The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-10-03
jackson COumty-Her Lands and
PeOple-POlItics.
MARIANA Fra

MARIANA, FLA, Sept. 1s, 1882
Editor FIOrididn:: l had long ago intended
giving you, in my poor way, a description of
some portion of this county, scenes and curiosi-
ties, as well as people. l am proud to own this
as my native State, yet am ashamed to say
that had formed poor, yes, very poor and er-
roneous opinion regarding this county. Taking
the newspapers as guide, and being prepossessed
against the people as a wild reckless, uncutured
and breaking family, l was prepared TO
" stand ready" at all times, thinking would
not only see the toughest kind of border life but
be subjected to all kinds of trouble and annoy
ance. But it affords me real pleasure to record
the fact that never have been in any country,
among strangers, and found more generous,
whole-soued and self-sacrifcing hospitality and
courtesy. The majority are not only prosperous,
but exceedingly polite and refined AS gen.
eral thing they live at home and board at the
same place" and dispense their generosity with
an open, free hearted hand that goes to the
hearts of all strangers. However, you will find
here, as elsewhere, some of the poorest and most
wretched people imaginable though this class
bers The soil generally is sandy, pine lands
abounding, but still there is great deal of clay
with very heavy subso of lime rock, covered
with all the different varieties of hard wood
Where these lands are cultivated there is moth
ingin all this Southern country that can beat them
for productiveness This class of soil is of that
peculiar color styled chocolate and never wears
out, but produces well for great number of
years, like our I" own hills of Leon" Many of
these farms are exceedingly picturesque and
grand to look upon. AS you enter upon them,
generally through long avenue, with beautiful
oVerhanging branches from different kinds of
trees, with long moss pendant from them, you
will see the large old farm house on the sum.
NIT of some high hill, when you will be struck
with the beauties of nature. Even the travelled
gentleman can gaze down with pleasure upon
beautiful valleys, dotted here and there with
green fields, cottages, lovely woodland, herds of
cattle, and prettier than all. grand old hills
stretching far away in the distance, some small,
oval in shape, others large and covering many
acres, yet all covered with that never failing
bed of rock.
In most of these high hills there are natural
caves of immense size and grandeur. 1t has
been asserted that the whole Of middle Jackson
was but shell, and that at some future day,
not far distant perhaps, this shell would be
broken and the whole tumble into nothing
ness" However, l differ with this credulous
class have had the pleasure, as well as pain,
of exploring one of these traditional" caves
(for they all have their history In company
with young friend in January last, armed with
lanterns, matches and an army of railroad
hands, we struck out through the dense pine
forest to seek the famous " Russ Cave" After
an hours walk, we were told by superstitious
guide, that thar's the place." After admiring
the peculiar and lovely features of tie place,
and inspecting the general locality, we made
dash for the entrance, which is about four feet
high and nine or ten wide, on the side of very
high hill covered with an almost solid bed of
rock
1t became necessary to strike light" as soon
as we entered, the darkness being so great. We
found a large hall of about twenty feet square,
with lovely roof fifteen feet above US. There
were passages connecting this with many others
of like size, perfectly grand and soul-stirring to
sparkling Jewels in many thousands of different
shapes and sizes, formed by the natural drainage
through the huge lime bed above. On either
side were immense pillars of seeming solid stone,
with exquisite ntches in every nook, sparkling
like diamonds. One could stand for hours and
admire this striking wonder, but should the
light 90 out he would feel instinctively that 1t
was perfect vault. We at last came to one of
these passages which took US into a channel of
beautiful water, and this led out into the Chipola
river about meaway. Itwas the most intense
darkness ever beheld, and one would naturally
suppose was the general rendezvous of snakes,
&C., but the only evidence of a living thing
were signs of an alligator. The formation of
this peculiar stone goes steadily on, and some is
wonderful in shape, taking the form of an arm,
a leg, an ear, &c.
There are also In this county, surrounded by
these lovely hills, some romantic and very in
teresting springs. The Blue Spring." believe,
is the most famous At the base of q high hill,
surrounded by immense oaks, springs up out of
a bed of this same rock the most beautiful clear,
blue water l ever behcld. It covers about
twelve feet square and almost instantly forms
river lovely TO look upon and in which may be
seen many fine fish. Any hard or bright sub
stance thrown into this stream seems TO be mag
nfed and changes its color to sky blue. This
spring will be found six miles northeast of Ma
rianna and is destined some day to be Of note.
The whole county Is filed with splendid
streams, which abound in fine fish. The farms
as a rule are neatly kept, showing thrift, econ
omy and good management Stock of all kinds
seems TO be plentiful and well cared for.
might remark, just here, on the number of oxen
used as plow animals, making well-paying sub
slitutes for mules and horses. On the capital
invested, am sure nothing pays 90 well.
Schools seem to be plentiful in the central por-
ton of the county, and great deal Of interest Is
manifested. Churches, 30 far as can gather,
are about equally divided.
The political status Of the county has for two