The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-04-20

From our Regular Correspondent
Rio CARRABELLE, FLA, April IA, 1880.
AS little indication of our progress in this
live place, l note visit of Captain A. M. Harris,
the popular County Superintendent of Schools,
whe has just taken our census OF those between
the ages of four and twenty-one, giving total
of seventy five. There are some fifteen or twenty
under the age of four Hardly day passes but
new settlers arrive from other parts, and we have
been highly favored by number of visitors
from the North, all of whom express themselves
well pleased with our location and prospects.
Several have passed the winter here for their
health and in every instance have found SUBJ
stantial improvement. For dyspeptics we can
highly recommend the location, and even one
not ailing at all can find some enjoymen: here.
If fellow with a genial disposition, be he
saint or sinner, cannot enjoy life in this climate
he must have some weak point that needs stim-
ulant, and don't believe you can find an atmos-
phere elsewhere in which half dozen mint ju-
leps will make one feel any better than down
here on the high lands of the Gulf coast. There
is something about the air in itself that invigo-
rates the mind and body, and when one has the
leisure time and can leave the cares of business
to luxuriate in few quiet days, does he not feel
kindly towards his fellow-beings-and will not
his soul illuminate as he looks through ma
ture up TO natures god," encouraged in his de-
votions by half pint, (sometimes more, seldom
less) of good old Bourbon-(waiter, is there
Bourbon among us, lying around loose? if so
bring me couple, sugar and ice.)
In rambling through the Spanish history OF
this part of the coast, l find some interesting
items concerning our Island. On the 17th of
June, 1897 Narvaez left Spain. On Friday, April
Is, 1928, he landed at Tampa and took the land
route in his search for the land of gold and
pearls, and general exploration ofEthe country.
He finally made an end of his grand land scheme
in the vicinity of st. Marks, probably near Shell
Point. There, according to Fairbanks history
they made five boats and on the 22nd of Sep
tember embarked, following along the coast,
skirtng James Island and finally went out into
the Gulf at Indian Pass. The Apalachee Indians
were then the occupants of this part of the
country, race of gigantic stature, who molested
the explorers at every possible point and even
followed them as they passed the numerous In
dian villages then along the shores of the Island
The precise location of several of the villages
can now be found by the remnants of Indian
pottery mixed with the SOIL The largest of
these villages were here on our town site, at the
Tucker field and Boyd hammock. Now for the
tradition: When Narvaez's boats passed these
there was general jollification and rejoicing as
the Spaniards were by no means welcome Wis
itors. The festivities were kept up until mid
night when all of sudden great ball of fire came
rushing through the air with tremendous noise
and as brilliant as the air al noon day, coming
down almost perpendicularly and striking in the
bay about two miles east of this end Of the Is
land and half mile from shore. The conster-
nation of the inhabitants surpassed that of Bel
shazars hieroglyphics, and they described the
scene as one of pecula grandeur. When the
meteor struck the water it sent up volume of
spray that reached the clouds and this was livid
with phosforescent light as if illuminated by ten
thousand lamps, while the stream formed rings
of all colors miniature rainbows.) The ball ex-
plOded Immediately after and another shower Of
spray spread out from the surface in oil direc-
tons more magnificent than the first, also pro-
ducing great waves of illuminated foam. The
next day, after their fright was over, they ven
an immense spring pouring up it's water with
tremendous force covering space OF one hun
dred feet or more, emitting an unpleasant Odor.
The force Of the fall of the meteor evidently
broke the bottom and opened a subterranean
spring 1t still flows with the same force and it
is almost impossible to row a boat over it at
times. The peculiar odor of the water is percep-
tible half mile distant. 1t will prove one of
the attractions for visitors. 1t is about midway
between the Yeoman place and the mouth of
our river and between half mile and three
quarters from the shore. The depth of water in
the vicinity is about five feet at ordinary tide.
Any person familiar with the coast, inside the
reef can easily find it.
Storr's mill is now cutting lumber for the
Brooklyn, N. Y, Bridge. 1t is of the first quail
| ity and shows that we have excellent timber on
| the Ocklockonee and New Rriver, and undoubt-
! edy an unlimited quantity. The prospect oi
two more mills being erected here this season is
promising. We have advices from firm in
Michigan, now enroute and expected here next
week, who will commence erecting hrst-class
mill combining all the latest improvements.
| A private school was opened last week by
| Mr6. cartwright, MUCH " euo 50ueiuCttOH vi tlie
youngsters. A Sunday school is also another
acquisition. l presume some Of us old sinners
will have to apply 10 the Home Missionary Soci
ETY. before long for first GLASS Moses to lead US
out Of the wilderness into which we are wander
ing. hope this mention won't flood. US with
an army of itinerants, for our supply Of chickens
IL limited Just now but In sober earnest thinl
our little community will cheerfhlly welcome
worthy clergyman OF any denomination-on'
who can give us good Gospel sermons but touch
lightly upon sectarianism.
In the course Of six months good physician
will not come amiss for with 20 many employed
In the mills more or less accidents win happer
and it is well to be prepared. At present th
nearest medical aid Is twenty-five miles. Abou
that time lawyer might possibly commence Il
make things lively, but II he plants an crang
grove and cultiyates that to occupy his leisure
(which hope will consume most ofh time,) b
will be welcome.
Two or three Hrst rate carpenters will be yer!
likely to and steady emPloymsnt, but unless the,