Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-09-14
4 MAN OF ENTERPRISE.
How Gov. Stafford Transforms the Will derness into Busy towns and Profit
 able Plantations.

Before leaving Florence ex-Gover- nor A. P. K. Stafford was prevailed up on to give THE ENTERPRISE a brief outline of his labors in Florida. His statement will give some idea of the aptitude of his genius in dealing with gigantic enterprises that involve great responsibilities and large sums of money. To the question "what have you been doing in Florida, Governor" he replied:
 In connection with Philadelphia capitalists I took contract from the state to drain the so-called Ever glades of Florida. The Everglades consist of succession of lakes, with channels between filled up by the de- cay of vegetation, extending from the 29th parallel on the north to the 27th on the south and comprising and area of territory of about 100000 acres.
 We have constructed about 60 miles of canals, at an expense of about $1 ,000,- O0O sufficiently large to afford navi- gation for steamboats. We have had ceded to us by the state for what we have already done, 100000 acres of land. We have drained land sufficient for cultivation where, before the ca nals were constructed, boats passed over. We have one plantation of 1000 acres planted in cane, and a sugar mill that cost $300,000, and have built a railroad to accommodate the sugar business, 20 miles in length The soil is rich alluvial, from to 12 feet in depth, and is considered to be the only sugar land in the United States where cane can be produced in large quantities and a climate that will allow it to reproduce for an indefinite number of years without replanting. The profits on raising cane and sell ing it to the mill, clear of all expenses, has been demonstrated to be from S1OO to $50 per acre. The cane pro- duced on this drained land and taken to the Fair at New Orleans took the first premium both for size and saccha- rine matter over all the cane exhibited there.
 In addition to the draining scheme, the company with which I am con- nected purchased four million acres of land outside the draining district, from the state, at a cost of 25c per acre, and took personal charge of opening up that portion of our lands on the west coast, bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, and started a town known as Tarpon Springs, in the wild erness upon those lands. We had to construct large hotels, place a line of steamers on the Gulf and expend large sums in the development of that sec 1 ton. We have succeeded in making | the town one of the most fourishing and enterprising on the Gulf coast and have developed the resources to i such an extent that a railroad has been constructed and is in operation through these lands, starting from the headwaters of the St. Johns river at Sanford and extending to St. Peters. burg, on the Gulf, where there is one of the most beautiful and safe harbors on the coast.
 At the solicitation of H. O. Armour of New York, Drexel & Co.,, and E. w Clark & Co.,. of Philadelphia, I have
 
 this company on my return to Florida and to manage its business until the road and property is put in proper shape.
 Itis evident that I have no lack O. business to engage my attention an( that I fully appreciate the kindnes. of the people of the state towards mt and also the great confidence tha capital has reposed in me; but not withstanding all, my early life anC manhood having been spent upon tht Pacific coast, 1 still feel more at hom, here than do in Florida, and have far greater interests in the welfare an( prosperity of it's people than in thos of any other part of the world I stil hold large interests in Arizona, an, look forward with fond anticipation for the time 10 arrive when I can re turn and remain here permanently.