Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-06

Railroad, extending from Waldo, on the Transit
Road, to Ocala. The distance is between forty
nine and fifty miles, and the route traverses a
fine and interesting region. The speed made is
not rapid, owing to the fact that the road bed
is not yet settled, but the track is well laid with
substantial rails, and the motion is smooth and
agreeable Several small settlements are grow
ing up around the various stations, and the
whole country shows gratifying evidences Of
growth and development.
The road is the dividing line between the
celebrated Harris & Bishop orange groves,
noted for their productiveness and the
fine quality of their fruit. Before the war
these lands could have been purchased
for mere nominal sum, and now they are
valued at fabulous prices They were covered
at that time with dense growth Of the sour
and bitter-sweet oranges, Springing up rankly
in the rich hammock surrounding the lake
The spot was formerly a favorite place for
picnic parties, and was a great resort for the
young people. The trees were cut down with
out ceremony, for the purpose OF gathering
the fruit, and have known wagon loads car
ried away to be peddled in lower Georgia.
Since these lands fell into the hands of their
present owners the trees have bsen thinned
out as far as possible into regular rows, their
tops cut of, and the stocks budded with ap-
proved varieties. Skilled labor has been en-
ployed, and scientific cultivation has accom-
plished wonders. In passing through the eye
rests deEghtedly upon heightened lines Of
thrifty trees, whose deep, glossy foliage be-
tokens health and vigor, and whose branches
are bending beneath their wealth of fruit
Tramroads lead through the avenues for
convenience of transportation, and handsome
and capacious houses have been erected for
the purpose of storing and packing the juicy
globes. Industry, energy and skill have made
the proprietors almost millionaires within the
past ten years. and l am somewhat timd in
making a prediction as to their probable in
comes within the next decade.
They are continually adding to the extent of
their groves, which are now among t2ir largest
in this or any other country. In a month or
two hence, when the present green balls are
assuming the golden tinge that presages matu-
rity, the sight which they will present will be
wOndrously beautiful and attractive Few can
look upon the valuable property without expe-
riencing violent attack Of the prevailing
orange fever. Interspersed amid the groves
are stately magno las, sturdy wide-spreading
live oaks and the quaint umbrella-topped pal
mettoes, which are retained for the protection
they afford and which add greatly to the
beauty of the scenery.
Many pilgrimage will be made to this
charming scene during the coming winter by
our Northern VISITORS who would never weary
Of admiring a sight so charming and so novel
had but little opportunity to see Ocala, as
/ arrived at night and left early the next morn
ing. The town is progressing rapidly. how
ever. and the completion Of one railroad with
the prospect Of others, have had very stimu-
lating effect Many OF the stores around the
courthouse are capacious buildings, and dis
play heavy stocks of general merchandise
There are numerous handsome private resi-
dences. Much of the original hammock
growth has been retained. Real estate in and
around the town is held at high figures and ap-
pears to be in demand. Two meteorological
papers, the Banner and the LdcOn, ably edvo-
cate the interests Of the town aud county, and
seem to be appreciated by the people. Ocala
is alive to its advantages and opportunities
and contains several citizens who are noted for
their enterprise, liberality and public spirit
The town has promising future, and its signs
are propitious.
The Tropical Railroad is moving on to Sum
terville, and it is expected that it will reach
that point about the first of January. The
two contracts south of that station, of twenty
miles each, for which bids are now asked
will carry the road within thirty miles Of
Tampa. Work is pushed vigorously, and
large force is employed
All along the route from this city to
Ocala, at Baldwin, Trail Ridge, Lawtey, Starke
and Waldo the sombre tokens Of mourning
attest the general grief over the loss OF Presi
dent Garfield. Few have been more generally
honored and more universally lamented
And so Billy Hicks has hoated again, like a
bubble OF gas to the surface. For an audacity
that has no parallel, and a sublimity of cheek
positively stupendous, commend me to this
chameleon divine. VIII not this ecclesiastical
acrobat be content with nothing less than a
seat in the Cabinet. or will he start out for a
buck and bring back a possum? His vaultng
ambition has o'erleaped itself" on this occa-
sion, for William Watkins chances must be
exceedingly meagre. 1t is very doubtful if
President Arthur has ever heard of the aspiring
priest before, and it is highly probable that he
will be severely snubbed. There ought to be
some lucrative ConsushipS in Central Africa
where the versatile paTson might uphold the
honor Of the national flag, and convert the
savage heather simultaneously.
The sale of the Florida Central Railroad is
announced to occur on the 18th inst Rumor
has it that there will be several bidders for the
and the competition promises to be
brisk and spirited. twill certainly bring much
more than it did at the last sale. Mr. S c. Up
ham, of Manatee, has recently published
readable pamphlet descriptive of that region
of country The author, whose health has
been greatly benefited by residence in this
State, is enthusiastic in his recommendation of
Manatee and the Gulf coast, and has written
very racy sketch OF that section. The first
pound of coffee ever raised in the United States
was produced in Manatee The work is deoi
Gated to Mr. Hamilton DiSston, Treasurer of
the Atlantic snd Gulf Coast Canal and Okee-
chobee Land Company
By the way. the last issue of Frank Leslie's
Weekly contains portrait of Mr.. Disston. He
Is younger man than had supposed him to
be, apparently not exceeding thirty-fve years
The features are frank and pleasant, and not
marked by the lines Of care and anxiety that
you would naturally expect in the countenance
OF a man who was conducting a business re-
quiring the services of s. yeral hundred work
men, producing manufactured goods amount
ing to millions OF dollars annually Mr. Diss-
toms sagacity and sound 1udgmentare attested
by his recent purchase of an enormous amount
OF lands in Florida. This transaction marked
a new departure in Florida affairs. AS soon as
it was announced, an impetus was given to the
railroads that had been projected through the
peninsular, and the dead bones again assumed
vitality. The Vigor and push of Mr.. Disston
and his company will bring more settlers into
the State within the next three years than
would have been effected by the Bureau of
,iosraf dnrip4g ha Tar Of
fury. with the limited means at their com
mand. It is to be hoped that the investment
of Mr.. Disston will be largely profitable for
this State must be a sharer in his good fortune
The immense warehouse of the Waycross
Road is approaching completion. Two Others
each three hundred feet long, are to be con-
structed. The street railroad is to be continued
to the depot of this road, and the street lead
ing to the same point will be paved with
oyster shells, The wharves are substantial and
of ample capacity for all purposes
For several days the arrivals of strangers
have been numerous. They all go up the
Among the new oomeTs are often seen
foreigners, the Swedes and Germans pre-
Florida will receive large
to her resident population during
The lumber and carpenters for the Florida
building have arrived at Atlanta, and the struc-
ture will be in readiness by the 18th inst. Very
few of our peculiar fruits will be suitable for
and Western people, whom we most desire to
reach, will hardly visit Atlanta until one or
more heavy frosts have fallen, and the rush to
your capital will not be large until the first of
November. 1t is to be regretted that Mr.. d. II.
Elliott has been compelled to resign the super
intendence Of our State exhibit.
All the schools in the city, public and private
were opened last Monday, and the streets were
filled with little urchins skipping along the
dowery road to learning. Our schools bear an
excellent reputation, and are usually largely
attended
The Florida Southern Railroad is pushing on
its extension from Perry in the direction of
Ocala as vigorously as possible. Contracts
have been awarded for fifteen miles Of the
grading, and there is to be no cessation of the
enterprise. The extension south will be at
point IN Alaehua county, between Gainesville
and MicanopY.
A few oranges have made their appearance
on the fruit stalls. They are but half grown,
acrid and immature. To make shipments else
where of such orangt does the State no good
and casts discredit upon the entire crop.
During the month just ended, there were
eighteen deaths, seven whites and eleven col
bred. Eight of the entire number were under
last year, the deaths reached twenty four The
health of the city has been excellent during the
entire season.
The highest temperature indicated for the
month was "a degrees on the 18th, and the
lowest 80 degrees on the 21st.
Business is increasing, and judging from the
quantity of freight received and shipped, the
have no reason to complain.
Senator Call has left for Washington, where
he will meet his colleague, Mr.. Jones. These
gentlemen represent Florida well and WORTH
" and the honor and interests of the State
md country are safe in their keeping.
The Atlanta Exposition will be opened to-
lay. Everything looks propitious for grand
success and the South should reap substantial
benefit from the enterprise.
The extreme scarcity OF houses to rent at
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