The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-08


Of Jacksonville, while he was in the capital last
week, and held the following interview with him
concerning the scope of the drainage work pro-
posed by the company Of Philadelphia capitalists
represented by him and Mr.. Linderman, for
which they have entered into contract with the
Board of Trustees Of the Internal improvement
FuAd. Al will be gathered from the language
of Col. Cotyell, he is thoroughly Enthusiastic on
the subject, and b justly elated at his success in
bringing the philadelphia parties and the Board
Of Trustees together, 70 -1ini---.--a-a-7I
..l.,e U-~n directing !. 500 pesG Pa C6I.
Ceryell b practical man, UnGiharkable energy,
and IL his calculations do not miscarry, he will
have done great service to the State, in perfect
ing this contract:
RKPoRTRR-Col. Coryell, the magnitude of
your contract with the State, and the interest 10
her citizens, has caused me TO wait upon Won in
behalf OF the FLoRrDIAN, to get such information
a. you may be pleased 10 give, that the public
may comprehend the vast benefit that must ac-
crue to the State In the reclamations you pro-
pose.
Coz. CoRYELL-I am free to say, that will
be happy 10 give you ell the information in nv
power The public has the right TO know, and
there are no secrets connected with what we pro-
~ out the work.
Rsp.-Well, to begin, what fall have you from
Lake Okeechobee to the sealevell
Col Give have 10 and one-hundredth feet
fall from Lake HickpOkee, which Is q lake living
On the west Of Okeechobee about miles long
and 5 wide, separated by q mile or more of saw.
grass, and taken for granted as on q level with
Okeechc6ee. and % feet and over ifOm that point
TO Fort Myers, % per survey Of Capt. Melgs. u.
8. Engineer. We have over 40 feet fall on the
east side 10 the head waters Of the ST. Lucie riv-
er, thus giving two available points for drainage
Rep.-How much do you propose to lower the
lakef
Col. GIVE must lower the lake not less than
10 feet to prevent any overflow from Okecchobee
to the Everglades. which region has IT. principal
supply from that source; that accomplished, we
have the Everglades only supplied by springs
that exist In various places through It, The
Everglades 10 traversed by innumerAble, we'll
defined water courses, but deprived Of the over
low from OkcechObee, We will reclaim vast
body Of excellent lands, islands Of considerable
extent covered with dense growth of live-oak
hills.
Rep.-How do you get your information as to
the interior Of the EveFgladesV
Gel C.-From various reliable sources. the
principal Of which Is from officers and priyates
Of the lst U. g. Artillery with whom had the
honor to serve during the war. They were
engaged 10 the Indian War, and tFaversed that
whole region many times; also fom exploring
parties since 1851.
Rep.-What is the main point you are aiming
at, and what win be your irst obiecti
Col G. The lowering Of the waters Of Lake
Oksechobee BY such cuts on canals a. win vent
waters equal 70 or greater than the inflow from
ofall the evil BY lowering Lake OkeechObee
| 10 feet, we give the waten Of the Kiaimmee
river an increased current, aid its alluyial bot
tom We suppose win be CT out, and 90 lower
the bed q the nver, and enAhe % 10 confne the
waters within ils natural banh We may pos
Gbly be compelled to assist theaciion By cutting
through bends in the river, theeby not only
aAnEtenin4 the distance, hutgivea Snfther Ia.
creased current to II This accomplished. We
reclaim all theprairie on eithr aide and stop the
Rsp-HOw much te.ri.oyvill This deepening
Of tbs Kisalmmce reclaimf
Gel G--That q difRcalt question 70 answer.
WIN have 70 give you ee1sral answer On
The north, Reedy and Dasnwrt creeksare alIec.
ted % their heads, which 9e In the vicinity Of
ORLANDO o. on line with Township % South
On tho West 70 Peace Caek (H0uth az E0ri
Mm0sk o. tAA east % the \. Johns river, and IT
course the wh0ls cf the teflOry souih 70 the
Keys e. he extreme souihm end Of the State,
which Includes the EveEelaea
.nsp Tca then look uDoliha Kissimmee a.
thAS0area ofan the oyefnolk
c. Gil certainly d. IL nnn,erous lakes
asitsssturce and the may c&tieuons $50 ~
Tie wek that connect With dnrine - INV
seasoa make The Ilindlmme az drainsse az M
Wke1e yAliey: henee the tceassv ~ raincin~
ID I'D. andlf thaa can - neA - kasS 49,.
conlsoi he end sought &c he WiRsssSksS ~
tAe Kheimmee FlvsE eg3r sstlsss thaa 5g1Ips.
e. - n.s =. 49, 81 hscNsa That > The
sRenl-VlnS1 wiii - nANhrnv.s,..,.,
| O. o. onc1 y pa3ir Il 10 60 eivII
egEinel . leysl % iod non O. Lsoie IS
0EDe eee 0hiuA ] k1Vet iaknn. e ~ sarne
tlme leking % 90 meee rroved -.
epk1tnfle q - WogA, hlSg theaAnas s. Lie
yoAe aIle& antl ikeie 1lzk snilak $ VeSiieI1.