The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1885-08-20
Excursion Trip to Florida.
EDIToR DAWSON JOURNAL

Tommie James and myself
left Dawson on the night of the
9th of July for an excursion to
Florida, and was joined by Eddie
Simpson at Bronwoo We ar
rived at Albany at 3 o'clock Tues
day morning. Eddie and I went
to the West house and scrubbed
off a good deal of the dust of tray
ell, while Tommie took a moon
light stroll over the city to view
the beautiful scenery. Before
eating breakfast we took a stroll
down to the river. On our way
back we met Iommie, and all
three took a glass of soda water
and went to the West house for
breakfast Mrs. Vests table was
supplied with everything your ap-
petite could call for.
After breakfast we boarded the
train with large crowd of Alba
ny's fairest ladies and gallant gen.
tlemen for Jacksonville. A great
many more joined US at different
stations between Albany and
Jacksonville. The crowd was all
lively. The Albany baseball club
went down with US to play the
Jacksonville club. We arrived at
Jacksonville Tuesday at s D. M,
and q portion Of the excursionists
stopped in Jacksonville while the
rest went on to Sanford on the
boat, Chattahoochee, in charge of
Capt. Jno. Fitzgerald, one of the
cleverest men | ever met. We ar
rived at Sanford at 3 p. NJ, and
Tommie James, Eddie Simpson
and myself went up town, took a
bath, drank a glass of soda water
and ate sandwich. After walk
ing around the town for a while,
Tommie took the train for Orlan-
do. Eddie and [ took in the
whole town, and while engaged in
taking in another glass Of soda
water we found Capt. John Fitz-
gerald, who invited us to take sup
per with him on the boat. This
was very nice in the Captain, and
the supper was equally so.
At 8 a. M, Thursday, we board
ed the train for Orlando in search
Of Tommie. When we arrived
there we found our little friend
with Jack Salmon and Mr.. Brad
ley taking another glass of soda
water. 1t is needless to say we
joined them. The soda water re-
vived us sufficiently to take stroll
over the city, which is one of the
prettiest in Florida.
La the afternoon we left for Ia
wares, Mr.. Salmon accompanying
us. We arrived at that place at
E p. M, and were met by Jeff Da-
Wis, John HERS, Bob Lee Statham
and George and Bob Bryan, all Of
whom ere well-known in Dawson.
They did everything in their pow
er to make our stay in their town
pleasant. Tavares is situated on
lake Dora, and has three railroads
through it and another in course
OF construction. Messrs. Laing,
James & Davis have large stock
of general merchandise and are
doing a fine. business. The
Messrs. Bryan are also doing a
good business.
jeff Davis, Jack Salmon, Mr..
Bradley and little Tommie left
Friday morning for Leesburg, but
Eddie Simpson and [ remained at
Tavares and had a nice time fish
ing in lake Dora. We caught
quantity Of fish with troller, if
you believe it. After fishing to
our hearts content, we babe the
boys goodbye and left for Astor,
where we took boat for Jackson
vile, stopping at Palatka long
enough for Eddie to see a lady
friend.
Bill Glenn, col, who went along,
took charge of all of us and our
baggage. He is an eye witness of
seeing twelve foot alligator at
Sanford and a hundred and TWEEN
ty-six pound squash at Orlando.
Bill says he would like to live in
Florida if there were not so many
OF them yankees down there. Bill,
being afraid that we would take
INN over to Cuba and sell him,
left before his visit was out.
Most of the people up here are
under the impression that there
are so many mosquitoes and sand
flies in Florida you can scarcely
live. | did not see a single one
while was down there, and was
not troubled with mosquitoes I'M
til | got back to cambridge, Ga.
There | fed every mosquito in
town for two nights. Mosquito
bars did no good, for they would
raise it and come under.
The climate of Florida is pleas
anter than it is here. There is a
pleasant breeze all the time.
Yours &C.,