Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-25
A FLoURIsHING FLORIDA TOWN
A Section of Country that is Being De-
veIoped Rapidly.

MACON, HERNANDo COUNTY, FLA,
June 21.-I noticed an article in your
paper Of recent date on the subject OF
''The Plant SYSTEM" showing that by a
recent arrangement Mr.. Plant had ac-
quired control of the road from Aqua
creek, near Washington, u. c., thus Civ
ing him continuous all-rail line thence
to the wilds of South Florida. This he
will certainly have IN course of the next
two months by the completion of the road
from Pemberton's Ferry to Lakeland, d
station on the South Florida Railroad
(also controlled by Mr.. Plant), running,
as you are well aware, from Sanford, on
the st. Johns river, to Tampa, on
the Gull OF Mexico. This route
is via Gainesville and Leesburg.
At the former point the gauge
changes from five feet to three feet, but
this causes no transfer of freight, as by
an ingenious and rapid process the trucks
are quickly changed and the body Of the
car, with its contents, goes 10 its destina-
ton. Thus cars bound for Tampa or any
other point on the South Florida Railroad,
from Charleston, Savannah or any West
ern point, 60 through without breaking
bulk. To reach these points now the
freight has to be transferred at Jackson
Vile and shipped by boat to Sanford, or
at Palatka and thence by boat TO Sanford.
So you will readily see how advantageous
the completion of this piece of road / am
writing about will be to the public, giving
greater dispatch and possibly at less cost.
The iron is laid for about 20 miles from
Pemberton's Ferry, and there are some
% miles yet to be laid before reaching
Lakeland. This, | am informed, will be
accomplished within the next two months,
as Maj. Wideman, an old and experienced
railroad man, has charge of the work, and
will carry out his instructions, viz: TO get
to Lakeland as soon as possible.
This road runs through beautiful por-
ton Of fernando county, and the day is
not far distant when this line on both
sides will be graced by beautiful orange
groves and truck patches, Just one year
ago your correspondent happened down
this way, and was so much pleased with
the country that he purchased few acres
Of land lying on the railroad at what is
now the lourishing little town Of Macon.
Then there was one unpretentious little
shop, with a side or two Of bacon and q
dim array OF canned goods on the shelves,
and one house, used as dwelling. To-
day there are three general merchandise
stores, one grain and feed store and drug
the latter, and that for obvious reasons
our people do not, cannot, or will not, get
sick, and for this sur climate is 10 blame.
or course, to support these stores there
must be population, and we nave
il. The one dwelling alluded 10 il
still here, and we have dozen or more 10
keep IL company. occupied by innustri-
Gus, thrifty people. Is this not a good
showing for twelve short mOnthsY But
we have something else. Two saw mills,
very genteel church building, and a
comfortable inn, where travellers can be
well cared for. Our citizens are COM
posed OF natives OF Florida, Mississipplans
and Alabamlans. There are also Cana
dians, Englishmen, aud GeOrgians and
South Carolinians. Your correspondent,
an old Savannah man, with his two sons,
has cleared away the forest, built "A log
house, fenced the land, and hopes soon 20
have a fine orange grove. Others have
worked as industriously, and IN a few
years we will have a pretty town.
Though young, our town is not quite un-
known.
The good looking. gentlemauly Presi-
dent Of the South Florida Railway, Mr..
Ingraham. who will operate this piece Of
road 10 Pomberton Ferry, passed through
our section q week or two ago, aud was
so much pleased with Macon that be told
us he would make IL a flag stop" for
all regular trains. Notwithstanding the
fact that the company has put In q turn
out one mile south Of u6 and will build o
warehouse there, our people feel grateful
20 General Manager Haines and Mr.
IngTaham for their liberality. LEo.