West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1884-11-26
OUR FLORIDA LETTERS.
mo. p
Our MIR. Walters Luxuriates In
Orange Groves AMI Expatiates
on the Rich Wonders OF
the Land of Flowers.
DELAND, VoLUsIA Co., Fla,
November Is, 1884

DEAR FREEMAN In my first
letter from Florida, dated Jackson
Vile, November II, l closed with
the promise to give you some more
notes of my observations in Florida
generally and jacksonville and St.
Johns river in particular.
JACKSONVILLE is a city of hotels
and boarding houses, and this is
necessary for the reason that most
of the Northern and Sou thern tray
ell centers here before radiating
through South Florida where most
of the orange, vegetable and fruit
growing is carried on to perfection.
The city just now is being thor,
oughly overhauled and repaired
preparatory to receiving the influx
of winter travellers and those seek
ing permanent homes. The hotels
are immense, some of them, and
their terms range from $3.50 to
$500 per day, and of course the
fare and style varies with price.
1t is nicely located on the St.Johns
river, 2 miles from the ocean, and
has large ocean and river business
Two or three lines of steamers run
up the st Johns to Sanford, zoo
miles, among which our own "Ches,
apeake" is doing fourishing bus
mess and putting the other lines
upon their mettle. l will tell of
this boat, and my pleasant trip on
her alter 1 get done with Jackson
vile.
The hotels and residences and
stores are all built with verandahs
and piazzas around them, and at
this season at any hour of the day
or night men can sit there in sum-
mer clothing and the ladies in white
swiss if they desire and not feel
uncomfortably cool. The grounds
are fragrant with the aroma Of
orange trees and flowers of every
variety-the latter in full bloom
and the shrubberry as green and
rich as with US in June and July.
1t could be made most lovely city
if the people had energy enough to
clean up and make it So; but the
one thing that has impressed itself
upon my mind is the noticeable
fact that the residents here acquire
an easy going life of leisure and
freedom from toll and exertion,
that seems to prevent them doing
anything, unnecessarily. Why,
they are so devoid of energy that
many of them can't talk above
whisper nor exercise the powers
necessary to produce smile. This
is all being overcome by the in
coming of the Northern immigrant
with his hurry, hustle and native
energy and business enterprise.
Jacksonville seems to be well
regulated. am Informed shat in
January and February the streets
are crowded with strangers and
those seeking homes. This year
the rush has commenced earlier
and promises to be greater than at
any previous season.
Well, we come to see Florida, and
have concluded to ia Ike passage on
the old Ohio River Steamer Chesa-
peake, differed by the Maddy
Brothers, who are as gentlemanly
a set of genial, whole souled river
men as ever trode a quarter deck.
Leaving the city we sailed out
into the broad, beautiful water,
loaded to the guards with freight
and the cabin and decks crowded
with passengers. On the lower
deck were 60 Italians, bound for
South Florida to work on the rail
roads being built. We take our
place on the upper deck, and while
being famed by the pleasant breeze
enjoy the trip immensely. We
pass "Mandarin," Harriet Beecher
Stoves beautiful Orange Grove
and residence, 5 miles from Jack
sonvilIe; Running Park, with its
stately Magnolia Hotel" which
accommodates 5000 people, fitted
up with electric bells and lights
and is crowded to it's utmost capac-
lty ever winter-and many, very
many other lovely and attractive
nlacaS of resort and immensa