The Portland daily press., 1882-03-24
Some Florida Notabllities.

Correspondence Atlanta constitutional
Florida has live duke and still liver duch
ess! About thirty miles above Rock Ledge, on
Indian river, is situated the famous Dummet
orange grove. The simple country people liv-
ing about there were somewhat mysti6ed, but
not whit abashed, q short time ago by hear
ing that an italian duke had bought the grove,
and was coming to Florida to take up his resi-
dence. In due time he came-the duke OF
Castelluccia and his American duchess he is
burly soldierly fellow good-looking and
easy-mannered, but very much afraid that
somebody will swindle the duke or hurt the
duchess. He came to New York short time
ago and married a Brooklyn lady OF great
wealth. 1t is said that she bought his title,
but this is not true. He inherited his title,
and her money simply enabled him to properly
support it. He lives in fine style in New York
and has one of the finest places in Florida. 1t
was sold to Mr.. Schuyler of New Jersey few
years age for and ndJ be sold a5ty It to the duke
this sum, and the duke is not fixing it up With
the Iavishness that might be expected from an
Italian nobleman The duchess is large, fair
looking lady. very fond of the duke, and, alto
people. He is a great sailor, and had tine
Yacht built but disagreed with the builder and
refused to take it. The nelghbors 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 a French count, Frederick de Barry.
This gentleman is best known to the public as
the American agent for Mumm's champagne
from which he derives princely revenue.
The Count de Barry became interested in Flor
ida about 10 years ago. He had daughter of
about 15 years of age that he thought was dying
of consumption, and he sought softer CLINE
that her last days might be more peaceIqi. 10
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 Enter
prise One of them he determined TO make
his home. He built house that cost over S50,-
900 under the first contract 1t is supplied with
wine cellars, billiard rooms, gas water, and is
furnished in the richest style. Back OF the
house is beautiful artificial lake, and the
grounds are handsomely decorated with foun-
tains, avenues and flowers. The main feature
however, is the grove. 1t is simply ideal Five
thousand orange trees OF the very best quality
are set out with the utmost precision and FER
t;lized into perfection. The grove is kept as
neat as parlor, and each tree is carefully
clipped and attended. There is not piece of
stick and scarcely leaf to be found anywhere
on the ground, and this grove stretches over
nearly 100 acres A competent traveller, who
had spent five years on the Mediterranean, told
me it was the finest grove he had ever seen.
The house and grounds cost over S25O,0OO, and
make magnificent country seat Nearly 5O
people are employed about the place as cooks,
grooms, sailors, gardeners, etc. The count dis
penses here princely hospitality. He Is about
70 years old, and is fond of sampling the wines
he deals in. His son, cool and shrewd
man of 35, has charge of the enormous busi-
ness in New York. This embraces, beside the
wine and water trade, an immense cigar facto-
ry 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 finest steamboats, on the ST.
Johns making daily trips from Jacksonville
to Sanford. The de Barry, built last year at a
cost of S75 900, is the best boat ever put on the
river. The count is strong believer in Florl-
da and spends his winters here. He has tine
boats, good wines, balmy airs, sunshine and
friends fine grove and good COOK IN ms
winter home, and what more can man OF ~
want that this earth can furnish?
Mr. Astor, the New York millionaire has
been an enthusiast on Florida for years, but
has invested very little money Ia orange groves
He has spent about 100000 in city improve
merts in Jacksonville, and has bought con-
trolling interest in the queer little railroad that
runs from Tocoi to st. Augustine. He has pur,
chased two land grants at small figures, and
they are not worth any more than he paid. The
town of Astor, that bears his name, is simply
warehouse and depot, named for him because
he gave the railroad company the land on
which it is located. Mr.. Astor is in Florida
this winter, but comes without his yacht, and
only for short time. A few years ago he used
ish with his money. He has new. given 1t up
II ar,tir n1v