Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-12
LAKE CITY LETTER.
Excursion of the Columbia Light
Infantry - over the ROwIan6's
Bluff Road.

| LAKE CRY, FLA, July 9-EditOr Morning
Netcs: That company Of handsome youns
soldiers of Live Oak, the Suwannee Guards
not long since issued an order demanding the
presence on the 4th Of the Columbia Lighi
Infantry to help them honor the day. As there
was no questioning this martial decree, the c.
L. l. boys cheerfully agreed to comply.
Yesterday morning at eight O'Clock, under
escort of their hest, they were found boarding
the special train provided by that most esti
mable gentleman, Colonel Drane, of the sa-
vannah, Florida and Western Railway. to take
them and the citizens of Live Oak to the Su-
wannee Springs, seven miles north, where the
day would be spent The run was safely and
quickly made under charge of that prince OF
engineers. Major wildwood, who is master Of
the construction train department OF the Sa-
vannah. Florida and Nestern's s South FIorlda
| extension. From the station both companies
| accompanied by the Lake City Cornet Band
| and everybody, repaired to the beautiful
grounds surrounding the spring.
Thls crystal freak of nature flows out OF a
/ small, deep cove, scooped out of the side of
the south bank of the Suwannee 1t is lust at
| the edge of the river, and slightly separated
/ by narrow ledge of rocks which the strong
sulphurouS water rushes over by the thousands
/ of gallons per n mute. The banks Of the stream
| along here are thirty to forty feet high, and
| very abrupt. That surrounding the spring is
/ somewhat pf6clplCOuS, Ino several Q6Sc6ntS
| by the rocky steps are easily made. A strip of
| hummock woods about a quarter of mile
| deep extend along the river banks.
Nestled under the outrageous oaks. near
! the spring, are dozen or more cottages, re-
Gently built. for the accommodation of fami-
lies who resort thither in search of health, rest
or pleasure. We are no prophet. but will ven
ture to predict that in the near future this
spot will be one of the most popular summer
| resorts in Florida.
Despite the heavy showers which fell in the
| fore and afternoon, a good part of the exer-
cises which an interesting programme prom
| ised, were rendered. Many were the regrets
that the calvary company, who are a brave
/ and fine looking set Of men, were unable to
| make their display.
Although there were fully thousand people
on the ground yesterday, the dinner commit
tee were equal to the occasion. At one O'Clock
! we assembled and made an attack upon the
/ long tables ''groaning beneath the good things
of this life, y but after vigorous assault were
| compelled to retreat vanquished, vet satisfied.
| Too much praise cannot be accorded the ladies
who so admirably fulfilled their part of the
All aboard 1t is seven O'Clock: the Major
4 has blown his farewell whistle and we are off,
1 The clouds have disappeared-the evening is
delightful We feel that the rain was bless
ing in diguise, and that with it the day has been
much more pleasant than if old Sol had beamed
| down his torrid rays. Our train reached
/ Live Oak, il anything, too soon, for we were in
| as happy a jan bird crowd as one could wish
| to be- Fair singers, those songs were splen-
did We betook ourselves to the hotel kept
| by Squire Jones. who knows well how to care
! for the travelling man."
As the evening closed upon us we felt truly
i the words of Bryant:
1.-THE summer day has clos'd-the sun is set:
Well have they done their office, those bright
hours,
The latest of whose train goes softly out
In the red West"
AS our train would not arrive until after 12,
all fIaa rvotn nnsa 81 H. -
Wise's elegant hall and tripped the light fam
taStic Thanks are due Manager Geo. L. Bry-
ant for his untiring efforts for our pleasure
The G. L. l. boys have returned home highly
delighted with their trip. The most popular
song now with them is Down 'pon the S'wanee
Riber." There's where my heart is turning
ever" is sung with much fervor. The truth
sticks. Oars whar de old folks stay" Oh,
yes, how truei Never before have they found
o much truth and beauty in the sweet old
ong
trip with him over the nine miles of the Row
lands Bluff Road which is completed, and also
visited the convict camp. The right OF way
has been cut to the Bluff and eight miles of
the road graded northward by the free labor
the convicrs working on the Live Oak end.
Everything concerning the treatment of the
latter OF these men is most commendabl ble
The road is expected to be finished by the first
of next month, when all hands will be placed
to work on the Gainesville extension. The
Savannah Florida and Western men are noted
for very little talk but much work This is
a Characteristic feature of this sterling and
majestic corporation. The new road has given
real estate quite boom in Live Oak
Capt Frazier is building a handsome and
substantial brick hotel near the depot; also,
Mr.. Geo. L. Bryant a fine two story store on
9he same street These buildings, when COM
pleted, will add much to the city and reflect
credit on the enterprising gentlemen who are
having them constructed
On my trip by private conveyance to Live
Oak it was most gratifying to note the large
area planted in corn. The yield this year viii
be large, as the stalks are very large and well
fruted hThe cotton prospects are not so
bright but are much better than last year
General thrift and prosperity was evidenced
along the entire route The country is as pic
turesque any in East Florida, and would
well repay drive through. Respectfully
LARE CITIAN