The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-02-25
Pioneer Life in Florida.


was a mystery to me, as the most OF
them lived in the wilderness. far re-
moved from neighbors or communities.
No one could think Of travelling home
in the night as there were no roads
and part Of the way not even a. path,
therefore the festivities continued until
daylight. We came out much better
than we feared we might come out as
bad as did the Dutchman who washed
his neck for the first time in many
years, and suffered with stiff neck in
consequence. He remarked afterwards
that HE ought not to have done it,
It is a pleasure to revive the memory
of these days and these scenes. The
free life of the wilderness has charms
unknown to the votaries of fashion or
the dvellers in cities and thic<ly popu-
lated communities. There comes a
feeling of self-reliance OF greater
strength higher will to do and over
come; a freedom Of thought and action
that no other situation can give. We
wandered in this wilderness when few
others were here and linked our for
tunes to theirs-watching with the
keenest interest the country grow ont
Of its savagery. It Is hardly out If
it's 'swaddling clothes today. but the
Foundation has been laid; the work has
fairly begun that shall place the good
old state Of Florida in the front rank
Of all the states She has seen many
and great Observation-Disclosures, pes
tilences-a lfbelled name that has
taken generations to overcome: but she
Is In fair way to overcome them all
and take the proud place. her climate
and resources demand.
Pioneer Newspaper Man.
The pioneer Newspaper man IN Pa
latka was George W. Pratt who
started a little sheet soon after the
declaration Of peace. His paper was
small but as full Of meat as a nut,
whose items were copied into other
papers all over the country. It was
Mr.. Pratt who first persuaded the
writer to send him articles for publ
cation. We remember one article IN
particular that caused a great sensa-
ton all over the country. It an
nounced the sinking of Mosquito (now
Orange) county by two Travellers who
barely escaped with their lives; run
ming their horses in advance Of the
sinking. crumblfng ground and trees
behind them. It probably took two or
three bottles of coca cola to get up
the inspiration Of the writer, but 1t
made a big sensation all over the
country-North and South. Mr.. Pratt
was successful, and the last time we
visited his Office he had the great lux
ury of strip of carpet before his
desk-an unheard Of luxury that filled
us with establishment.
I have told you a part Of what
have seen and done in the old days.
It would be useless for me to tell YOU
what you will find here now. You can
come and see for yourself. You will
find Jacksonville the smartest, most
wide-awake city south Of Washington.
ing by Jumps and bounds.
When you reach Palatka you will
find beautiful paved streets. concrete
side walks, neat buildings, all as clean
and bright as thrift and energy can
make 1t. 1t is true to its name
1.-THE Gem City"
Federal Point, that we carved out of
the wilderness, is noted for the ex-
ce1lence Of its people: its sober. law
abiding citizens, with their churches
schools, social and literary clubs, IL
brary, and the excellence Of its social
abundance OF its productions. In fact,
the whole country, and especially old
Putnam County, Il on the steady march
Of improvement. We who have passed
our four-score Of years and have
watched all this progress with anxious
and pleased eyes. greatly rejoice that
our days have, so many Of them, been
spent In this country and among these
people.