Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-02-23
LAND OF FLOWERS.
What Freeland Man Has Seen and
Heard in America's Oldest City.
st. Augustine, Florida,

which is the oldest as well as one Of the
1t possesses the Oldest house in this
country and the structure is in a fair
condition, as most Of the old Spanish
houses were built from material
known as coquina rock. This speci
men of shell-stone is also used in the
construction OF the present modern aud
magnificent hotels and is said to be
nearly indestructble.
This city is also the home of old Fort
Marion, which was built by the Spanish
government and was 1911 years in course
Of construction and cost over $50, 900 600
1t is a source of great attraction to
| Northern visitors. Occasionally, some
one, becoming so interested in sight
seeing in the various dungeons and for
getting himself, gets locked in the fort
for the night
Whilst General Ponce de Leon, whom
tradition has made historically famous
by his supposed discovery Of the spring
or fountain of eternal youth, was sta
toned at Porto Rico he frequently met
some Of the chiefs OF the Carib tribe OF
Indians, who told him of wonderful
spring OF pure running water that ex-
listed in a country to the northward OF
theirs and whose marvellous virtue,
when drank and bathed In, would re-
store youth and health to all who could
use its sautory water.
And the story runs that in one of the
numerous battles with tho Indians one
OF Ponce de Icons most intimate aids
and supporter in his campaigns was
killed.. Afterward it appeared he had
made Ponce dc Leon executor of his
estate and guardian OF his only daughter.
Ponce de Leon was therefore Obliged
to return to Spain to take charge OF the
estate and to provide for the daughters
welfare. Upon seeing the beautiful and
finely educated young laoy be at first
sight fell In love with her, which love,
history has it, was duly reciprocated; !;
but there being such a disparity in their
ages he was too chivalrous to ask for her
hand in marriage. He bethought of
this spring or fountain of youth and life
and finally told the young maiden that
he would fit out an expedition and go
further north in the Indian country and
find this spring Of running water.
She begged him to desst in his efforts,
but he, being soldier and at the be-
hest of his king, would go and find this
spring. He and his troops finally set
sail and landed upon land which abound
ed in flowers and which is now known as
Florida In this connection it might be
stated that Columbus claimed that he
had found the seat OF Paradise in Florida
Martyr, also in his address to the
pope, writes that among the islands
there was one in which there was a
| spring OF running water of such marvel
Gus virtue that the water thereof being
drank and bathed in, perhaps with
some diet, makes the old young again.
Ponce de Leon, in his efforts to dis
cover this spring, had many adventures
and battles with the Indians, in one of
which a skulking redman sent an arrow
iuto his hip, AS the surgeon of the ex-
pedition was unable to extract it, they
were obliged to re-embark for Spain, and
upon their arrival there Ponce de Leon
died from the effects OF the wound.
Whether the stories of the fountain of
youth and of the golden treasures of the
mainland are pure fables or are only
poetic and exaggerated descriptions of
the country may we'll admit OF doubt,
and the latter view | am inclined to
take.
However, the spring is here. 1t Is
walled up and is said to have never
been known to cease running. 1t is, as
you may well suppose, an object of great
interest as well as an object that makes
much merrment. Every Northerner
visits it, and myself have dipped in it
and am now in great hope.
Another attraction here is a work OF
art which is one OF Florida's greatest
"ohuois III ldCIi IucIe Is nOLHlnR else
like it in the world. 1t is known as the
fish-scale house. It's size is 6x1O and o
feet high. Its outside is covered
with 3,073,700 drum-fsh scales. The
roof and other parts of the exterior
present to the naked eye the appearance
of a small house of ivory.
Another attraction for antiquarians is
the DR.. Vidder collection, which includes
about every mineral and animal object
that has been discovered both under and
above the water.
must add word about the beautiful
hotels, with their splendid courts and
lawns of tropical and capacious foun-
tains, and of the beautiful Presbyterian
church which Hull Flager has had con-
structed at cost of a million dollars or
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