Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-23
A FLORIDA TOWN.
Rev. sesbrook Writes of His Winters
Life in Daytona.

Life in Daytona.
Special REFLECTOR Correspondence.
DAYToNA, Fla, March L. One
need not be prophet to predict that
In few years Daytona will be the
most popular winter resort on the east
coast, 1t is a beautiful little city Of
about 1000 permanent inhabitants.
Winter residents and tourists about
double this number, and occupy every
inch Of space at hotels, boarding houses
and private residences. 1t Is reported
that at least one Of the seven hotels
has set up cots even in the kitchen,
and yet each train bears away many
who would remain II they could secure
accommodation. The great need of the
city is large first class hotel, You
may ask what are the especial attrac-
tions. First of all the city itself. One
who is accustomed to the prairies Of
the west can scarcely imagine a little
city built In scmitropical forest.
Aho obitptN nclb lhHl OuA III bhb NOoN7
land without disturbing more trees
than we're necessary for opening the
wide avenues. Every town lot is
covered with live oak, water oak, cy-
press, magnolia, palmetto and in many
cases orange trees. One who builds
can use his own pleasure about thin
ming them out. Some of the avenues
are 100 feet wide, bordered on either
side by massive live oaks from four to
six feet in diameter, of great height,
their spreading branches from which
hangs suspended the graceful Spanish
moss, meeting overhead at the center
of the roadway. Daytona has already
more than ten miles Of shell road, as
smooth and hard as floor making a
paradise for the rider of the bicycle.
Its principal street fronts on the Hall
fax river for nearly two miles. On this
street the houses are all on one side,
fronting the river. The Halifax is a
salt river. l trust that the mention of
this fact will not be the occasion of any
unpleasant recollection to the readers
of the REFLECTOR.
Its tide water comes from the Mos.
quito Inlet, twelve miles to the south.
At Dsytona the river is nearly three
quarters Of mile wide and is crossed
by two bridges one mile apart. 1t is
from these bridges that most of the
are scales, which 10y an unwritten law
among the fishermen, must be used
when fish of exceptional size is cap
tured. Mr.. Zahuer can tell you some
thing of the sheepshead fishing, at
which no was more successful than
any other fisherman on the bridge
while he was here. My own largest
catch was an eleven pound southern
bass. l did not have him photographed
but can procure the affidavit of the
man who weighed him, Il 1t should be
deemed necessary. Beyond the bridges
is the peninsula, a neck Of land only a
half mile wide separating the ocean
and river.
The peninsula for long distances
north aud south from Daytona has been
laid out in lots $50 feet wide, extending
a half mile from river to ocean. Many
handsome residences have been built,
and are surrounded by groves Of
oranges, lemons, lines and guaya- aud
by gardens ia which ths flowers are
now IN full bloom. Beyond the PENN
sula is the ocean beach, three hundred
feet wide at low tide, as hard as asphalt
tum upon which one may drive hum
bred miles II he wishes. For further
particulars as to the ocean, would
refer you to Mr. Kirby.
W. l.. SEABROoK,