Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-04-26

st. Petersburg, Florida, April 8, %.
Mr.. H. E. Goldsmith,
Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Ny Dear Friend:-As the time il
nearing to get back to the Hub of
the u. S." and as you have so faith
fully sent US the home news we DEEM
ed it best TO let you know the time of
discontinuance. We may leave st.
Petersburg most any day so it will
be unnecessary to send it after the
receipt of this letter.
When we decided to leave the land
of real living for a winter of sunshine
and warmth in Florida, it would be
unethical to say as to whether we have
had our expectations realized but were
any of my Viroqua friends to see
Hazen enjoying the sports of the Sum
shine City they would be inclined to
think that Ponce de Leon who discov-
cred the Fountain of Youth" in this
state, has his followers of the goth
century.
Most people ask what are the re-
sources of Florida. Were / to answer
this question would say, winter visit
ors. / doubt if friends of the north
realize the extent to which Florida has
been blessed with "rainy day" money,
saved in the east, west, and north.
Probably seven out of ten make
some sort of an investment in the
state in the way of financing citrus
groves, vegetable fields, apartment
houses, or lending money at the legal
rate of interest, SO.
Petersburg, on the west coast, it
is admitted is the best managed town
or city in Florida. The Chamber Of
Commerce tries to make it a middle
class resort. 1t provides a profession
al band to give free concerts daily in
the City Park. On the main streets,
in front of the business houses are
long green benches, and here may be
seen thousands of old men and women
tall young here). The sight is fas-
chatting, as these people are true re-
representatives. of the good people from
the north. St.Petersburg has none Of
the great hotels which we saw on a
recent trip through the interior of the
east coast by auto. This trip includ-
ed Tampa, Orlando, Daytona, Palm
Beach and Miami. Flagler, called the
Santa Claus of Florida, built enorm-
Gus hotels, beginning with St.August-
inc, then to Daytona. Palm Beach was
probably his favorite spot, as in adj
dition to the "Royal Poinciana," the
largest wooden structure in the world,
he built a palace for himself, costing
one million dollars. Henry Flagler's
infatuation for Florida explains the
prosperity of the state. The attract
ion here is climate; for fiat Florida is
not beautiful as is the scenic noun
tain section of Colorado.
The wonder place of attraction in
Miami is the home of James Deering,
son of VIM. Deering of the Harvester
fame. From cutting wheat, James
Deering drifted into art collecting,
which caused him to build palace to
display his collections.
1t is not all play in Florida. There
are towns famous for tomato, potato
and celery growing. When we tour
ed the state the thought came to me
as we passed through orange, grape
fruit and pineapple groves, that it
seemed a waste of time to fool with
our Wisconsin products in our short
northern seasons. However, there are
losses in the citrus fruits due to frosts
some seasons.
/ am inclined to the idea that for
beauty Orlando, in its setting of lakes,
is the leader of the south.
mustn't forget in my idleness that
you are a busy man and will tell you
in person more of our wonderful ex-
periences. With kind personal re-
gards, in which Mrs. Hazen joins me,
| am Very truly,
K. w. HAZEN.