Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-17
Letter from Marion County, Florida

MICANoPY, August 13-EdftOr Morning Nea0s:
This little city Of orange groves has been de-
cidedly quiet of late and but little has trans
pired that would be Of interest to your readers
outside of the railroad boom, which has
created some stir and has been the absorbing
topic of discussion in our midst for the past
three weeks. A committee Of five Of the lead
ing citizens of this place was appointed to visit
the officials of the Florida Southern Railway
Company, at Palatka, to find out what would
be required to get them to run the main
trunk to this place. The committee came
back on Tuesday evening, and made their
report Wednesday night They reported that
the company required a donation of fifteen
hundred acres of land, which l think was very
liberal, aud the citizens and people generally
have taken hold of the matter with hearty
good will, and are subscribing lands. Those
that have no lands are giving money, and
think that the day is not far distant when the
snort Of the iron horse will be heard by the
citizens of Micanopy. Then we will all put our
shoulders to the already moving wheel and
make this the prettiest town in the State. 1t
is acknowledged by all who visit us that this sec
ton embraces larger share of advantages than
any other portion of the State. The lands here
are generally more fertile. the health compare
lively good while our facilities for transporta-
ton are good, and will be better when the
Florida Southern is built, for then we will
have direct routes to ship by. 1t is true that
| the hammock lands are richer than the pine
lands; but, all things considered, am inclined
to give frst-class pine lands the preference fer
the following reasons, namely: They are in
reach of men with limited means, and can be
bought for much less money; are much more
easily brought into cultivation, and can be cul-
tivated at far less cost; are decidedly more
healthy, more exempt from insects, and, with
proper fertilization will yield net income fully
equal to if not greater than the hammock
land Lands here of every quality are ad-
vanciny rapidly in price. Places of every size
can be bought in this place. the price depend
ing on the quality of the land and the extent
| and character of the improvements. Ere long
we will be connected with the outside world
by rail Then our lands will become more
valuable and we will have great many visi-
tors here seeking homes among us, and with
those that are already here our section will be
pretty thickly settled. The railroad is giving
good bargains in lands along their road, and
is the time to buy,
Your correspondent is placed under many
obligations to Mr.. N. r. Gruelle,
General Superintendent of the Florida South
ern Railway, for complimentary pass for this
season over their road. AS 1 fear l have al
ready trespassed too much on your space and
patience. and believing it to be neither right
nor prudent to say everything at once, will
reserve several other items of interest for
future letter. The orange trees are loaded
down with the golden fruit, and bids fair to
pay the the growers very handsomely this win
ter IL we do not have freeze before gathering
time. q.