The Pensacola journal., 1920-04-17
RARE FLOWER IS
AT PORT ST. JOE
r n o o ND RON CHAPMAN is
FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN AMER
IcA EXCEPT NEAR APALAcHIcoLA

DR.. John X. Small of the Bronx Bo-
tanical Gardens, New York City, made
a recent trip to Apalachicola for the pur-
pose of finding the Rhododendron Chap-
man He was anxious to get specimens
of this plant which grows nowhere
else in the world. except in the environs
small pieces of this blossom eXtant In
any herbariums. and these two pieces,
DR.. Small said. were in the Bronx col,
lections. So when he had ascertained
that the plant just Towering, he
came straight from New York to Apa-
lachicola. in its quest
However. when he reached Apalachicola
he found that his journey had just be
gun, for Apalachicola is over thirty miles
away. So he and his party motored
down to the sister city, called Port st.
joe This town is about thirty-two
miles from Apalachicola. and is built
near the historical site of the old town
lists were greatly pleased with their en-
tire trip; and they say that they found
so many interesting plants and trees,
that they will be forced to return in the
early Fall of 1920.
The search for the Rhododenron lead
DR.. Smalfs party over the actual site OF
the old city of ST. Joseph, and these
northern scientists were much interested
in the old cemetery, the old brick walks,
and flower beds which are about all that
remains of the other city. MI George
Pattons bungalow, The Oaks, with his
ranch stretches through what was once
the business part of a prosperous city:
Right here is the situation chosen for
the moment, which Hon. H. l.. Oliver,
our state senator, was active in obtain
ing at the last legislature. 1t will be on
the old water front and just across from
Mr. Patton'S range fence.
On this point, where today pine trees
answering to the palms, in an antiphony
of music are the only singers-the state
will mark for future historians the place,
where amid gaiety and screeching stream
whistles, the first constitutional conven-
tion met, and the constitution OF the new
state of Florida was written.
The second railroad in the United
States had st. Joseph as one of its ter
minals. Then it was gay and rich city,
full of cotton and the other exports of
those days. After that came cross
country rail roads. and the city died She
actually died; for whole houses were
picked up and brought to Apalachicola,
where they still stand. The history of
St. Joseph was known to DR.. Small and
barrens and rich undisturbed botanical
grounds. So they were much surprised
with the new burst of industry that is
thrilling the old place.
Today a new city is rapidly growing
up. This town is not planted upon the
actual site of the old city. 1t is farther
saunter of the bath houses, and the piers
that reach far out into the bay, and
and most delightful bathing is offered
throughout, the year. st. Joseph's bay
has no fresh water empting into it; and
for that reason the waters are from ten
to fifteen degrees warmer than the
Andrews. For this reason the Port Inn
is delightful resort for both winter and
summer tourists.
Mr. and Mrs Dell Mahon are the cap
able and hospitable hosts of the Inn.
Under their management, this hotel is
becoming one of the most popular in this
section of the South.
A new industry has opened in the port
recently, which bids fair to be one of the
Coast This is the Menhaden Fishery.
This small fish is found to be most
abundant in these waters, and SO this
great plant has been erected to use these
fish in particular. This fish finds it's
ultimate fate in fertilizer; but in gath
ering or catching this humber fish,
nets. and Mr.. o. j. Delaney. who is the
head of the Menhaden plant has turned
the tf;7, other 1 fish , business over to Lynn SyII
bourn was formerly of Carrabelle, but
now he lives in Port st. Joe.
This trip upon which the recent growth
of st. Joe was remarked, was essentially
a botanical trip, and the information
gathered about the city was rather
lumbled in the minds of the scientists
by the triumphant fact that the Rho
dodendron was in bloom, and specimens
enough were gathered to stock the bo-
tanists of America. In spite of their pre-
occupation, the fine new public school
house did impress itself, as did also the
A. n. r. r. rs special, bringing home the
superintendent of that road. Mr.. ID. Sui
nvan. They the fine drug store
recently taken over by w. ID. Buzzett,
and the wonderful flower garden of a
Mrs. walters, whose husband had some
thing to do with the railroad. Something
perhaps very important. but taken in
consideration the fact of the best of the
present party, not half so impressive as
the flowers in that garden.
Someone pointed out the fact that there
were several vessels at the piers, where
a deep anchorage waits. One of them
is being loaded by The Graves Lumber
Co. OF Hosford. Really here was the
first of a real city, and this visit to it,
plus the hospitality of the citizens to-
gether with the finding of this Rhododen-
dunn made red letter day for the New
Yorkers.
They departed with promises of
speedy return.
To those who don't care hang about
the Rhododendron, but would like to
know why wise men so much inter
ested in this one particular specimen, let
il be known that the Rhododendron
Chapman was discovered by DR.. Chap
man. the great southern botanist, about
so years ago, and was named for him
by his distinguished contemporary, DR..
Asa Grey. 1t is the only Rhododendron
native in this section of the South.
COULD NOT BEGIN TO TELL ALL