The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-12

James ASham0 Letter.
RIO CARRABELLE, FLA, April s, 1881.
Editor Floridian: Though Winter fingers in
the lap Of Spring." work with us does not stop,
and as soon as our steamboat is completed we
have reason to expect large influx TO our pres
ent population. To furnish the needed accom-
modations, arrangements have been made to
erect number of comfortable cottages on some
of our most available lots, commanding a fine
view Of our harbor. These will be finished off
rough, and each provided with brick chimney
and cooking stove. Each building viii have
three rooms connected and opening on porch
on the front side. They will be Singled and
will make very coy houses for summer resi-
dence; and where lots are sold and other build
ings erected, the cottage can be used as kitchen
and servants rooms to the same. Parties OF
gentlemen families intending to spend the
summer here will find it to their advantage to
secure cottages in advance. The rent will range
from six TO ten dollars per month, according to
location.
Our shingle-mill is now running and turning
out first rate article, something much needed
when buildings are going up as rapidly now.
Our hotel is favored with its full share of pat
ronage, and already has little room to spare.
The remainder of the building will probably be
commenced in June, and the whole completed
in season for next winters tourists
This season some of our residents are opening
small farms in the vicinity of the town site, and
much TO our satisfaction find excellent she'll
hammock land. This is reckoned the most fer
10 Will 4, ;r1,t how
lands that can be easily drained, give us several
thousand acres OF splendid soil for gardens and
fruit culture. We certainly begin TO feel quite
pround of James Island, and satisfied that we
have here another point in your State TO attract
attention from abroad
We have been fortunate in being remembered
by Congress in the Harbor and River BILL which
secures us a survey of Crooked river where it
enters Dog Island Harbor. When the sand bar
is removed, vessels drawing twelve feet of water
can load at either OF the mills AS our steam
boat will be run by propeller, it is claimed by
the proprietor that he will deepen the channel
materially, and there is possibility that we may
thus remove the narrow obstruction without the
aid of Uncle Sans ducats.
We have this season had a bountiful supply Of
splendid oysters, and during the past month they
have been of most excellent flavor. We have
also plenty Of red snapper fresh from the snapper
banks, which lie just outside OF Dog island. 1t
is one of the attractions of our place TO go there
on fishing excursions and we have several sloops
and schooHers belonging here suitable for such
parties. The season of founders is close at
hand and this we count as one of the best pan
fish on the coast. We are also fortunate in get
ting plenty of fresh beef Thus you see that we
have resources for living on this coast as bount
full as anywhere in the State.
1t may be somewhat interesting 10 some of
your readers, and perhaps to yourself, to,make a
little calculation as regards the growth of this
place. There are two steam sawmills and one
shngle-mill These can cut an average of two
hundred and fifty logs daily. These logs, in the
first place. must be cut, hauled and RATED. The
mills will each employ in and around them when
running at least thirty men. These in turn will
furnish employment to others in various ways,
from the carpenter to the cobbler and all have
in turn 10 be fed. 1t hardly seems possible but
your figures will come very close to needed
population of t,oclce hundred men. women and
children. Besides the mill business, we now
have belonging here several sponging schooners,
and the crews of these may be added. Other
Industries will soon be established, and in twelve
months there is possibility and no mprobablitY
that you will find little town here containing
two thousand souls.
This is worthy of consideration by gardeners
who may be seeking chance to locate where
they can be sure of a home market; and there
are other trades that will find an opening as
none OF them arc yet filled. We even lack a
cobbler! BY the time mechanics can get homes
made and gardens open, they will find employ
ment and can grow up with their business
Al present every mouthful Of food we consume
except fish and oysters, comes from other parts,
even our vegetables, when il ought and can
be produced right here. Send us the pro-
ducers You will be surprised if you also
calculate the quantity of food necessary. The
sales at the two stores show fco tons of side meat
per month as one item, and no lack of fish and
oysters, and fresh meat. To this add the flour,
meal corn for teams, and the other ct ceteras.
The ships that load with The lumber are also
consumers for their crews must be fed while in
port
AS place for capital seeking investment we
can DOW Win goou SiuCe laSc Jaiies Asiauu On
| the market and invite those looking for new
localities to come here and see for themselves.
We consider the rough, pioneer work to start
| settlement as having been done. Every blow
now struck will help TO improve and beautify
the place; and will say without fear of contra
diction that no other point in Florida is better
located for a thriving town, and surely none
| with more natural attractions. simply express
the views of the majority of those who have
visited the Island during the past winter.
o. H. KELLEY.
Those who wish TO test the intellect of new