The Forrest City times., 1896-02-07
TIE Land of Sunshine and Flowers

fsNts
p,,,ial Association assembled at the
,,,ar,,;oal Hotel inst. Louis, Jan. 10Th.
,,air way to attend the Eleventh
,nunaI Convention OF that body at ST.
,nenstine, Florida.
The membership vi the National Ed
;..,rid Association Is made up Of repre-
.aolatiyes OF State and district press
,.sorjaslons. each of the latter being
..fitl-d ~ one representative for every
,,,puiy eve of its members. The total
membership of the rational organiza-
linn is more than 600.
The married gentlemen are, for the
,,o,t mart. accompanied by their wives.
| .,,J there are u number of other ladies
!, the party. All the States west of the
Mississippi River and those on the east
side that border on the river are repre-
4 .,nled. as are also three of the Terri
tories. The delegates from all the
Sfstps and Territories in the locality
,,.,oed form what are called the West
ern contingent of the Association.
The scene at the Uaion Station WAS
busy one. The lobby of the Ter.
niual Hotel was swarmed with pen
eli pRsheIs," their wives, daughters,
.Yrelhtar,s and friends, all in one
breath asking information, and antci-
r3iiag the trip 10 Florida.
Al 1850 O'Clock the entire station WAS
illuminated il honor of the visitors,
AMI the EXPLANATIONS Of the admifa-
ton and delight that went up from the
marty. had they all been recordedsWould
have made in excellent advertisement
for st. Louis The grand hal on the
second floor WAS the place that attract
ed the most attention, and its stately
beatty was very impressive when its
m,riads of lights shone forth with
seemingly redouDled power. as if de-
ternined 10 dlsSipate the gloom of the
weather without.
At niue O'Clock Monday morning the
trainof seven sietpers pulled.oat of
the depot amid the cheers of the crowd
for the Sunny South.
In route various points were touch
ed but no stops were made until Mont
gnmpry was reached. Here substan-
tlal lunch was served. Besides receiy-
ing taste of Southern hospitality,
lnany points of interest were visited in
the old first Capital OF the Coufederacy
Al this point 0vercOats and wraps were
cast aside, and all drank deep of the
balmy Air. After a couple hours sight
seeing the train rolled out for The next
stopping place
Way down South where gulf breezes blow.
Where tail, stately pines and the live oaks
grow,
dew,
Anda summer sun shines the winter months
through,
There neslles gem-a fair forest queen
Whose beauties all love when once they are
seen;
Whose balm laden air gives health to the ill
JOY to all oh sweet Thomasville
ThOmasvile is located in South Geor-
gla. twelve miles from the Florida State
me. II is $50 feet above the sea leve.
and surrounded by pine forests. The
People are very huspitable. and all are
inadr to feel at home OF course the
climate is the great attraction. as IA
GENIAL temperature exists the wear
round. The place is recommended for
liihg ana bronchial affections, and
thousands are beHeliited and cured by
residence here. The soil in this local
Ivy varies, and it ls claimed that there
II no fIty acres alike in Thomas coun-
y. for agricultural purposes the
county IN the vicinity OF ThGmaSville
y not very attractive. but fruit grows
~ Tie greatest luXutlauce in the sand.
4homasVllle is the Mecca of health
seekers
Leaving brownsville the excursion
HucGed at many points, and passed
through lands as varied in quality as
Was Joseph's coat in c0l0rS.
PARTICULARLY among the towns may
~ noticed Lakeland. which has the
es,ihcti0n OF beng the highest point
~ I lorida, being nearly 800 feet above
ne level OF the sea. II Is situated in
h"st Is called the lake land of the
sdte. The town presents thrift and
''Ustty, and some Of the hammock
ductive.
Under the guidance Of the cour-
.fohS passenger agent of the Plant Sys-
IN ,; W. r. Lifsey. the party landed
- tampa Sunday morning. and were
"tAltd al the palatial Tampa Bay No-
VI where Was met tie eastern contin-
gem OF four Sieepers.
'uSt IN from The broad waters Of
He U!lt, on the banks OF the Hills
olougn river, by royal grove of
s."nt I'VE oaks, approached by ave
..aeo iot orange trees and palms,
anus Gnu. Tampa Bay Hotel over
-'V ieet long, with walls of brick and
Dg%uIs Oh steei. arched with concrete
IlNnInA u 4.