The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-15
by q Visiting Editor.

Col. Norton, the Texas veteran, Will
be remembered as most valuable MEM
Der of the editorial excursion. It Is from
his paper, Norton's Union Inte1igencer,
of Dallas, Texas, that we take the follow
ing:
AtDrifton we took the branch to the city LIE
Conte-the county site of Jefferson, beautiful
Monticello. We were taken to the Partridge
House, kept by Mrs. Oakley, where table deco
rated with flowers and a good square meal
caused us to put high estimate upon the veg
etabe and other products of the country 1t
was enjoyed by all. Everything about this
place was comfortable and home-like. We
spent some time here in driving around the
town and country and beheld many fine resi-
dences and handsome gardens, well improved
places and in the pastures we saw some very
fine stock Taking from here one of its hand
soonest maidens Miss o., we were carried rapidly
to the capital of the state, which we reached after
dark.
This days ride took us through a portion of
the best farming country for general purposes.
Oak, Custer, Ellaville, Madison, in fact on this
road, as the others on which we travelled, the
people were on the lookout at all the stations,
and though catching but glimpse waved
Florida welcome. Along this line, ii we remem-
Der rightly, between Jacksonville and Live Oak,
ing from 40 to 55 acres each and with the trees
in bloom. This may be styled the peach section
of Florida, and it is yet in its incipiency> The
early peaches are sent to the northern markets
and usually sell at 50 TO $40 bushel.
AT TALLAHASSEE.
a committee received us with carriages, convey
ed US to their hall, where we were welcomed
and thence taken to the Leon Hotel, the fourth
of J. M. Lees famous hotels at which we had
been Hospitality entertained in Florida. After
supper we returned to the committees head
quarters where we were in true Southern style
made to feel at home
In the morning we had a magnificent break
fast and then numerous citizens waited on US
with their carriages and conveyed us around the
city and surrounding country, giving US fine
view of the way the land lay and what it would
produce. 1t was our good fortune to accept OF
theinvitaton of Col. P. Houstoun and we were ia
ken in his fine carriage behind pair OF spanking
bays, the best team we have seen In the State,
and were driven out to his beautiful residence,
over good roads and seeing a well improved
country. Col. Houstoun Is to the manor born"
and raised upon the large plantation which ne has
for years owned and cultivated In cotton and
other crops, an accomplished gentleman, to
whom we render thanks for courtesies extended.
On returning from the ride the party drove to
the State Capital and paid their respect to Gov
Perry and Stale officers. Our artist photo
graphed the State House with the Governor and
other citizens in the center of the editors. Our
stay at Tallahassee was one of continued delight.
1t is beautiful city, handsomely located, with
fine public buildings and private residences,
gardens ornamented with shrubbery and flow
ers and the centrer of magnificent country.
Its schools are of high grade, its society excel
lent Happy is the man who Is enabled to live
there. 1t has two good newspapers, the Flo
RIDIAN. edited by j. W. Dorr, and published by
Dorr s. Bowen, and the Tallahassean, edited by
r. Don Mcleod. To the editors and the citi-
liens generally we are under obligations.
Among the the number we must mention Capt.
Dyke, the old editor Of the FLoRIDIAN, who is
one of the best informed men in the State, and
after forty years of life on the tripod has settled
down at his beautiful home on one of the hills,
with his accomplished wife, to enjoy quiet with
dignity the remainder of bis days, Ex-Governor
Bloxham, Governor Perry and editors Bowen
and Mcleod.
At 10 o'clock we were conveyed in carriages
to the depot and babe goodbye to our generous
entertainers, many of whom had accompanied US
there, and our special train left for New Orleans
amid hearty cheers. Mrs G. E. Dyke accompa-
MED US to that city and on our return. by her
presence giving additional pleasure to our party.