The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1891-07-09
NORTH CAROLINA.
It's Climate, Minerals, Waters,
and Resources.
z he Land that Gave We IBirth.
Written for The Democracy

w IllLc0 lot ne i)ciHONidtJ
The writer was born and reared
in the South, and KNOWS something
of its climate, its customs and the
people, having travelled to some
extent below Mason and DixOn's
line. even where the orange blossom
and bay flower and other tropical
plants and flowers look fresh aud
green all the year round. Among
some of the most interesting places
] have CHANGED to see there was
old Fort Marion. Of course we all
are aware Of the fact that this Is
the oldest and most quaint and
peculiar city in our country Over
this old Fort hangs a great mystery
that probably will never be solved.
The skeletons of human beings that
are chained today in its dungeons
are a horror to those that are
fortunate enough to get a peep at
them. But [ will not dwell here.
The museum of antiquity is also
very interesting-Old relics OF
almost every description can be
found within its walls. Among
some that / observed was the
declaration of Independence III
bc LincOln's own hand writing,
the surrender of Gen. Lee to Grant.
Curiositics in tie way of immense
snakes, alllgatJrS all thrown in OF
course. The hand OF the artistic
taxldermist was to be observed
where occasion required. Now for
a cat boat sail across the Manantez
river to the ruins of the old Spanish
Fort This is situated on lovely
island, and here also is the govern
ment lighthouse. Around and
around the winding staircase led US
until we were finally towering high
above everything on terra firma,
with miles of lovely pebbled beach
below us stretching for miles on the
sea shore. Before rs was an i'm
menSe electric spectacle in the way
of a revolving light that flashes it's
rays at Tightening speed for many
,Iylfr
waters to warn the mariners at sea
OF tie danger that linked around
the rocky shore where so many
brave hearts have gone down IN the
wrecks. But life is short and we
push on. My attention is attracted
by men busily blasting and loading
cars to be conveyed to tugs that
are Ioaded with stone and cOQuina
for bnljdDg purposes.
The great Ponce de'Leon Hotel,
prob bly, safe to say the largest
hOte!-weli some Say in the wo. ld,
but | don't know about tt a.. But
to say the least, 1t is immense
covering eight acres of land. !
went IN and looked through until
was tired. ] saw enough to satisfy
me of the ma gnitude and character
Of such an immense structure. All
the tropical plants that grow in the
southern cline were there in all
their glory. A beer garden was
being agitated on the roof. There
was a passage through the main
entrance by elevator to convey
horses and carriage to the garden
for drive. Very novel way of
taking a drive in tandem style, eb?
Well, now about the expense
from five to fifty dollars day
depending on the location. Bridal
chamber siXty.two and a half; but
they say what you get there is very
nice, and the style they put on they
claim isn't even copied or borrowed
after Long Branch, Saratoga, New
Port or even Delmomco's. So |
reckon it must be good. Well l
suppose l must mention Harriet
Butcher Stoves winter residence
and orange grove on the St. .IOhn's,
but can't say | am particularly
struck on Harriet, but of course
some people thiuk that her writings
are good, and | suppose some are
considered immortal" Uuncle Toms
Cabin But there are two sides to
a question and one side of Uncle
Toms CABIN and The Northern
Spy never struck me Just right.
Now if you Will notice | am leaving
the South and going through New
England, | forgot to say it is
something like two thousand miles
by water and the sail is very nice
if you use Edward Carnegle's rem
edy fOc sea sickness as it is liable to
shake you little when rounding
Cape Hatteras. TIC make connection
you can take a car from pier forty,
East River aid GO to twenty third