Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-03-06
DR.. and Mrs. A. F. Bruske En-.
Joy a Trip to the South.
Two Weeks in Florida.
ABSENT FROM ALMA s WEEKS
Go In Search of AlIigators-The Race
Problem Not In Evidence
Negro a Happy Citizen.

DIR. and Mrs. Bruske spent three pleas
ant weeks in Florida aud upon their re-
turn tell the RECORD many interesting
things. They went from Alma to New
York, spending two weeks in the Metro
polls, the Dr. transacting some business
there for the college and seeing the city.
From there they went to Washington ID.
c. DIR. Bruske states that he considers |
thatcity one of the greatest show cities i'll |
the country and that they derived more |
profit from their two DAYS stay there than
any other place where they stopped on
their trip. They were at the Capital
Building and in the Senate Chamber when
the Smoot Case was on and heard the as
sociate Senator from Utah defending Mr.
Smoot.
From Washington they proceeded a
long the coast and took that route all OF
the way to then destination, which was
the beautiful Datonia Beach on the east
coast of Florida. This is situated a few
iniIes from the famous Ormond Beach and
Mr.. and Mrs. Bruske arrived the day
after the great international automobile
races. DR.. Bruske was loud in his praises
of this beach and says it is paradise for
automobiles, bicycles, and carriages OF all
description and very much appreciated by
the tourists. The beach is forty miles
long, ninety feet wide, and hard and
smooth as a table.
The climate in Florida al the time the
DIR. was there, was similar TO Michigan
climate in July and there was no frost a,
night. One could not wear heavy under
clothing and it was impossible to work
with out suffering. Every one dressed
as lightly as possible and kept in the
shade.
In speaking of the negro the DIR. stated
that they were an interesting study TO
him. The darkie is the happiest creature
in the world laughing and whistling
continually, going about without shoes,
an old cap or straw hat on the
side of the head and not serious
thought from morn till night. They do
little or no work; it is not necessary for
them to work to live. They have their
little weather-beaten shacks, wear few
clothes. fish considerably and have to
burn no fuel in order to keep warm at
night. DIR. Bruske states that he saw no
, evidence whatever OF race war, either
on the side of the blacks or the whites.
The black man is absolutely necessary to
4 the white man and the negro population
IN the south is entirely insufficient TO do
. the work that must be done. The whites
9 could use twice the number OF blacks
that there is, and are considering the adj
Instability of importing enigrants to fill
up the gap.
The south is very poor and in a desti-
tute condition. The houses were built
in war times and are both weather-beat-
en- and without paint. 1t takes very lit
tie shelter TO protect a dweller in Florida.
There is no severity of climate. The
I land is poor and will raise nothing but
cotton, and there is no evidence OF
wealth anywhere with the exception OF
4 some of the larger cities such as Ashville
! y. c., Jacksonville, Fla, and one or two
Z others. These are thriving, prosperous
3 cities They STAYED at Datonia Beach fo
FIVE weeks and DR.. Bruske states tina
there was an orange tree growing sc
\ close to the hotel that he could exten'
his hand from his bedroom window an'
c pick an orange Among the interesting
" incidents experienced was a trip up the
r. Oklahoma river to see alligators. Ih
Or doctor and his wife saw no a]ligators, bu
"a the other members of the party state
" that they did. 1t was raw, windy da
is and he accounts for his disappointner
cr in this way. The tourists saw from 20
40 as a general thing. While comm
back they were stranded on shallow bf
NJ in water about "a inches deep aud had
~ spend the night there This was unfo
tunate but the party spent the night ver
of pleasantly The alligators are purchase
er by tourists from the natives. stuffed an
i'm used as ornaments Any size is salabl
Ii Florida is the land of tourists. Or
ON sees them everywhere, and il is the
"a money that supports the natives. Boa
TO- ing and fishing are ideal and there is col
of tinual sunshine. Grapes, fruits an
ce. oranges grow in profusion, the form
being preferred by the tourists. No OF
does anything but seek pleasure and r
ms creation. II is no place for man
ce. live, as there is no business nor ambition
'e- Everything dates from the great free