New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-11
PLEASANT WINTER HOMES.
AMONG THE FLORIDA PINES.


ORANGES RorTING ON THE GROUND.
Winter Park, Fla, March special). This Is one
among the many conspicuous tributes to Northern
capital and enterprise for which Florida IS noted
II Is delightful spot where one can escape the
rigor OF Northern winter and bask in the sunshine
Of bamy air in the healthfri aroma Of the signing
pines, the fragrance Of flowers and an abundance on
sub tropical and tropical fruits Nowhere else IN the
South perhaps, ere the conditions SO nearly 10 acr
corance with the requirements Of the average person
for pleasant Winter abode. The place is only about
four years old. the Winter Park Company having been
Incorporated IN February, 1885, though the town was
started In 1881 The site was held by the indians
antfi 1900 sr Lowring A Chase, of Chicago, was the
founder Of the enterprise being driven here by an
obstinate bronchial trouble. He and o. Il.
fhaumap. Of Massachusetts,, first plotted the town IN
Juy, 1881 They planted orange trees, erected build
mrs ana spread printing ink far and wide. Few
lots were given away, many sold. no buildings could
no erected under cost OF $1,000 Mr. PuiSlfer, OF
aThe Boston HERALD pushed railroad through 70
Tampa, General Grant throwing the hrst shoVeiml
Of dirt IN fits construction. Chase and chapman
sold their interest TO tho company In the spring Oh
1885, the capital stock being 100000. F. b.
rnow,es the wealthy loom manufactures Of worces-
ter became the principal owner at once ana no mas
now not far from half million invested here Cplonei
FAIRBANKS the Vermont scae-msker, IS also Largely
interested and Is vicc-president OF tho company IN
the summer the elegant and capacaons seminole ho'ei
was erected Oh plateau between Lakes osceoia ana
virginia Near at hand beautiful plot was uonateo
for college, An efficient Christian non-seetaran COL
,ara wss at once established through the generous
psts of A. w. Rollins Of Chicago, amounting to $50,
GOO. ana y. b. Knowles in the sum Of $4,000. There
are four fne buildings already In use
With 4 stu larger one in contemplation.
The campus Is beautifully located on an
elevation overlooking Lake Virginia The Rev. DR..
H. p Hooker OF tho Congregational Church, is prcsi-
d,nt with faculty OF ten Rollins College has now
about ninety students, who seem deeply interested
IN their work Among them is son Of Pansy,' the
,su.horsss who, by the way, has charming cottage
here. found also Miss Fletcher, relative Of Mrs
Haford, wie Of the private secretary Of President
HARRISON whose family is now with the Fetchsrs In
orlando The park proper has about 1900 acres whch
were originally covered with the tall pines Many
ot these have been left and carriage may be driven
among them In tho grove anywhere, There Is a
series u pretty lakes within circuit OF foar or nvo
miles, sal Of which am closely connected by swift
running out,cts Ten of these lakes may be seen
from the roof Of the Seminole. An have romantic
Games two osceola and Virginia, are supplied With
s handsome yacht, and all stocked with hse.
II Is SAID by means of these lakes canoe can DO
raddled to Jacksonville
new railway has Just been built from Winter
PARK to Orlando, which winds its way between tho
lakes with more regard to grace and Deanfy man
directness. 1t was opened only Tow days ago.
and already there IS talk of extending the line to
Lake Jcsnp and New-Smyrna thus forming now
route to Jacksonville.
FuIl-bear4ng orange groves cover hundreds of sores
In the vicinity, and an manner Of subtrOplcal fruits
are growing most successfully. Bananas IN fruit
arc in the hotel yard and elsewhere.
The guava, lemon. lime, pineapple and numerous
other species may ali be seen about the lakes ana
park. Mr.. S. II. Kedney has magnificent grove on
Lakr Maitland, and also one Of the most suecessiui
pineries In the State From little over Oiie acre
Gus devoted he marketed nearly 1900 pineapplss 4
In London last year. many Of which nettcd him 81
zach. The variety IS known as the 3smooth Cay
tnne.s IS large weighing ten pounds each. and OF
excellent flavor The crop now growing Is also very
promising. Mr. Knowles also has Gee young Pine
apple patch Judge Mizell has valuable orange grove
scross the lake He noted Florida Republican, Who
keush ac,ppeed TO esny confsdcsatp muskst dsfsns
he wsr sas he never fired 1t off, 5nt maintained The
sp.rft az his convictions. and now ssys Merida 10
strongly Rerublican and believes the time has finally
como to have her votes fairly counted. HIS brother
Eas brutaly asssssnated while sheriff CT the county
turing the reconstruction period.
These lakes vary from 100 to 500 acres each, and aow
INTO tho st Johns River, abont ninety feet lower. IF
zen niles away. The shores are bold and there arc
40 marches Among fhosc who attractive cottages
scrc are Ms Bull, Of cough syrup fame; Colonel Pech
nam OF St Louis; John p Morton, the publisher;
Eiiiiam coristock, Of Chicago; Lewis H. Lawrence.
Utica n Y; DR.. J. T. Breeht, St Louis; J. z Hop
wood NJ p England; Bishop whipDle. T. ". Lyman,
minnesota; Gilbert Hart, Detroit F. b. Knowles,
Worcester: DR.. ]. r. Tanturn, Wilmington; Judge
wolb.r,e. Ncw-Jersey; Mrs. g. II. Alden, General
3. G. French, Georgia Many other wrlIknown men !
Of wealth ana public prominence have places in tho
VICINITY General Sanford has an orange grove Of
Ia 600 trees snc within circuit Of one and one-hah
niles there arc 10000 orange trees grpwing There
src several hotels, the largest and flnest being the
Seminole now in its thid season. Next TO the Ponce
De Leon at ST. Augustine, is among the finest IN the
south w F. Paige, the wsllknown kaaiefskill man
scer has been In charge from the start which Is q
,aricient guarantee Of It's character
But like all Florida resorts this winter the season
has SO far proven SLIM First, by reason Of the
yellow fever scare and second, by the decentralization
Of the winter the North The statement OF General
Greeley 20 the effect that his signal corps was either
drunk or inefficient is fully CONFIRMED by results to
the average FIoridiau. who waits 10 receive the
northern visitor; and unless the Northern winter
can be preserved or re-esfabished, Florida hotels
win have 10 close their doors. Last season they
were oyerrun ali over tho State, now there are empty
rooms and lonely corridors in plenty, The weather,
however Il Delightful mercury CO at midday, bright
and sunny most OF the time, though rains have been
more frequent than usual early in the season. The
aey. DR. secIye, Of Amherst College, with whom
chatted pleasantly to-day says this IS the most
delightful spot IN winter he ever found. He has
been At the Seminole for three weeks enjoying tho
sscets OF hiencss and reading The Congressional
Record as DO says, and expects to remain until
April lie already feels much rested and greatly
improved ia health, and speaks enthusiastically oil
the locality He rambles freely among the orange
groves speaks hopefully Of American politics, regards
TIE subjects OF fair eecons in tho South and ballot
tefoxn IN tie North rs two Of the geaest problems
now awaiting solution Regarding the Irish question
IN ENGLAND, DR. seeiyo said Il was one beset win
Il whittelnore, wealthy from Manufacturer Of
Connccficut has spent three seasons here with his
family, and seems highly pleased.
s One Of the exesperating drawbacks to the Florida
tourist nom the North Is tho slowness and uncertainty
Of Che railroad trains and tbs anfediluviaD management