Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-13
FLORIDA In MINIATURES
sTARKE AS A GROwING ORANGE,
CENTRE.

Some Statistics-GrsRt SRlubrity-
Health Of the Piny WOods-Starke In
stitute-President Loony-orange Col
lege-Business Of Starko--Fiorida Or
ange Company, Llmited-The Press
WaldO-The Lake Regional Great
northumberland of the Soil
Growing Oranges-The Trees Putting
Out-A Live. MayOr-Capt. JOhnstOn-
Waldo Business HOuses-Canal, Ete.
On the Central division of the Florida
Railway and Navigation Company, 70
miles from Fernandina, stands the
tiourishing town of Starke, which
from mere railroad station has
developed into a place Of consid-
cradle Importance. Indeed, with its
blocks of brick stores, imposing literary
institute, the new hotel already rising
from its ashes on a grander scale than be-
fore, and enterprising merchants, the
people are beginning to put on city airs.
Here much the larger portion OF the trade
of Bradford county centres, and the court
house, now far out of hearing of the loco
motive whistle should be located. Brad
ford is becoming great orange bearing
region. The county produced no less than
FOUR MILLIONS
OF that golden fruit for the past season, OF
which about seven-eighths but for the
freeze would have been exported from
this point. AS it was single individual
sent OFF 1000 crates.
The town and environs contain 200 in
habitants, one sea island steam ginnery,
planning mill, two tirst-class seminaries,
four lcnurches, several clearinghouse,
two hotels and three saw-mills.
Albeit situated in a perfectly dat. piny
woods section, interspersed with ponds,
yet the
HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY
is unsurpassed even in the mountains Of
Georgia. AS an evidence OF this, it need
only be stated that with an average at
tendance of 800 pupils in the two schools
for the past seven years, not a single
death has occurred. 1t is a we'll anthem
tlcated fact that both in Georgia and
Florida, outside of the rotten limestone
districts, the pine covered traces of cOun-
try are wonderfully exempt from malarial
disorders. however low they may lie.
This IS ascribed ia part to the absence OF
rank vegetable matter in the ponds, and
the universal net work of pine roots
which are constantly eXuding their resin
Gus fluids. The writer has frequently
seen the surface OF the clear water in
turpentine. The balsamic influence of
this substance is generally recognized.
The writer was guest of Mrs. Hodges,
a widow and deserving lady, who has a
neat establishment and does all in her
power for the comfort of her patrons,
THE sTARKE INSTITUTE
is under the management of Prof. George
g. LOoBy, A. M, as principal, assisted by
a competent corps of five instructors.
Prof. LOOny is from Oxford, Ga, and his
reputation as a scholar and educator has
long been established. The seminary
over which he presides numbers on the
roll 100 pupils, and was founded about
six years ago. 1t is a regularly incOrpo-
rated college, with power to confer de-
grees, etc. Or. Tate Powell is the pro-
fessor of anatomy and physiology, and
Prof. W. f. Seals, of Atlanta, is the skill
full head of the music department.
The writer visited this school. and it
was his privilege to be present during
prOtracted examination of the advanced
class in arithmetic. The students per-
formed scores OF different sums in frac-
tiOns, rule of three and interest with "a
facility we have never before witnessed.
Mr.. LOOny is an adeptRt figures, and
possesses the rare gift of knowing how to
impart his knowledge to others, while
stimulating at the same time to the ut
most the ambition of the student.
Mr.. Seals music class also sang several
popular melodies, keeping excellent time.
and theirs were instrumental TenditIOns,
duets, etc. by several Of the scholars OF a
highly creditabIe character.
II the people Of Starke, who really seem
to appreciate Prof. LOOny, can offer him
sufficient inducements 70 remain with
them, he Will make this town a prOmi-
Ient educational centre in Florida.
Orange College is another fourishing
institu tion here, under tile care of Prof.
q. p. Young. with membership OF $50
pupils. The Professor had left to partici-
pate in the Florida Chautauqua at De
Funiak SPRINGS. and his school was tenn
porarily suspended.
The business Of Starke is mainly con-
Quoted by the following individuals, all
subscribers of the MORNING NEWS: In
general merchandise: IL. l.. Witkouski,
the popular Mayor; r. A. Knight, W. II.
Rivers, J. G.. Alvarez, M. +. Brown g.
Co., and Richard & Pace. The lat
ter sell almost everything, and
do an immense business. Drugs, DR.. j.
J.. Gaskins, late State Senator and owner
Of sash ana blindfactOry, and NJ ason 81 Co;
dry goods, clothing, ETC., b. K. Alvarez;
shoes, A. l.. Won Kern; jeWelry, n. ID.
Miner; hardware and groceries, TRULY &
Davis; confectionery and groceries, r. ID.
Wall and Il. j. Taylor; dealer in fine
liquors, NJ. l.. Johns; bakery and cOnfec-
tiOnery, W. M. Black; livery and feed
stables, Andrews & Alvarez; carriage and
wagon dealers and shop, A. +. Mott;
proprietor Of Kentucky house, ID. Q. Cole;
proprietor Of saw-mill, 5. j. Temple; meat
market, Dohn & Bailey; contractor, n. p.
Culver; architect and owner OF new brick
hotel, }. r. Martin; Justice OF the Peace
and lawyer, Robert keith; real estate
agents, Gardiner a Pratt. the former from
Maryland, and the latter an Englishman.
Drs. A. l.. Scott and Tate Powell belong
10 the medical faculty Of the town.
Mr.. Joseph Thomas, an old citizen, is the
manager Of the sash, door and blind fac
terry.
THE FLORIDA ORANGE COMPANY. LIN
TIED.
This Is a Pennsylvania organization,
with J. N. TRULY, one OF the most enter
prising citizens Of the town, and a men,
Der Of the firm, as manager. The farm
embraces 100 acres, all cleared and under
fence, aud So acres set in orange trees.
Some OF these are beginning 10 bear and
very 10 have suffered materially from
the frost. Occasionally one OF some deli
cate variety had been killed outright,
10 the roots, but this was
the exception, only. and the trees
were generally shooting forth their fruit
buds and leaves TO the very tips Of the
branches. The land had been thor