The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-01
Interesting Florida Letter.


We are indebted to Mr.. ]. M. Steffey, for the
following interesting letter, written by a well
known and esteemed county man, now, with
his wife, seeking health in the land of per-
petual flowers and orange blossoms. The let
ter IS dated at GAINESVILLE, Aluchua Co., Feb'y
6, 1883.
My Friend : Agreeable 10 my promise
will hurriedy write you succinct account of
the impressions made on my mind while in
this winter sanitarium for the rest of the
Union--I say for therest of the Union because
| find persons here from every other State.
Even California, Dakotah, Colorado and Or
egon have their representatives here seeking
that one thing next to eternal salvation, the
most precious, viz: Health for the enfeebled
and broken down body. In every twenty per-
sons you may meet and talk with you will find
as general rule one native Floridian, or as
they term them here, Florida Crackers The
life, the Nusiness and the means Of the State
seem to be in the hands Of immigrants. In
deed it is right that it is so because there
never was energy nor money enough in the
native element to lift it from the low marshes
and deep tangled wild wood IN which nature
left it. Though in justice TO those who are
ITO the manor born" | must say they are as
open handed and whole souled people as God
ever created; dividing their homely and coarse
| food with the weary traveller to the last crust
Of bread, and refusing at the same time any
proffered compensation. They appear to de-
| light IN the application of the term Cracker
and Cow Boy" both of which have a history
which they seem 10 be proud of, but my space
| will not permit me to mention it in this com.
nun ication.
| To Virginian, and | dare say to any one
who is accustomed to high mountains and
broad plains, the endless forests of pine in
| white sand. now and then broken by the gray
and dusky hammock covered with oak and
| hickory, draped in long gray Spanish moss as
| if in deep distress and mourning the departure
of the poor aborigines whose war whoop or
wild yell once resounded throughout its length
and breadth, | say to him it seems as if the
country was dreary wilderness. But after
penetrating the State the traveller finds streams
of living activity threading the whole country
| from the Georgia line to Cape Sable.
Every town is a hive of busy human bees
| buzzing hither and thither in pursuit of the
sweet nectar which every fallen creature of
| human instincts delights to sip, but which
never satisfeth New railroads are constantly
being projected and being built in all direc-
| tions, and new towns and villages are being
| laid out and are building up as if by magic
| A winter home in an orange grove is the chief
delight of the northern men of wealth. Even
| the poor man who labors beneath the hot sun
is not content until he surrounds his humble
| cottage with that same tree which all delight
to honor, and on which nearly every man and
woman is willing to risk his or her bottom
dollar for future fortune
The Orange, next to the almighty dollar,
occupies the chief place in the hearts of the
people here. Especially is this true OF the
new. conner, whose enthusiasm knows no
bounds, and who sees, a certain immense for
tune within his reach if he only plants an or
ange grove The orange, in my opinion,
| ouOuiu NC CuiUldAOACu vi tUc L lOIlud COdG-OI-
arms, as it certainly is already on the hearts
of the great majority of the hearts of individ-
uals. If you walk the streets, at every cor
ner, or in every store where squad of men
are found, you willshe the orange discussed
If you travel.on boat or by rail- on horseback
or on foot, the orange is the ever prevailing
topic. Blessed be God, there is no politics
here No bourbonism, no fun:erism, no read
justerism, no Mahonsm to mar the pleasure
of the social circle or to tarnish the pages OF
the daily or weekly newspaper. : Everything
is business and money and how to make it
and the orange appears to be considered thu
principal channel to an assured fortune.
read our State papers every week, and I re
jclce 10 know that am beyond the reach o
the spirit generated by the constant agitation
of threadbare and nauseating subject; on
which breeds nothing but little devils in. eve
: ry mans heart who is affected thereby. Thi
is land of bliss, if but to be rid of politics
have written this letter amid many diff
culties and have Intentionally dealt in gener
alities. If you desire another will deal i
specialties and personal experiences and oh
servations. Yours truly,
SAM T, FOR REF