Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-01-29
An Interesting Letter from the
Land of Flowers

A<oh0 " - ~ y - -
Gazette Co,yxsbOndencs
PESsAooLA, FLA, Jan. Ii
This section has experienced, SINGS
the first OF Dec. last, more cool
weather than has been known
for long time, II ever. AT the
same time the rainfall has been I'M
usually large. On yesterday the Wealth
or Bureau gave the signal for cold
wave with frost for last highland well
did they strike 1t In their prognostica
ton. as there was frost the like OF
which I am not sure OF ever having
seen. [ have been induced to make
the remark to some here that old vir-
ginia would have 10 rise In her majesty
and put forth still stronger effort ~
she Is to excel In that line. These con-
dtions have not contributed 80 largely
to the enjoyment Ct this usually de-
lightful climate as was 80 OF several
former occasions. am not, however,
like many who.have come from afar to
escape the cold aud fall out with the
weather here because not just such as
they would like best and fall to strike
balance sheet between what we have
here and what we are escaping by be-
ing here.
The out-of-door flowers were some
what injured by last nights frost as
had been the case on few former oc-
casions, yet to day there are many that
show up fairly well and few days OF
favorable weather will make them put
Oh their usual spring like beauty. There
are roses OF various colors, geraniums,
violets, japonicas, Easter flowers and
many others to me without names. 1t
seems strange that such can be sc after
frosts that would completely kill out
all such In our up country.
Vegetables. such as cabbage, onions,
lettuce, beets, radishes, turnips, etc.,
are being used from gardens In the
city and it Is the daily business OF
many to haul such in from the coun-
try. All sell at high prices.
A great many northern people are
here for the winter as this is quite fav-
orite resort.
had the pleasure OF a trip recently
down the Bay to Barrancas where
Uncle Sam keeps few thousands OF
his well-fed, well-clothed and we'll
housed boys, living In comparative
idleness. The Barracks and surround
ings are all Of the best, and many state
ly mansions can be seen where favored
officers live high, draw big salaries
and do nothing.
Just a little farther down is the
Pass from The Bay TO the Gulf through
which the largest vessels that float can
90, and has on the western side Fort
McRsa that was entirely destroyed by
the storm of Sept 1906 and has beer
but partially restored; and on the
other eide Fort Pickens, in all OF her
immensely and strength. This was al
so swept over by the san e orm, hut
was little injured. This is said to be
the only point within the bounds OF the
Southern Confederacy that was never
at any time in her possession.
1t seems to me that with these forts
thu Pass and feet OF
fighting vessels on the Bay the COM
bined navies of the world could not
effect an entrance
Since my last visit ! notice many
evidences of Improvement. Where
formerly stood small structures and In
some instances wooden there now stand
imposing brick buildings from three TO
seven stories high. The city now has
about 30 miles of stock electric rail-
way, i GLIDING 9 miles to Barrancas.
A little more than half complete there
is additional sewerage being construc-
ted on which when finished will have
been spent S450.00O.
On an average of two million dollars
worth of merchandise is exported
through this Port each month. This
consists of cotton, naval stores, toDac-
co, lumber phosphate lock, etc.
Business in the city is very much les
sened just now on account OF the
money panic. This, however, seems to
be very much improved of late.
s. w. w.