The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-04-14

Special Cor. ocala Banner:

Our attention has frequently been
called to the fact that there are no
Silver City-Fort Mccoy items in the
New Florida. and in fact the Ocala
Banner has informed us that they
have lost several subscribers because
items never appear from the above
named places.
From this time on the writer will
take the responsibility upon himself
to furnish the news items. and it is
sincerely hoped that he will be assist
ed in making a success Of ii.
Silver City-Fort Mccoy has been
anything but a blank space on the
Florida map. and II anyone thinks
such is the case all they have to do
is to make a trip here and judge for
themselves.
Since the first Of September last
there have been upwards of 6 to 20
buildings erected. OF all kinds, of
which at least SIS Of them are good.
substantial buildings. There have
also been numerous farm buildings
erected in and around town. Among
the most substantial are the follow
ing:
The Methodist church is about COM
pleted and will soon be dedicated, at
which time the Ooala Northern will,
in all probability. run an excursion
from Ocala to the dedication ceremo-
niees. The church is a substantial
one, and with its new coat of paint
adds wonderfully to the appearance
of our little city.
While we are ON the subject of
churches we must not forget that the
Baptist church and also the Masonic
Temple already have a large portion
of the material on the ground for the
erection of fine edifice. This build
ing will be 50x60 feet, with the church
on the first floor and the lodge rooms
on the second floor. The building
will be erected jointly by the Baptist
church and the Masonic lodge and
promises 10 be one of the best in the
town.
There is also new school building
to be erected, and while no definite
arrangements have as yet been made,
plans have been submitted for a
school building on one of the best
blocks in town. the dimensions of
which are to be 50x10O feet. two sto-
riees. with cloak room 25x25 feet in
addition. There are already enough
pupils here to warrant a graded
school. and as the proposition has the
entire support of both the old and
the new settlers. and as the expense
of its erection has been literally sup
ported. the writer has no doubt that
that 1t will be ratified by the school
board when it comes before that hon.
orable body in May. AS there are
between ZOO and 500 white people
within a radius of mile you can
readily see that there are plenty Of
pupils to support a graded school. At
present we have nothing but small
schol house, in an undesirable local
ity. and a private school on the
north side of the lake.
In addition to the original six
stores there have been erected the
DeClark grocery and confectionery
store; the Taylor-Stevens meat mar
ket, which handles western as we'll as
the native meats: the Moore millinery
store. Mrs. Walkers millinery store.
the office and drug store of Dr. Lisk.
the enlargement to double its original
size of the Moore. Swain & Cook gro
Gerry store. the new store being erect
ed by Mr.. Higgenbbotham, the cree
tion of hotel and a hardware store
Zarowski bakery. the NJ. Kline shoe
shop. two livery stables by G. H. Sis
trunk and II. H. BaSkin. and the pool
room and barber shop of Mr. W. W.
Copp.
While the Rentz Lmber Company's
mill has been in operation for several
years we wish to state that they have
since the first of the year Installed
three new planners. and they are pre-
pared TO supply al the lumber want
ed at about half the northern price.
We are also informed that the Rentz
Company intend to erect a new two
story eommissary and bank build
ing. These are few of the most
important improvements
While We are on the subject of the
railroad We wish to say that the steel
has been laid three miles north of
here. and the ties are being distrib-
uted now. and the new steel viii COM
mence TO arrive in a few days at the
rate Of half mile per day The
grade has already been completed to