The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-13


the Indian River Inlet is St Lucie P. o.,
and near by was once located Fort Capron,
used during the Seminole War. The
magnificent fishing to be obtained has
made it favorite resort for fishermen,
and Senator Quay has just completed the
erection of a comfortable winter residence,
tastefully arranged and well furnished for
the purpose designed 1t is in charge of
Benjamin Sooy, the well-known Atlantic
City fisherman The close proximity of
the house to the Indian River Inlet
accounts for the splendid fishing. The
Senator's especial sport here is fishing for
tarpon. This species hereabouts averages
100 pounds in weight, but the largest taken
weighed lS7 pounds, The choice time
for this sport is between sunset and dark,
and a moonlight night is considered the
best. Mr. Quay has naphtha launch at
this place, as well as small boats of every
description, and during the spring many
party of public men are expected to 90 a
fishing in his neighborhood.
Asa native of the locality said. in describ
ing the length of distance, about sight
and half" away and Fort Pierce is reach
ed. so named because of the old Seminole
fort. the remains of which are still to be
seen. Here there. is quite fish industry,
furnishing employment TO about one hun
dred hands, the fish being shipped north.
Also, in course of erection, is the plant of
the Florida Canning Company, the pur-
pose being the canning of pines.
Eden, the home of the pineapple, is the
next place of importance, and here are
plantations containing from half million
to million plants in the highest stages of
cultivation. Pineapple culture just now is
receiving much attention. 1t is considered
that. with proper development, the culture
can be made equally valuable to that Of the
orange. The "pines, as they are called
can be grown on poolr land, and seem to
require no especial cultivation other than
absolute protection from frost. The plants
in the field are planted about two feet apart,
similar to cabbages, and run about 10000
plants to the acre. Common pines sell on
an average of about five cents, net, to the
planter, while the finer varieties, such as
Porto Ricos, Trinidads, White Antiguas,
Egyptian Queen, Sugar Loaf, Ripley Queen
and others, are more profitable. Hard and
intelligent work has been productive Of
profitable results at Eden by several plant
ers,
Continuing down the river, and at Sew
ellis Point, where the st. Lucie river emp
ties, fne new hotel is soon to be erected
Here navigation is greatly impeded by the
dense growth of manatee grass the entire
width of the river, furnishing a feeding
ground for the manatee or sea COW.
A short distance and the Jupiter Mar
rows are entered, and sometimes so narrow
is the stream that the steamers in making
the sharp curves which the winding nature
of the river necessitates, crash against the
dense mangrove forests skirting the banks
for miles, The narrows passed through
and Hobe Sound must be run, with the
high hills on the west bank and the ocean
visible on the east, before Jupiter is reached.
Here there is lighthouse of the first order
to warn the mariners from the dangerous
coast, finely equipped life-saving station,
and the American end Of the Nassau cable.
This also is the southern terminus of the
Indian River Steamboat Company, and a
narrow gauge railway, about eight miles in
length, runs to Juno, at the head of Lake
Worth, passing en- route the celestially
named stations of Mars and Venus.
On this lake the means of transportation
is by steamer, and pleasant run of an hour
or so brings the tourist to Lake Worth z.
o. and Palm Beach, both attractive resorts
with comfortable entertainment for guests.
This locality has been termed the most
tropical of the State, and by the expendi-
ture of capital great results have been
achieved in the matter of land ornamental
ton About l5 years ago there were but
two or three settlers at this point, who made
their living as best they could The lake
is % miles in length and an average of half
mile in width, connected with the sea by
lake Worth Inlet, and the eastern shore is
about five-eighths of mile from the sea.
Attracting the eye of moneyed men few
years ago as place of winter residence,
many fine houses have been built, and the
tropical beauty Of the grounds carefully
laid out are sights we'll worth the seeing.
Mr. C. r. Mccormack has expended a
least 100000 on his handsome home at
Palm Beach, and adjoining him Is the
house of Mr.. B. B. Barton, of New York.
At Lake Worth p o., Mr. l. L. Cragin is
rapidly d veloping a large amount ofland
and skirting the shores of the lake for the
matter of two or three miles are beautiful
smaller places. An Episcopal and Congre-
gational Church are also open during the
season, and the close proximity of the ocean
furnishes salt water bathing in midwinter.
Much attention is here given to the growth
of the cocoanut tree, and the beautiful sv-
epues Of eocoanut palms furnish delightful
shade from the tropical sun.
Thus is a considerable portion of the east
coast of Florida opened to tourists, and all
has been done within comparatively brief
period Of time, and the present outlook,