Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-27

| "'uu NhlCp tIe NatSfS OF .Ine Jp1u sea
would be as wild honey No one could
eat them, although n number of truly
heroic attempts were made in that direc-
u IN, "sickly grin" pervaded our train
as the realization dawned upon the mem
bers OF our party that they had come clear
INTO the heart of Florida to be efrectually
sold by miscellaneous collection of
greasy red skins, Oranges! There were
literally oranges to burn on our train
after this discovery. We rode for miles
In u shower of oranges, and our path
across the great state of perennial sun.
shine was literally marked by trail Of
oranges.
We drew up for dinner at Rockledge n
beautiful resort on the famous Indian
river The plan had been to take lunch
at the Hotel Indian river; but the enter
prising manager, Mr.. a. 5. Ice, seeing "A
chance TO get in a season work upop us
at one fell sweep decided to charge us
Sloo apiece for this service, which we
were told was II considerable advance
| upon the regular rates. The result was
that scarcely any of our party remained
with him, and those that did complained
oi very inferior service. One hundred
ana thirty Of our members were hand
somely entertained at the beautiful Plaza
Hotel, ably managed by Mr.. S. H. Peek.
at just half the price that the manager of
the Houei Indian River and undertaken to
eStort from US. Another hundred were
gwen an excellent meal at the COSY and
well conducted Rookledge House for
nifty cents apiece, and the others were
comfortably cared for at the SAME rate at
number of smaller houses. The writer
enjoyed one of the best meals of the trip
| at whites Cottage an admirable little
| house conducted by Mr.. J. !. White
| People desiring comfortable accommoda
tons and a good table at reasonable
price, could find few better places in the
whole state of Florida.
1t was nearly midnight when our train,
which iiad been delayed by several hot
boxes, finally pulled into Jacksonville
1t had been long and tedious ride en-
livened through the long evening how
ever, on the New England car by very
enjoyable progressive whist PARTY.
Pleasant quarters were provided for our
party at the st. James and Windsor
hotels and all Were tired enough to enjoy
a good nights rest.
Jacksonville with it's 10000 inhab
itants, Is the metropolis of Florida and
one of the most delightful cities in the
whole South. It's people had made ar
engagements for the entertaining our
party, by chartering a large steamer and
giving us an excursion upon the beauti-
tul ST. Johns river, serving, en- route, q
substantial lunch.
Allurlng as was this prospect, we feli
that as the party had but one day to
spend in jacksonville, and were favored
with warm sunny weather, the time
might be better utilized In viewing the
beauties of the city ITSELF rather than
those of its noble river. Accordingly Il
span and large blackboard, of the Bar
Harbor variety, were secured, and four
hours devoted to driving in and about the
city. Jacksonville is certainly one of the
most delightful places in the whole
South. Once it was the ultima thule OF
the Florida tourist; but today it asu
serves rs the great gateway through
which vast throng Of winter visitors
distribute themselves among the many
beautiful resorts along the east coast
The sandy soil Of Jacksonville is not very
| favorable to good roads; but. by the us
| # shells, asphalt, stone and brick this
disadvantage is being rapidly overcome
Inc principal streets Of the city are now
| u good condition, and the work Of put
ring in new paving is being cnergetically
pushed, the material used being. for tn
| most part species of hard glazed brick
On our drive about the city We noticed 81
number of artesian wells, spouting large
streams of sulphur and dispensing their
pungent odors over a considerable cxteni
OF territory. The vegetable gardens in
and about the city were well advanced.
and looked green and inviting.
| 1t was about nine o'clock when W,
bade adieu to jacksonville, parted com
pany with the western division of our
party, and started on our return to thu
national capital
The following morning telegram VIA
sent ahead to Charleston to insure plepa-
rations for breakfast, and that notice.
nrief as was the time 1t afforded was
sufficient for the generous people of that
city, with true hearted southern hos
pitality, to arrange reception for US.
which we shall always cherish among The
1leasantest memories of the trip. W.
were net at the depot by long line of
open baroucbcs --most Of them pri vatc
carriages, and driven to the spacious and
substantial Charleston hotel Here tn,
carriages waited for us while an excellent
breakfast was served, after which we wera
given a long drive all about this beautiful
old city, with its wealth Of historic in
terest Along the battery "a beautiful
drive, we were shown the spot " here the |
first gun of tine Civil war was fred upon
Fort Sumpter, standing ont down the |
harbor in the pride of its reconstructed
strength. It. Mchacl's church, which |
was opened for service in 1861, and which !
has been immortalized in song, was1
naturally an object of much attention, |
and many members of the party took ad !
vantage of the opportunity to visit its
interior. The william Euston home for |
aged couples, with its beautiful system CT |
ottages-twenty in all-is another of the |
institutions of Charleston in which its
citizens feel IA just pride In the course
of the drive our party visited large rice |
mill thus enjoying an opportunity to
view one of the substantial elements OF |
the oity's prosperity. Many other in |
teresting things were seen in and about |
the city including the solemn beauties of |
Magnolia cemetery. Here long rows of |
neat marble headstones, and a fine monu-
ment tell with mute cloquenca the hope
less devotion with which the brave men |
of this city supported the lost cause. 1t Is