The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1889-01-03
Umatilla, Florida.

OuI IIaNel 10 TIOrlua, tnlS winter,
was tiresomo and long. An immense
travel south, mostly refugees return.
ing to their once happy homes trains
OF OF time, consequently we missed
connection at different places. We
arrived here the 10Th of December.
The Hannah's and DEFAULTS gave us
a warm reception. 1t was q sad re-
turn for some of us. Since we left
here the beautiful life OF Matte De.
Vault has gone out, but her words,
!.er noble deeds and great hospitality
will ever live as living memorial of
her excellence. We loved and needed
Matte to brighten our lives; but God
needed her in mansions above, and
she has left hearts bleeding, aching,
breaking i'll the shadow OF the tomb.
Whilst we mourn she reioices that her
work is finished.
There are about twenty-five East
Tennesseans in this vicinity, SO we
will give our northern friends "bird's
eye view of Ponce de Icons Foun-
tain of Youth " We are situated in
the attractive, healthy and delightful
county Of Lake, surrounded by great
and pleasing variety of scenery. High
pine land largely predominates. The
forests are covered with pine, cypress,
live oak, magnolia, cabbage peanuts,
etc. Our lakes are not grassy ponds,
bnt pure, deep, clear water lakes
Within those lakes abound many
kinds OF fish, giving sport and recye
atiun to those that seek pleasure 1t
has been truthfully said that Florid
is Paradise for sportmen. / wish
some Of the hunters would kill the
coon 0r possum" that carried off our
Tennessee ham last night.
Among the natural wonders of
Florida ale many interesting celestial
phenomena, all Of which we are en-.
thusiastic admirers. His daylight
majesty "OId King Sol" rises in u
transparent atmosphere, surrounded
by Il beautiful glowing light, nearly
us large and luminous as himself A
similar scene occurs in the evening
when the sun goes down behind the
western waters, then pale Luna rises
III the same way but less brightly.
) To night the scene is certainly strik-
ing and picturesque, calm, starlight
night. Or! lovely indeed. are the
moonbcams, which fall upon tht
} waves, making them sparkle as il
some little "Nerid" had strewn them
with diamonds.
J Should any one come to this sandy
land expecting to see and find what
they have been accustomed to up
North or in other states, he will be
disappointed. The trees, plants, soil
climate ard animals have changed,
and even the clothing of the people
While the northern lady is wrapped
in fur and flannel, the Florida lady is
hlaskiug in the sunshine, clothed in
lawns and white, boating, hunting
and fishing and famed by ocean
breezes.
The great bug bear of this State il
malaria. ! have never known a case
:. of chiHs and fever contracted here il
our town, Umatilla. In respect to thi
, it stands preeminent. The great colo
; of 1886 has not damaged the orange
, interest OF this section, it proved tha
The orange tree is harder than thos'
of us who were most sanguine ha,
hoped Florida has its pests as wei
rs other states--a little gnat, but il
7 does not bite, only wants to explor'
. ones eyes, nose and ears When tn
t time comes for this busy-body to re
tire, the mosquito enters your room
!. not only to give gentle music but 10
. his supper, he is very hard to satisf
t and extremely hard to please, g.
I choice rs to where he shall bite, bu
< we get under the bar and are not me
0 ested by their nibblng but lulled t
: sleep by their lully-bye music!
. Within the last lew years the peOpl
l. have turned their attention to raisln
vegetables, and some af them clea
= tbuut 5000 per acre raising cabbage
/ Christmas day Was u lovely, brigh
o day, we could sit on the verandas il
y the warm evening air and talk an
think Of our loved ones in Tennessee
i and old Virginia Yes, this summe
n land is pleasant one, but ii is to b
t. doubted if any of our northern friend
o would exchange their whitened cart
! tinged under q frosty sky for this pei
pelual summer.
J. Dear readers | may come again q
na distant day and tell you MOI
about our "Pator country" Until the
ID good-hye. b. II. ID.
10 December 28, 1888.
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