Connecticut western news., 1895-02-28
A Letter From Florida.

Last Saturday afternoon we received a letter from Mir Sheridan w. Barnes, dated The College Arms, De Land, Fla Feb 20th. We quote different parts as follows:
 I have heard and read about the ter rible blizzard which swept over the coun- try-the tail end of which lashed across Florida-and was unusually severe in the Middle and NewEngland states. Had we been one day later, would probably have had an opportunity to view the landscape between Philadelphia and Washington from railroad train strand ed ip snow drifts.
 But to change the subject. The beau tiful hotel named The College Arms stands on the same ground occupied by the Parceland House for years, and we did not know of the change until we ar rived. It is . splendid house, and Is managed by c. W. Ripley, of Marion. Mass. Being northern man himself he will not allow his guests to suffer with the cold in Florida after coming here to escape the northern winters; consequently, he not onl. has steam heat all over the house, but one of the finest freplaces and chimney that ever saw. The fire has been out but once since we came. Three feet wood is used, the genuine yellow fat pine, light wood" so called, suppose. from the bright light it gives, and the heat is just splendid, especially with freezing weather outside, or mercury down to 15 belo,c freezing, not zero. as I notice you have it ia your paper. The house is not full of guests, neither are the other hotels in this city the extreme cold having driven northerners farther south for a time; however, they will soon find their way back. and next month the hotels here may be filled to overhowing. Mir Ripley-like E w Warner knows how to run hotel, and can rake in the ducats equal the best of landlords.
 tell you Samuel, it is fairly distres- sing to see 30 many oranges wasteiug The ground is almost covered, in many groves, while scarcely green leaf is to be seen on the trees for miles around. There seems to be different opinions in regard to the future, some think the trees dead. Others think that in three years one would hardly know the diff ference; they certainly look bleak and desolate now, and its no wonder the owners look blue, with many it being the only crop and source of revenue. We have oranges and grape fruit on the table, picked before the freeze.
 met Mason Noble, Jr.. on the street last Saturday, and brought him up to the house to see Mrs Barnes and the boys. The family live at Lake Helen, five miles distant. We are in hopes to see them before we leave this section We have called upon Mir Holbrook' s people. They were formerly residents of North Adams, Mass. They have lived here about ten years and declare they have suffered more from cold this winter than when living north.
 It is fairly amusing to see the colored | population here these cool nights. They build fires out of doors and stand around them by the dozens, trying to get warm, instead of going inside the | houses and sitting by their fires as the northerners do. Many of them (like the colored people North) have an eye and taste for chick en-aBd as the old woman said Of her husband-"he was the greatest man for chicken she ever saw. She had known him when he could get one no other way, to go and buy one."
 Speaking of the weather here; to show you how the mercury has been since we arrived. I copied from the register this morning the following report. Com mencing Feb. 2nd and ending this morn. i,g. taken at 2 m 45. 50. 50. 45, 45 70 20. 25. 28. 45, 59, 36. 3s, 60, 40 88. 3S, 58, AS. 43
 I took a walk before breakfast thii morning without an overcoat. The sur is shining and it is very warm now Q030 a. m probably about 7e-Mu Barnes and the boys are out for walk while am writing.