Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-03-18
A LETTER FROM FLORIDA.
March 10. 1920

Dear Register have been here in
the Sunny South for FIVE days and so
lar have seen only one barefooted
ooy--this indicates quite truly that
Florida weather is not all that is claim
ed for il by the boosters Of the various
resorts. st. Augustine is in the
northern part Of the State, il is true.
but the weather ought to be a good
deal warmer il really is. Blu
! have been reading in the papers that
another blizzard swept over West Vir-
ginia soon after left, so shall be
thankful that | missed that. While the
air is chilly, the sun has been shining
brightly and il is not uncomfortable to
sit out-of-doors. The weather proph-
cts predict warm weather tomorrow.
ST. Augustine is filled with visitors
Just now. Ii is sort of stopping off
place for both north and south bound
tourists, and they are coming and go
ing all the time. There are people
mere from almost every section Of the
country, and everybody seems to have
plenty OF money and leisure to enjoy
it, This is a really delightful Ioafins
place. There are not so many places
Of interest, nor is there any great va
riety Of entertainment, but ST. Angus
tine has an individuality all Of its
own; and as II is oldest town in the
United States, it has many quaint and
curious things that visitors find at
tractive. Fort Marion, a most remark.
able military fortification built BY the
Spaniards hundreds Of years ago. is Of
absorbing interest, and | love to loaf
on It's sunny ramparts and poke around
in its spooky casemates.
Then there is the Fountain OF Youth
which Ponce de Leon sought for so
eagerly. | don't know whether he
found ii or not before he died--but
some one did, for il is here. You NAV
see il for yourself. 1t may possibly be
etticacious, but notice about the same
proportion Of old folks here that YOU
see in other towns. Either they do
not drink heartily of il, or il has lost
its reputed powers. However, shall
drink few gallons Of it just to see il
it really will keep one youthful.
An attractive feature of the daily
routine here is the band concert
Each afternoon and night Vessella's
excellent band discourses delightful
music and fine soprano soloist edi-
hes the crowds. These concerts are
held in the public park and are largely
attended. The hotels also have very
| love the mockingbirds here. There
are--hundreds OF them, and each day
they seem to be responding to the
budding spring and are increasing in
melodIouS activity. How delightful
ly they sing. Everywhere you 20 YOU
hear them singing and see them fyinp
from tree to tree. | wish they were
as numerous in Shepherdstown as they
are here. | also see redbirds and some
sparrows and blue jays and Carolina
Wrens and others that do not recog-
nize. The water fowl are to be seen
here in abundance. Yesterday saw
number of pelicans. and was remind
ed OF verse that is popular in Elori-
da:
A queer old bird is the pelican:
His beak holds more than his bellican.
March II, 1920.
] must take back what | said in the
first part of my letter concerning the
weather. Today is lovely and warm
Just what you would expect of Florida
Ii is too warm to sit in the sun and
have just enjoyed a pleasant hour in
the shade OF the palm trees, listening
to delightful concert. The ladies
are looking their prettiest in real sum-
mer frocks, and outdoors is simply
charming. Matanzas bay, in front OF
my hotel. is shimmering In the sun
shine, and soft breeze from the South
is Just making one feel lazy alto
gether. | can't write any more under
these circumstances, so must tell the
Registers readers goodbye. Tomor-
row l am going on to Miami. 800
miles south, and I reckon il will be
really tropical down there. H. L. S.
Federal Law Does Not Conflict.
Under a ruling OF the Federal
Prohibition Commissioner, made pub
lie by Prohibition Director Charles
Lively, permit issued by the federal
authorities provides absolutely no
immunity from the penalties of State
laws: In many respects, the West
Virginia Prohibition Law is more dras-
tic than the National Act and federal
prohibition enforcement officers have
adopted the policy of refusing to issue
permit where the act to be perform
ed hereunder constitutes a violation OF
the West Virginia laws. The princi-
pal conflicts involve the use and sale
OF whiskey. Under the National Act
druggists may obtain a permit to sell
whiskey for medicinal purposes; physi-
ciaDs may be authorized to prescribe
whiskey in quantities not to exceed one
pint per person every ten days and
purchase same for use in the practice
of their profession; and persons NOV
ing from one residence to another may
obtain permit to take with them any
any Intoxicating liquor they may have
on hand. However, the transporta-
ton OF whiskey and the sale thereof
upon prescription, or otherwise, is
prohibited by the State laws and no
permits OF this character will be is
sued by the Federal Director. Several
minor conflicts also occur between the
two laws and in all cases where an ap-