The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-07-06
DISASTROUS EFFECT
OF DRAINAGE.
Throws Lands Open TO Distraction
BY Fire-COmmisSiOnsF King, Of
DeSOtO, Takes q Similar
Position.

That the drainage of the Everglades
and the lowering of Lake Okeechobee
is impossible, because the, lake is con-
nected with the ocean by subterranean
channels, and that, even if accomplished.
the results would be disastrous to the
more valuable class of lands affected, is
the conclusion reached by Charles F.
McQuaig, of Orlando,
Mr.. McQuaig is a native of Alabama,
but since 1870 has lived in South Flor
ida. He is engaged in the real estate
business, and his work in that connec-
ton has carried him through a greater
part of the drainage district affected by
Governor Broward's scheme. Several
times he has made especial trips, in the
company of engineers, through that sec
ton of the country, and is considered a
witness most competent to discuss the
conditions that are set about the drain
ing of the Everglades.
With the exception of the data re-
garding the subterranean channels that
connect Lake Okeechobee with the
ocean, the affidavit of Mr.. McQuaig
supports in detail those filed by Engin-
eer Christopher Malin, former Senator
J. w. Whidden and Mr. S. K. Bullock,
especially as regards the disastrous re-
suits Of carrying out of the present
plan.
TIDES IN LAKE.
In speaking of the facts which argue
for direct connection between Lake
Okeechobee and the ocean, Mr.. McQuaig
says:
1.-THE affiant believes that the drain
age of Lake Okeechobee and the Ever
glades can never be successfully accom-
plished, for the reason that, in his opin-
ion, Lake Okeechobee is connected with
the ocean by subterranean channels,
and that this connection is proved by
the existence of tide in Lake Okee-
chobee.
"He has frequently visited Lake
Okeechobee, and .FAFt icularly its north
shores, and he has observed the tide
running up into the creek fifteen miles,
as far back as Pete Robinson's, near
the old Tyler battle-ground; and that on
several occasions, when camped near
the mouth of this creek, he has noticed
this tide when there was no wind blow
ing.
DISASTROUS TO CYPRESS.
"AfFiant further says" continues the
affidavit Of Mr.. McQuaig, that the !
lowering Of the general water level of |
this section ldaffect different classes
Of land in different ways, beneftting |
certain classes. and injuring others
THE cypress timber is seriously in |
jured by drainage, as it exposes the |
timber to fires which, at certain seasons
Of the year, sweep over all this terri |
tory. That he has seen two sections of |
fine cypress lands along the Blue Cy- |
press Lake, on the edge of the Upper |
St. Johns valley, little north of the |
drainage district, that caught fire in a |
very dry time and were burned up.
The drainage Of pine timber lands |
IS also extremely injurious TO the tim
Der, and he has seen large areas Of |
pine woods in sections Of the country
IF which two-thirds Of the pine timber
growing upon it was burned and de-
Jtroyed. "
DANGEROUS To MUCK LANDS.
THE drainage of muck lands, =" con-
inues Mr. McQuaig in the affidavit,
unless the same are Immediately pro-
.ected, by cultivation. is also dangerous,
Is the muck, being a peaty formation,
)urns regularly and cannot be put out
lnless by regular flood
He has seen thousands of acres Of
inc muck land the surface Of which was
owered two or three feet by reason Of
ire, in many places the muck burning
o the sand bottom.
THE same applies TO the prairie
ands, the soil OF which is very light
md poor. 1t requires water 70 keep the
,rass growing on them, as when the
'rairies get very dry, the grass dries
Up and is Of no value for grazing pur-
,Oses.
These conclusions. based solely upon I
acts that the affiant has himself OBJ
erved, support the conclusions reached
~ engineers working from cause 70 eff
ect. Mr.. McQualg has lived in that
over part Of the State for 80 years.
nd his affidavit, owing 10 his absolute
amiiarlty with the section, is Of all
he more value.
SUPPORTING TESTIMONY
Supporting testimony Of Mr. McQuaig
) the affidavit Of Mr. William King, for
even years a member Of the Board Of
,ounty Commissioners Of DeSoto coun-
y. for FIVE years and at present theirs
Hartman, and a man who has ever been
Interested in all that pertains 20 the
Welfare Of that section Of the State.
ar. King is a fruit grower. living at
Avan Park and IN speaking Of the eff
ect of drainage on the lands in the dis
rict, ne says. among other things:
The affiant IS thoroughly familiar
With townships 80, "a and IS, range %,