The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-03-25
FROM OAKLAND TO
A Description OF a Trip from OaK-
land TO Florida.
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS.

Louisville and Nashville railroad to
DcFuniak Springs, Florida. 1t was the
passing from the cold, rough atmos-
phere of this mountain region to the
sunshine of one of the farthest states
South, from the snowy winter, to the
warmth and flowers of the South, land.
Oakland was left in the darkness of
night and breakfast was eaten in Gin
cinnati about 8 a. m. The day was
spent in that beautiful metropolis of
Ohio. 1t was the city OF the wife's
girlhood days, where lived her loved
ones. Before leaving this city we pur
chased II large sized oranges for
cent piece. They were delicious but
we thought, wait until we reach Florida
and get the ripe fruit off from the
trees, then we will know what delicious
oranges are. We had talked this sub
ject over before leaving home.
About seven O'Clock the next morn
ing we reached Nashville, the capital
city of Tennessee, our home of some
years previous. Now greater in popu-
latlon and city of good schools and
number of profitable manufacturing
establishments. The day light ride
through Tennessee, via Columbia, was
an enjoyable one. Several we'll fought
battle fields were passed.
The ride through Alabama. in the
daytime, was not as pleasant as we had
anticipated. The buildings and farms
were not attractive and did not indi-
cate progressive farming or thrift An
hour or two was spent in Birmingham,
and glimpse of the Pittsburgh of the
South had Here are located the great
est iron industries of the South. Persia
cole, Florida, is reached the next
morning and change of cars made,
after eating breakfast; a view of the
bay had, and as we travelled toward our
destination many trees were seen cover
ed with the long moss of that state of
flowers.
At last we reach DeFuniak. AS the
train pulls into the depot and stops at
the station we hear the music of the
band, employed by the Chautauqua AS
ISOLATION of that resort. 1t made one
feel good. Many persons were assem-
bled to see the train come in and to
greet friends who were to spend NOR
or less time in town.
The hotel was crowded, we were as
signed room in the sleeping quarters
across the street from the main hotel
building and took our meals in the hotel
dining room The meats used we're
brought from Chicago.
1t was amusing to see the way they
lighted the town up at night. Elec-
tricity was unknown, street gasoline
lamps were not in style, but instead a
stand was built in the center of cross
streets, about five or six feet high
The top was about three feet square
and covered with earth. A rich pine
tree was cut down, trimmed of branch
es, hauled to the stand and sawed into
blocks about sixteen inches long, which
were split up, when darkness came
fire was built on top of these stands and
kept going until II or II O'Clock. The
smell of the fatty" pine was enjoyed
and healthful.
The roads were sandy, shoe top deep.
Ok carts took the place generally of
wagons. An OK cart ride was the mode
of excursion travel. Through the day
the shade of umbrellas was enjoyed
At night few pine knots took off the
chill from the sitting or bed room.
At DeFuniak is large, clear spring
or lake, the attraction of the place. AS
Mountain Lake Park is a summer resort
DeFuniak is the winter home of many
Northern families, especially from
Wisconsin. Wallace Bruce the orator
and writer has a cottage here.
A Chautauqua is in progress for four
weeks, including the latter part of
February and the first part of March.
The program is like that of Mountain
Lake Park, during DR.. Davidson S days.
Excursions once a week are run on the
railroad. which adds largely to the at
tendance.
There are manv nice attractive homes
in the town, with beautiful flower beds
A State Normal school is located at De-
Funiak, with fine faculty. Two or
three hurch edifices, a number of
stores and printing office.
Before leaving Oakland some friends
said, "Ship me box of nice oranges. I"
We promised to do so, but alas! we were
not in the orange growing section of the
state. True, we saw a few orange
trees with oranges, but we paid cents
for two oranges and not very large at
that, not near as large or fine as those
we bought in Cincinnati for one cent
each.
When not attending the chautauqua
we tramped through the Everglades,
near by. The public roads were tree
from rocks and hills, but, my what sand
beds they were. A buggy ride was not
enjoyable on account of it.
The aeuaral hOteIa and BOARDING.