The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-24
CEDAR KEY.
rHE IsLET GEM OF THE GULF
COAST.

COAST.
xzs.lth of Cedar Key-Wonderful Nor
+uarv acknowledgement Of the
uiabaries-The Trade In Turtles
Match Factories-Yacht Mamie
E,ah Charmers-A Monster Tarpon-
pig but Nameless Bonanza-What
1s1t2-Bronson-R in Real Estate
The Farmers Alliance-A Fruit and
Vegetable Centre-Produce Ship
nents-Fruit Prospects.
Invite the reader to join me at the Bet
+oIini House, in Cedar Key. Our host is a
native of the only Italian canton in Switz-
o~lond which lies on the southern border,
and his bonhomie and genial ways make
hin, the most popular landlord in the town.
The people Of this picturesque island
,Iaim that it is absolutely free from mala-
ria and the most salubrious spot in Florida
The location is elevated, the surface dry
and sandy. and it is constantly swept by
che salt breezes Of the Gulf of Mexico. The
little creeks that ebb and flow from the
bioh Ground on either side of the island, re-
ceiye and carry away with every tide the
refnse and offal of the city. The adjacent
marsh fats, too, are submerged and
THOROUGHLY CLEANsED
twice every day of all offensive substances,
md nurified and kept sweet by their briny
hath Indeed there is literally nothing to
Generate malaria, and chills and fevers are
Unknown among the resident population.
The best proof Of this is the statement made
byDr. c. E. French physician of extensive
practice and large experience, that within
the past twelve months out OF total popula-
tion of 1900 souls, there had been but four
deaths. This record is perhaps without a
parallel in the mortuary statistics of the
Union. The
MATERIAL PROGRESS
of the town also is quite encouraging con-
sidering its remote and isolated situation
During the past year another pencil mill
which gives employment to fifty hands.
The same concern are the proprie-
tors of an extensive general store.
Including the Eagle and Faber organiza-
tions there are now three immense cedar
mills here which furnish the raw material,
and after cutting it into proper form and
dimensions for cedar pencils and pen-holders
of every variety export the same in boxes
TO New York and elsewhere to receive the
finishing touches from the manufacturers
hands. Many cargoes also of the crude logs
are shipped to European ports, and 1t is esti-
mated that the wood of more than
THREE-FoURTHs
of the pencils used in all the schools, banks,
counting-rooms and private families of the
civilized world is procured from Cedar Key.
To afford some conception of the magnitude
of this business, it is only necessary to say
that | saw piled up - towering masses at
the Faber mill alone cedar logs of the value
of 100000 The interior hummocks and
the whole coast for $50 miles are secured by
a large force Of
STURDY wooD-CUTTERS,
who, at infinite pains and labor, search for,
and after Telling and squaring the precious
timber, transport 1t over improvised roads
to the nearest water course or railroad. OF
course the monthly wages of these hands
contribute in no little degree to the support
Of the town. Within year, too, the
AMERICAN ICE AND COAL STORAGE COM
PANY"
has gone into operation with J. o. Andrews,
the MORNING News correspondent as gen.
eral manager, and T. W. Davis engineer.
This will give great impetus to the fish
and oyster business. The capacity of the
machine is ten tons per day, and it turns
out pellucId and excellent article of ice
from distilled water, and ready sale is found
for every pound.
THE FISHERIES.
Mr.. Dobson, the representative of a prom
inent Savannah house, was absent, but from
A. Bettelini, another extensive dealer in
fish and oysters, learn that the outlook for
this important industry is quite promising.
He expects to double his investment in the
business shortly, and will compete with
Pensacola on the Snapper banks. At pres
ent not less than 800 men earn living from
the fisheries This is just the beginning of
the
TURTLE SEASON.
Cedar Key is confessedly the most ex-
tensive market for this Aldermanic luxury
in the Union. The medium sized specimens
are preferred, and readily bring 25c. per
pound in the New York market. One
party in a single night captured 1900
pounds, worth $500. Thousands of them
are to be found in these waters, and are
taken in nets, or while depositing their eggs
in holes dug upon the beach. In this con
nectlon it may be said that an enterprising
mercantile firm, that Of Gibson & Son. are
thinking of embarking in the
COMING BUSINESS
in conjunction with Baltimore concern.
ILACJ "Nlllu AlAnhC q SptCIdlJy VI 0eSn
tor which it would be difficult to supply the
demand
The question of attaching one or more
match factories to the Cedar mills now in
operation, is also under advisement. They
already possess the motive power, abundant
material in the cedar splints which are
thrown away, and have every facility for
importing sulphur, which is the principal
lacking Ingredient.
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
The veteran Collector, John J. Mcdonnell.
was shot through the body during the Semi
Iole war in 1885. The bail entered between
the shoulders and passing clear through
lodged just under the skin of the breast
bone, whore it can be distinctly felt. But
the sturdy soldier recovered, and is now
doing faithful service in the Custom Depart
ment He says the present Administration
has abolished the offices of Boatrnan and
Inspector Of the Port, and cut down the
salary of the Deputy Collector from 81 to
y % per diem. Thus it will be seen how
our worthy President rries..retrenchmen
and economy into every department of the
public business No reduction was made in
no