The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-03-08

LCI VI J1lC VAIys <AAOCiOl OOJOSS ~
great interest is church which is
said to be the first church built in the
United States. Visitors are expected
to visit the Fountain of Youth, discov-
cred by Ponce de Leon in the fifteenth
century. 1t was our pleasure to drink
from this fountain and our privilege
to be comforted with the thought that
danger of old age would be removed.
Another point of great interest is
old Fort Morgan, built by the Span
iards soon after the discovery of
America; it is really an object Of great
interest, and shows that the Spaniards
had a high conception of fortifying
against an enemy. 1t is located on
the highest ground in the vicinity,
overlooking the avenue of approach
from the sea and at the same time
protecting against an attack from the
land.
One misses very much the enter
prising newspapers which are pub
lished in the northern cities. Jack
sonville has morning paper, The
Times Union," which is very cred
liable daily. The afternoon edition,
"The Metropolis" is a cheap affair
and contains but little general news.
THE Tampa Morning Tribune" is
fairly good paper and gives linn
tied number of associated press dis
patches.
After all, the chief. argument for
coming to Florida is the splendid eli
mate and sunshine. Nothing is more
charming than to travel about in the
country without having to dress to
protect against the freezing blasts Of
winter and to find fruit trees In bloom
and surrounded OH al sides with rich,
green foliage which clothes the trees.
| One can start on long drive into
the country without preparing for a
change of weather, such as often hap.
pens when driving in a. northern state
think, however, for a substantial
business, where all lines are repre-.
scented, northern city holds over a
southern city.
| The rate of taxation here is high,
although property is not assessed at
anything near it's full value; perhaps
one-fourth of it's value would be a
correct estimate.
| am just in receipt of letter from
Canada reporting the taxes upon some
land which l have there, and l find
the rate of taxation is 31a mills, while
here it is Is mills. There have been
instances of over-assessment here
which has caused great deal of an.
noyance and frequently driven capital
out of the locality where the assess.
ment occurred.
We spent several days last week at
Green Cove Springs, which, by the
way, is charming place of perhaps
1900 people, thirty miles south OF
Jacksonville, built up on account OF
the sulphur springs, which are ad.
vertised as a remedy for almost all Of
the ills which flesh is heir to-" and
were told of case where northern
capital had been invested at one time
in number of enterprises, chief
among them being the erection of a
large hotel. After the Improvements
had been made the authorities put up
the taxes on this party so high that
| it resulted in driving him out of bust
ness and in his abandoning the town,
and since then he has not invested
single dollar to build up the place.
Property which he has is either rented
or standing idle. The large hotel,
which was the pride of the community,
is now used as military school. The
people, however, learned lesson, and
| it will be long time before history
will repeat itself to the extent that
capital will be frightened away by
over-taXation.
The people of the south are very
hospitable and cannot seemingly do
enough to entertain you; they appar-
emily are glad to welcome peopA
from every section of the globe, and
while there are instances of narrow
mindedness, as general rule one
finds genuine welcome and is made
to feel that he could make his home
here with the same pleasure as in any
portion of the country. The pleasure
of our stay in Lakeland is increased
by the society of Mr.. l.. w. Cowdrey,
a cousin of Mrs. Conner, who is en-.
gagged extensively in the mercantile
business. His charming wife and
beautiful daughters are prominent so
cial factors in Lakeland.
| Yours truly,