New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-25
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
M1nwINTER AT THE SOUTH.

NARRATIVE OF TRIP TO FLoRIDA-fHE CoLo WAVE
IN THE LAND OF ORANGES AND PALhErroHS'
To the Editor Of The Trto"ne
SIR: In company with a number or 1rlenus'
left NewYork for Florida on the evening OF tne %o'o
ult lust in the cold snap" which prevailed all over
tine country Previous experience, however, LED as 10
expect warmer weather as went South, ana so we
confidently went forward. The morning lounu our
trim three hours late at Washington with the "atei
frozen In the sleeper and evidence OF extreme cod Inc
country, covered with snow, had an uDwonted aspect
and in Virginia the stations presented motley groups OF
chilled men and women, wrapped in all manner OF gar
ments Tie oldest of sleighs were improvised out OF
dry goods boxes boards and everything, animate
and nanate seemed astOnished at the unnatural ooh
diti0n OF affairs. Richmond was reached at D. m
instead Of noon. The streets were very gay and long
procession OF seighs sweeping along as the cars
went by. We started from KichIoono WIN
the prospect of cold night before
u.s. which was fully verified before morning
the conductor of the sleepngcar told that when the
trni, came into Wilmington at o'clock the mercury
was 50 below in the baRgagecar, wnere tnere "a7
stove However cold 1t was outside, the occupants vi
the sleepng-car very comfortable anu thousu
were ten hours LATE felt very glad to be safey proug
thus far on our way. We saw snow as 1ar south ny
Charleston-though, of course, 1t was not IN any
great uuantity-and from that point the DARK
ness gathered on cold sleet storm, winch
must have caused much suffering. At Savannah
the new year broke upon a. wintry scehe
os one could often see at the North The trees were
laden with ice which only needed tue sunshlne 70 Is
form the parks and streets into fairy land Nothing ike
il had ever been before IN savannah ana we were
told of the delight children took In gathering oces
even 10 the iastfaiug rain The snow on the incoming
trains also marvel which attracted many Doys 70
:he depo Everywhere the effects OF the colo were scn
as the oldest nhabitant" could not remember having
seen beors the water pipes burst after tue
fashion, and the supplies OF wood anu coHi were III
short Of demand. Indeed we were tod snat 70 ss s
were the supplies OF wood In advance, tnat along tne
"a. tha
not do the accustomed chopping, and the trains we're
and abandoned, Tor want Oh woou'
The routes from savannah are IN state Vi W %
awaiting he completion Of the railroad IRON way Cross
to Jacksonville, when VIII make tat Journo Uo VI A
hours instead OF seventeen hours as at present over
perhaps the toughest road 70 he Iounu I'D tns country
Another is nearly completed from fernaholha W
acKsonyle, which will tnaDle ono 10 20 ~ an u'ur
from one place the other. This ROAD runs III cobe
ton with the Inside Route" and Ia tue ROAD tor "hc
the hands shipped just before the eect0n nlane
memorable by the kilograms published by M Barnuin
In our case the change had just been made OF snone
tbe steamer Florida TO Fernandns, instead OF TO jack
sonVe ~ connect with the tram via Baldwin TO Jack
sonye and weary days ride closed that part "a ol
Journey The same story of cold weather A"hteu uS
here no one had ever known such COLI, inc grOunu
frozen two three inches the oranges frozen sOlu on
tine trees the gardens destroyed water pipes BURST ana
hOel wnere steam pipes nad Deen ru ayRg .e
M inc fold US sho never had felt tue
cold as she had this time and onged to be at home
where she could be warm TO add TO tue uisoOmlort,
the sun had scarcely shCne for week. JacEsonFlne
Las many more strangers than IL usual AT tns season,
aud the hotels report large Increase over the previous
vars Last Night We started ter home, away
In tue wi.ds OF Florida, but when !een miles on our
way dense fog settled down. ana me captah was S,au
To- make Tor friendly light and wait for tbs o2 TO lIt
lie r. ports this rnng, the BLACKLIST night he ever
saw on me ryer and his experience 10 long one we
content even though we are delayed nearV s"ci'o
A, write tie ,un has broken through the fog and
clouds. und begin 10 feel that at last we are Id Tue
or tic st. Johns Rrer. Fr.. Jan. 4, 1881.