St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-02-04
LETTER FORM FLORIDA.
Aaura Il. Bailey Writes Impressions
Of The South

Early in January a small party
of us sailed from the cold and snow
of New York for the sunny South.
The sea was calm as could be ex-
pected and most of the passengers
were able to go to the dining room
when meals were served. There was
just enough motion to the boat to
remind us that we were being
rocked in the cradle of the deep"
Early Thursday morning the boat
stopped at Charleston, S. G. and we
were delayed until late in the after
noon while freight was being I'M
loaded so went out to explore the
city, the first sight of which was not
inviting, streets not too clean, its
citizens darker skinned than some of
us had ever seen, carts drawn mostly
by lean rough looking mules driven
by very dark skinned drivers. We
visited Washington Square a little
Park back of city hall where we
found several monuments, one erect
ed in 1870, a statue of William Pitt,
Earl of Chatham who was an ardent
advocate of the American Cause,
also a large Confederate monument
and one especially fine for Gen.
Beauregard. We visited a beautiful
magnolia cemetery, where oak trees
thrive abundantly. The height
reached is from 40 to 60 feet while
spreading branches cover 100 feet
of space, some over 20 feet in dia-
meter. We visited ST. MichaeFs
church an interesting monument of
Colonial days. 1t was built in 1851
and opened for worship in 1851. The
bells and clock were brought from
England in 1864 and the organ in
1853. Here we found the old fash
toned square pews and were shown
the one where according to the sex
ton Gen. Washington sat. The tall
pulpit was erected to a dizzy height,
where the minister could be seen
above present style of hats. A
very ancient cemetery in just back
of the church and some burials were
made under the church. In the after
noon we took trolley ride round the
place and saw some fine residences,
and many trees including palmettos
and magnolias. We reached Jackson
Vile early Friday morning and spent
the greater part of the day there,
taking a ride out into the country
where we found palmettOs and live
oaks covered with Florida moss.
About p. m. we left Jacksonville on
another boat, and the ride up the ST.
Johns river was delightful, the full |
moon making the scenery on either |
shore a beautiful picture. 1t ratned |
hard in the night and early morning |
but cleared later. On both sides OF |
the river were orange groves and |
fruit growing gardens.
About l p. m. we reached Sanford |
where one of the party remained un-
Ill Monday the others going on to |
Altamonte Springs about which too |
much cannot be said for its beauty. |
It is a quiet restful place situated on /
what they call ridge hardly precept-
BILE to eyes accustomed to sight of our /
northern hills but a more healthfuI
ocation than the lower levels. Here
S a fine hotel where $50 guests can
)e entertained. 1t is situated in
What was until recently Orange
county, where 1000 lakes add beau
v and pleasure on every hand. 1t
S only 0 miles from Orlando and 3
rom Sanford where one can find all
upplies necessary for housekeeping
md with an abundance of orange
md grape fruit, plus the delightful
climate one can have no excuse for
,oor health. One more item in favor
# the hotel; among it's guests are
many fine singers and every Sunday
,vening they have a sacred concert to
Which the neighbors are invited.
there is also a Union church in the
lace.
LAURA E. BAILEY.