The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-04


taken out of the tops, a fire was
built near the shore of the lake, the
three cones, cut into small pieces
proof. from the north end to Lake
pot nearly filled with water, hung
over a fire with salt and the ham
bone for seasoners, and when cooked
were very tender and palatable. The
breast of the heron was cut into
steaks, parboiled, then fried in the
spider over the Goals, the lard fur
nishing the sputter, and when cook
ed resembled venison more than any
other meat 1t was most enjoyable
feast. frightened Wristbands told
when to quit.
This region has been noted for the
righteousness of its game, and has
long been a favorite resort for hunt
era This year reports of bear, wild
cat, deer, turkeys and quail have
been frequent, and many of each, ex-
cept bear, have been captured. Along
the drive home, in the sand recently
washed smooth by the rain, newly
made tracks of wild turkeys, the
footprints of deer and the toemarks
of opossums were abundant, and
while absent buck took the oc-
casion to visit the Crooked Lake
premises. Just before the close of
the hunting season in March party
of four-Geo. A. Gibbons, A. Bran
wood, J. r. Davis and James Bolon
spent a few days in the woods
north of Walk-m- tine Water, and be-
sides having a good time bagged 5
deer, 10 turkeys and 1913 quail. On
our return trip, part of the way by
moonlight, we saw from the wagon,
a fox, rabbit and specimens of
other wild animals. Mr.. L. E. Latta
of Jackson would have delightful
time here during the game season.
Soon, however, the game of these
forests, except quail, will disappear.
The insect-loving quail will linger
always in the favoring climate,
among the groves and near the homes
of civilized man, if not hunted too
freely by pot-loving humans. A few
days ago Fred yelling saw covey
Of sixteen half-grown birds in the
grove just north of the house. Law
should give the quail better protec-
ton than is now afforded them.
The bigger game is bound to dis
appear. Railroads are penetrating
the far-stretching wilderness AL
ready, as stated, the Seaboard Air
Line is building across the State
from the Gulf to the Atlantic,
through the most prolific game ter
/ ritory. The Atlantic Coast Line is
driving south from these scenic high
/ lands to some point that offers good
harbor and will give the shortest and
INulChtSl pdooiEC w liiN vi
= Cuba and onward to the Panama
r Canal. The shrek of the locomotive,
, that thrill voice of our conquering
civilization, will force out of ex-
istence the big wild game of south
ern Florida.
But in place of bear and deer and
wildcats, there will come hogs and
cattle, dairy cows and poultry, with
larger grain and forage crops The
most beautiful cultivated flowers
will ampersede the wild flora that
gave to this wonderful peninsula its
name lorida-Land of Flowers.
Far-seeing men year ago realized the
immense possibilities of this south
ern most section of the United
States. H. B. Plant began and car
ried forward railway system now a
part of the Atlantic Coast Line, and
Henry NJ. Flagler built the world-fa-
nous hotels along the East Coast
and, leaving the mainland, drove his
Ipuffing locomotives over the sea it.
self, on concrete bridges, from island
to- island, for q miles to Key West
From the Oldest settlement in this
country, St. Augustine, the entire
East Coast is verdant memorial t.
Flagler. He was not only geniu:
in the accumulation of wealth, bui
he was a greater genius in using i
on work that even the United
States, as military and commercial
necessity, would not have under
taken. The 525 miles of railroad
from Jacksonville to Key West, l2'
of which after leaving the mainland
are out at sea, will ever perpetuat
his name. To Flagler belongs tn,
credit of making Palm Beach
prominent name in literature an,
Miami the Magic City of America.
Today the Atlantic Coast Lime
which opened to settlement thi
splendid citrus region five years age
then pine forest, where now viii,
land bordering its beautiful lakes i
selling from 5000 to $500 an acre =
men of the North who are seekin4
healthy winter homes for them
selves and their families in a gen
ial climates doing the prelimin
airy work for extending this Haine