The Harrison times., 1917-02-17
SEEING THE SOUTH.

exception.
left Wagner, Oklahoma, January
% for southern Florida, via Houston,
Texas, and New Orleans.
The trip was uneyentful through
Texas, as | was somewhat familiar
with the topography OF the state. |
made short stop at Houston, how
ever, and caught the Limited for New
Orleans. The train was made up en-
tirely OF Pullmans and did not make
a stop for $50 miles. to New Orleans,
arriving there a little after dark.
At Houston | made my first pay.
ment on a "jitney" and took in the
town. 1t is quite a city, the metropolis
of that part of the state. They have
some fine residence streets and resi-
dences, but the railroad lands you in
an unsightly part of the city, and
gives one a bad impression OF the
city.
I thought of how we in Harrison
did the same thing and when | reached
Florida and saw the beautifully laid
out parks around the stations, |
thought | could see why so many peo-
pie we're going through Texas and
from other sections and to Florida.
| came by New Orleans with the
express intent of going by steamer
to Tampa, Florida, but could not get
passage by steamer as all the berths
were taken and | would be obliged to
wait seven days. did not like New
Orleans; too cold and foggy; but l
did like the oysters. Think of it
great big luscious fellows on half
shell at 10 cents a dozen. | never
could stop short of two dozen, and
ate freely the day l spent in New
Orleans. 1t will be a day long re-
membered by me, for if there is any
thing | relish more than oysters, it
is more oysters.
On arriving, and before arriving,
everybody said "be sure you see the
cemeteries" | told them that was the
last place l wanted to visit-but I
went.
l had already decided that l did not
want to live in New Orleans, and
when saw their cemeteries decided
| didn't want to be buried there.
The way they do it needs to be
seen and is hard to describe, but they
do not bury them; they shove them
into Pigeon Holes" like putting mail
in postoffice boxes (only of course,
larger) in tiers four high and the
length of the cemetery, none lower
than two feet from the ground.
The wealthy then later erect costly
vaults, mostly of marble, up two feet
from the ground.
visited the Liverpool & London
& Globe Insurance Co. U. S. headquart-
ers where they have thirty-five en-
ployes, occupying three floors of
block of buildings, and received a
warm reception.
The Gulf Coast railroad carries you
over great stretches of water, it being
sometimes hard to tell which side is
the Gulf of Mexico; | presume they
did this to avoid buying right-of.way.
All through Alabama and Georgia the
country seemed to be worn out ana
neglected and l wondered how such
large cities as Mobile, Montgomery
and Jacksonville could thrive, but we
all know that railroads do not gen
orally travel the best parts Of any
country.
| took occasion to take in hurriedly
several of the cities, and was surprised
to see no bungalows-all real houses
and all built on stills. Since ] rather
like houses for people, and sheep
sheds for sheep, this feature rather
suited me. | never did see but one
bungalow that | thought | would like
to live in, and then not on account Of
the architecture; and as to living on
stills, guess | do not like that be-
cause | am not used to high living"
Coming out from New Orleans all
the trees were covered with moss, a
curious sight indeed. Was told they
treated the moss and made our hair
mattresses out Of it. | saw no live
stock and no orchards, but immense
swamps. When | asked what the peo-
pie did for a livelihood, was told
that they skinned aligators in the
summer and tourists in winter"
The first good looking country |
saw was at st. Augustine in Florida.
The Dixie Highway-paved with
brick, parallels the railroad much of
the way and extends to Florida City.
saw the first straw hat at Mama,
and went on forty miles to Florida
City at which place | am stopping.
Here | met my old friend, +. j.
Rhodes, and have been shown many
nnnrtnnlnc hu him alnnn hnrn | am