Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-08
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
RARTOW AND ITS SURROUND
ING COUNTRY.

Description Of the TOwn-Capt.
David Bughcs-The Rapid Growth
of the Observation-Disclosures
44Ouses-PersonaI - The Barlow
MISUNDERSTANDING Spring - y
Rig Proiect--A Swimming Esca-
made The Seminole Indians
Chief TaIIahassee-''Me No Free
Nirrer',-The Orange Groves, Etc.
The trip over the South Florida railroad
tron Kissimmee TO Barlow is accom-
n1shed in a few hours, with a single
change of cars at the junction" The
rosd ia IN first class condition, and passes
through an elevated pine country, not
rich. but certainly healthy. After enter
ing Polk county there is change for the
better in the character of the soil, and at
and around Barlow for several miles, it
il of excellent quality. Indeed, all
through the country there are large bodies
of good, arabic pine land, responding gen.
erously to fertilizers, and very prod 49,
tive. Many hummOcks also, densely COW
ered with the hard woodstock, ash,
hickory, dog wood, cherry, ETC.,
are TO Do lOuuU VI 9"i pass
ing fertility. But the truth should
ALWAYS be told, and, despite the
above. in Polk and every other county
in Florida the area of poor and compare
t,velv worthless land largely exceeds that
which NAV be utilized for agricultural
nnrposes, Barlow is situa ted at an ele-
walton of ia feet above the sea level, and
il adorned by numerous live oak trees,
which afford a grateful shade from the
heats of summer.
The first settlement was made in 1901,
Int the country was then almost an I'M
frodden wilderness with no outlet to mar
ket, and it was not until 1860, when it was
made the
COUNTY SITE,
that it began to assume even the proper
lions of a scattering village. Two years
afterwards, Capt. David Hughes, the
oldest living merchant now here, moved
in. and was at first engaged in the pur-
chase and expectation of beef cattle to
Cuba, then very profitable business. In
1870, however, he opened general store,
and soon was in the receipt of a lucrative
trade. His sales steadily increased until
they amounted to SOS, goo per annum. at
this time, to keep up his stock of goods,
four wagons, each drawn by four mules,
were kept in constant motion hauling
merchandise from Tampa, distant 40
miles. The sales Of the same gentleman
now footup 100000.
When tne South Florida railroad was
completed to Barlow Jan. l, 1893, the
effect was almost electrical. Real estate
agents, those aVant cOuriers of progress
in all new countries, quickly opened their
Offices, made their maps and surveys,
graded the lands and offered them for sale
to the eager public. ''SeeinR was believ-
ing" and at once such a demand sprang
up Tor town tots and vegetable and fruit
farms as has seldom been Witnessed
in this country. Prices went up all the
way from 100 10 500 per cent. and are still
advancing. The purchasers were not
merely spectators, but hundreds of them
charmed with the climate and fertility Of
the soil, set to work building houses,
clearing away the forests, and planting
out orange groves and vegetable farms.
In proof OF their enterprise and vigorous
industry, the town which three years ago
numbered barely 800 inhabitants, now
claims over !, 800, and boasts OF
-FOUR HOTELS,
several boardng-bOuses, twelve law
yers, seven physicians, bank, opera
house. four churches. and an excellent
school with about 100 pupils in attend
ance. The business hours, too, are nu-
merous, and appear to be prosperous.
Among those VINO read and appreciate The
MORNING NEWS are the following:
General Merchandise-G. W. Smith, 81.
W. Smell and II. J. Smith 81 Son, who also
carry large stocks OF clothing and milli-
merry.
Staple and Fancy Groceries-Jame Har-
den, Dalton & Edens, and William Lyle,
with ice cream parlor attached.
Nillinery-Mrs. W. Hawkins.
Grain, Hay and Building Material-F.
Reid & Co.
Groceries, Wholesale and Retail-Wa.
ters a. Wright.
Gents Furnishing Goods, Hats and
Sboes-David Hughes.
Livery, Sale and Feed Stables-L. Lyle,
Adelman IL Hugbey, and Fore 81 Head.
Dry Goods-Laug Brothers.
DTugs-Dr. A. b. Brookins, the oldest
druggist in South Florida.
Firearms and Gunshop-W. W. Haw-
kins.
Photographer-G P. Freeman, Cuth-
bert boy.
Domestic and Imported LIquors-John-
son, Daniel Is Co.
Furniture. p. Glover.
Fancy Goods and Variety Store-J. L.
Writ.
Jewelry-Brown &c Thomas.
SadleTy ana Harness---W. II. Lee.
Shoes and Shoe Factory--DaVid Hill
derley.
Meat Market-Jenkins & Huddleston
and E. Y. W ats.
Bakery and RestaIrant-Spsncer Il AR.
roll.
Cigars and Fruits-D. Quinn.
Among the Real Estate Agents--Tig-
ner Il Tatum and BiOunt & Whitledge are
the most prominent. Sir. Tigner was for
merly valued citizen 0t Macon, Ca,
where he has many friends. His firm has
published an interesting history Of Polk
county, and do an extensive business. The
latter gentlemen also stand deserVedly
high. To afford some conception of the
existing activity in real estate, IL Is only
necessary TO say that the sales OF lots in
and around the town during our stay
amounted to about $40, 0O0 The capital
OF the Polk County Bank is $4,000, and
The merchants say more than double that
a@ount is required for their wants.
THE BARLOW INFORMANT,
fearless and well conducted sheet, is
published semi.weekly by O. NJ. Holder.
q. A. Hanson, a forcible writer, occupies
the editorial tripod.
PERSONAL.
&c. Wright, a Georgian. Is the popular
proprietor Of the wight house.
Hon. j. A. Fortuer, the Judge Of the
County Court, discharges his duties With
OUT partality, and ~ much respected.
w. il. JoDusorS an efficient ofhcer, Is