New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-05
EVERGLADES OF FLORIDA
Where Rest, Recreation and Sport
Are Readily Found.

Few indeed are the visitors from the North
seeking rest, recreation sport in Southern lats-
tudes who penetrate that vast tract OF land and
water. wilderness and mOrass. known as TIA
Florida Everglades. where. however. the air -
said by scientists to be superior in health givta
qualities to that breathed IN places nearer tho
sea-" said New-Yorker who has just returned
from trip during which he traversed a large
portion Of the glades. Hunting and fishing may
also be enjoyed there TO extent impossible in
other parts OF the State. while II person wants
to undertake an exploring expedition he can find
many places in the deep Businesses that have yeE
70 be investigated he continued
Until attempted 70 pass through certain parts
OF this tract and realized the difficulties to bs
countered. I was inclined to doubt that portion
OF the country lying IN that part OF the United
States was scarcely known to white Three
CT four expeditions have penetrated deap into tia
Everglades for the purpose OF scientific research.
and occasionally inQuisitive tourist VIII absent
himself from Of the fashionable resorts along
the coast long enough 70 obtain glimpse a. least
OF the quiet lagoons and great stretches OF saw,
grass IN the Everglades; but still the depths OK ia
nlorass are really unknown to-day tbs CEN
| trail part OF Africa
Even with native guide stranger WIN no.
dare venture very far into these sTarrpy tracts.
while II he should attempt 20 navigate the water
ways alone he would soon become bewildersd ana
might go on and on for days. getting deeper and
deeper in the morass. until he perfshsd from
hunger or the bite OF some deadly serpent
accompanied by a trustworthy guide n e-1o
into the Everglades Is an experiences one nsveT
torgets. II the journey IS point deep into tho
wilderness. the tourist may look upon scenes never
before gazed upon by white men. The unexplored
edges OF the glades are as thickly populated ana
frequented as often as many other parts % the
State
Miami IS as good place as any other from
which to start a trip into the Everglades and
many an expedition has been fitted out there With
a light, fat-bottoned canoe, such as the indians
use. and friendly Seminole Indian for guide. a
tourist ought TO be able to go anywhere IN the
Everglades and come out alive and we'll.
Paddles are unknown in the Everglades. and the
canoe is pushed through the water by means OF a
long pole. which is handled by the nan in stern
He stands bolt upright in the craft so as to see
over the tops Of the saw grass and pick out his
course. Generally one two extra poles are car
ried when the trip being undertaken is a long one
for II pole should break and there were no spare
one at hand the occupants Of the canoe would
be In sad predicament indeed as stl aight strong
saplngs IN the Everglades,
Some parts OF this interesting region OF Florida
found heavily wooded. but there are great reaches
covered with nothing except water and saw grass
and stretching away far the eye can see in
undulating waves Water IS everywhere. but the
canoe must be forced along through channels or
canal-lke waterways. countless numbers OF which
run every way through the grass. When these
waterways are absent end abruptly. as so many
Of them co, the canoeist must retrace his way, as
it is impossible to push canoe through the thick
masses OF saw grass. These waterways are some
times narrow and shallow that the craft can
barely pass along them. while In other places they
broaden out into lakes OF considerable size
Scattered all the Everglades are islands
which rise up out OF the mOrass and ara covered
with thick growth OF tropical vegetation The
soil of these bits OF land IS fertile and when the
Islands are located the edge OF the Everglades
they Inhabited by natives. who make a good
living raising Early vegetables and berries for the
Northern markets.
The channels turn and twist continually az one
passes along. and every little way the ons which
the canoeist is trying to follow viii merge into
another waterway that looks Just ike tha main
channel Unless he has with him intelligent guide
the canoeist is bewildered at the first Iurn--
The Seminoli Indians. descendants OF the race
that once inhabited great part OF Florida know
the Everglades like book are the best guides
They can so from one end OF the glades 70 ire
other. day night, without ever making a wrong
turn. However. the Indians living IN the Interior
of the gades haIbor feeling OF resentment toward
all whites and those who live on the edges
OF the tract and cor7e in contact with white men
every day surly. and take pains hide
their dislike for their palefaced brothers.
Years OF association wiki white men have not
eliminated this feeling, and the Indians have small
regard for the that has been the cause OF
the removal OF their forefathers the Indian Ter
ritory and the members Of which are slowly en-
croaching upon ther lands IN the Everglades II "a
said in Floris that OF the Indians living Tar
in the interior have been known 70 lead white nen
into the Businesses and after get;ing them hope
Iessly confused. 10 leave them 70 their fate.
Besides the novelty OF penetrating portion OF
the country yet little known. there Is good
sport to be had in the Everglades 20 induce tho
Northern visitor 70 take the trip. The piunags
birds OF the South have been hunted releEtlessly
by those whose business II Is 70 supply the markets
with plumes. and IN the more thickly populated
districts they nearly extinct But in the wilder
ness these birds are stiil be found IN large
/ numbers. and in a trip through the giaces
than once the canoest is likely % catch siupSeS
OF roseate spoonbius, cuTle%s, esretS IaIinnsoSs.
DaroQuets or other birds Game birds. rlf-
80 ducks and snlpe are To be found there. and
also bigger game. such as deer. bears. partners
and Wildcats
| ME the Fsyarclades are not unhealthy. The air
| Is fresh and wholesome, and contains plenty o
| ozone while the water although having an al
most inlperceptble current Yet moves gently, and
70 sweet and pure