The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-03-22
Alligator Brigade.

which regular steamers run, and the dis
tance from the lake to Rockledge, on In
dian river, is about three miles or less.
The waters OF this lake are clear and
purer than any of the others, which is
supposed to be caused by springs. A
start was made for Lake Winder, arriv-
ing at 10 a. M, Friday 18th. A supply
Of wood had to be obtained, which occu-
pied the balance of the day-handling,
carrying and boating to the steamer,
which lay out in the marsh about quar-
ter Of a mile. On landing to examine
the country, we found a building which
had been used as a store, but it was
found that the trade of the cattle dealers
and cowboys Of the neighborhood was
not sufficient to warrant the enterprise,
and it was abandoned. a ferry had been
run here across the upper end of the
lake to accommodate those going to Or
landO, 40 miles distant, but the boat now
lies in the bottom of the lake. To the
left of the landing is an Indian mound
about $50 feet in diameter, slightly OBJ
long probably caused by frequent dig
ging at the eastern end by curious visi-
tors-spreading the earth out)-height
about % feet. Commodore Root and par
ty dug the upper part some twelve years
ago, finding a skeleton, pipes, pottery
spear and arrow heads. The skeleton
was that Of a man in the usual sitting
posture facing the east. Exposure to the
air crumbed most Of the bones and skull
but Commodore Root still possesses a
very fine specimen Of a jawbOne with
teeth, also some Of the larger bones Of
the body. The writer decided to make
use Of the limited time at his disposal to
investigate it. On making an incision
on the southeast end (as the eastern end
had evidently been dug OUT. Luckily
the outer tier Of skeletons were reached,
portions of the skull We're found, teeth
and small portions Of various bones, in
dicating the sitting posture. Small
pieces Of plain pottery were also found,
and on the top Of the mound glass
beads and a tOmahawk. These latter
would Indicate that the upper part of the
mound had been used by the Seninoles,
though I am informed they disclaim all
knowledge of these mounds. Reluct-
antjy the writer left at the summons Of
Dr. Buckley, who had succeeded in
killing five snakes in u distance of about
one hundred and fifty yards from the
landing to the mound. He was nervous,
and anxious to get back on the steamer
away from the reptiles-they are GER
tainly not scarce and don't seem willing
to give the road to anyone. The fishing
in the lake is ''nii''-it being too shallow,
while the shooting is also bad. On Sat
urday morning a start was made for
Lake Washington Upon reaching the
mouth of the river, the pilot carelessly
and unaccountably decided not to keep
to the regular channel, with the usual
result-stuck in the midland there we
lay for twelve long hours-when she
swung clear.
Next morning the attempt to reach
lake Washington was made. The river
was completely filled with solid grass.
grown from bank to bank, about three
feet deep. but underneath which there is
plenty of water. There is about six miles
OF this grass with occasional spots of
clear water. Lily pads grow for half a
mile or more on each side of the channel,
in a depth of water from one to three
feet. An effort was made to find chan
mel through them but without success.
The channel proper is blocked by what
are called floating islands," These is
lands are composed of masses of grass,
wild lettue. etc, grown into a thick mat
which reaches almost to the bottom of
the river These drift into the river he'll
ped on by the wind and current and
lodge there, gradually blocking it from
shore to shore and eventually reaching
the bottom offer sufficient resistance to
turn the water in another direction, This
would seem to account for the winding
lOIluOuS CudiluGi. COuSlOlGIdDlt Illlle was
spent in pulling out masses of this grass.
by sinking the anchor in it and backing
the steamer down the channel. These
detached masses foated down a short
distance and blocked the channel behind
US. The work was tedious and tiresome
! Upon consulting Mr.. Simmons (who had
been taken on as a guide at lake Winder)
/ 1t was found that no fuel could be obtain
/ ed on lake Washington and if we kept on
! with this grass pulling" we would no
! doubt reach the lake, but would have no
means of getting the boat back to where
fuel could be procurred-"g ahead! we'll
take our chance" said several. but on
looking carefully over the situation it
was deemed prudent to abandon the I'M
dertaking; 50, reluctantly the steamer
head was turned down stream. and in 81
lence the homeward journey was COM
menced. Disappointment was visible in
the faces of all; but the shooting from
Il, :. ! I