The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-29
The WIlkatOnlica.

E1torS Foridian. | was one of The happy
party who enjoyed the pleasant trip on Tuesday,
the 20th instant to St. Marks by rail, and to the
Lighthouse and Newport and the Springs on
the splendid little steamer Walkatomica Capt.
w. p. Slusscr. On previous excursions was
deprived of the pleasure of n trip on this boat,
and had not seen her on the water. AS your
readers all know, She was built at Tallahassee
and conveyed by rail and launched year ago
on the briny deep. BY special invitation of
Capt. SlIsscr, | was, with Others on this trip.
Arriving at st Marks, we were conducted I"
her deck, and sleaming up we went first to and
beyond The Lighthouse. Returning we proceed
ed mp the ST. Marks river To Newport. Here we
went ashore and repaired to the Slnsser House.
formerly owned by Rev Charles I'cecher, where
we rested and partO"k OF refreshments fri our
baskets, in picnic stylc--indced il was one grand
picnic from first to last. After spending an hour
or more in the old town OF Newport, we again
took our places on the steamer and went up the
river to the Sulphur Springs, where we enjoyed
the splendid mineral water, and some of the
party, not satisfied with II drink, took II bath.
The day hcing far spent, we were reminded that
il was time 10 turn about for home, and the en-
tire "trip was one of much pleasure.
We had on board about 30 or 40 persons;
some few were Talahassecans, but the majority
were visitors to Florida from the North and
West II number of whom had been on the st.
Johns and to Southern Florida, returning home
via Tallahassee, and all expressed themselves
delighted with the excursion, and were highly
pleased with The little steamer Walkatomca and
Capt Slusser not forgetting Capt. Phillips, the
pilot To these gentlemen we are indebted for
courtesics and many attentions on the trip
Ii was the universal verdict that no boat eyer
rode the waves with more ease or more grace
fully She lay on the water and tioated like a
swan.
Mcssrs Editors, while on the cars to ST Marks
| was reminded that there was II great difference
between thus trip than the last | had on this road
On the former trip |, with others, was on our way
to the Natural Bridge during the war to prevent
the L. 5. soldiers from coming to Tallahassee
All your readers here will probably recolcct
that OCCASION
This time, how changed, and how much more
pleasant. Instead of going to face the Yankees
we had for a large portion of our party Yankees
to enjoy the ride with us.
AS nothing happened on this visit to cause the
explosion OF guns or shell, except the few shots
from some of the nimrods of the party against
the gators we all came back as we went, Con-
lcderates and Yankees, happy and free; and 1t
is the wish of your correspondent that it will not
be long before he can again ride on the pleasant
steamer, and that many more such occasions
may be enjoyed by our people.
| would not close without recommending the
steamer Walkatomica for pleasure parties
These trips include ride on railroad and
steamer ont on the Gulf run up the beau
tilul ST. Marks river and view of the tropical
growth on its banks, and your picnics Mt the Gel
cbraed Newport Springs, all OF which is accom-
pshcd in day and at small cost &C"