The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-08
Immense Territory Thrown
Open to Settlement by
the New Railroad.
Progress and Prosperity in
the Northern Half of
Calhoun County.

Wonderful development of the sec
ton between Mariana and Scotts
Ferry, especially the territory in the
northern part Of Calhoun county. fol-
lowing the construction of the Mari
anna and B1ountstown Railroad. This
road has 43 miles Of track in operation
and it's route Il southwest from Mari
anna to Blountstown, then south to
the Chipola river. Throughout this
stretch of territory the land is fertile,
well drained, with ample rainfall and
climatic conditions that are uneQualled
in any section Of the South. The rail-
roam company, alive to the necessity
for Development. has established
land ard Industrial bureau at st.
Louis, in charge Of r. II. Jones and, in
addition, keeps in touch with market
conditions all over the country for the
benefit of those residing along the line
and also with view to making the
section more advantageous for new
settlers, Oranges OF every variety do
well in all sections contiguous tn the
line of The railroad, and there is no
better section in West Florida, or in
the south. for truck farming, stock
raising or dairying. General farm
crops Of all kinds give bountiful yields
and fruits OF all kinds thrive on the
fertile pine lands which the railroad
intersects. Both Altha and Mariana
are on the inc of the Mariana and
Bloutstown railroad, and both are
the future. The best fishing grounds
+ the country, the celebrated Dead
Lakes are reached by the NJ. q b, and
the whole country is veritable sports
mans paradise.
Following the Railroad.
Leaving Mariana the railroad par
allels the L. & n. for a short distance, |
then strikes off to the southeast. with |
the Chtpola river on the left, passing !
through field after field of corn, mel
ons. cotton and general farm crops, |
with here and there a peach orchard |
or orange grove. In the bends of the !
river. to the left of the track as the
train shoots along, are newly set-out
groves of Satsuma oranges and fruits
Of various kinds. almost an unbroken
tract of we'll cultivated land reaching
to what is known as Merritts Bridge.
where the railroad crosses the Chipola
river on it's own trestle, heavily built
Of cypress. The roadbed Is unusually
good for a new railroad, the ties being
Of heavy red cypress and the rails
heavy enough to sustain the traffic.
Near Merritt's Bridge are several old
farms, cultivated almost continuously
since the SOS. large plantation in
this vicinity is owned by j. w. Brax-
ton and J. NJ. Dillon who are working
a tract of 1000 acres.
Simsville is the first town along the
line. short distance south of the Chi
pola river, in the center Of one of the
best farming sections along the line.
There are two or three good stores at
Simsville, a short distance back from
the line, and a large turpentine still is |
operated near the station.
Rock Creek, named from small |
stream flowing into the Chipola river. |
Is a thriving little settlement, with two |
stores, two cotton gins and two grist |
mills operated by water power. The |
section surrounding is fairly we'll set |
tied and the farmers are prosperous.
Progress mt Sink Creek.
Sink Creek Is a rapidly growing set |
point. There are four or five stores in |
the settlement and saw mill is oper-
ated near by. Harris and Pledger.
Harris Brothers and Mckinney and |
McQuarg are among the heaviest ship
pers from this station. Last year be-
tween 80 and 40 cars of melons were
shipped from here and large quantities
of sweet and Irish potatoes, cante-
loupes, cabbage and onions were also
forwarded. Bermuda onion growing
was started this year and shipments
will begin next spring. the Bermuda
being grown principally as winter
crop. The best OF land in this vicin-
ity may be had now at prices ranging
from $12 to SIS per acre. and a large |
quantity Is available for settlement in
tracts to suit.
A little further along, on the east
good farm and operates a grist mill.
The mill dam forms a picturesque
pond which teens with fish of all |
kinds. c.. w. Davis and ]. NJ. Cox
both have fine farms not far from the
place of Mr.. Mays. Mr.. Cox having a
number of fine thoroughbred hogs and
cattle.
Near Town of AItha.
A short distance north of Alliance