Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-02-06
NOTABLEs IN FLORIDA.
The Dukes, Counts, BarOns and
Generals Who Have Palaces
Down There.

As
constitutional
About thirty miles above Rock
Ledge, on Indian river,is situated the
famous Dumont orange grove. The
simple country people living about
there were somewhat mysti6ed, but
not a whit abashed, short time ago
by hearing that an italian Duke had
bought the grove and was coming to
Florida to take up his residence. In
due time he came-the Duke OF Cos
treluccia and his American Ouch
ess. He is a sburly, soldierly
fellow, good looking and easy
hammered, but very much |
afraid that somebody will swindle
the Duke or hurt the Duchess. he
came to New York a short time ago |
and married Brooklyn lady of great
wealth. It is said that she bought |
his title. but this is not true. He in
herited his title, and her money simply |
enabled him to properly support it.
lie lives in fine style in New York,
and has one of the finest places in |
Florida. 1t was sold to Mr.. Schuy-
Ter, of New Jersey, a few years ago for
$4,000, and he sold it to the Duke for
$4,000. 1t will pay pretty income |
on this sum, and the Duke is not fix
ing it up with the lavishness that
might be expected from an Italian
nobleman. The Duchess is a large,
fair-looking lady, very fond of the |
Duke, and, altogether, expect they |
are as happy as common people. lie
is a great sailor, and had a fHe yacht !
built, but disagreed with the builder
and refused to take it. The neighbors |
do not like the distinguished pair, |
claiming that they are stingy and
proud; but | suspect their greatest
crime consists in being noble folks. |
The finest country residence in |
Florida is that of French Count, |
Frederick de Barry. This gentleman
is best known to the public as the
American agent for Mumm's cham
payne, f,om which he derives
princely revenue. He is also the sole
American agent for that insipid fraud
ApollOnaris water and that more re-
cent but equally pronounced fraud,
Hunyadi Janos water
The Count de Barry became inter-
ested in Florida about ten years ago.
He had a daughter of about twelve
years age that he thought was dying of
consumption, and he sought a softer
cline that her last days might be
made more peaceful. To his surprise
she rapidly recovered her health, and
is now happily married to an officer in
the Prussian army.
Count de Barry bought two places
near Enterprise. One of them he de-
termined to make his home. He built
a house that cost over $4,000 under
the first contract. 1t is supplied with
wine cellars, billiard rooms, gas, wa
ter, and is furnished in the richest
style. Back of the house is beautiful
artificial lake, and the grounds are
handsomely decorated fountains, ave-
nues and flowers. The main feature,
however, is the groves. 1t is simply
ideal. Five thousand orange trees of
the very best quality are set out with
the utmost precision and fertilized
into perfection. The house and grounds
cost over $250,000, and make a mag
nifcent country seat. Nearly fifty
people are employed about the place
as cooks, grOoms, sailors, gardeners,
porters, etc. The yield of oranges was
about 100000 this year, but will
amount to over 100000 when the
trees are full grown. The Count dis
penses here a princely hospitality. He
is about seventy years old, and is fond
of sampling the wines he deals in.
His son, cool, shreWd man of thirty.
FIVE, has charge of the enormous bust.
ness in New York. This embraces,
besides the wine and water trade, an
immense cigar factory in New York
and another at Key West.
Besides all this, the Count has done
great deal for the development of
Florida. He now owns the five fruit
steamers on the st. Johns, making
daily trips from Jacksonville to Sam
ford. The De Barry, built Last year at
cost Of $751; 900, is the best Boat ever
put on the river. The Count is a
strong believer in Florida, and spends
his winters there. He has fine boats,
good wines, balmX airs, sunshine and
friends, a fiue grove and a good cook
in his winter home, and what more
can man Of seventy want that this
earth can furnish?
Mr.. Aston, the New York million
aiTe, has been an enthusiast on Florida
for years, but has invested very little
in orange groves. He spent about
500, 900 in city Improvements in Jack
sonyille, and has bought a controlling
interest in the queer little railroad
that runs from Toccoi to St. Angus.
tine. lie has purchased two land
grants at small figures, and they are
not worth anything more than he paid
The town Of Aston, that bears hi
name, is simply a warehouse anC
depot, named for him because be gave
the railroad company the land OF
which it is located. Mr.. Astor is in
Florida this winter, but comes with
out his yacht and only for short time
A few years ago he used to spend mos
of his winters here and was lavish
with his money. He has now given i
: up almost entirely.
The Faber Brothers, with one 0
= whose pencils l am now writing, ha
established a colony of about fit,
German families on an island tina
they purchased of Cedar Keys. 1t i
:. called Atsenna Island, and they hay
put up saw mills and machine shops
> and have their ,workmen engaged i