Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-04
Florida.

New Haven People I'm the Land OF Or
an9e Trees-A Flying Trip BY
WelI-KnOwn Cifizen-Old Forts and
spIendid Hotels-Former Slave Marts
and Irrepresstble Little Darkies.
So many of our New Haven citizens are
interested in hearing about orange groves
and other attractions of Florida, that will
~ am here among them, write a line con-
corning my ten days trip, trip by rail from
New York to Jacksonville, Florida-coss, $50
sleeping cars and palace cars extra. left
New York at 10 a. m. Tuesday, passed
through Philadelphia, Washington, Rich
mond. Charleston, Savannah and reached
Jacksonville Thursday afternoon. There in
that same Jacksonville you find one of the
busiest cities in the Union, where, it is said
by the press, over 10000 northernsrs have
visited this winter season just passed. We
there net Mr.. 81. B. Plant, the great
RAILROAD and steamboat man of the South, who
is estimated to be worth ten millions OF dol
lars. His mother, Mrs. P. Hoadley. of Grown
street, New Haven, is still living there, aged
over 80, and his brother, Horace P. Hoadley,
is one Of New Ravens most enterprising real
estate dealers. We found Rufus s. Dowd,
old line st. Johns river steamboats,, up to
his ears in business. Next We met Silas
Bradley, well known to New Haven citizens.
He has become one of the able attorneys at
jacksonville after q residence of some seven
years. On taking the cars for Palatka, 9
new road just opened, we met Rev. E. W.
Bacon and wife, son of the late DIR. Bacon,
On route for st. Augustine, and at Palatka
Rev. Mr.. Stats and son, formerly of New
Haven. and Mr.. Nettleton and wife, of Bris-
tol, Conn. On the hotel registers were re-
corded Charles L. Baldwin, Henry J. Prud
den, Mrs. John B. Cough, William R. Highly
and wife, William E. Seely and wife, L Pond
and wife, Rev. Henry s. Kelsey
and wife, G. W. Benedict and others
The shade trees at Palatka are the sour
orange variety, and as I was only three days
and nights from New Ravens snowy streets,
you can imagine ny surprise at the sight of
thick foliage, the golden fruit over my head
in great abundance and at the same time
breathing the fragrance of the orange bios
SONS. After q feast on green peas, string
beans, new potatoes, beets and Strawberries
ETC., We visited Colonel Harris orange groves
8 200 oranges still cling1ng to the branches
and were shown the old famous bearer of
5000 oranges year just stripped of its fruit.
but loaded with blossoms and green fruitage
for the coming year. A trip to St. Augustine
was full of interest. Here we saw
Mr.. Coffin of Middletown, the banker, q fish
ing on the St. Sebastian river in good health
We visited Fort Marion, the old Spanish fort,
built from 1896 to 1856, the Oldest fortifica-
ton in the United States. Its first name was
San Juan de Pinos and upon change of flags
in 1921 became Fort Marion. During its
TO-
ploy ed upon it, besides great number of
Indians. The cost is said to have been ex-
pressed by the King of Spain ito be its
weight In gold and few more like 1t would
ruin his kingdom" Tt occupied about four
acres of ground, mounted 100 guns and often
had over 1000 men within its walls
Next I walked upon the sea wall
built in $780, It is about one mile in length.
The view is very charming. passed through
the city gates where Spaniards formerly
we're stationed. The gates have angle loop
| holes to protect them. The ruins of the
old buildings, the narrow streets, the wretch
ed novels, Gin contrast with the new hotels
like Magnolia, st. Augustine and Florida
House, where about 1000 persons are &C
commodated at 81 day. is very noticeable.
It was impossible at either hotel for us to
get resting spot, and all our party were
obliged to find private boarding houses. We
attended mass in the old Spanish cathedral
composed IN 1893. 1GS TOUR DeIlS are SGT
in separate inches. which with the
clock forms a cross This cathedral
| is open all the time and is especially
filled when mass is held. We saw the
| Oldest house with the immense date palm
| tree reclining on the old walls, a part of
| which form the barracks for the United
States troops. We happened to be lust in
| time to witness the grand mount We saw
the old slave market, just opposite the els-
giant st. Augustine Hotel, where, it is said,
| sales we're made whenever the ''cupola bell"
rang out this time of auction We visited
fine orange groves, among which we noticed
| fig trees, lemons. prunes, bananas, dates.
| lime and grape fruit, some extending and
I forming arches like our elms on Tenn
pie street. As you look up you
| behold thousands of the golden fruit
| sand as you wander on the perfume of
blossoms is sometimes almost suffocating.
We sw one rose tree Is feet high loaded
with blossoms The streets were full of little
darkies who meet you at every turn with the
punches of flowers, saying, Buy, boss, wont
| you," or "Please gin me cent" Next We
| leave for ''Alligstor lake" and other interior
| lakes some rs miles away from st. Johns
| river. It is too hot to write more, thermo
| meter now 90 degrees was yesterday s98 de-
grees. If this is worth reading can give
| you account about alligators next. n.