Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-02-19
LETTER FROM FLORIDA.

Mr. Editor-At this season Of the year
one would very naturally expect to find
the population of Jacksonville Of
very mixed character, owing to
the great influx of visitors from every
State i'm the Union in quest OF health and
pleasure. But even the resident popuia-
ton is of u similar miscellaneous sort.
First. il may be divided Into white and
colorcd the latter being in the ascenuen-
CIV. Negroes are sovereigns here, and
hold official positions OF every grade. The
other day | stepped aside 10 let pass
..gentleman of color" distinguished by
brilliant shield upon which was engraven
"City Marshall" Colored policemen ar
rest disorderly white men with dignity
becoming their office. An efficient color
Ell postal clerk aids in distributing anu
delivering the mail.
Those who do Lot hold office have their
ambition gratitied if they can be the own
err of mule and dray. If you want your
baggage hauled and cali for dray-
mali, seventy-tive will be ready to serve
YOU. They act acOLspicuous part upon
the arrival of every train, beseiSihg pas
.engers with persistent offers TO oeliFer
baggage in any part OF the city LOT oHiy
twenty-five cents" Though there is
host of them, they all seem TO do thriv-
ing business, being we'll patronizcd by
visitors ant residents.
AS for boot-backs, there are swarms oil
them at every corner who hail every
passer-by with the shout, "shine elm boss
for only nickcln
The resident white population would
be difficult TO classify. French, German,
Italian and Spanish are here in good
numbers, engaged in various occupations.
| am not able to distinguish them, but
know that they do not talk English.
A few days ago while conversing with
some lady acquaintance at gateway,
another lady joined the group, to whom
was introduced. At once she began TO
address speech to me, but i'll what lam
guage could not tell. thought would
escape from my embarrassing position by
informing her tina. could not under
stand her. waited until | might detect
period or comma, or any pause thaC
would afford space enough to permit me
by some sign or gesture 10 extricate my
self from my helpless condition; but in
this was frustrated, for of her language
did not seem to allow any pause. l lis.
tened as politely and deferentally and
helplessly as possible, for ten minutes
perhaps, (thonga it seemed an hour 70
me) when, to my great relief she came to
All abrupt close. She must have appre-
ciated my listening qualities, for upon
leaving our group, she gave me cordial
goodbye. The handshaking was the
only part Of her speech that | could un-
derstand, and | responded with true
american emphasis. was informed that
she was Il Spanish lad, lately arrived.
May be SO; | cannot tell.
hn
many are from the North and Northwest,
who came here for health, and finding the
climate beneficial TO them, remained, and
are now engaged in business.
The visitors who come TO spend the
winter, represent all the States; though
New York probably sends the greatest
number. jacksonville is the center OF
attraction. From this point they branch
out to the many "best locations in Flori-
da." on the st. Johns, Ocklawaha and
Indian rivers; and to the many celebra-
ted lakes and springs, "yisited BY thou
sands annually, according to the latest
reports of advertising sheets.
The hotels and boarding houses are now
reaping their harvest. The st. James,
Carleton, Windsor and St. Marks are the
most prominent: all of which are often
full. Some of the visitors take the credit
for stopping at one or other OF these
houses, whose names are not to be found
OH the Registers. | have been told by
one who knows the secrets OF the mail
department, that many persons have their
letters sent TO leading hotel, who never
receive or read them there. The letters
are returned to the postoffice, and Issued
through the general delivery; and read
at some cheap clearinghouse. Supreme
snobbishncss, that men should imagine
that thoy can fill out their manhood by
stealing the reputation Of hotel!
The rates of living here depend upon
the taste, aspiration and pocket-book OF
the visitor. Room and board can be had
at from So up to $50 per week. Visitors
are expected to spend money freely and
to pay for more than value received.
Curiosity stores by the dozen parade
their stock In most inviting array. AT
every few steps you can see ten cent
bunch of grass offered for fifty cents; ana
twenty-five cent shell boxes can be bought
at every stand for sl.50. A stranger in
Jacksonville is often taken in"
AS to the moral character of the people
here it is, like elsewhere, good, bad and
Indifferent; the bad and Indifferent pre-
dominating. There are doubtless morc
freedom, or loosencss here than in towns
farther North, where society is more per-
manently Established, and this cannot
easily be remedied where society is so
largely composed of visitors and strangers.
Then, too, the moral tone OF Z town will
very naturally suffer when so large pro-
portion of the population is idle, or in
pursuit Of mere pleasure. Men Of bust
ness who come here for health, pleasure
or rest, soon tire ofinuocent paStimes and
enervating idleness, and the many species
of gambling here resorted to are well de-
signed to satisfy the craving for sensuous
excitement. Such terms as Faro, Ike
no." and the like, seldom uttered by re-
spectacle men elsewhere, have become
familiar names to my ear, nOtwithstand-
ing MY efforts to associate only with gem
tlemen who merit confidence and respect.
coincidence men" find good field for
their operations here. The Daily Florida
Union very frequently tells OF how some
innocent, credulous, unsuspccting young
man had to give the entire contents OF MS
pocket-book in payment for short ac-
ouaintance with gentleman of afable
manners and winning speech, who had
''met him some years ago and who was
"well acquainted with many Of his friends
and relatives
But LnOuSE lie populalloH vi oaShsoh-
vile, is of such mixed character, as TO
color. nationality, citizenship and morals
the order of the city is exceptionally
good. 1t is remarkably quiet place;
Sunday especially is we'll observed as re-
CARDS rest and quietude. There are many
churches here and all are we'll attended. |
Altogether jacksonville is fair an
promising town, and for home, modem
facilities for trade and travel, and tho !
pleasures OF life generally, it is the ''est
and pleasantest place in the State" so !
the citizens tell me. j. CB.