Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-03-16
THE SUNNY SOUTH.
A Letter from the Land of Flowers
and Fruit.

In striking contrast with the biz
card of New England, which we left the
sixteenth of February, is this delightful
LAND of tiowers", and this lovely hotel
between the Biscayne bay and the Miami
| river. Between us and tine river, which
Is bordered with cocOanut aims, is a
green lawn, dotted with beds of lovely
flowers in full bloom. The piazzas are
filled with throngs of gay tourists from
all parts OF the North, while the breat h
OF orange blossoms comes to US from all
| sides.
On our way hither we stopped several
days at the "kenilwort n Inn, Asheville,
n. c., up among the mountains of that
state-lonely retreat, which we enjoyed
much. From there We came on to jack
sonviile and after a short stay there to
PaIatka, thence up the st. John and
Ocklawaha river to Silver Springs. The
sail up he OekIaweha was the most won
derfully beautiful one we ever knew. The
wndlngs OF the narrow river, so narrow
that one could grasp the trees on either
side Mt several points in its course, can
hardly be described. Palms and live
oaks, the latter draped with trailing moss,
lined the banks.
Leaving this point, we proceeded by
train to Tampa, and were quartered for
nearly week at the fine hotel, "Tampa
Bay house" Here we saw the sunny
South in all its beauty-orange groves
covered with fruit and blossoms at the
same time, grape fruit, bananas and cocoa
nuts, beds OF roses of every variety in full
bloom, and, in fact, all flowers in such
abundance.
The hotel is perfect palace in all its
appointments. Art treasures from all
parts of the world are found here, pic
lures, bronze, marble statues, inlaid
tables, and lovely cabinets, with exqui-
site pieces of pottery are found in all
parts OF the hotel. 1t is said that Mrs.
Plant, of the Plant system, personally Sc
lected these things during her various
trips abroad. The hotel is 100 feet in
length, and an army Of welltrained ser
wants care for every want ofthe guests.
From Tampa we went by steamer to
Key West and found this quaint old city
almost Cuban town, and just now al
most under military rule. Here the
"court of inquiry" in the "Ma ine" disaster
was in session. The "white squadron
was in the harbor and military men were
conspicuous in the streets and hotels.
Excitement was in the air and specula-
lions of war and rumors of war; but
the closed lips OF the officials betrayed
nothing
The day of our arrival was one of inn
portance, because of the burial of several
victims of the "MAine". The city did
Itself credit in he observance of the 0c-
casion by closed business houses, days
at half-mast, emblems of mourning, etc.
We visited the cemetery and saw the flags
planted ON made graves, and the
graves covered With suut hern flowers.
some of our party felt little nervous at
the close proximity to the scene of the
calamity, notwithstanding the assurance
hat the United States does not want
war, and Spain j. TOO financially en-
barra-sed to dare 10 have it,. StilI, here
Meare with the unsolved question before
us, waiting he Ouclusion of wiser heads
tnnu OHr own.
From here we 90 to Palm Beach, thence
to st. Augustine, and home by way of
Washington " here We have Il few days.
Miami, Florida. March I. Il.