Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-02

lo1loWSI S1uCe we nave USeu III Iut
sunny south and has brought us cheer.
l send you a brief sketch of our journ-
ey and sojourn, as it may afford pleas
ure to some of your many readers. We
left Abba November "a, via the Wa
bash to St. Louis, which place we
reached nearly two hours late for our
new train, and had to wait through the
day. About midnight we embarked
on the Dixie Flyer which carried us
into Nashville, Tenn, about 10 o'clock
next day. From there we were taken
to Chattanooga and just before reach
ing the city we passed through the
tunnel near which was fought the his
toric battle of Mission Ridge in which
such gallant work.
Eat Thanksgiving Dinner.
"In the city we were served with an
excellent Thanksgiving dinner, which
led us to believe that in the south we
should laugh and grow fat, but alas
for human hopes etc.
Leave Chattanooga.
Gas our train left the city and Gid
ed around Cumberland mountains, we
were afforded full view of Lookout
mountain, on the summit Of which is
now erected building for the accom-
mediation and enlightenment of tour
lists. Upon our return we hope to
spend several days sightseeing at this
point. The country through which we
passed during the day had not been
very inviting and as night settled down
our train swept into the state made
famous, at least, by song and story,
and as the day dawned we could see
the negro cabins along the road, ap-
parently as primitive as before the
war Fires of pine logs were burn
ing outside by the side of which stood
whole families warming themselves.
Pine timber and sand on every hand.
However. it is only question of time
for the timber, as the turpentine in.
dustry will be the means eventually
OF it's extinction. We are still in
doubt after what we have seen of the
country as to what the soldiers found
to eat on that famous march, per-
haps, however, the state has not yet
recovered from the wars devastating
effects.
Arrive at Jacksonville, Fla.
by a. M, we arrived at Jackson
vile, Florida, the metropolis of the
state. There we found cars crowd
ed with tourists some for pleasure,
more for health. perhaps with an in
ward longing that the fable fountain
so much sought for by the foolish
Ponce de Leon, might yet be found and
afford them health i'm not youth.
Abundant Orange Groves.
"About two hours ride westward
brought us to Francis, a small place
five miles west of Palatka, the county
seat of Putnam. This place abounds
in pine trees and sand. By industry
and patience the people of the north
had made the soil and planted orange
groves and when their hopes were
about to be realized, everything was
destroyed by frost, a condition hither-
to unknown. Some became discourag-
ed and left, while others planted again
and now there are some very nice
groves, especially along the st. Johns
river near Palatka After q very
pleasant stay at this place, we came
to this historic town and are comfort
ably located for the present.
Points of Interest.
THE chief points of interest in st.
Augustine, are the plaza, which we of
the north term park Here the place
is beautif1ed by fountains, flowers and
the inevitable keep off the grass
sign. A stately monument erected in
1872 by the women of the place in
memory of the southern soldiers,
stands near the east side Suitable
inscriptions are engraved upon it's
faces The sleep far from the land
that gave them birth, by comrades
mourned, by comrades honored,' is, one
pathetic inscription. The old slave
market is also in the plaza, standing
as reminder Of the past. BY the
way, the negro is apparently still an
indispensable factor in the south. The
rear of nearly every home is domin-
ated over by .Dinah,' more or less
ancient, and the little ones are reared
chiefly by the black nurse girl, yet the
President committed an objectionable
sin by dining a representative of the,
race.
"Old Fort Marion"
Next of interest in this quaint cifR
is old Fort Marion which took TIM
SpanlardS one hundred years tn
build and which would take DeweH
about fifteen minutes to demoliN.
thouh to this day it still has a quail
of Spanish bayonets OF verd8t
growth. The cannon which ONE
guarded this fort are now in the pl$aa
and are said to be over 800 years Hi.
Other points of interest are the Ga
wall and gates, Catherine, st. Geo#e,
and Treasurer streets, all take HE
back a century. While on the o&3er
hand the magnificent hotels, Pond de
Leon. Cordova and Alcazar. and he'll
gardens stand out all the more pls mi
nently because of the contrast #,he
cathedral. the Presbyterian churcE the
Casino, the barracks and cemeteF are
not to be overlooked as points in
terest.
This city is separated fro,k the
ocean by the Mantanza river bay.
H = b.