The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-07-16
HIS FLORIDA VISIT.
rlr. George L. nichaels Writes Enter
tainins.y of His Trip to the South.


Rock, one of Garrett cOunty's best
known, popular and substantial citizens,
gives the following account Of his trip
to Florida, where he spent last winter:
After four years l once again find
myself aboard of railroad train, bound
for the land OF flowers, via Baltimore
and Washington. One cannot feel iusti-
fled in making a visit to Florida, and
not spend few days in the metropolis
of the South and the capital Of the
nation. Baltimore is recovering nobly
from the disastrous fire of February,
1904, and is well entitled to be called
the Greater Baltimore Of 1908. - Wash
ngton city, beautifully located on the
Potomac 40 miles south Of the largest
city IN the Southland is the pride and
glory OF the tourist going to Florida and
the Islands because of its many autrac-
lions especially when congress is in ses-
sion, making laws, good or otherwise,
for the people Of this great nation
One Of the the special attractions Of
Washington city is the new union depot
magnificent in ali Of its appointments,
costing fourteen millions of dollars.
West Washington is justly proud Of
TINS, the finest depot of the country, if
not the world. All passenger traffic
coming and going north and south, east
and west, center at this magnificent
depot.
We boarded an Atlantic Coast Line
train down stairs where the Southern
trains arrive and depart, at 4:2O a. M,
for Jacksonville, about LOCO miles
Arrived at old historic Fredericksburg.
at day light. The next place of i'm
portance Is Ashland, beautifully sltuat-
ed, and where is 10, ated branch of the
Randolph Macon College. Then, "On
to Richmond, arriving there between
3 and 10 O'Clock. My friend, who had
served 3 years as captain of an artillery
company in the Civil War in front of r.
7, B. pointed out many places where
batteries and entertainments had been
, located. He also related instances of
bravery and daring of both the Blue
and the Gray that he had personal
knowledge Of and by no means the least
OF the objects Of interest was old Libby
Prison and Castle Thunder. While in
and around Richmond and Petersburg
my friend says that the Richmond and
7 Petersburg Of 81 to "a was not Of the
latter date. The new southern idea
has struck the Richmondite and the
/ Petersburger heavily, and progress
is now the watch word
Our train sped on to DanvilIe, Va,
/ Weldon and Charlotte, n. c., Flor
ence and Charleston, 5. c., Savannah
and Way Cross, Ca, arriving at Jack
sonville at $3.50 the second day out from
/ Washington, having spent . hours on
the way.
We took rooms at the Lee Roy hotel
for few days, taking in the opening
of the MIdwinter Florida State Expo
sition, which was formally opened on
January 18th, by very able address by
very able address by Governor Brown
ard, followed by Henry Flagler, the
millionaire benefactor of the east coast
of Florida. We also visited the ostrich
farm, where were CHARTERED number
of cages of animals for the winter. A
free exhibition was given for the bene-
fit of the large gathering of tourists
and others to be present at the opening
of the State Fair.
Five years ago the writer visited
Florida and made stop over at Jack
sonville going and coming. This was
just after the great fire of 1902, which
wiped out So city blocks in the business
portion of the city. Very few of the
people had rebuilt at this time, but
Onward seems to be the watchward
now.
Jacksonville has gotten out of its
swadling clothes. 1t is no longer a
village. 1t is no longer town. 1t is a
beautiful city, with city's impulses,
wants, opportunities and development.
Jacksonville is the largest city in the
southern states, without exception
Anyone who walks the streets of Jack
sonylle, who looks at her residences,
her business houses, gets acquainted
with her people, sees what she is and
what she is doing. observes the enter
prise, push, energy and public spirit
that is gradually becoming almost uni
versal. learns that her people are re-
building the burnt districts, and every
body is in favor of every enterprise for
the public good Year by year her
pavements increase, her mileage be-
come very much more desirable place
of residence, and with its large popula-
ton, it is a great city on the historic St.
Johns river, sixteen miles from the
ocean.
After spending four days at Jackson
vile took leave of my new acquain-
lance and friend and boarded an Allan
tic Coast Line train for the west coast,
my new friend going to the east coast.
| | STONED off at Sanford for chanpe of