The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-11-25
SEWERS THE TIES THAT
BIND HIM TO MARION.
hon. C. m.BroWn Becomes a Citizen
of Miami and Tells OF its Wonder.
ful Future.
To the Editor of,he Metropolis:

To the Editor of the Metropolis:
During my recent canvass of the
state for governor, mot only canvass
ed for votes, but had an ambition TO
find out location in Florida the
most promising and offering the
greatest possibilities 10 those seeking
homes, young or old, rich or poor.
Having been raised in Marion county
second TO none in the state in quail
" of soil I had made up my mind
that there was somewhere within the
borders of Florida a location more
suitable TO the growth and prOduc-
ton of fruit and vegetables than my
county; and if | could find such a
place. l determined to sever the ties
that for so years bound me TO Marion
county and her worthy people; as l
had long since realized that thespro-
duction of fruit and vegetables would
be the main dependence of South
Florida. and that Marion was too far
north to be relied upon with any
degree of certainty. Andin my cam
paign work along the East Coast l
was mech impressed with these in
dustries. and determined Eto visit
again this portion and examine with
more scrutiny; which did. And as
l travelled over and over this wonder
full line of railway, 367 miles from
Jacksonville to the city of Miami,
soon to terminate in Key West, a
distance Of los miles more, and
which will cost, when completed
with all appurtenances, not less than
10000, I could but ask myself
the question: Why this great ex-
penditure of money, along down this
coast, which at that time must have
been almost a desert waste. Besides,
this gigantic scheme has been the
work of one man, single-handed,Swh
had no occasion to risk one dollar for
his own personal benefit, for ne had
all that heart could wish, or that the
world need grant. But 1 see now
that in that giant mind there was a
picture OF what would soon be the
consequence of this wonderful under
taking. for less than ten years have
passed. and already throughout the
length and breadth of this coast,
thrift and progress have set in, and,
like magic, buildings, towns and cities
have flashed into being, and today
there is no part of Florida offering
the advantages of the East Coast.
Eight years ago the writer visited
the, then, hamlet of Miami, with
only few houses, and the promise of
two streets. Today can look out
upon great wood, brick and stone
buildings with their metallic roofs
sparkling all around under the glow
of a tropical sun, while for miles
along the shores of historic Miami
and the silvery sands of Biscayne
bay is heard the rattle of machinery,
hum of the saw and tap of the ham
mer mingling their sounds with those
across the narrow bay, where the
mighty Atlantic walls and means
and roars.
l have examined the country up
and down the coast from this point,
and have never known better crops
anywhere. The land is generally
rolling pine, and under cultivation
responds beautifully to proper fertili-
cation. There is, however, three
grades of land, mostly pine, as before
described, and next prairie lands,
very rich, resembling in color and
quality Mississippi bottom lands.
Last and least in order the hammock
land, which is generally very rich.
Nearly all kinds of vegetables grow
and flourish here, and no farmer need
ever suffer from hunger, for this is
the home of the sweet potato, and
fish abound both in salt and fresh