Litchfield enquirer., 1879-03-27
JACKSONVILLE Florida. ,
 March 18th, 1879. }


 Enterprise at o'clock, 8. m., on the steamer Water Lily, we arrived at Blue Springs at 930, distance of about 9 miles by river, aid 3 by land. Here we behold one of the largest springs in the state, 200 feet in length, by 75 feet wide, and about 70 feet deep, and it is large enough at it's junction with the St. Johns for steamers to enter. It's waters are exceed ingly clear, and objects may be seen on the bottom The water is beautiful blue color. Many large fish may be seen, and, many times, gators. Not long since friend was fishing on the spring, and, when near the shore, saw large gator on the bottom. Thinking it dead he touched it with an oar, when. to his surprise, he was very nearly capsized by the monster, which was about 15 feet long. They are common pets here in town, and the teeth are used for earrings, breast-pins, scarf-pins, whistles, etc. On going 9 miles from the landing at the spring, we come to the young and neat little town of Orange City. It is laid out in squares in the high pine land, and pre- sents neat and prosperous appearance. Soon after our arrival, we fortunately met our much esteemed friend, Myron Cole, who made us at home at his neat little cottage, surrounded with orange trees and otherwise made attractive. Mr. O. very kindly showed us about town, to the pine apple fields, and other points of inter- est. When on our way home a heavy thun- der shower came over, and we accelerated our motion, and reached the hotel at the center, just in time, as the rain soon came pouring down. When the shower had passed, we reached home easily, as the soil is light, sandy, and soon dries off Mud in this state is out of the question. Light sand banks in dis tance look like snow drifts in the North On bidding our good friends, Mir tS Mrs Cole adieu, we left for Palatka, of which we spoke in our last. Sojournlng a few days here, we visited Crescent City, (which is situated on Dunnes Lake), San Mateo, and other points | dourishng with young orange trees a.d sick Yankees. Don't speak of the latter though, till we sell out
 The next point made was Tocoi, 23 miles l down the river from Palatka. Here we took | the cars at 10 a. m., and arrived at St. Angus tine at II. The distance was 13 miles pass ing through low pine land, most of the way j; saw palmetto in abundance On arriving at | the hotel, "Florida House." and learning that dinner was at 3 p. m., we visited the old and | widely known fort. Fort Marion, one of the greatest curiosities of the state, is built mostly of coquina stone; a concretion of shells quar- ried on Anastasia island opposite the city. It is in all respects castle, built after the plan Of those in the middle ages of Europe. Other l objects of interest are the Catholic Cathedral, Gate of the City, Monument in the Plaza, IS feet high, which was erected in 1872. to com memorate the Spanish Liberal Constitution. The palace, the residence of the Spanish gov ernor, is now used as the post-otfice and U. s. Court. The U. s. barracks, now occupied by a few soldiers, was formerly Spanish monas- tery. The old Huguenot cemetery and the military burying ground are interesting places. In the latter are three pyramids built of CO., quina, succeed and whitewashed under which lie the remains of Major Dade and 1O7 men who were massacred by Osceola. The sea wall, mile in length, was erected in 1887 743 out of coquina, with coping of gyan- ite. It protects the entire east front of the city from the encroachments of the river, and affords delightful promenade.
 On passing down Charlotte st., in the after noon, about o'clock, we were accosted by a merchant (standing by his doer), about 80 years of age, in the following good natured manner :: Good evening! I perceive you are viewing the curiesties about our city; come in and I'll show you what have" Not having any steps to ascend, we complied with his wish and were richly paid having the pleasure of viewing one of the greatest collections of sill yer, and copper coins, of different nations, that we ever remember having seen. We af terwards learned the name of our aged friend to be Mr. M. A. Walton and, MT. Editor, il you visit St. Augustine. and the old friend is living, give him call.
 New we come down the river to Mandarin where we visit the residence of Mrs. H. B. Stowe, and the grove of Mrs. H. w. Beechers near by; farther back we came to the grove o the Brown Brothers, one of the finest in tho state, also their large fields of strawberries. In few years this will be one of the largest orange landings on the river. We measured orange trees at this place, three feet in circum- ference, yielding from 5000 to 5000 oranges yearly.
 Now few words about this little village ol Jacksonville, with its peighberipg towns, La Villa, Booklyn, Hanson town, and Blackville population, all told, of 15, OOO There are several churches, Episcopal, Congregational