Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-10
FLORIDAlETTER

rorrs.nondeuce puRLIc Lyporg.l


Correspondence PuBLlc LEDGKE.l
LAKE CITY, FLA, March l. 1881.
The picturesque town from whicI
this letter Is written is located on tn
site Of an old Indian village known i
the days Of the AborisInss as "Alli
gator, having been sailed after
noted chief Of that euphonious q
name. In fact, the place retained tina
designation until within a compare
lively shOr. period. Being surrounds
by
EIGHT OR TEN BEAUTIFUL LAKES,
the name was finally changed to LAX.
City. Its wide, level streets, neat side
walks, unpretentious public build
|ings, luxuriant shade trees all drape'
in long flowing gray moss, and tn,
faithful representative Of southern
architecture in private residences 5,
peculiar to the extreme south, all com
bine to impress the visitor pleasant.
with the people who live in so mucl
simplicity and native beauty. TIL,
nlaca Il snnDlied with
NUMEROUS CHURCHES,
including Methodist, Baptist, Episco
pal, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian
There is but one paper here, the Re
porter, aud that is published by Mr.
C. A. Finley, son of General j. J
Finley, the present member of con
greSs from this district.
TWO RAILROADS
meet at this point-The Florida Cen.
trail, which connects with jackson.
vile, aud the Jacksonville, Pensacola
and Mobile, which connects with the
principal cities of this state and with
Savannah. Lake City is sixty mile:
from Jacksonville, and is the
CAPITOL OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Although it lies in the northern part
Of the state, and has been but poorly
advertised. il is nevertheless oecom-
ing popular as a health resort for in
Living here is very good,
fish, oysters and game being abund-
ant. The best board can be had for
sl5 per month. Those who are able
to hunt can find wild turkey and a
great variety Of small game within
two or three miles Of town, while by
going fifteen or twenty miles bear,
deer, panthers and catamounts can be
in any quantity and variety. If,
however, a man is disinclined to such
exciting sport be can fish and shoot
quail and ducks on the wing almost
sight of the church steeples of
the town. Another splendid pastime
is boating on the lakes. This is a
pleasant and quiet part Of Florida,
and ought not to be overlooked by
parties coming south for health or
rest.
PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL.
Oranges do very well here, but they
are not grown to any great extent. De-
casional frosts make the crop rather
uncertain, and land owners seem to
other experiments. The orange
belt lies considerably south of this
county. The principal crop here is
the long staple cotton, which grows
and brings not less than thirty
cents per pound. Sugar is raised here
very successfully. Corn grows abund-
Sweet potatoes and Watermel-
Dns can be produced in the greatest
abundance with but little labor. Veg
stables Of every name aud variety
grow very rapidly, many OF them yield
ing two good crops in a season. The
soil is soft and sandy, and when stirred
With a pillow is as finely pulverized as
an ash heap. In speaking of the pro-
duets of the soil it would not do to
the fact that large, healthy
ALLIGATORs, RATTLEsNAKEs AND
SPIDERS
grow and fatten here without any at
tention at all. The former can sub
sist for long periods with no food ex
sept little niggers and young hogs
Both OF them grow wild here, and
consequently any farmer has the
means within his reach to keep as
many alligators as he needs. Seriously
these dreaded reptiles destroy a great
many hogs, and have been known to
Kill and eat negro children. when they
ventured too near the shore.
oARPETBAGGER HoRATIO BIsBEE,
one o. the rotten remnants of the
Infamous days of reconstruction, is
now in Washington City, preparing 10
contest the seat of General j. j. Fin
ley, who was re elected to congress by
o handanmn nninritu L. Nn-nALA