The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-04-20
THE STATE PRESS.
IN ANNUAL sEs ION AT KEY
WEST.
The Banners Editdr-in. hlef on Ills
TraY0lS.
Where he Went, What He Saw How
He was Impressed Told for the
Edifcation and Pl.asure Of the
Many Banner Readers.

hulHcall0n anu FlsaSuro OF tne
Many Banner Readers.
The late meeting of the State Press
Association will go down in history as
the most pleasant Of the many pleas
ant gatherings the newspaper fra
ternity of Florida have enjoyed in
their sixteen annual convocations
The hotels made rates to meet the
depleted condition of the average edi-
torial pocket-book, consequent upon
the decentralization of silver and the
decentralization of every other species
of hard cash, and the railroads showed
they were not soulIess by extending
the "usual courtesies =
The schedule forced us to stop over
at Lakeland several hours, but we
were repaid in the enjoyment of a
most excellent dinner at the fremont.
We take pleasure in stating that this
iskeptas meat as pir !" which is
in striking contrast to some others that
we might name, and in consequence
its praises were heard on the lips of
every passenger.
The attractions of Lakeland, outside
of its gem of a hotel. are very enthu-
siasticallY enumerated in one of the
hotel circulars, among which are high
hills. dry atmosphere, good roads.
fine scenery and pure water, and all
of which are put down in language
the most superlative and tropical.
At Barlow, where we arrived in the
afternoon. We were met by deputa-
ton of citizens and given the freedom
of the city.
Barlow is keeping pace with the
growth of all Florida towns, and the
phosphate industry is doing almost as
much for it as it is doing for Ocala.
AT Punta Gorda also we were met
by deputation of citizens headed by
the handsome and popular state sena-
tor, General Albert w. Gilchrist, with
baske.s of flowers and great freezers of
ice cream, which of course drew
forth special exclamations of admira-
tion from the ladies, and the General,
who accompanied us to Cuba, easily
becamea general favorite.
We went Immediately from the cars
to the boat and were sorry we could
not see more of its public spirited citi-
zens.
Besides being inundated with ice
cream and flowers the Punta Gorda
Herald gave US a royal two-column
welcome and copy was put into
the hands of each delegate. The pa
per contained much valuable infor-
nation present and prospective of
this sun-kissed and sea -girt city, and
the power of the press'i was felt in
its enthusiastic descriptions and pre-
dictions, and we hope the sanguine
expectations of the editor will be
speedily realized.
A twenty mile run down the beau
tiful bay and soon the land gradually
faded from sight and nothing but the
blue waters were seen until we reached
the emerald shores of Key West. The
waters here are the most beautiful of
any along the Gulf coast. AS soon as
our boat reached the wharf little nig-
gers began plunging into the water
and swimming towards the boat,
whose occupation is to dive for nickels
for the amusement OF the passengers,
and for their own profit. They are
expert swimmers and divers and
rarely lose 9 penny.
The whole city, which includes the
whole island, was alive with waving
banners, flying penants, tastily ar
ranged inscriptions, and the whole
city turned out to meet us with ont
stretched arms. Their proverbial hos
pitality vas more than maintained.
Carriages headed by magnificent
bEass band awaited u. and after being
driven y ~ points 81 interest in Tie