The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-06
DOWN on HALIFAX RIVER
PALATKA BIZ THE ST AUGUSTINE
AND PALATKA RAILROAD.

ton with Palatke q Sure Th.ng-St
Johns and HALIFAX RslTosd-EalifaZ
River and the Pen.nsuls-A Long
Bridge Handsome villas On TIE PeE-
tnsula-A Mode. Gerden-A Cottage
on the Beach Made OF the Material
OF the Lost Vera Cruz Bank OF Day
tona.
The writer, after several days Of pleasant
sojourn al Il Augustine, that quaint old
cosmopolitan town. with IT. Ainorcau,
Spauith. English. American, Chinese and
African reputation. and quite a sprinkling
Of French and the s0ns Of Erin, invites tho
reader 10 accompany him still farther in
his ramb,es through the Land Of Flower.
And n begin, Jet Us cut across the country
10 Paatka. disrant IN a direct line only
about thirty miles. instead Of retracing our
way b. the jacksonville, Tampa and Key
West thirty-six miles 70 Jacksonville, and
then travelling over the same road fifty-two
miles more 10 reach our destination. On
the train We are cordially welcomed by the
gsntlemanly General Superintendent,
". J. JARVIS,
en- old friend, well know in Georgia, in con
nection with the East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia railroad, and greatly esteemed.
His road Is ~ smooth as billiard table and
will b. vastly benefited by the completion
81 the Macon, Florida and Southern, which
il advancing with such rapid strides b Pa
latka This is about the only highway We
wOt OF that there is no peradyentuTe or
possibility Of delay in It's speedy consumrna-
ton II is Macon enterprise, backed by
a a. v,.IH 4f ~
ing Of time and distance 10 be largely pat
ronized by Northern and Western tourists.
The writer was 30 fortunate also as 10
have for a fellow passenger
Z. J. WHITE, ESQ,
the enterprising President and half owner
of what is commonly styled "White'sRood, ="
which connects Palatka with DaytOna on
the Halifax river.
Capt. White bears the same relation TO
TINS portion Of East Florida that Mr. Flag
Ter does 70 St. Augustine. His partner and
relative, s. " White, and himself are On.
titled 10 the cr1dit Of first affording rail
way facilities TO the vast and fertile region
on the Halifax river which entends almost
from st. Augustine TO Mosquito Inlet and
Indian river. This 10 par excellence the
HOME or THE ORANGE
and very seldom can "russet" be found,
while the golden fruit by its superior flavor
and sghtlinees il in demand in every
market. To Mr. y. j. White, however, the
active member Of the firm, is mainly due
the opening up Of this great highway, fifty
two miles in length which was built under
his immediate personal direction and super
vision. He is vastly proud Of it, and justly
regarded by all as the munihcent benefactOr
and developer Of this rich but long neglec-
ted region. The Halifax river Is simply an
inlet Of the Atlantic ocean, caused by some
terrific hurricane or CONFUSION Of nature
which piled up, perhaps many centuries ago.
huge hummocks Of sand about a half mile
in width and over 100 miles long Afterward
the sea broke through this barrier at Mos
quito Inlet and flowed INSIDE, forming what
is known az the Halifax river, a broad
but shallow stream, with only about six
feet Of water in the channel and swarming
with fish. The narrow peninsula thus
formed, which is furrowed by numerous
abrupt ridges like miniature mountains,
gradually under atmospheric influences
accumulated thin coating Of humus on
the surface, and produced dense jungle Of
dwarf live oaks, palrnettoes and other
shrubs On the western shore are located
the hourishing towns Of OrmOnd, Daytona
and New Smyrna, while further south,
on Indian river, which is really an extern
sion OF the Halifax, Rockledge, New Smyrna
and Titusville are becoming popular winter
oRMOED,
and spent the Sabbath there. This little city
contains 800 inhabitants, one union church,
one good school with the funds in readiness
10 erect a handsome academy, several
boarding houses and new and elegant
hotel just opened 10 the public. IL is eligi-
bly, situated on the banks Of the river, the
ground gradually rising ~ feet within 200
tset from the waters edge, thus atYordng
perfect drainage. From Mr.. James CARMEL
the Postmaster and "a real estate agent, we
learn that lots are in much request, and
command high prices. One was shown the
writer fronting 70 feet and running back
go feet, which was valued Mt { 200
The town has been regularly incorporated
aud includes portion Of the peninsula
also on the opposite side of the river. A
substantial bridge about
THREE THOUSAND FEET
il length, has been thrown across the river.
built Jointly by Il private organization and
tho railroad proprietors. In a few days
street cars will connect the railroad depot
with the Atlantic ocean, pausing at the new
hotel, and then running through only about
half mile 10 the sea beach. Dotting the
peninsula are many lovely villas with
charming river fronts peeping forth from n
yrofusion Of tropical verdure, including the
orange, banana, guava, papaw, and the
u hutliul i've OAK enWre ppeu Win gray
mos and gigantic vines Among these the
mansion of
J. A. BosTRUM
stands forth pre-eminently. Nature and art
alike heve combined 10 DO their best for t.
Blushing oranges and lemons are hanging
all around, and the vegetable garden shelter
ed completely by adjacent hills and dense
thicket is irrigated by no less than twelve
hydrants of warm artesan water, which
keeps the frable soil (plentifully supplied
with stimulantsD always sufficiently damp,
causing the growth Of vegetables to be
simply abnormal Cabbages, tomatoes,
lettuce and cucumbers were growing like in
midsummer IN the open air. The same
system is pursued all along the margin of
the narrow peninsula on tho western or
river side. And certainly Florida cannot
show any more charming sites or salubrious
homes.
THE oRMOND HOTEL
Is a rev aud elegant structure Just opened
10 the public under the proprietorship Of
DR.. 5. z. Churchill, who keeps tho popular
summer resort known rs Churchill Hall, "
in the Catskill mountains The doctor is
an accomplished gentleman and experienced
physician and his hotel occupies one Of the
most picturesque sites in Florida and is
furnished with all the modern improve
uents, such as electric bells, open fire
places, hot and cold baths, etc. The table.
100, is first class. Fronting the beach
IayA