Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-18
A TRIP TO FLORIDA.


Association who went to Florida last
week through the courtesy of the Sea
board Air Line Railway have returned
to their homes, sadder and wiser men
sad at the thought of having left the
genial cline of the land of flowers and
oranges for one so cold as Virginia is at
present and wise at having seen so many
sights of interest and beauty and ev-
licences of so much vim and progress
qualities which they had been led to
believe were not characteristics of south
ern chimes. The excursionists left
Richmond on the evening of Monday,
February 9, via the Seaboard Air Line
which road has aided materiallyin build
ing up the Seaboard States and has won
favor of the people along its entire
length. The party numbering about
1870 was in charge of Mr. u. p Smith,
district passenger agent at Richmond, who
was untiring in his efforts to provide for the
comfort and pleasure of the guests OF the
road. The excursionists went direct to
Jacksonville and after spending night
and morning in that beautiful city went
down to ST. Augustine where the many
points of historic interest and the mag
nificent hotels were visited. Returning
to Jacksonville that night the Virginians
started for Tampa, about half way down
the State on the west coast. Here they got
into the orange region, and found straw
berries ripeDing, and early vegetables far
advanced. The orange season was nearly
over but many groves were seen with
the trees laden with the delicious yellow
fruit, while pineapples were growing in
profusion. AtSt. Augustine, those who
visited the Ponce de Leon, the Alcaza
and the Cordova hotels, imagined that
nothing else could be more beautiful,
but when they reached Tampa and saw
the magnificent Tampa Bay Hotel with
its extensive and beautiful grounds their
admiration knew no bounds. Returning
to jacksonville, the Virginians went to
Tallahassee, the capital of the State,
stopping on the way at Lake City. Here
they were met by the Mayor and COM
mittee of citizens and were most -hospi-
tably and handsomely entertained at a
banquet, after which they were driven
around the city and shown the various
points of interest Continuing their
trip to Tallahassee, which city they reached
at an early hour the next morning, they
we're met by Governor Jennings, ex-
Governor Bloxham and delegation Of
prominent citizens. A delightful drive
was rendered to the association by tle
city authorities, after which good NUM-
Der were entertained in the beautiful
house of Ex-Governor Bloxham. Res
olutions were adopted by the association
expressing the Virginians' appreciation of
the many courtesies shown them by Flor
idians whenever opportunity had been af-
forded. The open-housed generosity and
hospitality of the wideawake citizens OF
Lake City and the people of Tallahassee
was especially mentioned in these resolu-
tons. Governor Jennings addressed
the association at the Leon Hotel in
speech Of welcome and was responded to
in brief speeches by several of the
editors. The members of the associa-
ton left that afternoon for Jacksonville,
where they disbanded as body and left
either for home or other points OF in
terest. The excursion was one OF the
most delightful that ever left the State
and all are loud in their praise of the
Seaboard Air Line and its efficient Off
GERS. Many of the members OF the
association were accompanied by ladies
whose enjoyment of the trip exceeded
even that of the men.