Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-15


much gratided, Colonel, to learn from you, as
the superintendent of the company making
the purchase, something as to their future
plans, and the objects they propose to accom-
pl1sh. You are also connected with the Okee-
chobee drainage scheme Are these co mpa-
MES identified in fact. although under two cor
porate managementsl
Colonel Coryell-What shall say to you will
be as an individual, and not as an officer of the
companies. We have no secrets from the public.
No person, inexperienced in land matters, can
imagine the immense amount OF labor attend
ing the handling OF such an enormous area.
First, its selection; then the filing of lists of
the selections with the State Land Office; then
the most careful examination by that Office,
beginning with the patent from the United
States to this State; then search through the
various books of entry in that Office; to the
plats of every township, to make it positive
that there was no conflict in any possible
form, with sales or entries previously made
he lands decided are free and clear Of all
claims, and the titles are absolutely perfect
Much credit is due to Hon. Hugh A. Corley
Commissioners of Lands and immigration,
and his able assistant Mr.. Fred W. Myers, for
their unceasing labor upon the two deeds for
620, 600 acres, which we have received.
This is prefsce to tx olsin our apparent tar
diness in placing these lands on the market.
We could do nothing until our deeds were OBJ
tanned. and we knew where our lands were
situated. We are now grading them, and have
two parties, with several assistants, already in
the field. Two other parties will follow as
COOAA A1NNCSooAJ
The company have full clerical force at
work here and in Tallahassee, adjusting the
work for graders and opening the books for
entry. Why, Just think of the labor requisite
upon the entry of the first deed of 250O00
aaresl This will require about 500 entries
covering the full line Of large tract books. The
second deed for $40, 900 acres. will require 1900
similar entries, and all this must be accom-
plished before we can inteliigently commence
our land sales With the grading going on
simultaneously with the entries In our tract
books we hope very soon to be able to place
our lands on the market.
Reporter-Teil me what you mean By grad
ing. How graded9
Col. C.-When the purchase was made, we
to take contiguous lands in large
areas. This forced US to take a very
large percentage of comparatively worth
less lands. say comparatively for that is the
proper term, and l will explain that point
hereafter. We will assume, for the purpose of
Illustration, that we have selected forty per
cent. OF lands OF that character. and that we
have forty per cent. of lands in addition, so
remote from transportation as to render them
for the time unsaleable. This will leave us,
we will say, twenty per cent. of the original
four millions, or eight hundred thousand acres
available for present sales, made so by the
various railroads soon to pass through them
These lands we will presume to be of four
grades, ranging from one to ten dollars in
value; common business prudence dictates
that these lands be looked over carefully and
graded according to their actual UGLLe, taking
into consideration their location, transporta5
ton, elevation, quality of soil, timber and
general surroundings. This is being done by
the most careful and experienced men to be
procured All the conditions of every forty
acre lot will be so inspected and grade or
price put upon it, and the books of each grade
describing each such lot will be of
record in this Office for reference
Out of this 20 per cent. we must make our
sales and realize sufficient to pay taxes and
other heavy expenses attending grading COM
missions on sales, agencies, office expenses,
salaries, ETC., as well as taxes upon the lands at
present unavailable.
Reporter note the force of what you say,
and, II proper question to ask, what amount
of lands belonging to the company, If sold at
fair value. as compared with private lands In
their vicinity. will it require to reimburse Mr..
Disston and his associates for their outlay?
Col. C.-I will answer hatquestiona as know
the facts. There is no question but that the
sale of $4,000 acres of these lands will reim-
burse the company for their investment of
they have been subjected. An average price of
more than $5 can be had for these $50 900 acres,
and that by selling them at one-half the value
placed on private lands contiguous. Tran por-
tation is the all-important agent to develop
Florida. That we are getting by no less
than four positive and two prospective rail
roads running through the very centre Of our
selections for at least one thousand miles
Along their lines we own the alternate sec.
tions for six miles on either SIDE as well as all
the vacant lands outside OF the six miles limit
". doubled
the value of the lands that remain after sur
rendering the alternate sections to the railroads
with far greater prospective value when
these roads are completed and in operation
By the contract, these roads must be finished
within three years, or their charters to the
unfinished portions will be forfeited to Mr.
Disston.
Reporter-T consider your views correct: but
do not such statements afford some basis for
the charges made by some papers that "the
administration had given away the lands Of
the State?''
Col C.-This question can be readily an
swered. There was comparatively but small
boon. for Florida until this sale was effected
That transaction was a flrst-class ADVERTISE
ment and has given general publicity to the
advantages of this State. Made by business
men and heavy capitalists of great financial
capacity and admitted ability, the purchase
directed universal attention to the varied and
wonderful resources OF the Land OF Flowers
and Fruits The State Cabinet have, in this sale,
acted most wisely for the present and future in
terests of Florida. This is 9soaC admitted bv |
all of the best minds in the State and will be |
conceded eventually by the few who now
oppose the measure. The situation was this: |
The heavy claim, held by Mr.. Vose, and rest |
ing upon the lands controlled by the Board of |
Internal Impr0V ement, a mounted to S6OO.OOO
The sales of land for several years past
had not been sufficient to pay the /
interest and legal expenses OF the United |
States CQurt, before which tribunal the case |
had been carried. The interest was being com
lowed to continue, IN a few years longer this
great fund would have been absorbed. the |
State would have parted with its lands, while /
the principal OF the debt would have !
ing generations The fund is now free
from debt, and the lands unsold can
be utilized in encouraging the various
1ected immigration viii be promoted and
general impetus given to the development OF |
the State. The interest upon the debt is saved |
while large domain is added to the taxable |
property. The State Is now a receiver instead |
of debtor, and has broken the chain that |
clogged her movements and barred her passage
to prosperity. AS State. she could not han |
die her domain with the same facility as it |
could be managed by individuals. The !
interests OF the State and the Disstsn
Company are now Identical and win work In !
entire harmony. 1t Is the intention of the conn
peny to develop their lands by policy that |
will invite immigration, and thereby increase
the taxable resources of tha State
Former administrations had Attempted to
effect siIailaF sales, but failed in their pur- |
from their inability to reach the capitaI that |
was necessary. 1t was the good fortune of |
Governor Bloxham to be more fortunate and |
future generations, It not this, will give him |
Reportef-Now what Of the lands You sneak |
OF as comparatively worthless?
Col. C.-That Is an important point When |
!.s ten you tnas W per cent OF what are called
the Uery best portions Of the State you win. I |
know, be surprised II cannot be denied either |
that the acreage Of such lands that cannot be /
by drainage is very small. This is q 4
peculiar feature in the topography Of the State.
We propose to accomplish by system of drain /
age what the State was unable to perform. |
and TO bring an immense area of very /
valuable lands, now idle, into cult /
vation. This will require the ex- /
penditure of much money, and involves /
great labor, but it viii pay 20 do this and we /
intend to undertake the work. As soon as the |
qvdtLGbIe lands are sold and under culture the /
low. nat lands adjoining will rise sufficiently
IN value 70 warrant the expenditure necessary
TO bring them into proper condition for culti-
vation: You can see that this work viii be
carried on for long series of years, augment
ing the taxable resources Of the State
making lands upon which valuable products /
can be raised, and adding to the general wealth |
and prosperity.
Reporter-Can you give me some figures as /
to the probe cost Of this method of drainage l
Is it very expensive
Col C.-Not very. ] have ia my mind two /
tracts of land embraced IN our selections to |
which my attention has been specially directed. |