The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-03-23
L. S. LIGHT.
Fifteen Years In the Land Of Flowers
Ten in Marion county and What He
Has Done for Himself in a Nate
rial way in these Years,

-
rial way in these Years.
We hear a great deal these dav.
about hard times, all work, no money
less prosperity, general grumblipp and
strong inclination to lay all these
troubles at the feet of the railroads
which soulless corporations are the
cause of all our living woes, and while
much Of it is true, yet amid the gen.
eral discomfort and fault-findinr. Il is
really refreshing to meet a man lik.
Mr.. Light, aud listen to his narrative
Of how he came to Florida from Penn
svlvania fifteen years ago to seek hi,
fortune, rich In naught but health
strength and determination to max.
the best of all opportunities and good
fortune if he did not win it.
For the first five years of his pres.
ence in Florida he located wherever
work presented itself; at times he had
plenty to do and at other times it was
not 50 plentiful, and he Jared less
sumptously; again the tide Of prog
ress and good cheer ran so low that Il,
get fifty cents day AMI board him
self aud become one of gang of ne
gro laborers was looked upon as a
streak of good fortune; again things
came TO such pass that unsalte d corn
bread aud water was the diet he was
glad to partake of in the absence OF
anything more palatable and inviting
Ten years ago he reached Orange
Lake, found plenty of work at good
wages, saved his money, and to-day
instead Of being q drawer of water
and newer OF wood for others, he has
In his employ sixty men, which will
be further increased next month 10
one hundred, runs two saw mills. o
store with a seven thousand dollar
stock Of goods, and farm on which
he cultivates eighty acres in corn,
fifty acres Of pinders, twenty-five in
cabbages, ten in tomatoes, three in SUI
gar cane and pays out every two
weeks $500 in money.
When asked the question whether
it paid him to grow his own corn said !:
Indeed it does. have kept a care
ful account Of the cost of growing
same and can raise it for S. an acre.
and as 1t averages thirty bushels to the
acre 1t will be easily seen on what side
Of the ledger the profit account stands,
for to lay corn Gown at my mills to
feed twenty-six head of horses cost me
sixty-three cents a bushel. OF this
number of acres under cultivation
forty are let oft by contract, for the
remainder of the land cultivated ]
employ a foreman and two hands who
do the plowlng, ETC., except at harvest
time or when 1 gather my crab grass,
when have to employ extra help.
Then too, most all my work animals
are mares, and as keep a jack to
raise mules, have fine lot of these
coming on aud are grown at profit.
Mr.. Light does business of $50, 900
a year, is free from debt, besides own
ing large tracts of lands has a surplus
bank account which is reserved for a
rainy day or to strengthen his tontine
plan of conducting his large, growing
and successful business.
Mr.. Light is modest man, has a
clear eye for details and good judg-
ment to execute all his undertakings,
believes in work and constant applica-
ton, and by these and an honorable
and honest, straight forward business
course has wen for himself the respect
Of his fellow-men, and the well-won
competency he now enjoys.
The Banner takes great pleasure In
presenting these crude and unadorned
facts which mirror in strong oulliles
successful business career, won over
many difficulties and discouragements,
and with the hope that others seeing
what he has done would be encour-
aged to strive manfully for their sue
cess, last of all. to show to people out
side of Marion county and the state of
Florida that the road to fortune in this
state, as elsewhere, depends more. on
the man than on the land.
Marion county would be blessed If
10000 just such men as Mr.. Light is
could be made residents of it.