Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-25
LETTER FROM JACKSONVILLE.
A Visit 30 Lakes Eustis and Harris
Captain Bill KendrIcb, the Original
Florida t'CrackeF''-A Hotel Need
ed az Kalaka-A Description of
Lake Barris-NO Bad Effects from
the Recent Cold WeHther-"God's
Country

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, January 20. - Editor
Morning Netrs l have just returned
from a short trip into section OF the State
thst has only to be visited and seen to give it
the character OF being the most favored part
of the State; that is, the Lake Eustis and Lake
harris country, in and around the neighbor-
hood Of Leesburg, Sumter county. have been
well acquainted with most of the State for the
last ten years. but confess that this sec ion far
surpasses any other that have seen, not only
in it's advantage for raising fruit and vege-
tables. but for picturesque scenery, good lands
and delightful location for winter or summer
residences.
On going up the st. Johns river l met quite
a party under the guidance OF our old
friend Captain BIZ Kendrlch-better known
as the old original FLORIDA cracker" "
Captain Bill is no doubt the best posted
man in the State. in all matters relating to
its lands, capabilities and productions, and his
services are in constant demand among those
SEEKING orange groves, or locating homeSteads,
and II he was as exacting in his commits
would soon lay up a fortune. but his en-
tu>iasm in the cause OF filling up
his native State seems to give him plenty OF
business but his whole SOuled and liberal spirit
to the liberslity OF those for whom he has made
sales. and it is freely commented on, that he
has been treated in any thing but liberal way.
learn that though he he's sold seven or eight
places since the first of the month, and some of
them places bringing over $25, eco he has been
knocked out OF his commissions, and in some
instances because he had no written contract
Plenty of parties sre anxio-'s 10 get the benefit
Of Capt Bills energy and vim 70 work OIL their
property for them. but rely on his good ma ure
to avoid paying h m anything. But to my trip.
oVaA -Ar-o
miles south of jacksonville, we took the cars
Of the st. Johns and Lake Eustis Rsiiroad,
and after pleasant ride OF twenty-six miles,
arrived at Fort Mason, the terminus Gu Lake
Eustis, where we found the May Flower, q
small steamer belonging to the railroad com
pany. ready to start for its daily trip round the
lakes
Major Davies. the pleasant Superintendent Of
the railroad. aud one of its owners, was very
kind in making the ladies as comfortable as
possible. The lake was es smooth as glass,
and delightful trip OF fifteen miles took US
through Lake EuStiS into Lake Harris, and up TO
''Yalska-" where We were entertained in the
most hospitable manner by Mrs. EubankS.
Words could not do justice TO her nice tah'e.
and l can safely say that no one who
visits her table once, will leave it save with re-
gret Unfortunately she is not prepared to 40
commodate over six or eizht persons, or she
would have a crowded house all the time.
know no place where hotel could be put
up with better prospects of a handsome return
for the investment. The location is delight
ful oue The ground rising gradually from the
lake with gentle slope, allows iine view OF
oph of the finest sheets OF water ever saw.
The lake is IS to Is miles long aud 2to wide.
Its Indian name is "AsGtuta' or shining
waters,'' a very appropriate naine. as the lake
Is very winding, and its bills and bends allow
the sun to strike it at various angles ard give
il q very bright and shining appearance. Lees
burg thriving town, with e1ght or ten stores,
is situated eight miles from 1slaka, is within
three fourths Of mile OF both Lake Harris
and Lake Griffia. These lakes are part of
chain that run fully $50 miles south
ward-not all connecting. but nearly 50.
These lakes are what render this part of the
State so delightful In summer as well as in
winter There are large bodies OF rich ham,
mock land on their banks, as well as high
rolling pine lands. al of which are being
rapidly taken up. The lake fronts are a
studded with settlements, and some Of the
finest orange groves in the State are here.
One of the very finest that of Mr.. Marshall,
worth $4,000 was sold d few weeks ego to
Mr. Embry, of Columbus Ga. This grove,
though but forty acres, was cheap at the price.
A gentleman from Iowa. who was in our party,
offered the purchaser SO 600 profit on his bar
gain, but could not get It. Some or the nneSt
groves on Lake Harris are these OF Captain
Haines Messrs. Milan. Stivender Cunning
ham. Davies, Pharis, and those OF Mrs. Drake
and Mrs. Bryant.
At Yalaka. which is the Indian name for
orange or yellow. we found no injury had been
done by the late cold weather. We found
scarcely sign of it. We found banana leaves
hIes in abundance. Cabbsges and tomatoes
were a treat that some of the visitors, fresh
from the ice and snow OF the Northwest, were
not prepared to see, and they were in ecstacies
over them.
The party, under the guide Of Captain Bill,
consisted OF Mr.. and Mrs. Bryson. OF Iowa;
MT. J. Shaeffer ard daughter. OF Lockhaven,
Pa. Mr. Tarbill and Siinker, Of Cincinnati; and
when left them. believe every one of them
had decided to invest in that region before
leaving it, It certainly is highly favored
section. and as Captain BID says, Is God .
coltatrv" Pineapples, guayas and bananas
and the most tender veg etables, were fresh and
green and unhurt by the late cold; The lands
are far superior TO those on the st. John S, and
the want of communication is all that has
heretofore kept that section from being rapidly
filled M And now that 1t he's started be-
Ieye it will improve more rapidly than any
other part of the State. As location ror
hotel there Is no better place in the state than
at Yalaka-there the guests would nud de-
IiQhtful location where they could spend the
time pleasantly in fishing hunting and boat
ing. SEANoLE-