Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-03-12

BELMoRE CRY, CLAY Co., FLA,
Eahrnarv 10 1894


Nessrs. Ediors.-On Tuesday even
ing, January Goth, at 1875, amidst many
protestations we started en- route from
Shenandoah Junction for Florida, leav-
ing snow-banks and ice TO settle in a
warmer cline. After three days travel
we landed in Jacksonville-only three
days, and in land Of summer and sun
shine. We having to wait here for
train to Green Cove, we looked around
some; the st. Johns is a lovely body of
water; there are no waves to dash
against the vessel, throwing sprays of
water on deck, as many smaller rivers
and bays, but it is an even sheet Of
water, always calm. Very large boats
ascend and descend this beautiful river.
One alone is estimated at $240, 900.
Green Cove is magnificent place on
ST. Johns river. 80 miles south of Jack
souville; the Sulphur Springs is noted
place in Florida and place where ev-
cry visitor of Florida should go to see.
Around the spring are quite number
of cypress trees, hanging full of moss;
the moss nearly touches the ground; no
one could describe this scenery and do
it justice. The Spring under the
branches of cypress trees throws OIL
5000 gallons of water minute. Next
We come to the city of Belmore. Five
months ago il was crude wilderness.
to-day there are so houses up, and about
200 people here. Some of our northern
friends said there was no such place
aud went to a great deal of trouble 10
inquire concerning it, but could find
no one that knew anything about it. and
finally decided there was 10 such place,
doing Belmore great injustice. We
are not in the least disappointed, but
are pleased aud like it here. People are
kind and sociable. Mr.. j. Ross, agent
for the company, seems to DO all IN his
power to make 1t pleasant for newcom-
ers. There is not an idle man in the
place. all are busy. Many men are here
without their families, trying to get
house up, before their families come.
They hail from many States, many from
Michigan, some from Wisconsin, New
York, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Dakota,
Ohio, North C'rolina, Georgia, ahd one
family from Duffields, w. Va. Some
are clearing up small tracts OF land, for
putting out orange groves. There are
y men employed here in saw mills;
they have Il planning, shingle and lath
machines, and are talking of getting
machine for making barrel slaves and
heads; the company have l,sOO acres OF
land to clear of right away. We have
been having lovely weather, while our
northern sisters, brothers, aunts, and
uncles are shivering around the stoves,
We can sit here with doors open aud
windows up, enjoying the beautiful sum-
mer days. Everything here is new, and
of course there are Il great many things
needed that have to be brought from the
North, but after while, things will
be cheaper here. Flour is 1913 aud
800; this is brought from Baltimore
principally. The natives seem indolent.
Most of them own 100 acres Of land and
farm about 10 to % acres-scarcely ever
more. Their cattle run all over the
country. One man has 500 head and
has not seen them since last June, but is
now hunting them up to pen them for
two or three months, when he will
drive them of again. The forests here
are lovely-pines tall, from 40 TO so
feet, perfectly erect, no limbs, but
small bushy top; no underbrush. The
soil bears we'll. The first year it is
broken up they fertilize with cotton
seed meal. which they claim to take the
sourness out the ground, so say the ma
tives. Lumber sells cheap here. The
best of dressed lumber $500 per thou
sand, best hard pine shingles $3.50
per thousand flooring, tOngued and
grooved $500 per thousand, fencing
boards $500 per thousand; this puts
house-building cheaper than IL is in
Virginia. The pine here is very hard.
saw piece dressed to-day; it was beau
tiful; it resembled cherry. Mr.. Ross Is
having his house finished inside with
the pine dressed, then he will oil II.
This gives ii beautiful appearance, lie
much cheaper than paint, and has the
appearance of foreign wood, butts moth
ing but our forest pine. Natives pay no
attention to cattle, or swine, which run
wild: just 30 they get enough to eat are
satisfied; they lack energy. People
are coming TO our town every week.
Towns near by do all they can TO keep
persons from coming here. They are
Jealous of Belmore's quick growth.
Au revOir, brothers, sisters and moth
ers Of Virginia. We will sometime come
again. when We have dwelt in the land
Of promise little longer.
JOHN L. LINK.
Resolutions OF ResDecf