The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-05-06
CINCINNATI, O.. April 81, 1886.

CINCINNATI, o.. April 81, 1886
EDITORS FLORIDIAN -
Enclosed please find So 0O-a renewal of an
other years subscription for the FLoRIDIAN In
looking over the table of population OF Florida,
by counties, in 1880 and 1885, with their respect
i've gains and losses AZ found in the issue OF
December 3lst, during these .fue gears, was
specially impressed with the fact Of the loss OF
population in three counties, which rank among
the best in the State. The loss, in Leon county,
from 1880 to 1885, aods 2287. That OF Gadsdcn
763 and of Jefferson 492. Only sac counties,
out of 80 counties in the State have TO record losses
all the rest report gains, ranging from rs in
Date, all the way up to 9793 in Alachua.
Whilst highly gratified in noticing the gains in
other counties | was deeply impressed 10y the
unwecome TACT of the great loss in population
of Leon county.
To stranger who had never visited the Cap
ital county OF the State other parts save the
Eastern and South Middle counties, the figures
stating this large loss might greatly prejudice
him against your section of the State. 1t oc-
Cured to me, Messrs. Editors, that this startling
fact ought to arouse the citizens of Leon county
to most profound realization OF the Importance
of doing the one most etectual thing To arrest
this rapid depopulization of one of the finest
counties in Florida. There is but one thing that
can stop this loss in population-u is to build,
equip and operate u railroad connecting wiM the
great lines Northoard l am highly gratitied to
see the "notice of incorporation y Of such a
railroad, under date OF March 18th, giving the
names of citizens whose standing, energy and
enterprise afford the best guarantee that this
long needed work shall be completed at an early
day.
Without rail- Dad facilities, what could Alachua,
Escambia, Orange, Sumter and Marion cOu lties,
have done during the past five years, more than
Leon, towards securing the large gains in popu-
latOn and wealth tabuated to their credit, and
of which all citizens of the State should be
proud? With equal facilities in railroad travel
and transportation, Leon county during the meet
flee years will be able to show as large gains
in population and substantial wealth as any
county in the State. In soil, in health, in ca
pacity for varied industries, in position and in
all the native elements OF prosperity, no county
outranks Leon. Let every citizen of the county
do something towards aiding the speedy
structon of the contemplated railroad through
their county, by work, when not able to give
money or land. And when completed let them
bring the products of their increased industry
to help keep the wheels of the locomotive and
its long train of loaded cars in constant motion
throughout the year.
Tobacco, rame, fruits and vegetables will
eventually prove much more profitable than
cotton, and small farms ranging from IS TO $50
acres, along the railroad, will contribute tenfold
more freight to the road, than large cotton plan
tations could in the palmiest day 8 of Florida.
Stock farms do not require ready transportation
facilities to markets as do those engaged in ag-
rcultural and horticultural work, and where
lands are adapted to these latter pursuits, near
railroads, they will naturally be used for such
purposes
Fortunately, the line of the proposed railroad
will run through some of the best portions of
Leon county, and will enhance the value of
those lands to degree not possible in any other
way. May the road be speedily and well con-
structed and operated and Tallahassee and Leon
county reap the rich reward of wisely directed
energy and enterprise in q continued increase of
population, wealth and prosperity
Yours truly, Dr. NJ. H. SLossoN,
266 w. Eighth ST.