The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-02-28
BILL ARP'S LETTER.
A FLORIDA VENICE.
atlanta Constitution.

Yesterday we visited the North Is
land, or Palmetto Island, as it is call
ed, and spent a happy day. There
were thirteen in the party. We
didn't know this until we were out at
sea, and it disturbed our tranquility
little-just little. Philosophy
doesn't drive away our superstitions.
This was the longest sail we have
taken, and we carried enough lunch
along to feed us a week, as we thought
if anything should happen to us like
there did to Robinson Crusoe we
would not starve. It was delightful
sail of five miles, and Mr.. Whitmore's
little boat Columbia plowed the
waves eagerly and sometimes threw
The pure salt water over us and made
the children scream with delight. Mr..
Whitmore, our Swedish sailor, said !:
cit was very healthy-dis zalt
vater." Indeed, that is what gives
this place it's name and reputation
the continuous flow of pure salt water
into the harbor from the numerous
passes between the islands. It is al
ways coming in and going out, and
there is no stagnation. These islands
are long and narrow. On the west
side they are fringed with beautiful
beach, just as far as the eye can reach,
and the surf is ever lashing the sandy
shore, leaping and tapping and foam
ing, coming and going and moaning.
The young folks brought their bathing
suits along, and rejoiced in struggling
with the white-capped waves. Some
fishermen have built q palmetto house
near by which is both shelter and a
hiding place. It is prettily thatched
on top and on the sides with palm
leaves, the stems of which are woven
and interlaced like the basket makers
do it. All around are groves Of palm
trees whose beautiful umbrella tops
shaded us from the sun. Beneath
their shade we ate up everything we
had brought. As I walked along the
shell-covered beach I saw a man--just
small speck Of a man-a mile away,
and I thought it must be Crulsoe's
man Friday. Soon I saw other specks
move out from the palmettoes, and
these seemed like the cannibals who
were getting ready to roast prisoner.
But they all plunged into the foamy
waters and Mr.. Whitmore said it was
a bathing party from Dun Eden. This
whole island is made of shells-disin-
tegrated shells-and I should think
would make good phosphate. Every
gulf storm throws g new coat upon it,
or takes away one. The fishermen get
both profit and sport around these
passes where the groupers and POM
pano and Spanish mackerel abound.
It took us only half an hour to make
the outward trip, but much longer to
return, for it was sailing against the
wind, and we lad to tack and retack
all the way. It was a day to be re-
membered, and all the thirteen were
landed safe about sundown. Every
day somebody goes out on one of these
island excursions, for they are cheap
$3.50 for the whole party.
There are no horses to feed or run
away, no strain on anything. Indeed
there is not a single private carriage
in Clear Water; no driving around
and leaving cards. If you can't walk
you can sail or row. It is all air and
water. Springs seems fairly upon us
now. The oleanders are in bloom and
the odor of the yellow jesmine per-
fumes the air. Fruit-bearing trees are
all in bloom. I saw an alligator pear
tree in full blossom. 1t was eighteen
inches in diameter. Its fruit is some
thing between banana and a musk
melon, and is eaten with salt and pep
per. Cabbages grow to twenty-five
pounds in weight and tomatoes are
large and colored to perfection. Some
thing is growing all the year round
and yet nature seems to have her sea-
sons here as in higher attitudes. And
now let me say to numerous corre-
spondents, who have asked hundred
questions, that I have no typewriter
and can only say that J. have no inter-
est whatever directly or remotely in
booming Clear Water. I am not a
real estate agent. I have no land to
sell, but the more I travel and the
longer 1 stay the more I am satisfied
with what nature has done for this
place. [ have an earnest desire to
own winter residence here, where my
wife and others of the family can come
and bask in Florida sunshine and
breath the salt air of the gulf. It is
possible to live as cheaply here as
anywhere, and cottage of six rooms
can be built for $1,000. There is a
good bakery here, and with good bread
and butter and fish and vegetables
there is no lack Of food. Uncle Dan
McMullen has been living here fifty
two years and says it is certainly the
healthiest region on the globe.
I go to Apopka and Oakland and
Kissimee this week and then to liver
ness and Crystal River and Brooks
Vile, all of which are said to be lovely.
I am studying Florida without a book,
Lt ,o,obo- hove M doc;-o to bo ~