Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-12-22
SUNNY SOUTH.
BOSS AND HIS COMPANION VISIT
THE ITALY OF ArERICA.
Ta-1pa Elnrtda
Tampa, Florida.

of water which has peculiar blue look
from some moss or growth which lies at
the bottom. The water is clear as
crystal and you can see the bottom
clearly It is a beautiful little body of
water which attracts considerable
attention from the traveller. From here
we visited the phosphate mines which
are attracting the attention of the
world at the present time. The mines
were in full operation and we had the
pleasure Of witnessing their workings.
The process Of mining is very simple
and not hard. The earth is broken up
by labOrers using picks The phosphate
is brought up from the bowels Of the
earth in large buckets which are ele-
waited by steam power. The earth is
separated from the phosphate by a
washing process which is not compli-
Gated.
Our next stop was made at a small
place beautifully located on the shores
of lake called Lakeland. The city
derives its name from the lake, 1t has
a population of 1000 people It is
lighted by electricity and has arc
lights. a good size hotel, for city of
that size, was captured as our head
quarters during our short stay of three
hours. Here we partoOk Of good
supper, after which we met the hospit-
able people of this little city. An
address Of welcome was delivered by
the mayor and properly replied to by
members Of the press. A boat ride on
the lake and other social amusements
completed our entertainment.
This morning at 7 O'Clock found us on
the shores of Tampa Bay where we
had breakfast at the "Inn" which con-
sisted of all kinds Of fruit, oysters,
fresh mackeral, New York beefsteak,
Saratoga potatoes, coffee, condensed
milk, &c. After breakfast we took a
. sea bath the waters of which were very
invigorating. Several large "porpoise"
were in sight. Sea Gulls plenty. While
bathing we were in sight of ten Pelicans
all the time. They were quite tame as
t no shooting is allowed from the docks.
q We went fishing half an hour and was
rewarded by catching mackeral.
From this delightful spot we visited
one of the largest hotels in the South
the property of the Plant system. 1t
consists of 40 acres Of land, upon which
a brick building costing over 81 100000
has been erected. These grounds con-
tain all the different trees, plants and
flowers that grow in this climate which
are numerous. They are Systematically
ARRANGED along the walks so as to make
them the most attractive. The building
is three stories high obtaining all the
latest devices known. From every
room there is telephone connection to
the office, and the building is lighted by
electricity. Several arc lights are used
in the office, halls, parlors, music and
dance halls. The rates are from S. to
$40 day. It is furnished with costly
carpets, rugs, furniture and pictures.
One hall is 800 feet long. Just think
of hall IA feet wide and 700 long.
Carpeted with moquette carpet, and
lighted with incadescent lights with
beautiful settees and sofas along either
side. Beautiful oil paintings and steel
engravings deck the walls with now and
then peice of sculpture ornamenting
: the way. This hotel is open only
through the winter season, January,
February and March.
Dinner time found us seated in the
Almeria hotel, Tampa, dining room pre-
pared to do justice to another sumptu-
Gus dinner. 1t is only about once a
year that an editor is permitted to live
we'll and that time is when he is on his
annual outing. The temperature to-day
is 50 in the shade and makes us feel as
though we would appreciate the snow
and ice of old Wisconsin once more.
In comparing Florida with California
We are obliged to say she is not in it.
California surpasses her in scenery,
climate and fertility of the soil. Her
people, cities, public buildings, beauti-
full residences and commercial interests
surpass her in every respect. The ex-
treme heat of Florida will not permit OF
that energy and activity which is SC
prevalent in the North and West.
This evening we will be rendered 8
reception and ball at which time we
will have occasion to meet with the
people of Tampa, a city of 12O0O popu,
lation.
Leaving Tampa our next point O.
interest was Barlow and the pebble
phosphate works and market gardens
of winter Haven thence to KissIme fol
dinner Kissime is in the heart Of the
sugar cane district some of which
plantations we visited. From there We
went to Orlando visiting the vineyards
in that locality and attending ball anC
banquet given in our honor in the
evening. Thursday Dec. 10th will be /;
memorable day in the records of the
trip as one of especial interest. We
visited a sugar cane plantation consist
ing of 2000 acres under cultivation from
Il which the net annual income is thou
sands of dollars. The appearance anC
manner of cultivation is similar to Gran
berry culture The land is cut up will
, bitches and canals constructed to carr
off the water The machinery used
intricate and immense somewhat re