The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-08
TALLAHASSEE, March 4, 1881.

Col ]. F. White, of Live Oak, was here q
couple of weeks ago and prevailed on me TO 90
home with him and visit my old friends in Su-
wannee county. Ispent several days very pleas
antly with them. My first visit to this county
was in December, 1872, and there were the most
down hearted set of people there ever saw
Everybody was wanting 10 sell and go to Texas
or some where else. Lands could be had for
almost nothing The negroes were iocking in
from Georgia thick and fast. It was reported
that over six hundred stopped at Houstoun. The
little place was fairly black with them. Chickens
and hogs disappeared very fast from some cause
or other. and the farmers had no assurance when
they laid down al night whether they would have
any provisions, poultry and stock by morning
The negroes, not finding Florida OVERLOOKING
with hog and hominy." soon began 10 sing,
I Got too far from Georgia. and they nearly all
returned to their old homes.
In the past few years things have taken a
change for the better. Lands are increasing in
value, and there is a tide of white immigration
pouring into the county of Industrious, intelli-
gent and enterprisiDg people who are mot TOO
proud to work" The ladies do their own house
work, help make garden, and even do light work
in the fields. They seem enjoy it; are hearty
and rugged, and seem happy and conenied with
their lot.
A practical observer of the affairs of the world
in q recent article says: "Only the practical
farmer, the real tller of the soil, can make agri
cutie profitable In Europe at the present time"
1t 10 the same in Florida, and the intelligent
people in Suwannee county have learned the
fact and gone TO work with their own hands to
till the soil. Recent experience has proved to
them that little farms well titled pay the best
The raising of vegetables for Northern markets
has become quite an avocation along the railroad,
and the ladies seem TO engage in it with as much
eagerness as the men. The sight of it made me
rejoice; for whenever the women take hold and
help with willing hands to improve country,a
bright era is dawning upon it.
The county lays in . big bend Of the Suwannes
river, or at least the river forms the boundary
line on three sides. There is high ridge extend
Ing across the county east and west or nearly 90,
near the centre north and south, some four miles
or so In width. 1t ID covered with the finest
growth Of pine timber in the county. In it is
m abundance Of atone, in lodges and in powders.
Il Ii of gray color, very soft can be easily cut
with knife or saw, and, on being exposed to
the air for some time. It becomes IS hard and
durable Is granite, and makes very fine mate
rial for building purposes.
The country north Of the ridge 10 pine woods
with sandy soil. Here and there are to be found
tracks Of hummock lands. varying In size from
few acres 70 several hundred. These lands
contain . rich, loamy soil, and great variety Of
excellent hard wood timber, suitable for al kinds
OF building and manufacturing purposes. There
are number Of beautiful lakes scattered over
The country containing On abundance Of excel
lent fish. There ara numerous springs, some OF
them white sulphur, famed for their medical
virtues. There are branches or creeks gushing