The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-03-14
Alligator Brigade.
PALATKA, March S, 1884

Editors OF the DAILY NEWS:
On Saturday morning, March 8th,
party consisting of Commodore Pool,
Col. Welch, DIR. Buckley and Professor
Young left Palatka for an extended tour
in the head-waters OF the St Johns river.
The steamer Marion was specially char
tered for the occasion under command Of
Captain W. II. Mcintyre, while Mr.. c.
Fl. Gurney accompanied the party as
guide. A large number of friends gath
cred at the wharf shortly before the boat
left to see the party off. and took a lively
interest in the supplies that We're being
sent on board. criticiZing severely several
packages marked "Budweiser," best
Monogram, Il. & J. Burke" etc. It
was explained that the party intended at
tempting to reach Lake Washington-a
feat which has not, [ believe, been ac-
complished for about ten years, and
hence the large amount Of supplies neces-
sary for such an arduous undertaking.
"A dollar to twerty-tye cents you don't
makeit, exclaimed Ca tain R. J. Adau
Done, replied Commodore Root. i
subscription was Immediately taken up
on board to cover the bet. Captain Joe
Smith stood smiling at the party and
seemed anxious to take a hand in. ''All
aboard" goodbye" and the Marion
swung off into the broad St Johns on
her southern journey. I may say in ex-
pianation that a trip has been with one
exception made yearly for seven years
by Commodore Root and party, and
members can only join by eating q one
pound steak cut from the tail of an ali-
gator. Some doubt has been expressed
as to this, but I can personally vouch for
its authenticity. Welch, Young and
Bucllly have yet to go through the or
deal, but it is difficult to forecast the re-
suit Judging from to-day's dinner
WEIGH is the favorite To resume:
Rounding past Harris celebrated grove,
Whites Beach, San Mateo and the al
most numberless beautiful groves on the
banks of this magnificent river, one feels
that lit is well to be here" and drinking
in the warm healthful air, that there is
something ife-giving and revivifying in
it, and that only a few hundred miles
north there is snow, ice and zero seems
incredulous. After pleasant run we
anchored off Salt creek for the night,
Sunday morning shone bright and
clear as the Marion steamed away for
Volusia bar. and the effect of the clear
air laden with ozone was as the imbibing
Of one of the CommOdore's celebrated
cocktails. Peacefully and quietly the
day passed, with occasional glimpses of
alligators and ducks, which almost
startled the party into forgetting that
the seventh day is the Sabbath, +" but no
doubt early training restrained the eager
hunting impulse, and with resignation
the many temptations We're quietly passed
by. In the evening the goddess of night
shOne in all its splendOr, causing the
river to appear as a beautiful mirror re-
lecting perfectly the weird scene, rem
dered still more ghost-like by the moon
lit shades and shadows, like a scenery in
fairyland. Anchor was cast in Wekiwa
creek. Monday morning, bright and
early, the first trial was made with fair
results-one alligator seven feet nine in
ches, six black bass, two limkin and sew
eral other birds, but the event of the
morning was the capture of q stray dog
by DR.. Buckley. At a. M a start was
made for Sanford, from which point the
actual trip will commence, and if oppor-
tunity offers I few lines may reach you
as to the further proceedings of the
ALLIGATOR BRIGADE