The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-04-02
Chadman's Florida Letter.

You can't stump a Floridsn, as the
saying is, and as proof of that | will re.
late the story of Col. Bill Hawk. | use
this name because it isn't Col. Bill
Hawks.
Col. Bill Hawk is from the East Coast,
and he was visiting friend in South
Bocs Grande recently. The friend was
telling Col. Biz that the mosquitoes we're
so bad in that vicinity at times that
bars had 10 be put up to keep them out.
"Huh! bsrsl" snOrted Col. Bill. "That's
nothing. Why, over at my ranch we al
ways fence 'em OUT
Even though Col. Bills report might
rebound TO his undoing, and to the
frightening of the timid over the size of
the mosquitoes in Col. Bill's country,
yet, he was determined to uphold the
reputation of his district, come what
may.
There is another phase of Florida life
which is interesting to the newcomer, and
it reflects somewhat upon the courts. l
can best illustrate it by another story,
which invented for the purpose while
waiting for bite from a snook.
man was awakened one night by the
sheriff of the county and several deputies
who had forced an entrance. The man
sat up and rubbed his eyes in great sur
prise.
DRESS and come along with u.s." said
the sheriff.
"Whst am charged WITH" asked the
man.
"You are charged with MURDER" re-
piled the officer.
"Oh, is that all? l WAS afraid it was
something serious" said the man with a
sigh of relief.
With these two nice stories / will now
lead you along to something which may
interest such readers as may have an in
vesting spirit coupled with the stuff
which is always necessary when an in
vestment is made. l speak of Florida
land. The United States has Withdrawn
all the free entry land here, and the big
land companies have bought up all the
rest so that there is no more cheap land
in this state Land which brought So an
acre last year is difficult to get at $l5 now,
and 10y next spring there will be no land
to be had under $40 an acre. This ap-
plies to The large strips, from twenty-five
Thousand to three hundred thousand acres
each. Large tracts usually contain a
half dozen varieties of land, and some
water, but the water will be taken care of
when the drains are put in.
There are, however, outside of the
large tracts, numerous small pieces of
land which can be had at fair price.
There are quarter sections, and one.
eighth sections lying near this city, which
are held by people who have paid little
attention TO the progress the state is MAX
ing, and they are selling their lands at
from IS TO Sl2 an acre. All such are
bargein tracts and will be worth double
the moment the deeds are signed. hap.
pen to know of number of Just such
chances, and l shall be glad to Inform
any of my friends who may inquire Just
what and where they are.
The new railroad which is coming to
Charlotte Harbor from Venice on the
Gulf, will even ually cross the bay and
come into Punta Gorda. In TACT the com
pany is already publishing notice of its
intention to apply to the council for ease
ments over streets. This road will con-
time across The southern part of DeSoto
county aud connect with road on the
East Coast, making a sort of belt line
around the southern portion OF the State.
rhe Government has given us a re.hear.
ing on the deep water proposition for
Charlotte Harbor, and the engineers will
be here again in April. We think we
have sufficient data now to satisfy all the
engineers in the world OF the necessity of
the improvement As am the secretary
to the com mittee ! have my hands full
these days.
Located on the shore of the finest lard
locked harbor IN the world, possessing a
climate unsurpassed bv any other locality
in Florida, proved by the health report to
be the most healthful city in the known
world, surrounded by land fertile and
productive. the ideal of the citrus fruit
grower and the glory of the trucker and
market gardener, setting in the midst of
undevelOped resources estimated at fifty
millions, the city of Punta Gorda has a
future of exceptional promise, aud lucky
will be those persons who become identi-
fed with its progress at the beginning.
WALLACE CHADMAN.
Punta Gords, Fla. March %, 1918.