Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-27
OUR JACKSONVILLE LETTER.

Merry Christmas-Large Sales of Pres
ents-Prosperity Indicated-A Bright
Future Presaged-The Everglade Re
giOn-Sugar the Crop of that Section
Louisiana Moving.
JACKSONVILLE, Dec. 25.-Our merchants did
splendid business last week, and an unusu-
ally large amount of money was expended in
Christmas presents. Hundreds of children
and grown persons were made happy this
morning by the reception of these tokens of
remembrance and affection. Those dealers
who keep fancy articles for sale are quite sat
isfied with their receipts. The large pur-
chases indicate a surplus OF money in the
country, and show that its finances are in good
condition. LuXuries and unnecessary articles
are not bought when the smOkehOuse and corn
crib are empty.
Pecuniarily speaking. Florida is in prosper
Gus circumstances. Their lands are constant
ly increasing in value, their productions are
in demand, and the crops of the past wear have
put the farmers out of debt, and to a cOnsid-
cradle extent have rendered them independent
IN the way of provisions. The new year will
open auspiciously, and if the Legislature, soon
to assemble, meets the expectations of the
people by marked reduction of taxes. and by
the passage Of necessary laws, the hopes of
greater progress now entertained viii be
realized.
Florida bonds are in request, and at a hand
some premium, and her credit is so good in
money circles that there would be no difficulty
in obtaining a loan on easy terms, if needed.
Florida merchants are rated as A No. on the
books of mercantile agencies, and their trade
is eagerly sought by Northern jobbers. Her
golden fruits are transmitted into golden met
al, and values are being attached to things
once regarded as worthless
The New Year Will witness another rapid
stride made by Florida on the path of pro-
greSS, and a large accession is promised to her
population this winter. Her growth if not as
phenomenal as that of some of the Western
states, is more desirable, because it is Amer-
can, ana possessed of capital and energy and
intelligence.
Altogether, the outlook is favorable and
hattering, and the future is full of encourage
ment.
The late successful exploration Of the valley
of the kissimmee river, Lake Okeechobee, and
the CalOOsahatchie region by the Times Demo-
cTdt expedition covered purposes of vass inn
portance to the interests of this State 1t is
known that upon the report will depend the
action of numerous large sugar planters of
Louisiana. These gentlemen have long been
anxious to find cheap land adapted to the cul-
tivatiOn of cane, and where there is little or
no apprehension of injury from frost, where
they can harvest the crop at leisure and con-
vert it into sugar as convenience permits.
Such lands exist in the southern part of
Florida, and it is understood that the eXpedi-
ton mentioned was to determine this matter.
Those who are in position to know say that
the report will be highly favorable, and that
the inquiry for these lands will be active as
soon as they are thrown into the market.
We may reasonably expect therefore, a
considerable influx of skilled labor and capital
from the Pelican State at no distant period.
Florida can produce sugar enough to supply
this country, and at less expense than in any
other portion of the United States. The seed
IN the OkeechObee region requires to be
planted only once in seven or eight years. and
the average size of the cane is much greater
than that of Louisiana. Several Cuban plant
ers are also watching with interest the result
of the dredging operations in Monroe county.
Sugar culture Is destined to be one of the
leading industries of this State in the near
future.
The share of Florida in the district to be re-
claimed will suffice to pay on her entire in
debtedness and to constitute a school fund of
no inconsiderable magnitude. Florida made
an excellent bargain when she signed the con-
tract for the drainage OF the Okeechobee re-
gion.
Mr.. GiIfIIan. Treasurer of the United states.
with other parties, has just completed the
purchase of large tract of land in Polk coun-
ty, and will at once improve the property bv
planting large orange grove. General HaZen
has done likewise and located in HillsbOrOugh.
When President Arthur visits us this coming
spring, he will be captured also, and viii
make an investment.
Assurances have been recently given that
the Florida Central Railroad from this CITY
to ChattahoOchee is to be put in fTst-class
condition to correspond with the Pensacola and
Atlantic. A large addition will be made to
the rolling stock of the road, and the contem-
plated improvements require the relaying of
Il large portion of the track. This will be
cheerful news to the Middle Florida people.
The road from Jacksonville to st. Augustine,
which has been at a stand still for some time
is also feeling fresh impetus, and it is now
rumored that it will be speedily pushed to
completion,
So the Florida Southern, which has been in
vOlved in some difficulties, is disentangling its
legal knots, and, under a new management.
the original plan will be consummated. An
extension for one hundred miles south is
spoken of, and the war-chest has been replen-
ished to the extent of million dollars. There
is good prospect also that the splendid
steamer St, Johns, so popular on our river,
will be brought down to run on her old route
between Charleston and Palatka.
These various railroad movements show
that the spirit of push and enterprise is still
alive and active, and that the development of
the entire State Is progressing with all due
rapidity,
that my thical frost line has not been as yet
located, During the late cold
snap, ice was visible for two mornings in sue
cesslon at Iitusville, in Breyard county, a very
unusual occurrence for that vicinity. Jack
Frost has played quite q number of odd freaks
his blighting fingers are more Visible at points
far south of this point than in this immediate
vicinity. 1t is quite amusing to note the ear
nest efforts made by various parties 20 show
that his immediate home did not suffer from
cold and to read his reasons therefor. The
Frost King appears to have Travelled by streaks
and those sections that have up to the present
time escaped injury may not he so fortunate
on the occasion of his next visit.
The city will be quite lively for the present
week with a variety of home amusements
parties. Christmas trees, masqueFades, skating
Kinks, etc. Thus far we have had but few
companies from abroad and entertainments
have been few and far between. The old Ma
tional Hall has been leased, and will be occu
pied after New Years by a variety company.
1t is now being reitted and provided with
new scenery.
MicanOpy man has gathered sixty dollars
worth OF oranges from single tree. This
the income from thousand dollars !
at per cent. interest A single acre, con-
tanning only fifty such trees, would support a
large family most comfortably. There is no |
better market for this fruit than in Jackson |
vile, and the prices are maintained by the |
large number purchased by visitors for their /
absent friends MANY of these gentlemen or /
der from four to dozen boxes at a time.
The Ohio editors wha went down to Kissim-
NEE were delighted with the trip, and with /
the hospitalities received all along the route. |
They were pleased with the scenery, and as
tonished at the fertility of the soil and the
quantity, quality and variety Of the prOduc-
tiOns. They have all returned, and will no
doubt soon furnish their readers with the re-
suit of their visit.
There have been no election cases brought
to the attention Of the United States Court
during its present session. If Col. Bisbee had
not obtained the certificate Of election, il is
surmised that the usual number of persecu-
tions would have occurred. Quite a source of
rayenue has been cut off from the negro pOpu-
ldfiOn, in the way of witness fees, manufac- |
tured afidavits and other emOluments
Two fine and feet steamers are looked for
daily. One Is for the De Barry and the other
for the Baya line. They are both elegant YES
sells, and are fitted up with all the modern
Thus our river feet is being
enlarged.
The boys of Jacksonville are as fond of burn
ing gunpowder as they are elsewhere in the
South, and the fusilade commenced early this
There have been no Restrictions
placed upon the custom by the authorities
In rev Gays now the usual rush of tour
lists to this State viii commence. II begins
about the 10th of January and continues till
the last OF March, when the tide turns back
wards. The long lists Of arrivals at the diff
ierent hotels show heavy travel already.
Iramps are numerous, and the city is full
Of adventurers.
Both Of the city papers have observed the
day, and we shall be without news until
W Wednesday. W.H.B
Murder and Suicide.
PETERSBURG, VA, Dec, a0.-In Prince
George cor county nj on 9,5 saturday night, sam'i
involved in a 0uarraI with ~.