The Ocala banner., 1922-07-07
NEW LIFE IN OLD COUNTY or
SUMTER

sumter county, WeSr or Lake and
south of Marion, is one of the old
counties of Florida. 1t is blessed with
rich soil, climate conditions most ia
vorable has railroad transportation
facilities and many other advantages
common to other prospering and ad-
vancing Florida counties. But it has
stood still The big freeze" of '95
not only paralyzed the citrus indus
try of that county but, apparently, the
very energies of the people. The
county languished because progress
halted. There were indications of the
fact that Sumter county was not keep
ing up with the procession that is so
triumphantly making its way through
other Florida counties, bringing to
them prosperity that is amazing.
Now, however, new life is evident
in Sumter county. Through the old
but still strong arteries is coursing
blood that has been impregnated with
progress germs. The result is an
awakening, putting forth of vigorous
efforts, inspired with desire to emu
late the worthy examples of Lake and
Marion and other neighboring coun-
ties that are in the ranks of progress
that are achieving wonderful results
because of practical energetic, per-
sistent efforts to make for themselves
more than a mere place on the map
of Florida, making for themselves that
advancement which brings with it
prosperity in proportion to the efforts
put forth.
A convincing sign of new life in
Sumter county is the recent organiza-
tion of county chamber of commerce.
Those who have Joined this organiza-
ton have eyes that see. They have
stout hearts and ardent desires to ac-
complish something worth while. They
mean business. Their first indica-
ton is the employment of very cap
able man, in the person of Clarence
e. Woods, formerly of Lake county,
as secretary of the county chamber
of commerce. They are going to pay
him a good salary so that he may de-
vote all his time and his energies, of
proved capability, to the work. Pre-
ceding this indication was another,
one of utmost Importance. That is the
inauguration of the work of provid-
ing the county with improved public
roads. Already one of considerable
length has been nearly completed. 1t
is a splendid highway, and what re-
lief from the sand roads of the past
The Sumter County Times of recent
date says now that this north-south
highway is about completed from one
end of the county to the other, there
is much sentiment in favor of these
cross roads and we believe it is only
matter of short time before some
definite plan for their completion will
be under way
Sumter county people have learned
They have seen what their neighbors
are accomplishing They have de-
termined to help themselves, and with
this determination, and vigorous, prac-
tical efforts put forth for accomplish
ment, there has come already the CO.
operation of neighboring counties,
notably on the part Of Lake, which
last Thursday sent delegation of it's
county chamber of commerce mem
bers to Bushnell to aid in establish
ing similar organization in Sum
ter county. More help of this charac-
ter will come to Sumter now that its
people have given signs of new life
and an earnest effort to help them
selves.
Sumter county, with all its proved
natural advantages, is sdestined to be-
come one of the banner counties of
Florida, provided its people, and those
who will be pleased to come and cast
their lots with them, will exert them
selves as they are capable of doing.
They have much, very much to do.
But if they will cast off the bonds
with which they have bound them
selves, will make up their minds that