Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-06
CHARMING MADISON.
BEAUTIFUL LAKES, SPRINGS
AND CASCADE.

EarIy settlement and Present Condt-
tiOn-OIl Mil and Sea Island Cotton
Gin-MerchRnts' Railroad to ValdOsta
Liberty County Episode, Etc.
Moving east from Monticello, the tour
list after journeying twenty-four miles
over the track of the Florida Railway and
Navigation Company reaches Madison,
which is the shire town of the county
bearing the same name.
No point in Florida possesses greater in
terest or offers better inducements to the
enterprising immigrant. The soil Of the
adjacent country is rich, and the surface
undulating, presenting many charming
views and natural objects which challenge
the admiration of the visitor. Among
these may be mentioned Cherry and Sam
pala lakes. in whose transparent waters,
ranging from so to 100 feet in depth,
myriads of fish are seen dispOrting and
the disciple of Sir Isaac Walton can ply
his laVorite pastime from "early morn to
dewy eve" and take home with him the
substantial tokens of his skill, in the shape
Of magnificent trout, Dream and mullet.
The cascade, too, several miles from
town, is well worth visiting. Here bah
over its rocky bed, and descending for
several hundred feet into basin below,
suddenly disappears, and is seen no more.
The forest growth in the vicinity is large
ly composed OF evergreen live oaks and
magnolias, and this is a noted camping
ground and trYsting place for picnic par
ties.
THE BLUE AND SULPHUR SPRINGS
also, are places Of popular resort, and aside
from their natural beauty and attractions,
the medicinal virtue of the waters will ere
long bring them into prominent notice.
The soil Of Madison county is greatly di-
versitied, and well adapted to the growth
of all the productions of the temperate
zone. Indeed, until the recent cold spell,
oranges, bananas, lemons ana other tTopi-
cal fruits were extensively cultivated,
and the LeCOnte pear is becoming a lead
ing industry. The former Were partially
destroyed, but even when killed down to
the ground, they will speedily sprOut up
from the roots and rapidly regain their
growth and prOductlVeness.
The town of Madison was surveyed and
laid out in 1887, and the first store erected
in 1898 by g. J. Putnam. The first build
ing, an uncouth and dilapidated struct-
ure called the"Long House" IS still stand
ing. The first two deaths and interments
A. Vann, the mother of the present Cir
cult Judge, and occurred in 1910. The
place contains over 1000 inhabitants, six
churches, four white and two colOred)
four hotels and one private bank. The
writer was well entertained at the Fra
leigh house, which is neatly kept and gen.
erousiy patronized.
The "DepOt HOtep' has been recently
opened by Mrs. r. s. Byrd, and the Chat
hfavvu leo H.
There is still another large hotel just fin
ished and to be occupied in few days by
f. q. Mott, which will accommodate 100
guests. With these facilities for the en-
tertainment of winter visitors, and
her charming lakes and surround
ings, there is no reason to
doubt that Madison will become
ere long one of the popular resorts of Flor
ida.
THE ST. JOHNS SEMINARY,
under the direction OF Prof. s. Nj. David
son as Superintendent, numbers SO pupils
on its rolls, and students are here pre-
pared for college. Another leading insti-
tuition is the Sea Island Cotton Gin and
Oil Mill Company, under the management
of Capt. j. l.. Ingles. Two thousand tons
OF cotton seed are expressed and ground
per annum, yielding 1000 tons Of meal
and over 1900 barrels of oil. This gives
employment to from 80 TO IS hands. At
present The mills are not running, owing
TO the amount of stock on hand unsOld.
The planning and variety mill of MOze,
McNalr q Bro, situated on the lake, is
doing good business.
Madison boasts many handsome stores,
and the following list will give some idea
of the business interests. We premise
that they all take and read the MORNING
NEWS. General merchandise: s. 5. g. j.
W. smith, Il. Il. MOsely, Fearnside Bros,
T. 4. Martin a. Co., J. W. Smith, Church
d Howell, W. II. HausmaR, Dickinson
Bros, II. V. Morrow. produce dealer. j
A. HOwland, b. T. Mosely and " F.. l.. Par
ramore az Co. Drugs-Dr. w. A. Baker,
Brinson 4 Smith, and Randall Pope.
Jeweler-L. r. Hodges. House furnish
ing and tinshOp-T. j. Street,. Family
and fancy groceries-E. L. Alexander.
Cabinet and wagon shop and undertaken
j. w. Williams. Sale and feed stables
and dealer in wagons and buggies--J. W.
Tucker d Co. Livery and feed STABLE.
b. LipscOmbe. Contractor and builder
A. Ii. Allen. Bricklayer and plasterer-
4. j. Smith. Harnessmaker and dealer
=. II. Bunker. Pbyscians-Dr. l.. S.
Bootright and DIR. w. A. Baker. b. ID.
w ardsworth is Revenue Collector, Hon.
X. n. Witnershorn County Judge and j.
M. Beggs, clerk Of the court.
THE RAILROAD 70 VALDosTA.
Like her sister towns, Tallahassee and
Monticello, Madison is also making
strenuous ehortsstO secure direct outlet
to the North and West. railroad to
Valdosta, distant % miles, has been
graded and the cross-ties laid for half of
it's length, and In addition the bridge over
the WithlacOOchee was completed at a
cost of $25, 900. But just at this stage Of
operations the line was sold to a New
York syndicate who obligated itself to
finish the enterprise, but have not done
so, nor even paid one dollar Of the pur-
chase money. Very soon, unless the
promise is redeemed, thier contract will
be forfeited, and the property revert back
10 the original owners. In that event the
people will redOuble their exertiOns 10
build this highway, which Is so essential
to Madison aud the entire region, and are
resolved TO succeed.
The Savannah, Florida and Western
railway and Savannah are almost equally
interested In the undertaking and ought
to give II helping hand.
THE LEAyEN OF OLD LIBERTY COUNTY.
IL is singular fact that the writer in
his peregrlnatiens through South Georgia
and Florida finds in every town worthy
representatives OF the home Of Lyman
Hall, old Liberty county. Impoverished
by Sherman's raid, many Of the young
men have sought their fortunes elseW mere