. On
this lake is situated the little settlement
of Fort Mason, from which a narrow
rusge railroad now under building runs
10 Lake George, on the ST. Johns, dis
lance of twenty-slX miles. Besides those
enumerated and the one which is univer-
sally admitted to be the most beautiful is
Lake Harris. On account OF its ever vary
ing shore line, its numerous points and
islands, together with It's lofty bluffs, 1t
presents more varied and extensive
choice of desirable locations than can be
found on the other lakes.
Upon the south shore stands the little
town of Yalaha, town which will, in
time, become the principal point upon
the lake. At present it contains but
about a dozen dwellings pOstottice,
church and a school house. Its manu-
featuring establishments are a cotton gin
and saw mill. Small as it is, Yalahs Is
great trading point, and immense num-
bers of oranges are exported hence
Very large quantities of syrup, cotton
and other produce are brought in by the
farmers from even so far as forty miles
back in the country. The need of a good
hotel is so severely felt here that one OF
the largest and best lots In the
town is held IN reserve to
be given to whoever will erect
hotel upon it. 1t is believed
that il such an institution existed here,
q large number of invslids who now go
elsewhere would make it their stopping
place during the winter.
There can be no question that Invalds
would derive great benefit from 60
iourn OF few months in this delightful
region, and the tourist could also tiGd
much TO interest him. With ali these
advantages it seems almost superfuous
TO remark that this is the headquarters
from which numerous excursions are
made Here the hunter can enjoy q
fieldworthy of his skill. a few hours
tramp will lead hin into the vast soil
tide on the shore Of Lake Apopks, on
whose islands are f4vorite resorts Of the
bear and other large game.
There IS a yacnJ club here OF two
years standing. Regsttss take place
Quarterly, and are always well attended
The day is kept with great festivities.
Yachting is favorite psstime, and par
ties are continually setting out for this
purpose.
From the summit Of one of the hills a
few miles back of this town Is q view said
to be the most superb in the State. At
the feet of the observer stretches the
great lake, Apopka, whose calm waters
bave never yet toamed beneath passing |
steamer. Before hlm is displayed the blue
expgnse of Lake Harris, dotted with |
picturesque islands, while of toward the
west stretching like q long narrow |
estuary are the twenty shining miles OF
Lake Griffin. From this lofty cbserva-
tory. the visitor, whose eyes wander over
the lovely panorama, embracing most OF
the lake country, turns with regret to de-
scend again, into the dense hommock.
Regarding the development of this re-
zion, there are several enterprises which !
would well repay the labor and capital
requisite for their completion. Ot these
the chic, one is to connect Lake Apopka
with Lake Harris, thus ahordiog
steamers the opportunity to enter that
immense lake. At present the course of
lt the natural stream through Lakes
Beuclairc and Dora is long and I'M
A canal of tour miles,
through level country presenting no
difficulties to the engineer, would attain
not only the end in view, but still
more profitable advantage. Along the
north shore of Lake Apopka through
which the canal would pass, extends an
immense area Of saw-grass which only
reeds the drainage the canal would afford
o reclaim for agricultural purposes over
Is, 600 acres of the very richest description
u land. ~