Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-12
LETTER FROM FLORIDA.
- vassainoro Man I'm the Land Of Oranges
-1ne Trip from Maine-Arrfval at FL.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF the Place.
ELLESToS, MANATEE Co., FLA, !
Dec. 18th, 1883. I

Editor Kennetee Journal:
according TO agreement letter is due Won
and my kennebec friends. Starting from
vassaiboro, Nov. 21st, with nv family. we
found ourselves comfortably situated with
friends In Chelsea. Mass, on the evening of
the same date. Being tired from the care in
packing, we remained there until the 9th.
when we continued our journey by Fall River
10 New York, where we arrived the next
morning, having very pleasant trip. Here
meeting brother and several other relatives
masters OF ships-it made our stay very
pleasant. After two days Of sightseeing we
continued our journey Nov. Both, by taking
steamer Of the Mallory line for Fernandina.
as by this line goods can be shipped through
to any point in Florida without anv
care on the part of the shipper in
transferring. The steamer touched at
Fort Royal S. c., December 3rd, giving us
the pleasure of landing for an hour also of
seeing the trees clothed in green, and breath.
ing the soft warm air which was quite
change, as ice formed in the shade at midday
in New York the day we left
| On the morning of the 4th, the steamer
touched at Fernandina, Fla. Although in
Florida we were quite a journey from the
point OF our destination and too late for the
| train to make connection with the boat at
Cedar Key; so we spent the day in looking
around. Fernandina being situated on an
| island is protected from frosts longer than
the main land, and in small gardens the ba-
mana sometimes natures. The place has
suffered a heavy loss by fire which it will not
be likely to recover from for some time. TAX
ing the cars at night for Cedar Key we were
fortunate enough to secure double seats
there being no sleeping cars on that
night. We soon found that sleepeys
were on the road and if we were to Judge by
the movement of the cars we rode on the
sleepers instead of the rails. Finding our
selves at Cedar Keys the next morning we
took up our abode at the Gulf House to wait
the next boat from Tampa. Here we found
good bed, good living and comfortable
room. The landlord came from the North
some years ago for his health and found it.
The tourist will be disappointed if he looks
for large and nicely furnished hotels on this
comparatively little travel on tile Gulf coast
Travel is now increasing rapidly, however,
and many are finding that southern Florida is
far different from the northern part of the
State. Here we remained three DAYS, wait
ing for the Tampa steamer. Since then two
new steamers have been put on this route
so that the stay at Cedar Key is avoided.
Certainly if all of Florida was like Cedar
Key, we would not blame any one for find |
ing some business to call him away. There
is, however, a large business done here
in lumber. The Eagle Pencil Company
get out the red cedar for their pencils at this
place. About 60 hands are here employed
in saving it into strips of different forms and
packing the same; after which 1t is shipped
north, where the pencils are made. just
across on another island is the Faber Pencil
Co.'S works. On Friday the 7th, VIC took the
boat for Braidentown. The steamer was very
crowded and many could not get a chance
to lie down, but we were fortunate enough
to find a resting place. At the mouth of the
Manatee River the small steamer Erie took
the passengers for the Manatee towns and
first landing at Palmasola then Braidentown,
where we met MIR. Carter, formerly of Vas
salborO. Mr.. G.. was well, reporting his
family the same; also happy and contented.
He made many inquiries for his old friends
and especially for those who took journey
through Florida last fall, as they were very
weary when he saw them last.
AT Braidentown we were met by Maj. Pat
ten of Ellerton, who received us very cor
daily and guided us to hi, house at Ellenton,
where we arrived at noon Saturday. Here
everything possible was done for our comfort
by Maj. P.'s family, and we were glad to
have resting place.
Now in this, my first letter, will not try
to give much of description of the country,
but will leave that for the future. l will,
however, speak little of Ellenton, col
lection of eight or ten houses in Florida is a
village. This is hamlet, having about that
number of houses with post Office and one
store. 1t is situated on the north side of the
Manatee river, having fine water front OF
pine and palmetto land. The river Is salt
here and about mile in width. A mile or
so back from the shore is a large tract of
rich hammock land suited TO orange
and vegetable culture. The vegetable
business here has been very proht-
able one, for the past two years. To-
matoes, beans and egg plants being the chief
varieties marketed. These are sent chiefly
to New York The season here allows the
vegetables to mature several weeks before
they can market from the southern portions
of the State which gives this section great
advantage in price. When writer makes
the statement that Florida is land of flowers,
and orange orchards are waving on all sides,
it gives a false idea, for it is not fact. The
fact is there is plenty of room for them, ana
it needs time and perseverance to make them.
There are beautiful groves and fine gardens
here. but they were not beautiful wthout
labor Any one thinking of making beau
tiful home surrounded with orange trees III
bearing in year or two will be sadly mis-
taken. And those that get disguised with the
soil and leave Florida saying there is no
good here are equally mistaken. for wher-
ever a man has worked diligently few
wears on a few acres he has IN MS
hands bank that is reliable for DIVIDEND
annually The climate is unquestionably
fine at this season of the year, and the boat
ing on the Manatee River, is perfectly delight
full Christmas here Is celebrated by nrlng
guns and India crackers, which gives it the
appearance in every respect of the Fourth OF
july in the North. Mr.. De Roche and faml-
| ". of Waterville, are boating up ana cow
the coast in fine yacht well fitted up for
comfort and enjoyment. Meeting Mr. lie
Roche and son at Braidentown, we had
chance to learn their views Of Florida, when
are very favorable and they are connoen'
that thew will settle in the State Hoping
soon to learn something of more interest to
report will forbear for the present.
B. C. NICHOLS.
| Church Notices.
| Tat 6old vi