Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-11-02


formation. But there never was
greater mistake or greater Injustice
done to the true author; for l have
seen with my own eyes, and hunted
over the old indigo fields and planta.
tons, now grown up with huge forest
trees and jungles, of one LaFayett.
father of the girl Marie the author
of this song. The old indigo troughs.
dug from the huge live oak trees or
logs, are yet to be seen, as are also
trenches picked with ak and chlsel
in the large boulders of rocks of
ages" living witnesses, many of
which lie on the surface of the
ground, having been upheaved by vol
canle disturbances in by-gone days.
Here this Frenchman cultivated and
pounded his indigo in troughs, which
was sold and used for dyeing pur-
poses, The father and all his chill.
dren, save one, succumbed to a dead
ly malady-swamp, or African fever
leaving the poor widowed mother and
daughter, Marie, broken-hearted and
alone-separated by ocean from rela.
tives-strangers in strange land.
Mother and daughter ultimately re-
turned to France, bidding a fearful
adieu to the sacred graves, and leav.
ing the murmuring winds OF old
ocean to sing sad requiem over the
precious bones Of departed ones.
Such are the sad facts as remem.
bered and reported to the writer by
the old settlers and nelghbors Of
this unfortunate French family. YOm
readers, interested as to the precise
locality, can refer to any map Of
Florida, and between 20 and 40 miles
rom the mouth of the Suwannee will
discover Clay Landing, Fort Fannin,
and Old Town. Just northwest Of
Fort Fannin are the memorable ola
indigo fields, troughs and other evil
dences, convincing of the former set.
tiers. One of the Oldest settlers and
dearest friends Of the French widow
and beautiful daughter claimed to
have received as a souvenir direct
from the girl author, one Of the first
written manuscripts Of this world.re.
nOwnel song. before II ever found its
way into print, which, with its pathos
and soul.stirrIng expressions, made it
such a worldwide favorite melody.
While the writer was recently
camping and hunting with party
over this memorable spot, beneath
huge, towering evergreens OF magnolia
and live oak trees, which with out
stretched branches embracing each
other, as II to afford a more comfort.
able shelter and shade for We wan
derlng Nimrods"
Birds OF beautiful song and Dlumage
sing,
And with wooing, graceful motion,
STOPPING, make love to the ripping
spring.
Which sparkled back devotion.
In appreciation of which our camp
hunting party replied by chanting Ia
sweet solos. duets. trios: Away
Down On the Swannee Ribber," which
was caught up by carressing and
baImy breezes from Old Ocean. ana
gently echoed over the placid waters
of the river. and re-echoed back from
the elevated banks OF the opposite
shore.
OF all the beautiful. llmDid. life
giving rivers, which ripple Mime
hahalIke," forming In is course
laughing rinkles over it's placid sur.
face. shedding crystal tears OF ioy
In rs onward o)urse to refresh the
briny waters Of the great Gulf OF
Mexico. il Is Florida's suwnnnee R.v
or. for methinks
or all Gods glorious streams. there
scarce a loyeIler sight.
Than this suwannee River fair
bathed IN the soft moonilght
And sure N there Il a stream on earth
nearest Heavens gate.
Irs this Utoplan stream, 10 oar
fair tropical State.
There Is but one conclusion con
ceded BY visitors to FLORIDA. a. some
.rl,e- onee said. HE Wbo once