The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-03-08
Miami, Florida, Feb. 9th, 1901.


place of Florida, and are agreeably
disappointed in finding weather that
is truly delightful. We had been led
to believe that we were to come in
contact with hot weather and pesky
mosquitoes. but whatever in this par
ticular may come later in the season,
surely there is nothing but pleasant
| surroundings to greet one at this time
In our last letter we parted with the
Free Press readers at Rockledge
| From the standpoint of Nature S handl-
work. this is the most fascinating
point that we have had the pleasure of
visiting on the East Coast. Boating
and fishing on the Indian river,
strolling through orange groves, and
streets of overhanging live oaks, and
lounging about. drinking in the
beauties of Nature, are among the de-
lightful pasttimes that occupy the tour
lists who visit this picturesque Florida
resort
Mr.. and Mrs. Brett left our party at
Rockledge and returned to Daytona to
complete their vacation. Mr.. and Mrs.
Sawyer, the Iowa people, came on
| with us to Palm Beach and will make
the journey with us to Nassau and
through the Island of Cuba. Speaking
of Palm Beach reminds us that no
visitor to the East Coast should miss
| this popular resort. The East Coast
Hotel Co. have two grand and impos-
ing hotels here, with grounds so artis-
tically laid out and beautifed with
tropical shrubs and plants as to make
them almost paradise. Nowhere in
this country have we seen anything
approaching them for attractiveness,
cleanliness and imposing grandeur.
With the hotels and grounds illumin-
ated at night the picture is complete,
| and one which the American traveller
cannot find duplicate or equal in
his own country. The "Poinciana"
has capacity of over one thousand
guests and "The Breakers of over
seven hundred, and both have been
obliged to turn away hundreds of peo-
pie for want of accommodations. At
this time they have over eighteen
hundred guests and still are unable to
fill the demands of those seeking quar-
tiers. 1t is said that the Hotel company
will erect another large hotel on tie
ocean front the coming year. Nothing
ike the present influx of tourists to
| this section of Florida has ever before
been known, and the probabilities are
that the future will see still greater
crowds.
Palm Beach lies on the east side of
Lake Worth, on narrow strip of land
of less than quarters of mile
wide separating the lake from the
Atlantic ocean. The "Poinciana"
faces the lake, and half mile to east
is "The Breakers facing the ocean,
Broad cement walks lead from one to
| the other with either side absolutely
hedged in with magnificent palms and
beautiful pines The walks are pic
lures of rare beauty and at all times
of day are lined with handsomely
gowned ladies promenading in the sea
breezes so refreshing under a southern
sun. Palm Beach is nothing if not a
resort for the "Smart Set, !" and the
rich gowns that are shown are a de-
light to those who have an eye for the
| beautiful Above or surrounded by
these beautiful gowns one occasionally
spies handsome face, but more often
the face that peers out from among
the puffs and laces is painfully
homely. But such is life.
West Palm Beach lies on the west
side of Lake Worth, and directly in
front of the beautiful hotel grounds.
! 1t is only seven years old and is a
thriving little city of twelve or fifteen
hundred. Real estate is booming, and
lots that two years ago sold for four
hundred dollars are up to and above
the thousand mark now. Joe Jeffer
son, who has cottage at Palm Beach,
and who, by the way, we met while
there, recently purchased business
property 15Ox15O in West Palm Beach
and will Immediately erect business
block thereon. 1t is also said that he
will build a hotel here in the near
future that is sadly
needed. Seventy-fve miles north of
Palm Beach we passed through pine
apple section that is said to contain
over six thousand acres This fruit is
grown to greater or less extent all
the way down the coast from Rock
ledge. Two crops are gathered an
nually, and where properly cultivated
and protected are profitable to the pro-
Queer.
Leaving Palm Beach Sunday after
noon we reach Miami, the terminal of
the East Coast railroad at Z 10. This
little city of two thousand inhabitants
is less than five years old, and for its
water works, sewerage, fine streets
and substantial buildings is truly a
phenomena This city is built upon
rocks. There is no soil whatever.
The streets are as smooth as macadam
and as hard as a lime stone can make
them. The country surrounding is the
same The rock is choral formation,
and in clearing off the pine and under
brush for purposes of cultivation, the