The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-12-14
Mcintosh The Center Of Activity.
McINTosH, Dec. 10, 1894.

ue IuiIy siHulclLeO Dy the pubic.
McIntosh-The Center of Activity.
MCINTOSH, Dec. 10, 1894.
DEAR BANNER:
AS our pretty l'ttle town IS not rep
resented in your tch of corresponds
ence, ] will keeps posted hereafter.
Let us give few historical facts
concerning our town, which we claim
to be the mushroom city of Marion
county, and fair prospects of rivaling
Ocala as the metropolis of Middle Fla.
Ten years ago, where our beautiful and
wide awake and hustling little city
now stands, was in hammock, covered
with the decideous trees of this sec
ton, when beyy of Kentucky emf
grants, possessed of keen foresight of
the future possibilities and the many
advantages it held out, pitched their
tents beside the beautiful waters of
Orange Lake, which borders its east
ern shore, under the spreading majes-
tic oaks. Under these auspices our
little town was christened with such
sponsor, her interests were pushed
to the front and from thence dates the
beginning of the era of her unprece-
dented prosperity in the history of
Florida. Now on every side we are
surrounded by growing orange groves
and the axe has changed the wild but
fertile hammock into vegetable farms
which rivals any section in the state
in the production and the sage of
perfection they attain, while in this
garden spot is nestled our little city,
with open arms for the tourist in
search of health, the capitalist to in
vest and the laborer in search of the
staff of life, but no home for the
s'bumsn and "beats.n The breeze of
hospitality forever floats to the deserv-
ing and they are made to feel that
Mcintosh is the long sought for place
to begin their business career. Every
day we are beseiged with drummers
who always leave with smiling faces
with orders from our hustling mer-
chants who control the trade of the
surrounding towns and do an enor-.
nous business.
Mr.. w. nj. Gist is building a very
handsome and commodious residence
on main street, is gem of modern
architecture and will be one of the
most attractive houses in the city.
Messrs. BURY Bros. are the contract
ors. Right across the street Mr.. Nc
Keiser is building a large u room
house for Mr.. j. S. Neal, which will
add also much to the appearance of
the city. These, with six other resi-
dences in the last year, shows our
spirit of progressiveness.
Cupid in one of his excursions over
our town dropped two of his little ar
rows which lodged in the hearts of
two of our matrimonial aspirants, and
ere many moons the orange will
blossom and a new life of bliss will
open for one and a second one for the
other. Beware! of the widower, for
he gets there.
DIR. Willis and family are visiting at
Mr.. S. /. Gaitskill.
Mr.. Frank Burgin, of Lexington,
KY, is visiting his brother, DR.. p.
Burgin of this place.
Miss Lena Vaughn is visiting Miss
Matte Gamble.
One of our best citizens now wears
smile of beatific happiness. Guess
who?
The Hotel de Thomas is crowded to
its utmost and many are turned away
from its very inviting doors.
Last Saturday, a week ago, a halo
of sadness over cast our city, caused
by the death of one of our best and
most promising young men, Mr.. ]. L.
Seibert. Mr.. Seibert migrated to this
state from South Carolina about ten
years ago and by strict attention to
business, his gentle, manly bearing, his
courtesy to all classes and his un-
swerving sense of justice, he had risen
from poor boy to man of the most
promising business prospects, and was
respected for his many good qualities
by people in every sphere of life. Mr..
Seibert was one of the prime movers
in the upbullding of Mcintosh and his
death leaves a void which it will take
a long time to fill. About three years
ago Mr.. Seibert married Miss Walker
(which was the first wedding to take
place in this city and their happy life
was frequently commented upon. 1t
seems hard that such devoted hus-
band should be separated from his
loving wife. but the Almighty knows
what is best and perfect resignation
to his will win heal the deepest grief
and cause the penetrating rays Of sun
shine to permeate our darkest hours Of
detection and illumine our future path
through life. Our most sincere SYM
pathy goes out to the family in their
days of bereavement. Mr.. Seibert was
buried in McIntosh's cemetery, where
his former friends from all around as
sembled in large numbers to pay the
last sad rites.
GIILAUME.