The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-03-31
WINTER WAS SEVERE.
Mrs. Allen Says the Southland Suf-
fered From Cold.

New Berlin, Florida, March 10, '04.
Editor Herald: Now thai . have
changed my location from Pine Bluff,
N. c., to New Be - Florida, and
thinking that you and my friends in
Oskaloosa and your many readers
perhaps, would like to know my
whereabouts and possibly some of
them would write to me a word or
two at New Berlin, Florida / shall
be here few weeks and then return
to Pine Bluff to go north to old Con-
necticut again, my birthplace, with
my daughter, Mrs. Bottsford, and
granddaughter, Lena. This is my
fourth trip to this place, and my com
ing now was after this wise:
became tired of being shut up in
the house. The winter has been un-
usually cold and stormy; the oldest
inhabitants are disguised with the
weather; never had such before, they
say. Not green thing in sight ex-
cept the pines, and they were scatter
ing; nothing but scrub oaks ana
white sand. Had four ice and snow
storms in the month of February one
sayed on one whole week. So on the
morning Of the Sth of this month I
started alone for Florida, although
some of my friends protested.
felt sure would find warmer wealth
er, which have; and everything
green and pleasant to the eyes. I
came through a most desolate look
ing country until reached Columbia,
South Carolina 1t is quite a place
and locked as though there. might be
some thrift there, and the eyes rested
upon green lawns and peach ana
cherry trees in full bloom.
From that on to Jacksonville, Flor
ida, the face of nature was more love-
ly and green, and all kinds of flowers,
roses and Grange trees in bloom.
l reached Jacksonville at 1880 D. m.
was driven to the Everett hotel,
registered and engaged a room; had
my toilet and sat me down to write
few words to my daughter, telling
of my safe arrival, when there came
a rap at my door and, upon opening,
my eyes fell upcn,-who do you sup
nose" None other than my friend
end Nurse. that most estimable lady,
by name, Miss Cora L. Barton. Pos
sibly some of you Oskaloosaites may
be slightly acquainted with the lady
and can form some idea of how pleas
"ntiy we passed two days and three
rights together; she leaving on the
$40 train for Oskaloosa, and left
at p. m. for this place, by boat.
I can assure you I babe goodbye to
her very reluctantly. The two days
we were in Jacksonville we took in
the city; why, you just call on her
and she will tell you all about it, and
II my friends want to, know anything
more about nae, Just call !! on -i2er. r.,
500 A avenue east, and she can IN
form you
This place is on the banks of st.
Johns river; fishing hamlet; to me
it is a most delightful place to come
TO, because of the associations hero:
all inds Of vessels go UP and down
this river. The ocean steamers pass
here almost every day.
All my friends were delighted 10
see me, and say I look just the same,
which makes me want to stay.
You may not think this letter worth
printing; If not, as told you before,
all right. have received a good
many compliments from the other.
How are you all this winter,-or
spring. rather, and all the dear people
OF Oskaloosa? Please tell Mr.. and
Mrs. Will Hawkins and Miss Helen
kalbach that we are very much dis.
appointed in not seeing them at Pine
Bluff after hearing that they might
possibly stop.
Now, with love to everybody, and
praying that Gods choicest blessing
may rest upon all my friends both
far and near, I am
Your true and loving friend.
Mrs, B, A. Allen