Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-13
ORANGE SPRINGS, FLORIDA.
Its Former Fame-AThrIftY People
The Famous Well of HeRlth-An
Historic spot - The Culture of
FlOrIda's Staple

ORANGE SPRINGS, FLA, September 4.-Edttor
Morning Netos: 1t is so very seldom our little
community has the opportunity of exchanging
compliments with the NEWS other than through
the subscription list, that would now request
the courtesy Of a space in your columns in
order that the claims of this village to favor
may be better known. Possessing many fea-
lures of interest to the tourist invalid and nat
urAlist, superior to more pretentious localities,
it is but little known to the great body Of
Northern travellers. Located as it is in the
narrowest part of the peninsula, receiving the
untainted zephyrs of the Atlantic and the Gulf
waited through the primitive forests, it may
well aspire to the honor of a natural santa
rum. Indeed, in years past, before the clamors
of war had awakened awful echoes and dis
turbed the quiet life of its citizens, Orange
Springs was a favOrite winter resort. The two
hotels, though commodious, were not ample,
and tents fiecked the village common. making
up a scene both picturesque and democratic.
Our people are honest, orderly and indus
triOus, not perfection though. This is not Ar
cadia Indeed, l often think there is less fact
than fancy about that story. They rear their
families, raise their crops, and pay attention
to their own business. The noise of a busy
world disturbs them not; they buy and SELL if
not always for cash, with the most convenient
medium, exhibiting throughout their dealing a
worthy discretion and economy. Their lives
are peaceful, each day having its allotted task,
and so they work out the problem of their lives
unhampered by the rules of rigid convention.
Crops are good, especially cotton. The last
few months drought has had some effect ON
corn and cane. but the stapleis doing well, and
if the demand is as good as the prospective
yield. the season will pay.
The beautiful spring must not be forgotten.
It has given us q local habitation and name.
and mu L not be slighted. Situated within two
I nr1G n q iS Qa NnmnRfalU
secluded to all appearance as though it were
within the everglades. For one thing thank
Progress. The monarch has left our bright
pool undlSturOed; perhaps the quiet locality
of the place possessed a charm which dsarm-
ed all proclamation. The only improvements
visible are a necessary dressing room in sad
need of repair, and an improvised springboard
for the benefit of Naiad and Natator.
The approach is by a long, narrow path,
winding through pine and live oak inter
spersed with bay, black gum ana dogwood,
trellised and interlaced with the vine OF the
wild grape. Along this path you saunter,
when a slight turn brings you suddenly to the
edge Of the spring.
Ii is indeed a thing of beauty, seventy five
feet across by one hundred in length, extend
ing ia a long. broad and shallow run until it
empties into Orange creek. clear as crystal
and pleasant to the taste, consisting of sulphur,
with, l believe. a trace of iron and magnesia.
A bath in the clear, cool water is worth jour
ney The flow is large and constant. The suns
rays having bat little effect upon it, the tenn
perature is nearly equable at all times. 10 a
stranger the sensation is novel He seems and
feels, but for the very cool water, as he gazed
down at the tleached, sanded bottom, TO be
floating in equilibre. Beneath, occasional
pieces of wood or bark are seen covered with
su 'phur frost work and the turtle, as he leisure
ly crawls about coated with the same material,
appears eDcased in an armor of fretted bronze.
The efft ct Of a bath must be judicious to an
invalid. After partaking, there is an exquisite
sense of languOr, quiet dolce far T1iSTte SEN
7rah aC ia from a
bath soothing to the nerves and inducive to
rest As 1 remarked, the sylvan solitude, ex-
cept Of course upon occasions, IS unchanged
Presumably. il is Low as IL was generations
ago. The stars keep nightly vigil, their reflex
shining brightly on its placid bosom, and, as
they leave, cast a lingering glimI1er in token
that "all's we'll" Here, ages back, might the
dusky warrior, tired from the chase, laying
aside spear and buckler, have hreathed soft
tales into the willing ear of some bright
Alfratta of the South; and here, too, might
that grand old cavalier, De Leon, have paused
had he passed this way l. quest OF that myth
cal Fountain of Youth, marching and toiing,
finding at the last but grave In the great
waters of the West.
But aside from sentiment, this locality
has historical memories, almost forgotten
now-effaced eclipsed in the still distinct
glare of the fiery struggles that followed
On the old bridge over Orange creek, where
the road crosses from Fort Brook, and but lit
tie more than a mile from the village, occurred
one of the most important affairs of the Semi
mole war. Halac Pustenugge, Seminole chief,
young. bold and vigorous, Sho protraeted the
war. and was at last captured by a stratagem,
attacked a small detachment Of troops under
command Of Lieutenant Alburtis as they were
conveying provision train to the fort. The
troops were far inferior in numbers, and know
ing well their fate if captured, fought with de-
termination succeeding at last in driving the
Indians TO the open barFens, and were after
wards commended for their conduct by Gen
eral Worth.
Orange culture is receiving every attention.
I might mention one grove owned by j. b.
Ehochs s. Co, containing sixty acres, which,
for order, cleanliness and quality of fruit, will
rival any in the orange belt Messrs. Mcbride,
Monroe and others have also fine groves, which,
considering their age, are unsurpassed.
SportsmeD may here follow the bent of their
incl nations to their hearts content. Deer are
plenty on the other side Of the narrow Oclaha.
wa with conveyance convsnieuu, and should
firearms need repair our enterpriRing youDp
postmaster, Mr.. Lopez. who is also lock AM
gJmsmiIh, will remove defects. F1ship-< is az
cellent, and of the bathing have ritten-
M A N