Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-06

The Steamer Fred de Barry and Hel
Officers Florida in SprIngttme-
River ObseIVations-1IinO Topics
General and PersonaI-Improve
nlents aE sanford and JzaiilaEd-
The south FIorida Railroad and
IIs Death Of Capt. Dick
SIuars-Final Paragraphs.
On STEAMER FRED DE barry, May 4.-Much
has been written and said in praise Of the beau
ty and splendid appointments of this new and
magnificent river steamer, in many respects
the finest boat that ever rode the waters OF
the noble st. Johns river. But doubt if the
most fiattering praise has done full justice
to her merits, as have seen them unfolded to
view during a most delightful trip to Sanford
and back.
The travelling public owe a deep debt Of
gratitude to Mr.. Fred de Barry for his munih
cent contribution to their comfort while on the
St. Johns river. All the boats OF his ''Mer.
chants Line" are noted for speed and com.
fort, and are Commanded by popular End ex.
perienced Captains Iiis extensive invest
ments at Enterprise, where he has a charmiee
winter home in the midst Of thrifty orange
grove, have done much to induce other gen.
tlemen of wealth to put some of their surplus
cash into the development of Florida
But his best Investment, both for himself and
the public, is the elegant steamer that bears
his honOred name, and in the general super
vision of which his accomplished son, Mr.
Adolphe de Barry, is winning high honors SIS a
young man of thorough ami systematic bust
ness habits Associated with him as the
General Manager of the line is that veteran
steamboat man, Commodore VIM Watson
whose p easant face is as familiar TO Florida
visitors as household words. With his head
quarters at Jacksonville, he superViseS and
controls all the movements of the boats of the
line With promptn 3ss and efficiency. He is not
only perfectly familiar with all the most lptri.
cate d tails Of steamboat management, but is
gentleman of refined and courteous manners
which make him universally popular with the
travelling public, and commands for him the
highest respect from all his associates
The officers of the steamer Fred de Barry are
among the most popular and best known on
the river, and were selected for this palace of
floating beauty because of their eminent fit
ness for the various positions filled by them.
OF Captain W. A. Shaw l have said SO many
good things that nothing remains to be added,
except to note his constantly growing popu-
larity with his new boat, which always carries
a full load of passengers and freight Savau-
nah may well be proud of the high reputation
which he has won IN his adopted State The
acting PURSE, Captain Chas. B. Fenwick,
seems to have been born for the position, and
no matter how crowded the steamer NAV he
with passengers. he finds way to provide for
all and make everybody feel comfortable and
happy. His smiling face and cheerful voice
have an inspiration in them, and he never
fails to make himself popular with the Datrons
of the boat He is as brave and fearless las he
Is polite and atfdbe, and under all circuul-
stances is always the right nan in the light
place, whether acting as pursar or in his posi-
ton of General Passenger Agent Of the line.
Chief Engineer F. w. Ellis has been on the
river long time, and have never met more
trusty and efficient engineer or agreeable gen
tleman His assistant, Mr.. John Piatt. and
second officer, Geo. j. Mercier, complete the
list, and give the De Barry the best complement
OF officers OF any steamer on the river
FLORIDA IN sPRINGTmE.
do not propose to give detailed and con-
necled account of my trip up the river ard
back again, but simply to note some Of the
most interesting points OF observation. Part
OF the way was Travelled in the night, and con-
sequently could not take observations
For this season of The year the weather has
been delightfully."- cool, and the breezes on the
river aud lakes rather too strong Tor a visitor
Qike myself) afflicted with rheumatism. Al
though the great bulk of Northern and West
ern visitors have gone home there is a lare
river travel yet, mostly composed of people
who live here
am forced to believe that the summers in
Florida are not oppressiveiy hot, and that the
residents for ''all the year round really enjoy
themselves quite as we'll as they would in the
So-called coider sections of the country. The
train to and from Maitland was filled with
home people travelling about, and they looked
healthy and happy, and talked cheerfully of
summer work and weather During the middle
OF the day the neat Is rather oppressive but
the rest of the day is cool and pleasant
While florida may satisfy the resident popu-
lation in summer. do not think many winter
visitors like to tarrv very far into the spring
After the rich perfume of orange blossoms
fades away from the air, and the trees are
robbed Of their red ripe fruit, much of the at
tractlveness of the Land of Flowers is lost to
the senses, and few warm days will serve to
thin out the hotels and boarding houses and
turn the tide or travel Northward and West
ward. AS settler, properly dressed for the
weather, might be satisfied here in Nav and
June, but not as a visitor
Much outdoor work, however is going on all
over the State, and will be kept up until win
ter. saw gang Of men building the railroad
shops at Sanford, and although exposed to the
hot sun, they did not appear to mind it. as a
cool breeze swept over them from the lake
Where so many lakes and rivers abound. flank
ed on one side by the Gulf and on the other nv
The ocean, laborerS cut Of doors manage to
make themselves comfortable during the
greater portion Of the cav. New settlers. I
should imagine would not find it desirable to
start their improvements in the sum er A
winter spent in Florida will better fiC them to
get successfully through their summer of ont
door work. l anticipate that an immense
next winter and carried through curing the
summer.
RIVER OBSERVATIONS
at Cabbage Bluff | noticed that the hand
some Gothic building erected for DeLand Iitv.
occupied conspicuous place on the wharf.
having been removed from the former landing
some half mile above.
The st. Johns and Lake Eustis Railroad
Company has built fiue wharf and erected a
neat depot just above and opposite Volusia.
In due tlme think little town will spring up
around 1t.
A substantial steam saw mill is being built at
Green Cove Spring, and will no doubt give a
new impetus to the building boom that has
started this season at Alexander's Landing
on Lake Beresford, 1 also noticed a steam saw
mill in full operation, and every indication that
lumber was in lively demand for building pur-
poses.
schooner at the wharf in Palatka and was in
formed that it was loaded with iron for the
railroad to Gainesville Although have visit
ed Florida for number of winters, l never be-
fore saw a large vessel so far up the river The
heavy freight, and freight in great quantities.
is carried by the Charleston and Savannah
steamers as general thing. although some of
it comes to Jacksonville by sailing vessels and
is there transferred to river steamers.
Senator Delano, of Volu ia county. was on
the steamer Fred de Barry, and l found him
quite enthusiastic over his grand railroad pro-
ieCt. He is President of a cOmnanv that 11ro.
River country to Palatka, with various
branches Being practical railroader and a
gentleman of great energy of character and
marked intelligence, it is safe to predict that
Senator DelanO will push his enterprise to as
speedy consummation as possible. The sec
tion of country through which the road will
run is rapidly settling up with a class of thrifty
and intelligent people, and they will soon need
railroad facilities for market purposes.
MINOR TOPICS.
The "Merchan s. Line" of steamers now car
ry the mails between Palatka and ENTERPRISE
and was more than pleased to meet again my
old friend George L. Fox, who is mail agent on
the Fred de Barry. Some six years ago had a
delightful trip with him from Jacksonville to
Palatka, and now find him as young looking
Hogarth's Landing is the most beautiful spot
on the river.
Between Lake George and Lake Monroe the
st. Johns river is so crooked in many places
that the steamer De Barry finds it difficult to
turn the bends without hugging the Shore
There are also several long stretches through
the marsh lands where two Gamers going the
same way appear to be headed in opposite di-
rections. Owing to these numerous curves a
steamer is compelled to go over some twenty
miles to make ten miles on a straight line
Insane people travel about in Florida with
the same freedom that exists in some parts of
Georgia Soon after the steamer De Barv left
the wharf at Green Cove Spring an insane
young man, in his shirt sleeves, was discover
ed drumming on the piano in the cabin He
had slipped on board, got a good supper take n
possession of gentleman'S state room and
then seated himself at the piano. He was put
ashore at Plcolata and afterwards made his
way to Palatka, where he is now in jail