Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-23
SKETCHES OF FLORIDA TOWNS.

again resumes his sketches of the grow
ing cities of Florida, which her railroad
system has called into existence and made
to flourish like the magic of Aladdin's
wonderful lamp"
Leaving Gainesville he retraced his
footsteps to Live Oak, pausing first at
FORT HILL,
on the savannah, Florida and Western
Railway, distant about 30 miles. This
little town, numbering some 200 inhabit-
ants, albeit still in its swaddling clothes,
has put down the liquor traffic and is
erecting tine academy, besides project
ing many other substantial improve
ments.
The place is the centre OF a considerable
trade, and marketed no less than 1000
bales OF sea island cotton the present sea-
son. 1t contains six business houses, two
mills, motel, and one church, and will
soon be connected by rail with Lake City.
The town derives its name from an old
loruhcatlon In the vicinity for protection
against the Indians.
Thirteen miles beyond, after passing
through some of the best oak and hickory
land IN Florida, which is valued at from
$40 to $50 per acre, the traveller reaches
NEW BRANFORD,
recently changed to Branford simply.
The location is an elevated plateau on the
banks Of the beautiful and historic SUI
wannee river, which here makes a males.
tic bend, opening to view two lengthy and
lovely stretches of water, the high banks
on either side being clothed with live oak,
magnolia, aud holly trees, interlaced with
vines. To aud to the plcturesquenes of
the scene, an almost fathomless "blue
spring" pOurs its crystal food into the
stream, which is 100 yards wide and over
90 ieet in depth. In the pellucid basin
formed by this spring thousands OF
FRESH WATER MULLET.
the very counterpart Of their tinny breth-
rem of the sea, may be seen disporting be-
meath. They form an inviting mark for
the sportsman with his rifle, but so de-
ceptive is the cerulean fluid that his bull
let always fails 10 strike the shining
fish swimm ne in its profound depths.
Branford is really the head of naviga-
tion on the Suwannee, as there are no OBJ
struoti0ns below the navigation. The
town. which is only two years old, num-
bers 300 people, and has neat hotel well
kept by Mr.. II W. RaifOrd from Georgia,
a tlrst-cass steam saw mill cutting $4,000
feet of lumber daily, steam gin, eleven
stores and business establishments, a
good school, one church, and several ply
sictaUs and lawyers. A weekly paper
will soon be started under the editorial
charge OF ID. NJ. PuteTbaugh, the present
principal or the public school. An iron
bridge ia also to be constructed across the
river, which will open up the extensive
trade Of Lafayette county, itself prin.
cipality III dimensions, and greatly aug
ment the importance of the embryo city
A charter, too, has been recently procured
to construct a road to Cedar Key, under
the name of the "Suwannee and Gull Rail
way" This will be 65 miles long, and is
intended to form part of the proposed air.
line highway to Macon. Strong hopes are
entertained of the contamination of this
project. The lands around Branford are
valuable, and bright future seems open
ing up for her enterprising people.
LIVE OAK,
81 miles further on, next claims our at
tentiou. This is a considerable town OF
1900 inhabitants, Boosting two hotels,
many fine stores and business establish
ments, five churches, six lawyers, an
equal number of doctors and two news
papers, the iRteiiigencer and Bulletin.
II is situated at the crossing of the Sa-
vannab, Florida and Western and Florida
Railway and Navigation lines Of road,
and for several years was the southern
terminus Of the former The town is i'm
proving, but greatly needs increased edu-
catiOnal advantages. There il really no
first-class school in the place. The MORN
ING NEWS may be found almost in every
household, but much complaint exists at
present rs to the irregularllty OF the mails,
which, for some cause, are frequently de-
layed. 1t Is TO be hoped that the proper
authorities will speedily investigate the
matter and correct this grievous annoy
ance. The climate of Live Oak is healthy,
and the vicinity well adapted to truck
farming and fruit culture. 1t is we'll
situated for trade, and the merchants ap-
pear busy, though exclaiming against the
''dull times"
MARIANA
was our next objective point. which was
reached by the Savannah, Florida and
Western railway, via Dupont as far as
Chattahoochee and from thence for about
20 miles over the Pensacola and Atlantic
road. Both highways are in excellent
order, and appear TO be doing their full
share Of business.
THE DAT CROP.
Passing through one of the finest agri-
cultural sections in Georgia, il was pain
full TO note the absence of the extensive
oat fields usually so green and beautiful
1t this season. Upon inquiry we learned
that the crop, for the most part sowed
late, had been pretty nearly exterminated
by the recent freezes. InGre Is ample
time to retrieve the situation, however,
and the farmers will generally plow up
and replant again.
IL was after p. m. when the train ar
rived at Mariana, and the writer took
lodgings at the Richardson House, which
is admirably kept by the relict of Gov.
Milton, a charming lady, and her fair
daughters. No pains are spared to promote
the comfort OF their guests
This is the capital OF Jackson, which
ranks among the most fertile and popu-
lous counties Of the state. The latter
contains over $1,000 Inhabitants, and pro-
duces annually about 10000 bales of
short staple cotton. Before the war
much wealth centered here. and the
lands are still valuable and productive.
Mariana was settled in 1928, and is one
Of the oldest towns In this portion Of Flor
ida. 10 is PRETTY situated on quite an
eminence which commands an extensive
view Of the surrounding country, and is
in every sense a substantial and thriving
place. Many stores are constructed Of
brick, and carry stocks Of goods which
would do credit 10 our large cities. Fail
ures are rare among her merchants, and
they stand well ION 'Change" A large
business is done in no less than % estab.
lishments. The town contains 900 in
habitants, a neat court house, on the
grounds ~ which stands the chaste mon
ument which has been erected In honor