The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-08-14
Our Olio.
The Cattle Herdors Of Florida.

A letter dated Fort Myers, Florida, says:
The Caloosahatchee at this point is deep
aud vide stream, atfording easy navigation
for ocean craft. From here eastward the
river narrows, and drains an open prairie,
or sayana-eountry. This region is vast
cattle range, and inhabited only by herd
ers and the remnants Of the Seminoles
Some Of these cattle raisers are wealthy,
and pride themselves on their acquisitions.
Cuba affords them market and their
available wealth is mostly in Spanish doub-
looms, though great deal of it is in Mex
lean dollars. The silver money is kept in
sacks representing $50, 800, or $500,
and never untied-passing from hand to
hand for the amount marked ON the tag.
Every man is his own banker, aud his
coin is a good deal safer under his own
roof than it would be in the custody Of any
bank. 1t would be impossible to rob onc
of these eattlO men Of his money and get
away with it.
The weight Of the coin would prevent
rapid flight, and there is no place to fly to
if flight were possible. Hemmod in by
swamps and ocean there is no safety for
him who would rob his neighbor, for he
could not get away or make use at home
Of what was another's. If theft were at
tempted swift punishment would follow the
ofense. No useless judge or superfous
jury would consume time in determining
the magnitude Of the crime. The offender
would die with his boots on, and there
would be no numbering of court record
with the transaction.
The people of this region are honest
from desire to be So Eyerybodys house
is open. The merchant, who is always his
own clerk, leaves unclosed the door Of his
store when he goes to dinner. If Gus
toner should come in during his absence
and want plug Of tobacco, he would take
the tobacco aud leave the value of Il in
coin in its place, If he couldn't make the
exact change at the time he would men.
tion it afterward and square the account.
There is no such thing as cheating on the
part Of merchant. He couldn't keep
store If he was known TO cheat, and he
mover attempts it. There is unlimited mu-
tua confidence on the part of buyer and
seller.
One Of these seattle kings, as the herd
ers designate each other, is miser, and
lives in miserable hut, with no company
but dogs. lie has boxes Of doubloons In
untold numbers secreted about his prem
ises, has no visitors and no neighbors, for,
in addition to being a miser, he is hermit.
Perhaps fancy has credited him with more
wealth than he actually possesses, but he
is reputed the richest man in Florida, and
marvellous stories are told Of the gold and
silver be has buried. As poorly as this
miser cattle king lives, there arc mono Of
them who live much better Bacon is
their staple meat, aud with all their cattle,
thcy have neither milk nor butter, and
fresh beef but seldom. With climate aud
soil that would produce fruits and yegeia-
bles the year round, they have nothing of
the Kind, except what is gathered IN wild
state. One or two families at Fort Myers
have done something in the way Of pro
daeing fruits, but elsewhere about here no
efforts are made Is this direction.
The Caloosahatchee Is a favoritc home
Of the alligator Thousands line its banks,
basking 10 the hot sun Of April Deer
are found in abundance and bears and
wild eats are too numerous 20 make the
rearing of hogs or sheep possible except in
Enclosures. Fish Of fine quality can be |
hsd for the catching. Birds Of gaudy |
plamagc aud rayishing song enliven the
forest, aad bush aud tree Of exquisite
flower and foliage make picture on which
the eye delights to linger.