The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-29
JOTTINGS IN FLORIDA.
wACHULA - SELF-SUSTAINfNG
REGION-PHOsPHA DEPOSITS.


REGION-PHOSPHA DEPOSITS.
Fort Meade - Magnificent Orange
Groves-A Splendid Tobacco Field
Sanford-Her Palatial Hotel-Fruit
Exports - Water Works A Fine
Health Record - Rehabilitated and
New Mercantile Firms-Enterprise
An Old and Pretty Town -
The Bodine Grounds - George H.
Count - DeLand - Floral Grove
House--A Model Town-A Prosper
GUS Hotel Seasonal New Railroad
Palatka "A Powerful Rival of
Jacksonville.
Since parting with the patient reader at
Arcadia, other duties have delayed the con-
tinuation of the simple narrative of jour
ney through South Florida at this meeting
period of the year. Promising that the de-
tails shall be as brief as possible, let us
stake up our carriages" therefore, at the
prospective capital of DeSoto and proceed
with all speed to
wACHULA,
In the same county, situated near Peace
river, and on the line of the Florida South
ern railroad. Il Is truthfuliy stated of this
enterprising little town that it is located in
one of the few seif-sustaining regions to be
found IN South Florida. In other words,
the soil is fertile, and the thrifty inhabitants
raise their own supplies Of grain, meat and
"sweetning,ha besides an abundance of the
finest fruits and vegetables. 1t is stoutly
claimed also that hard by on Peace river as
~g,l. S>f ~. 1t..1Ao IT,, L.
found in the state 1t was a source of real
regret not to be able to accept of the kind
invitation of Col. Cochran to accompany
him to the scene of these prehistoric agri-
cultural treasures. In due time they will
certainly be developed.
Under the kind guidance OF
W.. J. CARROLL,
who, albeit quite a young man, is born
merchant and does a large and successful
wholesale and retail general mercantile
business, was introduced to the other mer-
chants and many farmers from the vicinity.
Among these, all subscribers to the NEWS,
were Messrs. Altman & Bostick, Souther-
land Bros, W. T. Bethea, I. J. Sparkman,
and N. o. Mcconnell. A. g. Smith is the
polite depot agent and J. E. Tison tax asses
sor of the county. DIR. T. j. Maddox is an
old citizen and prominent physician. Albert
Carlton owns one Of the largest orange
groves in the county and is wealthy cattle
owner and vegetable grower. Wachula
shipped over a million of oranges the past
season. and the adjacent country offers the
finest inducements to immigrants seeking
Florida homes. With wise foresight, prices
of lots have been reduced to hasten the adj
vent of settlers.
FORT MEAD.
Situated also upon Peace river, a few
miles above, is the pretty village of Fort
Mead, noted as the center Of what is proba-
bly, the richest and most desirable region IN
South Florida. Here the orange literally
revels in the soft alluvial soil and genial
climate which is enjoyed all the year round.
In no other section have / seen more pro-
life and luxuriant groves, and their fruit is
already near twice the size of the average
IN the state. Like most towns in very fer
tile agricultural districts the country to a
large extent engrosses the attention of new
corners, and the population, therefore, and
improvements have not advanced as rap
idly as in even less favored portions of the
peninsula. But the merchants are solid,
and do a large business. Nearly every one
of them reads the MORNING NEWS, and Sa-
vannah is well represented among the num-
Der. The livery stable of Lightsey & LAWS
is great convenience to tourists and land
hunters. S. N. Weeks, merchant is also
the owner of 5000 cattle. A street railway,
under the charge of Conductor c. E. Jones,
connects with all the trains at the depot of
the Florida Southern railroad.
A MAGNIFICENT TOBACCO FIELD.
In the outskirts of the town, near the
river may be seen field of twenty acres
of the choicest tobacco there, 3 feet high,
and ready to be cut, owned by Mr.. Hymes,
which will certainly yield near 5000 per
acre. This experiment will doubtless be
foIlN xraI xyalx md fnf
long become leading staple of the county.
FORT MEADE HOTEL.
This well known and excellent hotel is
now run by Mrs. Bullock, who makes it a
genial home and resting place for the weary
wayfarer. | was glad to note that it was
literally patronized. But we cannot dwell.
My next halting place was on the lovely
shore of Lake Monroe at the palatial
Sanford House, recently leased by the
proprietor, D. L. Randolph from Michigan,
and to be kept open all the year round. The
furniture and appointments of this elegant
hotel are too well known to need description
and the table menu is unexceptionable
From It's broad corridors the view of the
lake and distant villages and residences
that put forth on its banks from the trop-
ical foliage is charming.
SANFORD
has experienced several disastrous con-
hagrations within short period, and it is
simply wonderful how rapidly the work of
recuperation has progressed. Most advan-
tageously located at the head of navigation
on the broad st. Johns, and already one of
the greatest railway centers in the state, it
would appear that nothing can keep her
down. In addition to the above, her ship
ments of oranges and vegetables are by far
the largest of any point in the interior.
From F. H. Rand. Esq, president of the
First National bank and vice president of
the Sanford water works, l learned that the
losses from the terrible fire last year footed
up $3.50, 900, of which not more than 10 per
cent. were insured. Yet in the short in
terval that has elapsed more than
THREE-FoURTHs
of the burnt area has been rebuilt, leaving
only four houses to be restored. There is a
marked Improvement, too, in the character
and style of the new structures. All are
from two to three stories high, and con-
btructed of iron and brick, with the modern
attachments of gas, water. etc. The water
works also have been greatly enlarged,
and now afford ample fire protection to
property holders. Mr.. Rand likewise states
that the trade outlook is better than for the
past two years, and the peach crop, which
has all been marketed, was large and un-
usually unremunerative. The orange PROS
pect too is excellent.