The National tribune., 1909-06-10
My Firsevisi.l to st. Cloud.
First Methodist Episcopal Church,
Row I'D xnfkr,ntf Pastor
Mount Hs- jpTa June 2, 1s

4 H. d.,
Editor National . Tribune: was
one who bought Under the first prop,
os,tion It was purely by faith.
did not even know where the promiseSS
land was ioeatSd, but'I knew FLORIDA, anu
thought knew the parties who were man,
aging this thing, so 4 went in. After the
place was located' / had a desire to see
was to be. On Mayi24 started. Arriy.
ing at kissimmee, II saw. in large, bold
letters on a bdlletin0board, AThe Health.
lest Town in the United States" was
prepared for that, as had been told the
same by practicing physician who lived
| Tor some years in kissImmee, and was
on the County Board of Health. was
| not prepared, however, to see the beauti-
fui lawns in the front yards OF the homes
nor to see the fine gardens. Both remind
ed me of the North, but l had not seen
such in Florida. Another thing, was
not prepared for. In the hotel, where,
| by the way, 1 was most royalty enter
no screens and yet no flies, no musketos,
no gnats, no anything that you did not
want. ] said this is strange-gnats have
been my great annoyance in Florida l
was told they never had them there. l
soon found a representative of the COM
pany, who was very kind and courteous,
did all he could for my comfort and kept
were being hurled at him.
The next morning your representative
had an auto ready early. In company
with two other men We started for the
Land Of Promise One of the others was
from Illinois, the third one from Califor-
mia. Tho now residing in Florida, yet |
am from New Jersey. SO we three, in
thought at least, grasped hands, stretched
our arms and spanned the continent. The
ride, the soft. mellow air We have much
of it in F1orida-the scenery, the qualls,
the company and many other things were
very enjoyable indeed. Once on the lands
of the company we were on the alert.
We passed the old sugar mill, crossed
the canal, looked out upon the beautiful
lake, East Tohopekaliga. Then we looked
with intense interest at the growing crops,
corn, sweet potatoes, and most garden
vegetables. and as we went into corn
field we found sweet potatoes growing IN
the same row with the corn, two good,
large crops growing together, and as the
soil had an abundance to feed them both
they seemed to dwell together in har-
mony; neither crowded the other. for
both were abundantly fed. | was told
by number Of disinterested parties that
no fertilizer was used on that soil. | said
to my comrade from Illinois, You grow
larger crops of corn in your State He
said: Yes" But to find this here and
a crop of potatoes growing with it and
without fertil-ing, it seemed to stagger
him: he could Irdly realize the fact, tho
his eyes were looking at it. We went on
to the town site. We were much pleased
with that Lying as it does in among the
pines, but near the lake, with a rrilroad
running thru it. / was about ready to
pitch my tent on my lot, but must wait
till l know which lot is mine- We found
a comrade there little bolder than some
of us. He has his tent pitched on some
body's lot. ready to move if he has to. He
is the pioneer. the first settler. In Thought
] could see 100 or 200 or more comfort
able cottages. most of them occupied by
with him of his family. / could almost
hear the recital of stories of the war. L
could also heaf7 the whistle of the engine
as it brings the mail and the many com
forts needed. ON theught also l saw a
going upi and church, and
another church. | could see the gardens |
ard flowers. the boatxng parties: couid
hear the songu Of the young, the merry
laughter of the children. could see the
boats pushing bf and returning with nice
strings of fish. Il could see and hear 50
many things II supp0se much more viii
be realized than | could see or hear. we
returned in time for dinner. except the |
examine more tlrcroly. as he was exam
ming for others. Back at the hotel my /
from Illinois at ence gave his |
check St Cloud is to be his home.
cannot give the report Of the Californian.
IL | left before he came in, but he came
Ill the way. from California to see those
grounds and for no other purpose: as he
old us. I told your representative we
wanted lot for q Methodist Episcopal
Church I have no doubt but it will be
,iyen us.-I B. Westcett, Mt. Dora Fla,
Tune 2. 1909.
Editor National Tribune: IncIosed
,ou will find money order for 81 for
mother year for The National Tribune.
am a little late, but stand by the SOL
liers' friend without fail while on my
eet / am quite interested in the Flor
da homes for the old soldiers. have
esided here for % years. and would
Iot exchange climate in any part of the
ountry ! love the climate; 1t has pro-
onged my life to good old age, 79
ears. Mr.. F. 3. Wescott, our M. E.
'hurch pastor, was down to the town
lot near Kissimmee last week. and
anne back full of smiles, saying, II am
more than satisfied with the location of
ne land and cannot express his thanks
or the good judgment he used in locat-
lg home down there.
One thing / wish to speak of is that
he sugar factory is already equipped
Or the manufacture of sugar and sirup.
Why not all of the old comrades join
nd niant the sugarcane, and have
tile trust of their own, divide profits.
educe the cost for family use. and live
Independent of the big trusts? AS for :
.uck farming, the land beats the world.
/ have no personal interest in the
md, but have heartfelt love for the
Id solaHers, as I am one of them; was
4 the war with Mexico, 1916; the war
{ the rebellion, 1851, one of the old
.ooster Regiment. 7th Ohio.-E. e.
tebbins, Mount Dora, Fla.
The st. Cloud Colony.
Editor National Tribune: In common f
18th MANY others, / am Interested in I