West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1884-11-26

enter the narrows of the river and
it is as winding as the coils OF a
snake, some of the angles being
go pointed as to require the boat to
back one wheel turning them. The
banks on the low hammock lands
are one mass of rich green magno-
liza trees, spanish moss, vines and
verdure of every description. in
terspersed here and there all the
way with endless varieties of
blooming wild flowers.
ILLUMINATED ORANGE GROVE.
I shall never forget the midnight
scene of tropical splendor that
presented itself as the steamer
made a landing at the edge of q
large orange grove and turned
the electric light upon the shore.
AS far as the eye could reach, the
orange trees were loaded to their
utmost with what appeared to be
Jumps of bright shining gold amid
the deep, dark green foliage. of the
surroundings, altogether present
ing a spectacle of oriental grand
eur, simply indescribable. 1t was
spoken of in glowing language by
all who beheld it.
THE CHESAPEAKE ON FIRE.
After leaving this lovely sight and
while passing through one of the
many broad expansive lakes of
which the st Johns river is made
up, the passengers in the forw
cabin noticed Mrs. Maddy the
Captains wife, with CONSERVATION
depicted on her countenance, pass
hastily from the ladies' cabin to in
form the clerk in his Office that
the Italians on the lower deck
were fighting, as she supposed was
the case from the noise they were
making. 1 rushed below with sew
eral others and was astonished to
see the whole rear part of the
steamer on fire, as verify suppos.
ed. 1 Immediately returned and
with Mr.. Addison made prepare
tions for any emergency that
might arise. But we were speedi-
lily relieved of any necessity for
swimming the lake. The pumps
were put to work, and after turn
ing stream upon the Italians,
and quoting them, the fire was
soon got under control. Then it
was soon found out that l. large
can ofoil had leaked and a negro deck
hand dropped a lighted cigar into
it, which caused the fire, and came
very near burning the splendid
steamer with the loss of many lives.
STEAMBOAT RACING.
Since the Chesapeake came here
there has been a great deal of
"Steam boat war" carried on be-
tween the rival lines, with cutting
of rates to the lowest figures.
There are two lines under separate
management with two or
three splendid steamers in each,
and the Chesapeake is the indie
pendent boat. The rival lines
have cut fares and done everything
possible to "buy off" or run of"
the Chesapeake, but the latter
we are glad to say, has beaten them
in many hard fought races, and
by accommodating the public in
every way, and by the gentleman
ly bearing of her officers to passen-
gers, she has secured the advan-
tage and good will from the whole
carrying trade on the line. Her
success in the buiness of the st.
Johns river will be great salts
faction to her many friends in your
vicinity.
But | must get down more spec
tally to Florida matters, in future
letters, for | know there are many
of your readers who are anxious to
hear the many marvellous accounts
of the results and possibilities of
this State, proved or disproved
by the observations of actual eye
sight. 1 have, Mr.. Editor, noted
down some of these stories of sue
cess and verified them on all hands.
And in my next, with your per
mission, | shall endeavor to render
some examples in this direction.
| went up the st. Johns 200
| = h =