Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-10
Emigration to The south.
Com Gazette

Emigration 10 the SOuth.
Commercial Gazette.
Though this winter has in this
locality been what might be termed
mild, with but little real cold weather,
tho city OF Cincinnati aud the country
surrounding has contributed largely
to the population Of Florida and other
places OF winter resort on the Gull
and South Atlantic coasts. A Com
mercial Gazette reporter yesterday
invaded the privacy of MIR. b P
Wilson, General Passenger Agent OF
the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Tex
as Pacific road, aud INTERCEPTED that
gentleman at some length upon the
subject Of travel TO the land Of flowers
this year as compared with former
years. "Our communication with
Florida" said Mr.. Wilson, "has
by modern railway appliaI cas- been
made OF easy access, and now to 90 to
Florida i by the average traveller
considered no greater journey than to
10 to Philadelphia or New York. 1t
has not been many years since it was
REGARDED as almost an endless trip to
undertake to 60 to any point on the
southeast coast south OF Savannah
Aud to get down toward the extreme
southern portion OF Florida was cell
dom if ever thought OF. Now it is
quite different. 1t is mistake to be-
lieve the great majority of the travel
to Florida is comprised mostly Of
tourists, southwark bound to bask be-
meath the Southern skies in search of
health and pleasure. 1t must be ad
mitted, however, that thousands of
those going there are invalids, and
can only find in that climate relief for
their impaired health. 1t is also
growing fashionable in measure for
those who have the means to seek the
soft, mild climate where the guilt and
ocean breezes are laden with the
perfume of the roses and Violets, in
which to spend a pleasant winter, free
from the winds of cold and bleak De-
cembers and Januarys in the icy
North. In addition to this, my OBJ
servation for the last three or four
years teaches me that great majority
of those going to Florida each year are
persons who are going there with the
view of making that their home |
have to some extent made study of the
communication between the North
and the Florida portion Of the South
1t is growing rapidly. | dare say we
have sent at least fifty per cent more
passengers over our road this year
than in any previous year within the
history of the system. When we
transport a passenger from the
North to the South, we in many cases
likewise transport a great deal
of Northern capital which is seeking
investment in many profitable indus1
tries in all parts OF the Southern
States. | have no doubt but repre-
sentativcs of other railroads running
south can testify to the same shirt of
progress. There was time when all
the Florida travel was done in the
winter months. 1t is not SO now. IL
continues during the whole year. Last
summer we continued our through car
service from here to Jacksonville, and
much to our qualification and surprise
we found it quite beneficial Florida
is making rapid strides in the world
OF industry and progress, and of course
there are thousands of opportunities
for the Investment Of capital which
must chiefly be sent from the North.
Il am in receipt Of letters almos;
daily from parties in the North with
reference to the investment of capital
10 Florida and many OF the other
Southern States. | find that emigra
ton is rapidly pointing its compass
southwark. There is much of the
idle lands in the South being pur
chased by people Of the North, and
understand many of those who wen
South year or SO ago, have made ex-
oellent farms OF the waste lands, sc
long stranger to the busy hand o
! toll. The Southern people honestly ant
sincerely encourage emigration irou
! all sources, and cannot call to mind q
, single person within my knowledg,
= who has gone South and become a resi-
dent there but who is we'll sat
1 is6ed both with the coun
G try and the prospects o
the future. Communication between
, the two sections has been relieved o
e what once seemed such a hardship
Q that we Of the North have now grow
2 to consider that section along tn,
coasts more as our flower garden, an
nexed to our private grounds, thar
} lands thousand miles away" A
this stage Of the game, and just as the
official was word painting winter
I scene among the daisies and butter
{ cups" In the orange groves, and de-
} scribiDg the Southern belle clad in tn,
immaculate robes oil white, an indica
! ton Of innocence and putty, baskiut
In the smiles Of beauty and revelinl
Q 10 the temples Of happiness, with tn,
thermometer registering 500 in th,
4 shade on Christmas day, delegation
! Of business gentlemen slid into th
= Office, and the reporterwas unceremo
{ niously "6red" from the third story L
= the street, and sought to seek ven
! geance by frequent visits to the Re
r trest." He sought.
Died in Texas,
C,ntNako-r fnf. i ntf..