The Penn's Grove record., 1892-01-29
OUR rdourpA LETTER.

and productions Of the soil OF fair Flor
ida this letter will divide into two
parts; first, solIe historical facts In con
nection with the early settlement
around the mouth Of the st. JONAS riy-
er aud st. Augustine; second part,
what can be accomplished in growing
oranges and vegetables. In giving the
historical account / will quote libgr-
ally from u nO9ed historian.
Ribault II Fiench explorer with sev.
en- ships laden with supplies for Il col
Ony and Il large company Of reinforce
menls, men, women and children; ar
rived at the mouth of the St.. Johns
river in Aug, 1865. A few days after
Al alarming spectacle appeared in II
morning fog off the mouth of the riV.
er. When the sun removed the sell,
it was perceived that the apparition was
Il most alarming reality. 1t was COM
posed of five armed vessels anchored
within speaking distance of The French
ships within the bar. After Il long and
ominous silence the commander Of the
iutruding squadron hailed the dearest
French vessel and inquired Of what
nation. France" was the reply. And
''what are you doing in the territory Of
King Philip of Spalo. Begone.' lie
then inquired ''are you Catholics or
Lutherans.' "Lutherans of the new
religi on was the answer. The French
officer then inquired. WHO are you
and what is your Grand" The Span-
lard answered, Il am Menendez, Com
mander of this armament which be-
longs to the King of Spain, Don Philip
Second. have come hitier to hang
and destroy all the Lutllerans whom l
shall find on land or sea, according to
my orders received frcm the King
which are 50 precise as 10 deprive me
of lie power of saving any Il Whatso-
ever and this order | shall execute to
the letter. But if l shall meet with
any Catholics on board your yes els he
Shall receive good treatment. AS for
heretics they shall die"
Ribau!t was not taken by surprise.
He had been forewarmed of tile expsdi-
ton Of Menendez by Coiogni just be.
fore he sailed from Diepps. AT his
command The captains OF his vessels at
the mouth of the St John all cut their
cables and put to sea. They were chaS-
ed by tie SpIniards but outsailed their
pursuels. When the latter turned aud
made for the coast the French followed.
The Frenchmen saw the S%paniards Ell
ter Il harbOr many leagues south Of the
ST. John and land soldiers aud prnYis.
ions. Tie Frenchman hurried back to
the st. John with this important into:-
nation for Ribault.
Whilst Rlbault was absent with Il
greater portion Of the soldiers, Menen-
dez marched across the country III a
drenching rain with nearly five hun
dred soldiers to attack Fort Caroline
and the little Huguenot colony. The
fort was held by L~andonniere and a
handful OF soldiers too few TO defend
the unarmei men and the Ome and
children. Ihty were surprised. The
Spaniards we're close to the fort befOlc
their approach was suspected. With
the ~ferocity of tigers the Castillians
fell upon the defenceless people and
slaughtered them wilhOu, regard TO age
or sex. They were slain in their beds,
or whilst appealing for mercy or i'll
flight. 50 l42 II%uguenots we're massa-
cred. OF the soldiers only two or three
escaped. a few OF the people who fed
to the woods made their way through
marshes to two small French vessels
in the river and returned to France.
Among these was Landnnniere. The
SpauiardS reserved Il few men for Il
special act i'll the tragdy. They were
hanged and wei them Menendez plac-
ed Tie inscription: II do this not as 10
Frenchmen hut as to Lutherans.''
SECOND PART.
The second part of my letter will be
IA trip TO Egleston Heights and some
facts about orange and vegetable grow
ing. y few days ago friend Watson
and l took il trip to Egles.on, II new
town started two years ago, situated Oh
the South side of the ST. John river,
two miles from Jacksonville. The
Mayport Il Jacksonville Railroad runs
within a few yards OF the town. We
visitet Mr.. Chaplin the principal OWE
Ell of the land in Egleston. His SOIL
took us all over the town and showed
us every place of interest. He took us
into the new Methodist Church built
abou one year ago. They have preach
ing every Sunday. | believe all who
have built at Egleston are Methodist.
Most of them are from New Jersey. |
was talking with an old gentlemen
from Phila. a retired carpet manulact-
urer. He told me lie preferred Egles
ION to any other place in Florida. He
was building a nice cottage which lie
will move into i'll a short time. Last
winter they built an auditorium and
held an interesting Camp meeting dur.
ing the month of March. l was shown
the late lamented Mrs. Inskip's resi-
dence. She is the one who did more
to start the town of Egleston than
any other person.
Lots 50 X $50 #. are selling from
$500 down to $3.50 according to loca-
ton. After spending some two hours
with Mr.. Chappiu's sou in looking oye
the town, VT were invited in to take
dinner. We accepted their hospitality
and after dinner were invited into the