The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-02-23
THE CITY OF MIAMI.
The Metropolis of South Florida. Its Won
derful Growth. The Tourist Industry.
Capt. "Rob" White, etc.


Capt. "Rob" White, etc.
Correspondence of The journal
MIAMI, FLORIDA, February, 1905. 1t
seems almost that miracle has been at
tanned when one leaves Maine with its zero
weather for a steady diet and 90 below for a
frequent side-dsh, and in few days is in
the most delightful summer climate, with
birds, fruit, flowers and pleasure every
where. Such miracle, however, many
thousands are witnessing each winter, and
more and more has it become the custom to
spend the winter and early spring days in
the fartheSt south resorts, at Palm Beach,
Miami and Nassau. These have been de-
veloped and made known by the energy,
wealth and ambition of Henry NJ. Flagler,
railroad and hotel king, as well as Standard
Oil Magnate. If it be said that the widow
who burns the midnight oil,--at sixteen per
has contributed her mite to the building
of the grand homes here for the wealthy
sojourners, who can be sure that the money
might not have been less usefully employed
The chance is, at least, furnished thereby
for the rich to spend their money, and this
result is always to be desired.
This little town, the metropolis of South
Florida,-the most southern of any Ameri-
can city on the mainland, was not dreamed
of nine years ago. At that time only one
/ house, that of fisherman, stood ON it's Site
Now thriving and fast growing city of
over 5000 people is here. with idlers, tour
lists and spectators in abundance. Really,
it is wonderful We think of the West as
having all the hustle But the South has
got to be let into the race. This ambitious
town is an example, and the marvellous re-
covery of Jacksonville, in this State, from
the worst fire for its size that any city ever
experienced, is another and greater one
1t seems especially strange that, down here
where the tropical climate is supposed to
sap the vitality of the people, these things
should be going on. But they are, and it
bodies much good to the State of Florida
The tourist industry is, above all, the
greatest element of strength and is as Ger
tain to continue and enlarge as the winters
of the north are sure to envelop us with
snow, ice, mud, slush-and grip. And
guess we are pretty certain to find these lit
tie comforts waiting for us as the calendar
turns. At this point, where is the only
harbor south of Fernandina, and that of
mans work in part, Mr.. Flagler has built
one Of the most magnificent of the hotels of
the Florida East Coast Co., the Royal Palm.
! And it is royal in every sense in location,
size, beauty of grounds and (by no means
last in the minds OF many who have parted
with their last sixpence) in price, In order
to get the tourists and hold their patronage,
| it was necessary there should be a railroad
down the east coast Mr.. Flagler built that
Then to make variety and add spice to the
already great delights of the traveller, lines
| of steamships were run to Nassau, Ke
West and Havana; this was one of Mr..
Flagler's pet projects. In order to have an
American railroad terminus it was neces-
sary to drill channel through the rocks in
to the harbor Of Miami, or Biscayne Bay !;
and this philosophical, open-hearted New
Yorker did this. Perhaps he gets his money