The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-10-22

| chain ferry was the only means which
people living east or west of Milton
had of crossing the Blackwater river
and much Of the business of that Sec
tioa east of this stream went to other
places more convenient. An agita-
ton for bridge was started and the
outcome was that modern steel
bridge was thrown across the river,
in the very heart of the town. Hun
dreds cross it daily en- route to and
from the county seat.
This bridge was also a factor in
the routing of the Old Spanish Trail
Highway through Milton and it is to-
day monument to the business en-
terprise and foresight of the citizen
ship of the town.
Ferry Pass Bridge.
The proposed bridge across Escam-
bia bay at Floridatown, which has
been agitated by Milton and Pen-=-'
cola people in general, and progress
sive citizens of both Santa Rosa ana
Escambia counties in particular, is
now in process of realization. A COM
pany has been formed, the encourage
ment of the two boards Of comms-
sioners has been obtained, and it IS
thought that within year the bridge
| win be an actuality-
/ Settlers Thrifty Pioneers.
The early settlers of Milton were
among the most thrifty pioneers of
this section of the south. They built
as good schools and churches as those
to be found at that time anywhere
along the gulf coast. They set up
I and maintained civilization of which
d they were always proud. 1t was only
the forerunner of that civilization
which marks every phase Of the
towns wonderful career during these
days of great cities and great enter
prises.
! Some of the earlier enterprises of
the town of Milton still exist, though
in a much larger capacity today than
; in former times. Sonie of these en-
terprises have changed hands and
. names several times, but they exist
today in almost the exact places
which they occupied during the last
!, century. They have existed and made
fortunes for several generations, and
several of them are still producing
fortunes for those Who today own
: and operate them.
Milton Business.
II The business here is mercantile
) with the addition of the mills and the
Z ship yard. There are a number of
: stores doing healthy business most
of which weathered the panic at the
beginning of the war and are now w
healthy condition. Perhaps the
largest single business in Milton
. proper is the Mayo Lumber
Company's new mills. This mill
cuts nearly $4,000 feet of lum-
Der a day and has its own
logging railroad. The Collins Ice
Factory and Grist Mill with cold
storage annex is profitable bust
ness. Hoodless Brothers ship yard
at the southern end of Milton, en-
ploys a number of workmen and is
prospecting.
Milton has two banks, the First Ma
tional, and Chaffin's. Both are sound
and prosperous There are here -four
churches for white people viz, Metho-
dist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and
! Baptist, while the Pentacostal or Holt
ness people have church just north Of
Milton. There are also three negro
churches, one Baptist and two Meth
odist. The former congregation r
| now putting up nice brick building
as place of worship.
| The new school, building and The
new bridge across Blackwater river
are among the things of which Mil
ton people are most proud, both hav
ing been secured within the las
eighteen months. At the head of tbs
school is Prof. A. D. Kean an able
educator supported by an able ane
enthusiastic faculty of twelve teach
ers. The present year enrolment ha.
already gone beyond $50, and it il
thought will reach 500 for the yeSr
There is also a school house for tn!
negroes.
= The Collins water mill was one O
: the pioneer enterprises of Milton. tn,
J Collins mill still exists in the town
| although today it is operated b,
steam and has well-regulated ic,
manufacturing plant annexed to il
| Those who now operate this mill ar
the direct descendants of those VIII
built and maintained the old waite
| mill which was great part of tn
towns early life.
II The Chaffin mill is still being op
/ Grated. This valuable piece of prop