Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-03-20
WAY DOWN In DIXIE
Another Letter Describing the
Delights OF Florida.
Mr.. ELLlOTTS GENEROUS WAYS
He Ties Up the Purse Strings OF the Edi-
soFs-JaSksonvilIe and It's Charms
AlAgators al Their Best.


lay evening. January "a our special
tram passed eastward over the rails of
the savannah, Florida Il Western rail-
road, portion OF the g-eat Plant svs-
tenn OF railway and steamship lines. q
systen winch has done as much for the
northern tourist asit has for the south
ern resident, for IL hAs made available
sli the pTettiest aud most interesting
portions OF Alabama. Georgia and
Florida.
Early the next morning the special
paused az Whigham. Ga, and the tour
lsGs We're invited to rise and inspect a
famous spring. which bubbles up per
petuaily a few rods from the station IN
the midst OF beautiful grove of long
ieayed pine. An hour was pleasantly
spent 1T this point and many awaited
themselves OF the opportunity to pur-
chase a bottle of Scuppernong vine
from a BAPTIST clergyman, pastor OF
the church at WhIgham. The grapes
from which the domlnle made the wine
were grown IN his own vineyard and
were therefore of sancttied sort. He
makes proper Difference To the pro-
prleEies oy refusing TO sell more than
one bottle of the stuff 10 each person.
At Whighsm We caught the first glimpse
OF a razor-oack hog. and We realized at
once that the creature WAS fixed fact,
not fiction. There was one. a mater
nal sort OF creature, with a pendant
family which excited the interest of the
kodak fends. and several snaps were
AIKEN OF her. Many OF these hogs are
a curious brindle or bay in color and
lhsr vertabra stands up sharply like
prolonged I'm.
thtyairous Colonel Elliott
This was the morning upon which we
made the acquaintance OF Col. ID. H.
Elliott, representing the Plant system
md secretary OF the Florida State Press
association, the gentleman who took
sntire charge of our party from that
anne on TO the night we babe him a re-
gretful adleu At Waycross Junction on
>ur return northward. Colonel Elliott
Dnbodles all that is best and most
lhIyslrous n the southron, and TO him
re are largely indebted for the many
Dourtesies and generous hospitality ae-
)orded US N our visit TO the land of
lowers. HIS thoughtfulness anrci-
,sted every wish and met every desire.
ladies and gentlemen of the Michi-
ran Press association" SAID Colonel
Elliott. this entire train, including the
sngine, is at your disposal. DO with it
"a YOU wish"
He then advised Us TO put our pocket
BOOKS IN a vault ana keep them there,
,ddipg that We would have no use for
money while in Florida; a statement
when was constantly verified by the
refusal of hotel-keepers and others to
present bills. When All effort was
made TO settle a bill we were told that
Michigan money was mo good IN Flor
da."
The morning spent at Thomasville,
where we arrived an hour after leaving
Whlghsm, was most delightful. WITH
he fOrethought for our comfort whIc h
sver characterized the railway officials,
our train was stopped Immediately in
front OF the Piney Woods hotel where
NE were breakfasted by invitation of
Manager DAVIS. The hotel, of which
Mrs. Or. Bower Is proprietor, - hand
some modern structure furnished with
every convenience. IL enjoys liberal
patronage from southerners as well as
northeTners, being situated in part OF
Georgia noted for the equability and
salubrty of It's climate. Immediately
after breakfast We entered Carriages
and drove about the city and country
tor couple of hours, the ride being
rendered by the citizens, one of whom
occupied a seat in each carriage 10 note
and explain the points of interest TO the
visitors. The locality IL famous for
pear growing certain variety, lie
Cou,s. attaining a perfection and pro-
fusion unknown elsewhsre. Cotton
fields shorn OF their product slteTnsted
with broad stretches of picturesque
pioes and many curious sights were OBJ
served. Colored women with immense
burdens poised on their woody heads
passed down the roadway, the old
timers making cttrtsy as they
met the carriages containing the
vsitors. We learned that this was
not entirely out OF compliment to
as. bus was a relic of old slave days
Shea the negro always bowed the
Read vnile the white man passed by.
Toe Younger generation % not go well
hammered. When he meets a pedes-
Hisn instead Of bowling courteously or
passing bun by without notice be "a H.
rlned TO crowd him. il not entirely off
the SAX. then very close 70 its edge.
The Young colored people OF the south
md the white people are still at war
rith each other a. the most casual OBJ
,ervstion discloses.
IhCnlasvlils = a beautiful little CITY.
vita broad. clean streets. hsndsome
,usldinzs and lovely shade trees,
among which the live oak and mock
strange prsdomlnsts. We eul we'd lie
sovelty OF picking roses from the hotel
.arden. where several orange trees
.s,den with he ripe fruit created quite
tropical appearance.
Llk. |. psv in yss~.
The morning was warm and bright
Ike sweet northern day in June, aud
sot even q suspfcion Of chill IN the arr
Indicated that the time was mid winter.
Just before noon We boarded our
rain and departed for Suwsnee
Springs, the place made famous by the
,id pathetic song. Arriving Al Suwanee
funrt'on. Fla. early IN the afternoon
ye we're conveyed 60 the hotel, q mile
iistant. BY street cars. one OF which
va an open fat car with rows Of
hairs placed thereon tor SEATS. Much
rsrrir1ent ensasd. for al the mem
sers of The party desired 70 ride N
fsfa on the open car. compro-
- was effected smicsblY ard the
Yroc-ssion prs7erded 20 the Sowsnee
ipfnss hatel, where dinner vas served.
vhiip sna lovely melody OF the old
rnz. fwxy Down Upon De SuNsuee
2hbsr, foatrd a sweet waves OF sound
rom a shrugged erchessrs. u "a. az
Impressive hour. Ire muse entered
trf~ o4suts 49, -..e4f.l w,rk res rrars-