Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-27
MRS. S. c. GUSHING IS
BOOSTER OF SOUTHLAND
FORMER OFT N WA WOMAN
WRITES OF HER NEW HOME
IN GEORGIA CRY

Mrs. s. G. Gushing, who for many
years was so closely connected with
the social, church and club life OF OF
tumwa, writes an interesting letter to
| a member of the Bay View club from
her new home in Homeland, Ga. She
tells about the country in manner
that will prove very entertaining to
her friends. The following is part
of the letter, dated February 49,
''The days go so swiftly and we are
SO busy that days pass into weeks be-
fore we can realize It. A strange
thing about the passing Of the days
here. is that as soon as the sun drops
over the horizon the day is done.
There is no twilight, but gorgeous sun
sets often.
~ enjoy knowing Of the Bay View
club, and think the lessons must be
very interesting. We have literary
society composed Of young and old,
which meets every other Friday even
ing. There Is a wide awake CONNER
cial club for the men, and they ara DO
ing good work In improvement OF the
town by planting trees on the streets.
The next work is on the square, for
city with a center square.
I'VE have had cold day or two
when we covered strawberry nnd
tender plants, but again the sunshine
and warmth are here and now | am
writing with no fire, and the door
open. I wish some Of my Ottumwa
friends could have taken dinner with
US today, and enjoyed strawberry
shortcake and fresh peas. We had peas
for the first time February 2, and
have had strawberries occasionally
since January 81. Next fall we shall
plant seeds of all kinds to have big
garden for winter use, for we depend
so much upon vegetables, as meat is
scarce and not very good, except the
sailed meats. Sometimes fresh pork is
obtainable and we have during the
winter gotten range beef but 1t is not
satisfactory. Very little grain fed beef
is brought here. We have nice fresh
fish, and can get oysters. We also have
plenty of eggs and milk, and so we
do not suffer. .... ...-s.
Everyone about here seems to he
we'll; no need Of physicians. There
have been few deaths here IN the six
years of the colony's existence, out
they were those who had come here
sick. No one has died Of any disease
contracted here, while on the other
hand, many who came for their health
have been entirely restored. The eli
mate seems to be very healthful.
There Is plenty of the softest water,
which in some places seems to con
tain some form of sulphur, but 1t is not
unpleasant; at least after one is &C.
customed to 1t.
"Our railroad facilities are the best.
Two trunk lines run through our
town. one to the northeast, the other
to the northwest. Twenty-four hours
takes one to New York and thirty-two
to Chicago, and the passenger service
is the very best. More through pas
seneer trains pass each day than go
through Ottumwa on her four roads.
The land is generally level and is cut
over pine with many of the smaller
trees standing. Also small oaks and
palmettos, while the larger pines have
been cut for lumber. 1t is rather slow
clearing unless one has learned how,
but it is surprising what can be accom-.
plished in a short time, and the crops
that can be raised upon the land, when
properly cultivated and fertilized,
would surprise an Iowa farmer.
eve have set out orange trees,
grape fruit, apricots, ounce, japanese
persimmons. pear, plum and grapes,
besides ornamental trees, magnolia
and camphor so if these all grow we
will be surrounded by an orchard
Then / have large flower garden
and one satisfaction is, nearly every.