The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-17
For the Central Presbyterian.
A Florida Missionary Tour.

MeSsrs. Eaitors,- Considering that so
little is known of Florida I thought I
would give an account of trip through
what is called South Florida the south
western part of it, and hope it will prove
OF interest to the readers of the Pres5u-
terrain.
In a two-muie wagon, well-supplied
with provisions and camping outfit, our
party started from Apopka City, Orange
county, on Monday, July 18th. We took
a south-westerly course skirting the
shores of the great Lake Apapopka, and
spent our first night, not Economically
camping on the shores of lake with the
blue canopy for our covering, and the
stars for lights, but in the hospitable
mansion of our worthy State Senator,
Hon. j. G. Speer, who is also a Presby.
terrain elder. Early the next day we
beyond the reach of civilized entertain
ment, winding slowly over and among
the Sumpter county "Sand Hills"
These hills are lofty and in places pre-
cipitous, barren of any growth except
stunted pines and dwarf oaks and sterile
almost as desert. The scenery at
many points is solemnly grand. And
those who have never experienced it can
form no idea of the impression produced
by being in the midst of such a solitude.
A Sabbath-like stiffness pervading all
broken only by the mysterious music of
the breeze among the pines, which seems
only to be variation of silence.
But as we approached the region of
Lake Louisa the scenery became more
varied and cheerful, and numerous clear
water lakes are found nesting among
the high hills. This region is the para
disc OF the fisher for black bass, and the
alligator "shootist. We had however
no time to sketch or to slay saurians, as
Barlow, Polk county, was our first obiec-
tive point, so we fastened on as fast as
sand and saw palmetto roots would allow,
until we reached what is known as the
Peace creek country in Polk, which lies
along and west of that stream. We had
heard much about that region, and we
were not disappointed as we rode along
through the rolling uplands, under tall
pines and oaks, and by beautiful farms,
growing corn, cotton, and cane, and the
farm houses surrounded by luxuriant
groves of orange trees and waving ba-
nanas.
On Thursday morning, our fourth day
out, we reached Barlow, the county seat of
Polk. Before / reached Barlow I had
made inquiries if there were any Presby-
terians in that region, but could hear OF
none. Yet one of the first persons met
in Barlow was Presbyterian from Mis-
souri,. And when it was noised abroad
that Presbyterian minister was in town
and would preach in the courthouse on
Friday night, it was found that there
were two other Presbyterian families in
Barlow and another in the country south.
| preached that evening to quite large
congregation and as / came out of the
house the remark was made to me that
was the first Presbyterian minister that
ever preached in Barlow or even in Polk
county.
On Saturday morning we left Barlow
for Alfalfa, some 25 miles west. Alfalfa
Is the name of the river, settlement
and post-ofice. That afternoon we
reached the residence Of Mr.. L. A. Wise.
who lives near the post-of6ce. Mr.. Wise
came to Florida from the Valley of Vir-
ginia, and having travelled extensively
over the State finally settled down in
this fine region.
Although there was but little time to
make known the preaching appointment
next day, yet there was good congre-
cation both morning and evening at the
Alfalfa Academy. Besides Mr.. Wise and
his family there are several others who
would connect themselves with the Pres
byterian church should one be organized