The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-04-03

two landings on the lake-Seville on the east and
Spring Grove ON the west. -Four miles beyond this
lake we come to volusa an old Spanish settlement.
There good farming land around and large orange
shipments are made here. On the opposite banks,
short distance south, we reach Ashton. few miles
further south is Blufton the beautiful orange grove
and winter residence of w. H. Bird, Esq. From
Button to Hawksyille we run about twenty five
miles through very narrow river. The banks are
low each side. and furnish the eye view of the
most delicate and delightful character and tropical
scenery This is the natural home of the alligator
Tor else he makes himselfvery much at home here,
for here he may be seen from the little fellow six
inches long to the old hero of fifteen sixteen feet
All kinds of birds are seen as the boats glide by and
the tourists get a good view both of them and the
alligators as they pass along.
Blue Spring takes its name from remarkable sui
phur spring, whose waters enter the St. Johns at
this landing Its source is distant about three hun
dred yards and it has depth of about sixty feet
Its waters clear that you see the sporting
of the fish as if they were in mid-air.
We now approach the narrow river. run Of
about twenty five miles brings us to the entrance of
the finest though not the largest, sheet of water in
Florida-Lake Monroe. Five miles beyond the en-
trance is Sanford the south side of the lake 1t
is the largest settlement the river south of Palat
the Indian river. Many crack shots from the North
and West visit the Indian river section every fall
and winter and here find in the way of game all
that the heart wish Deer, turkeys, bear, foxes
wolves panthers, Wildcats and catamounts in the
way of animals and pelicans pink curlew, brown
curlew, snipe. quail ducks, cormorans and gannets
of the feathered tribe And here can be eaten what
one never finds at the North-a ripe pepo apple.
All the fruits of the tropics are cultivated.
Enterprise is of the oldest settlements on the
St Johns river. 1t is situated one of the finest
bluffs in the state and has all that makes thor
oughgoing new town: it has also one of the finest
hotels in Florida The lands back of Enterprise
are high rolling hummock, and especially adapted
to orange cultivation. The Atlantic Coast St. John S
and Indian River Railway has been completed from
Enterprise to Titusville the Indian river, where
boats will be found to convey the tourist to such
points as he may desire TO reach.
cannot close this letter without referring to our
once fellow citizen of Carroll Mr. Vim. Gist, and his
highly esteemed and accomplished lady, the daugh
ter of Mr. Wm Fenby, of your county. They are
very pleasantly located on Orange lake, in Marion
county, in the best section of country in all Florida
The land is very fertile. and he has in connection
with his brother-in-aw. Mr.. Gateskill, who married
his sister, about fifty of as fine land in orange
trees as be found in all Florida adjoining well
laid out town called Mcintosh, very desirable To-
cation. would advise any one going to Florida to
visit that section before purchasing.
JW H.