The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-01-16
DUR FLORIDA CORRESPONDENTS.
Prom Anderson to Florida Through the
Country-Pleasures and Annoyances incl
dent to- the Trip.
TAMPA, FLA, Dec. 81, 1878.

count of my trip to this Land of Flowers,
preparatory to giving q description of the
country, which I had promised some Of
your readers, l would have been long ago
through, but settling in new country
Ione finds so much to do there is but little
time for writing. My last letter left me
within two miles of Stockton, Ga, at Mr..
.Gould's, where we were kindly accommo-
dated during Sabbath until Monday morn
ing, and as we expect sometime to-day
(Nlarch 4th) to reach the Florida border,
we feel rs though we were nearing our
destination, and are proportionately en-
couraged. There is a charm about the
word home, always attended by its mag
net, which ever attracts us with glad
dcned hearts, and however saddencd may
be our thoughts by past "reminiscences Of
friends and kindred lies, severed aud left
behind us, even though it be an adopted
home it is significant of rest; and what
balm is there so soothing To the tired and
weary heart? Yet with all towards
Carolina, the State of our nativity, and
Anderson. the place of our births, (for
we were all born within the County,) oul
Iatfeci' rs can never be lessened, and our
eyes will ever turn with interest!
To-day we travel without accident or
interruption about twentyeight miles,
land stop with Mr.. Philip Lee. very
kind and clever old gentleman, who cor
.dially welcomes us to his Jingle side"
which we find quite comfortable, for
though Mr.. L. informs us that we crossed
the line into Florida some three or four
smiles back, the chilly air does not nd-
snonish us that we are much nearer the
,tropics.
There is much Of samcness in our
Journeys from day to day. the country
for miles back differing little in appear
spnce, sparsely settled, and generally
along the roads barren and sandy, pre-
'senting the usual character of the lands
Us one nears ihe sca coast nfT. Lee ;n-
forms us, however, that the pine lands in
Florida produce much better than their
appearance would iniic;,te but Of this
a will be able to say more and judge bet
Ger from experience after while. Ger
.tain!y in Carolina such looking land
would be regarded almost worthless.
Il Leaving Mr. Lees on the morning of
the 5th, we pass through Jasper, small
village on the railroad, in Hamilton
County, stopping only short while to
sshave some iron repaired on my one-horse
wrso,., and to get some directions to
s"NVhite Springs" where we expect to
camp tonight. To-day we see oranges
growing for the first time, and the chill
Sdren are in perfect ecstacies over them.
u give dime and permission is given
sthem to get rs many as they want. Ed
gar soon has his pocket and both hands
full, and is crying because he can't carry
ANY more. Poor child. he doesn't know
sthe disappointment in store for him.
Srhe fruit is very beautiful on the trees,
but the oranges are sour and bitter
sweets, and only luscious in appearance.
This rcconcilcs my little boy, satisfying,
and, hope, making him ashamed of, his
greed.
We pass churchyard about two miles
before reaching the Springs, which is in
deed lovely spot, but full of awe and
solemnily with its surrounding water
oaks covered with long-drooping moss,
mourning, rs it were, for the dead sleep
ing beneath their shades.
Perhaps in this sequcstered spot is laid
Some one once pregnant with Celestial fire,
Hands that the rod of Empire might have
swayed,
Or walked to ecstacy tile living Lyre."
White Springs, where we stop tonight,
though deserted at this season of the
year, am told is still n place of resort
in the Summer for invalids, US we'll us
pleasure-secees.s. There is large hotel
for the accommodation of visitors, two
stores and quite number of houses cree.
ted, all OF which, am told, are occupied
during the Summer, but are vacant now
giving the place the appearance of q
deserted village" Through the kind
ness of Mr.. Adams, who is selling goods
there for the accommodation of the
neighborhood and those resident perma
nently in the place, we are allowed te
occupy a comfortable school room, will
good fireplace and situated quite near the
Springs. This is quite to our taste, ant
enables us in our hurry through TO ster
down and view the Springs without delay
in our journey. The strong sulphurou
smell of the water-compared by th'
boys to ''gunpowdeT"-readily suggest
the properties of the water. 1t is situa
ted on the right bank of the Suzanne,
river, and expect, when not overAowed
has high temperature, as the water i
very warm now, though completely over
flowed by the River, which is mucl
swollen by the heavy rains. A YER
largo building has been built immediate
ly over the Springs with steps leadin
down into the water, several bath room
partitioned off for accommodation G
thnsc desiring Ia bniie, with other oor
veniences. Altogether, think Whit
Springs very pretty place, and, thoug
deserted now, gay enough in Summer.
On the morning of the 9th we NOV
of in the direction of Lake City, i
Columbia County, which place we pas
about twelve o'clock. This little tow
h.s about fifteen hundred inhabitant
and presents quito business annearanc,