Middletown transcript., 1912-09-21
A VISIT TO FLORIDA
A Model Southern Town, and How
to Make it
REV. VAUGHAN S. COLLINS

Florida, was in doubt as to what poin
L should use as my place from which t
outfit. Seminole Park, the lands we de
sired to visit, lie about fifteen miles fro1
Hdines City, and equal distance iron
Winter Haven, and approximately twent
five miles from Barlow, the county sea
of Polk County; while the new branch @
the Atlantic g asst Line Railroad seemet
from the map to be about five miles from
the lands in question. Twice in visitin
Seminole Park l had outfitted from Flor
ence Villa, through the kindness of DR.
Inman, once from Mr.. Campbell's wht
Ii, ed on Lake Mabel, and once from Bar
tow. Learning that. DR.. Inman was deaf
and that the town of Lake Wales, on thr
new branch of the railroad, was only, a
yet, few months old, my choice as basr
of supplies narrowed to Winter HaVeI
and Barlow.
At Barlow knew could outfit will
expedition and satisfaction. Genial Mr.
Lewis, the obliging iveryman, is one o
the best men in his line l ever met while
Mr.. G. E. Earnest, the merchant prince
of Barlow, hal been so obliging and
helpful, when I outftted from Barton six
years ago, that 1 felt no doubt about Bar,
tow as an all right p ace for supplies; but
| dreaded that twenty five mile hGuI for
goods and the ladies of the party. So l
determined to try Winter Haven.
Winter Haven l had personally known
for twenty two year.. At that time it had
the appearance of village that had been
born, lived, and died, and was just walt
ing for some one to come along and bury
it. Ten years later | saw it, and it looked
about the same, possibly just little more
dead, not only dead but actually stale.
Six years ago 1 did not stop at Winter
Haven at all, because 1 was informed by
mail Il az / would find it much more sat-
isfactory to outfit from Barlow; and l
needed the advice, much to my satisfac-
tion. So the name of Winter Haven did
not bring to my mind very beautiful Wis
ions, nor very pleasant recolIections.
1t was not, therefore, with very high
hopes of success, that l addressed letter
to the only human being in Winter Haven
with whom l had previously been ac-
quainted, viz: Mrs. Campbell, the widow
of the man who first showed me Seminole
Park. On the outside of the envelope l
had requested the postmaster, in the
event OF the death or removal of Mrs.
Campbell, to open the letter and answer,
if he would, the question, or two
had asked. As quickly as the mails
conld bring it, here came a most friendly
letter from the postmaster of Winter
Haven, informing me of the death Of
Mrs. Campbell, and not only answering
all the questions had asked, but most
cordially stating that not only would he
be glad to answer further inquiries, but
if he could serve me in any way in fur
thering my plans for my trip he would
be glad to so. 1t was such friendly let
ter, so brimming over with evidences of a
brOtherly willingness to help me, that l
rejoiced to find he had my patronymic, as
the letter was signed Frank L. Collins,
postmaster.
You may be sure that such a letter to
me from perfect stranger made me think
Winter Haven must have changed since
last saw it, for surely they now had at
least one live man in the town. So l
wrote again, asking more questions, and
that postmaster not only secured me
prices for teams. hotel, etc., but kindly
volunteered to meet US at the station and
take us to our hotel and introduce US, an
offer was only too glad to accept.
True TO his promise when the train pull
led into the station at Winter Haven
there was Mr.. Collins, who greeted US
with all the courtesy and cordislity that
an old friend might have shown US. Not
only did be take US to our hotel, the Wal
lola, and introduce us to our host and
hostess, Mr.. and Mrs. Hopes; but next
day he took US to the liverymen, Bryson
Bros, to Howard Bros, grocers, to Mr.
Tandy's drygoods store, to Mr.. Smiths,
the hardware merchant, and to the Bank
the name of whose President escapes me
at this writing. And all this kindness
was shown us not with patronizing air,
but with a whole-souled manner as though
he was the obliged party, and as though
the honor was his at being allowed to as
sist the stranger. His whole treatment
of our little party was such that if ever
Uncle Sam offers a reward for the most
obliging stmaster in the United States
l know four votes that will be soidly for
Frank L. Collins of Winter Haven,
Florida.
Well how about those into whose hands
he placed US by his introduction? First
there was our host and hostess, Mr.. and
Mrs. Hopes, of the Wallola. We found
them delightful people, keeping a home
like hotel spotlessly clean, and treating
their guests more as friends than
as pay guests. 1t was very pleas
ing, too, 10 find the hotel people
people; and to find them
getting ready for Sunday School and
Church on the Lords Day awakened a
thought within me that all of our hotel
people can go to church and worship
when they stop selling liquors, and have
local option with alcohol outlawed, as it
10 in Polk County.
Then, there were Bryson Bros, the
liverymen. Not only were their prices
and teams satisfactory, but they sent out
with Us a young man for driver that was
a gentleman as we'll as teamster. Mr.. Nc
Dade will make his way successfully any
where, if he continues as industrious,
honest aud courteous as be was with US.