The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-01-16
OUR FLORIDA CORRESPONDENCE
From Anderson to Florida Through the
Country-Pleasures and Annoyances incl
dent to the Trip.
TAMPA, FLA, Dec. q, 1878.
Editor anderson htelEgenc.r:

Editor Anderson Intelkgencsr
thought when I commenced an ac-
count of my trip to this Land of Flowers,
preparatory to giving description of the
country, which I had promised some OF
your readers, I would have been long ago
through, bat settling in new country
one 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 ngSabbath until Monday morn
ing, and as we expect sometime to-day
March 4th) to reach the Florida border,
we feel as though we were nearing our
destination, and are proportionately en-
couraged. There is charm about the
word home, always attended by its mag
net, which ever attracts us with glad
dened hearts, and however saddened may
be our thoughts by past "reminiscences OF
friends and kindred ties, severed and left
behind us, even though it be an adopted
home it's 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, lfor
we were all born within the County, our
affections can never be lessened, and our
eyes will ever turn with INTEREST,"
To-day we travel without accident or
interruption about twenty-eight miles,
and stop with Mr.. Philip Lee, a very
kind and clever old gentleman, who cor
daily welcomes us to. his "ingle side"
which we find quite comfortable, for
though Mr.. L. informs us that we crossed
the line into Florida some three or four
miles back, the chilly air does not ad-
monish us that we are much nearer the
tropics.
There is much of sameness in our
journeys from day to day, the country
for miles back differing little in appear
ance, sparsely settled, and generally
along the roads barren and sandy, pre-
senting the usual character of the lands
as one nears the sea coast. Mr.. Lee in
forms us, however, that the pine lands in
Florida produce much better than their
appearance would Indicate; but of this
I will be able to say more and judge bet
ter from experience after while. Ger
tainly in Carolina such looking land
would be regarded almost worthless.
Leaving Mr.. Lees on the morning OF
the 5tb, We psss through Jasper, small
village on the railroad, in Hamilton
County, stopping only short while to
have some iron repaired on my one-horse
wagon, and TO get some directions to
"Whi.e Springs" where we expect to
camp tonight. To-day We see oranges
growing for the first time, and the chill
dren are in perfect ecstacies over them.
give dime and permission is given
them to get as 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
the disappointment in store for him.
The fruit is very beautiful on the trees,
but the oranges are sour and bitter
sweets, and only luscious in appearance.
This recopciles my little boy, satisfying,
aud, 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
solemuily with its surrounding water
oaks covered with long-drooping moss,
mourning, as it were, for the dead sleep
ing beneath their shades.
"Perhaps in this sequestered spot is laid
Some one once pregnant with Celestial fire,
Hands that the rod of Empire might have
Or walked to.ecstacy tile living Lyre."
White Springs, where We stop tonight,
though deserted at this season of the
year, I am told is still place of resort
in the Summer for invalids, as we'll as
pleasure-seekers.: There is large hotel
for the accommodation of visitors, two
stores and quite number of houses erec-
ted, all of which, am told, are occupied
during the Summer, but are vacant now,
giving the place the appearance of a
deserted village" Through the kind
ness of Mr.. Adams, who is selling goods
there for the accommodation of the
neighborhood and those resident perma-
neutly in the place, we are allowed to
occupy comfortable school room, with
good fireplace and situated quite near the
Springs. This is quite to our taste, and
enables US in our hurry through to step
down and view the Springs without delay
in our journey. The strong sulphurous
smell of the water-compared by the
boys to "gunpowder"-readily suggests
the properties of the water. 1t is situa-
ted on the right bank of the Suwannee
river, and / expect, when not overaowed,
has high temperature, as the water is
very warm now, though completely over
a&ed by the River, which is much
swollen by the heavy rains. "A very
large building has been built immediate.
" over the Springs with steps leading
down into the water, several bath rooms
partitiongd off for accommodation ol
those desiring to bathe, with other con.
veniences. Altogether, think White
Springs very pretty place, and, though
deserted now, gay enough in Summer.