The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-09-14
The TAMPA EXCURSION.
Five Hundred 0calians Inspsot the Fu-
.ture Gulf City on the Vest Coast
Its Growing Importance and Fu-
ture Promise Notes. Etc.

Jt IOcstI Will ISitf 10 - -OtileF Ilhe.
Suffice to say that last Sunday the. F.
G. & r. ran one dollar excursion to
the prosperous aud expanding city of
Tampa. Ostensably it was TO take
down our military, the Ocala Rifles,
who paid fraternal visit to the Fifth
Battalion, state troops, who were in
camp at Ballast Point, on Tampa Bay,
six miles from the city, but fully 400
other persons joined in, and it proved
to be one of the largest excursions ever
pulled into Tampa.
Most of the excursionists went to
see Tampa pure and simple. They
had read and heard so much of her
material progress and growth that
they wanted occular demonstration,
and they received it, returning home
satisfied it is the most prosperous and
rapidly growing city in the state.
A few things they saw and heard.
That its twenty-five miles of trolly
street ear system was among the best
in the country, wholly owed and con-
trolled by woman, Mrs Chester
Chaplin, who, besides lovely winter
home on Tampa Bay, has four other
residences north, with several in Eu-
rope. She is said to be worth 81, ,000, :
900 in her own right.
These roads run to Ballast Point, six
miles distant, to Ybor City and West
Tampa. They are said to be very prof
liable property, the receipts being es-
timated at $500 a day, while the ex-
penses about half that amount Much
of this may be, and no doubt is, spec
ulation, but that it is proving profit
able investment one need only see the
patronage tributary to these lines.
Sunday they were crowded all day up
to midnight, while up to Monday
noon travel was brisk, with assurances
it was always much better in the af-
ternoon and evening.
The electrical power is supplied by
a running stream, which the TroIly
Co. own, and the expense for the elec-
tric current they use cost $3.50 day.
Ybor City is one of the largest cigar
manufacturing towns of the country,
and with West Tampa, young rival
in that line, makes Tampa the largest
makers of pure Havana cigars in the
United States, and whose reputation
for fragrant smokers is eoextensive
with it. Ybor City IS six years old.
A palmetto scrub in flat wood belt
describes the topography of the pres
cut town ste at that period, but now
boasts of 1000 inabitants, houses and
factories to correspond. 1t Is said the
place employ $500 people whose
weekly pay roll foots up eight to ten
thousand dollars week.
Those who control the destinies of
the place are men of brains and rare
good business judgment and fine ex-
ecutive ability. The recognized lead
er is George L. Chamberlin, who fig
ures at the head of every movement
for the betterment and upbuilding of
the place.
To illustrate: West Tampa was
making desperate efforts TO secure the
lions share of the manu- factufers
transferring their business from Key
West to Tampa. West Tampa, to a
particularly desirable firm offered
$50, 600 and two blocks of land to locate
with them. The temptation was
great, but the Ybor City Improve
ment Co., of which Mr.. ChamberIin
is manager, was quick TO note the sit
uation, felt the pulse of the patient
and administered a $4,000 tonic pill,
with ozone inhalation of three blocks.
Result. He captured the prize and
S35, 600 three story brick factory and
give employment to 1000 people. This
acquisition alone will enhance
the realty of Ybor City twenty-five
per cent. West Tampa, on the west
bank of the Hillsborough river, was
trackless pine woods year ago. Now
500 cottages and a dozen factories
cheer the vison of the visitor. Messrs.
CooI er, Jones, MacFarlaine and others
are the promoters and proprietors of
the west side.
The striking beauties of Ybor City
are its casino, where nightly song,
dance, comic opera and comedy and
tragedy hold the boaras.
Sunday night is devoted to sociabil-
ity, where the ton of the place sip
soda, beer and stronger stimulants and
smoke cigarettes and cigars.
The Cubans are not in their element
in discussing the social, CONNER
cial or political phase of life if not sur
rounded as indicated. Children from
six months to six years meet the eye
in every direction playing on veran-
das as guiltless of clothing as when
nature ushered them into the world.
Saloons and cafes are to be found on
every corner, and at dusk they liter
ally swarm with patrons.
1bor City has one institution that
they can point to with pride, first
class natatorium.
NOTES.
Tampa claims $4,000 people. It has
the finest court house in Florida. It
cost 100000. 1t claims the finest trans
fer company, employing I25 horses.
Its four story marble front National
bank has not rival IN Florida, and
faveryb0dv has laaa ri r,f pian gI 0nfl !.