Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-06

full perfection of lusty growth"
Our arrival dates since last evening
Sunday at $50 o'clock. The train of
eleven coaches seemed to be quite a
sight to the natives along the line as
hundreds were gathered at the depots.
In the midst of all this marvellous
| beauty the same clear-sighted business
instinct that gave wondering world
the Ponce de Leon has builded fsnother
architectural triumph-the Hotel Roy al
Poinciana. This is the latest constructed
of all the Florida hotels owned by
| Flagler. In its location, surroundings,
| style of architecture, decorations and
furnishings it is entirely unlik any of
the famous group about the Alameda in
st. Augustine, but it is suioeneris among
winter resort hotels, and is reputed to
be the largest in the United States. 1t
is six stories high, has 800 rooms and
the pay roll shows a force Of 600
employees. We have stopped il richer
ones, but none of such broad, imposing
grandeur. To give an idea of the
dining room service will say that more
than our whole company could be
accommodated at one sitting-750 guests
at table and 147 walters to atte1d their
orders. We were shown through the
kitchen to-day and enjoyed j. Facts
gathered there are astounding, if we
were to enumerate only the food re-
quired every day to keep up tie help.
Electricity is used in all the buildings
to keep guests out Of the dark and is
furnished by two private dynamos of
25O horsepower each. They supply
1000 lights, more than is usei OIL an
average in a city of 10000 people
In construction five million feet of
lumber were used, three hundred and
sixty thousand shingles, four thousand
barrels Of lime, five hundred thousand
bricks, two thousand four hundred
gallons Of paint, three million laths,
twelve hundred windows, eighteen
hundred doors, and fourteen hundred
kegs Of nails. And the comb; ,ation of
all this material in skillfy hands
presents structure and make lasting
impression upon every behold5r.
The grounds and scenery about the
place reminds me a great deal of
Monterey, California. Perhaps the
most attractive natural features Of the
landscape are the great groves of cocoa
nut palms. Thousands OF these tropical
trees are growing within q short dis
tance of this hotel, and we look out
upon them as they are set outin regular
avenues with one bewildering gaze.
viii remain here until Wednesday
when we start on the return home. Go
direct to Jacksonville and st,s p.z-ne day
Surf-bathing here is delightful. the
first place we have found where out
door atmosphere was warm enough for
such purpose. The temperature today
at noon vas so degrees above in the
shade. Straw hats, light clothes and
shirt waists are as common just now as
at home in June. Here is where we
have found the only lemonsa and oranges
on the trees. This place was not
effected by the severe frosts of '93 and
'94.
One peculiar fact comes to our notice
and that is that Buzzards are protected
by law. Hundreds can be seen at any
time wherever you go. Ducks are
plentiful, Pelican are numerous and
Quail are served at all hotels every day.
Little yacbts-sail and steam-are here
for the pleasure of visitors. Charges
S. for half a day or IS a day for parties
of six or eight. Many points of interest
we can't mention. Will close this letter
with the words of an early writer
Overall, the incompatible climate of
Florida's East Coast bends like bene-
diction. Surely, when the final verdict
Of creation, at is good" was pro-
nounced, the climate of the East Coast
Of Florida was especially included-for
it is nearer perfection than that of any
other place on earth. Yours Hastily,
ALBERT.
(Since the above was put i'll type we
arrived home Wednesday morning too
late to add anything further. Next
week we shall complete the story of
our outing in Florida and the South)
EnUa.e EIaTd7G I Story