Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-17

Waycross Short Line 90 CaIlahan-
Fernandina-A splendid Sea Beach
The Transit RaIlrOad-BaIdwiu
--SIark-WaldO.

WALDO, June 15.-Edftor Morning Nelcs: BY
the Charleston and Jacksonville fast line, on
Saturday last passed for the hrst time over
the Waycross Short Line, q splendid road, which
seems to me was constructed almost by magic,
and with confidence In its paying for the
trouble, little short of credulity, when we
consider the excellence Of the sea route to
Jacksonville and the railway connection al
ready existing by way of Lawtoa and Live
Oak; bat the result has fully justified the out
lay and proved the wisdom and foresight of
its enterprisiDg projectors The road bed
is excellent throughout. ami the splendid
coaches which make up its long trains. moving
like thunderbolts through the dense pine for
ests of the Okeflnokee region. and the admira-
ton Of all who enjoy their comfort and conve.
nience. From Waycross to Callahan the road
NAV be said to be passing around the great
Okef1nokee swamp or lake on the right, and il
any part of our Southern border can be called
an ''unoro len pine forest" this would seem to
be the region One or two mills are in opera
tion on the line, but they seem TO be lost Ia the
wilderness OF pines, and only the bold prniect
Of this railroad. cutting broad avenue through
the forest, has yet made any considerable inn
preston upon the region. But this viii now
soon be changed-the railroad has opened M
the way, provided facilities, and immigration
IS marching in. taking up the lands, erecting
mills and cutting down the forests or boxing
the timber for turpentine.
CALLAHAN
is the station at the crossing of the Waycross
Short Line and the Florida Transit, the latter
from Fernandina to Cedar Keys. Arriving at
Callahan late Saturday evening with the view
Of going south on the Transit, soon found
that no train would pass down that road until
Monday morning. and, not charmed with the
prospect, decided to board passing freight
train and visit Fernandina.
But before dismissing Callahan l must say
that the station is not without the usual pros
pect OF new railroad towns, and some enter
prise is beginning to show Itself. Several
stores seem to be doing a thrifty business,
good hotel accommodates the travelling public,
and Mr.. n d Jones, near the depot has pro-
vided very comfortable and convenient walt
ing rooms for passengers changing trains
Mr. John n Moore, also merchant at Gala
han, maintains the reputation OF tar heel'
thrift in the Land OF Flowers, and has, with
eight years industry, accumulated fine pro-
perty He is also the proprietor OF a fine
orange grove on Santa Fe Lake.
FERNANDINA.
Arriving at this Atlantic entrepot of the
State, found it eDj 1ying great quiet. perched
upon the sandy northern shore OF Amelia
Island, on the interior in respect to ocean
beach. and between the broken sand hills of
the shore and the palmetto and scrub fats CT
the western or river side OF the island. 1t has
a splendid harbor and ample room for expau-
sion. AS the Atlantic outlet OF the Transit
Railway. it enjoys considerable trade
is now rapidly increasing every year,
and the chancs is good for Fernandina to
grow into larye city in the future Il has
miles by a good shell road from the city,
where the cit zens and many strangers
resort to bathe and enjoy the sea
fba nf IA Atlantic
/ strolled along this sea beat shore" among
the beautiful shells, and amid the roar OF its
splendid surf, for three miles south OF the
Beach Hotel, and thence entirely around north
where the government is now constructing
sysrem of jetties to Fort Clinch, frowning def
ance to seaward foes, ana finally around the
shores of the harbor to the old and new cities.
For ten miles the beach is remarkably fine,
pure white sand. so regular, smooth, broad
and firm as to present an admirable walk and
drive. ornamented with great variety and
beauty in sea shells, culled and carried away
as treasures by every new visitor. Sea bath
ing around the beach is excellent, and many
persons resort thither during the summer for
that purpose. There is said to be an under
tow dangerous to the inexperienced. but do
not know that lives have been lost from this
cause.
THE TRANSIT ROAD.
This was one of the earliest great works &C.
COM plished in the State. Passing centrally
with the Atlantic, it gave rise 70 development
of the resources of the interior that must con-
tinue from year to year until that great sec
ton, std sparsely settled, shall be transformed
into one grand scene of enterprise and indus
try Already every station throughout the
length of the road is a depot for the shipment
of fruits sSd vegetaoles-a few years ago
scarcely cultivated in the State-while new
farms are everywhere being opened. new
orange groves set out, new buildings going up
and machinery introduced for lumber and
DcsI
has and is still doing great work for Florida,
and the rapid increase OF population and wealth
will no doubt soon enable it to so increase
transportation facilities and lower rates or
freight as to give full satisfaction to the people.
BALDWIN,
At the crossing of the Transit and the Florida
Csxtral and Western, like Callahan, is situated
ia low, fiat country already denuded OF its
timber forests and dependent entirely upon its
rairoa1 advantages The lands here, how
ever, Though apparently too damp and sterile,
as at ma0y other points, are increasing in
value while at nearly all the stations south Of
Baldwin they are held at very high prices. The
country south from here appears entirely new
except from Gainesville to Archer, through
what is known as the Arredondo claim (of
which will speak hereafter), and each station
along the railroad seems to be new settle
ment-houses newly and taetefully construct
ed. fields newly opened and many young
orange groves but recently planted. The citi-
xenS seem to have no doubt that every foot Of
GRelr land VIII DC IN ueLuanu dJ the mOBI tx.
traaagant prices for orange groves, and hold
them With great confidence in the realization
of an early fortune.
WALDO
Derives its chief Importance from the junction
of the Tropical Railroad with the Transit at
this point, and also as the trading point OF a
lake region to the south, connected by a canRl,
recently dredged and put in operation. The
Tropical Railroad passes southwark to Ocala,
in the rich farming county of Marion, crossing
in its route the Palatka and Gainesville narrow
gauge. which intersects it at Cstra. Waldo is
therefore the gateway or entrance to the
great central and southern lake region of the
peninsula, the home of the orange, the lemon,
the banana, the pineapple, the guaya, the
ccG0anut aud other tropical fruits, and re-
giOE now attracting thousands from all parts
of the Onion. But Unjust reserve further COM
ment for another letter. b.
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RR{RE NEWS SUMMARY