The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-05-06
LETTER FROM A. e. GRIFFIN.

PORT TAMPA, FLA. April. 1891.
EDITOR PRESS: Until recently did not know
there was such place as Port Tampa. AS this
port is fast coming into prominence as a de-
sirable shipping point. propose. for the benefit
of that portion of your readers Gf you have
such) who are as ignorant as was. to throw
some light on this subject.
First few words concerning Tampa, a name
familiar to all students of geography for the
past half century, and was (as suppose) a city
of some prominence; and yet. seven years ago
Tampa was a sleepy village of hundred in
habitents. This sleepy village began to burst
its chrysalis some six ears ago, when it was
awakened by the shrill whistle of the South
Florida rail road Previous to this event all
large vessels were obliged to anchor some six
miles distant, as the water was shallow and
transfer passengers and freight to smaller
crafts. The opening of the rail road called for
better shipping facilities. Tampa is located at
the mouth of Hillsboro river. From Tampa
there juts a narrow. fat peninsula, extending
some twelve miles into the bay. The body of
water west of this peninsula is CO led Old Tam
pa Ray; the water east of it i, iilsboro Bay,
Below the peninsula is Tampa ay. From a
point On this peninsula, some ten miles from
Tampa, wharf has been built, resting on spies
WHICH EXTENDS one mile from the SnOre, reach =
Ing at the pier head 20 feet of water.
Extensive docks have been built on these
spiles also a rail road track, with switches, q
large hotel, offices. &c. &c. This is Port Tam
pa and is considered a suburb of Tampa.
1t is said that large fish are caught from the
windows aud verandas of the hotel. 1 cannot
vouch for that. did, however, while sitting on
the hotel veranda. see a school of porpoises.
They were having play spell, jumping out OF
the water heIe and there. The view must have
been much the same as from the deck of an
ocean vessel on the move. wafer being all
around u.s.
We went aboard of en- ocesn steamer then
laying at the wharf. This steamer had just dis
charged its cargo of 2s car loads of bananas
brought from Kingston, Jamaica. A gang OF
colored men were taking coal aboard for the
next voyage. True to their custom one of their
number was singing Justify for the crowd
pushing his barrow at the same time
Not far distant, and in full view. lays Picnic
Island. This belongs to the rail road It, too
is reached by rail- resting on spiles. This island
is favorite resort for the pleasure parties who
wish to take airing, enjoy the amusements
such resorts afford. pick up shells, &c Speak
ing OF shells. the ant cs of a certain cone shape
She'll found not far from this locality (and
prob bly, elsewhere IS well( have interested nc
much. They remind me CT the partridge chick
mother partridge, when suddenly disturbed
will cali the attention of the disturbcr (f he is
not posted) to herself by feignipg cripple with
broken wing Though she may attract the at
tenton but a moment. it is sufficient time for
every chick to completely hide itself from view
One who is posted and wishes to secure chick,
win pay no attention to the mother or to the
brood of chicks. He will single out one and
keep his eye on it and note its hiding place
This one he can secure. but no more. The shells
above mentioned float with the waves back and
forth. When the wave reeedes. some of them
get stranded. The locker on intends to secure
those stranded ones; he only waits for the water
to recede SO as not to wet his feet; that allows
sufficient time for each to hide itself from view.
Those who are posted will las in the case of the
chick keep his eye On the hiding place of a
particular one; when the water sufficiently re-
cedes, he will make a shovel of his hand and dig
from the sand his shell. AS 1 am in the shell
business. 1 will say few words about the
conch shell. presume a lar ge majority of the
people of this country would know q conch shell
at sight. Some haYe used them for 's dinner
horns," calling workmen to their meals. Few
however. comparatively. can tell where they ar 9
found. and fewer still how secured when found
As myself and wife have had some experience
in securing them, can speak advisedIy. These
shells are found in shallow water, two or three
feet deep. They lay on the bottom and appear
like so many tufts of dark colered moss. They
are secured by placing hoop net over it. press
ing itdown firmly, then working the hoop under
it. When sufficiently under. turn and scoop
the c!ump into it and bring it aboard. Under
that mossy appearance you will find conch
she'll with lively conch inside, which is moth
ing more or less than huge snail Enough Of
this.
We will now consider some of the prominent
results of the expansion which followed the
bursting of Tampa's chrysalfs
First, her promising suburb, Port Tampa !;
second. the alighting on Hillsboro bank of a
thing OF beauty land let us hope to the people
of Tampa a joy forever The Tampa Bay Hotel
of which noted Congressman (who is well