Newspaper Page Text
£avatmal* Weekly tom*
WATURPAY.^PKCBWBER 7l sfsT~~
18767
THE
Savannah Weekly News!
This favorite Weekly Taper enters on its
Twenty-Sixth Year!
on the first of January next, and we de
sire again to present its claims as a good
newspaper to the people of Oeoboia,
Florida and South Carolina, and, also,
to all who are interested in these State-,
wherever they may reside.
THE WEEKLY NEWS
is universally acknowledged to be the
best weekly newspaper published in the
South, and is a complete compendium of
the news of the week from all parts of the
world, carefully compiled from our daily
editions. It is a welcome visitor to the
family fireside, as well as to the farmer,
the merchant or mechanic, as nothing is
permitted in its columns that will offend
the most fastidious.
No effort will be spared to add to its
already well earned reputation and to
make it deserve the continued support
of its subscribers. Let the friends of the
WEEKLY NEWS present its claims to
their neighbors, who are not subscribers,
and get them to take it, and thus aid us
in the good work of keeping up the
“people’s paper.”
The WEEKLY NEWS will be sent (froo
of postage) to any address :
One year $2 00
Six months 1 00
Three months 0 50
One month 0 25
Remittances can be made by Tost
Office Money Order, Registered Letter, or
Express, at our risk. No attention is
paid to orders unless accompanied by the
money.
All letters should be addressed
J. H. EETILL,
Savannah, Ga.
Secretary Bristow’s Fiscal Policy.
The New York Bulletin publishes ad
yicos from Washington to the effect that
Hecretary Bristow will repeat his recom
mendation of last year, for the reimposi
tion of the duties of three cents
per pound on coffee and fifteen
cents per pound on tea. He
finds the internal revenue receipts for
the first five months of the fiscal year
about $.1,500,000 ahead of those of last
year, and the custom duties about $2,-
500,000 less than then, showing a net in
crease of about $2,500,000 a year in tho
income of the government. He expects
an excess of $24,000,000 of ordinary re
ceipts over ordinary expenditures, aud
estimates that the surplus will fall
$7,000,000 short of the require
ments of the sinking fund, which,
from this reckoning, would appear to be
about $111,000,000. In order to provide
for the deficiency of $7,000,000 thus
arising on the sinking fund account, the
Booretary will reiterate his rejected
recommendations of last year to reim
pose the duties referred to. As the
House of Representatives is committed
againjjt_ anjL polity ihut Vonhl increase
-'taxation, it is ndt considered likely that
tho Secretary will hove any success in
this fresh set to against that glorious
institution, the “freo breakfast table.”
The truo policy to be observed would
Been) to be a rectification of govern
ment balances by a reduction of govern
ment expenditures. The merciless re
action in business from which the coun
try has long been suffering will scarcely
admit of further exactions from the
government.
Oua Relations to Spain. —The Wash
ington correspondent of the Baltimore
Bun says: “The publication first made
in this correspondence touching our re
lations to Spain and Cuba, have been
Biuoe followed by publications elsewhere
on the same subject of a more or less
aeusational character. What was said in
this correspondence on the situation at
the time, may now be reaffirmed. Thou,
as now, the danger of any serious rup
“Hire with Spain has not been anticipated
by the President. Tho President may
or may not have ambitious motives urg.
iug him to precipitate a foreign conflict,
as is charged, but his sagacity is too
strong to permit him to rush into any
thing of the kind without a distinct con
sciousness that the great popular heart
beats behind him. The President cannot
be unmindful of what is very evident
here, that the response from the country
has been in favor of peace. The senti
mont of the people seems to be very de
cided that there is no present cause which
would justify the United States embark
ing in a war with Spain. The country
may therefore be assured that the action
of the President aud the tone of his mes
sage will be such as to command its ap
proval. The President may also con
clude to give some attention to the cou
cideration of our relations with Mexico.”
Important Improvement in Iron Man-
TATeRE. —The mauy improvements in
iron manufacture in this country during
the past few years have, as has been re
peatedly shown, placed our products in
new and important markets. The latest
novelty is the manufacture of sheet iron
of a quality said to be fully equal to that
of Russian production. This important
result has been attained by a Pittsburg
firm, after many years experimenting. In
fineness and ability to stand both the
weather and the tests to which it is sub
jected in working,* it is said to be une
qualled. The manufacturers guarantee to
plaoe the sheet in market much below the
price now paid for the Russian product,
and not only that, but in sufficient quan
tity to permit its being offered at a price
low enough to rival Euglish sheet
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. —Mr.
John O. Stegar, counsel for Mr. Henry
Tyson, Receiver of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad, has made an investigation
into the affairs of the company, cost of
road, liabilities and assets, and the infor
mation has been published in pamphlet
form by Mr. Tyson, for the benefit
of the bondholders. The debt of the
company is enormous—about $38,33t>,-
034 83, Mr. Stegar thinks—while its es
timated assets are $28,750,192 13. The
road wi.U hardly bring $10,000,000 at
publie auction.
In view of the recent and well-known
efforts of Dr. J. G. Thomas, of this city,
to bring to the attention of Georgians the
important subject of sanitary science, the
article printed elaewheree, from Frank
Lttiie' Illustrated lYetrspaper, is timely,
as well as interesting, and we commend
it to the thoughtful attention of the
readers of the Morning Kerb.
The Postmaster General's Report.
Postmaster General Jewell, his an
nual report to Congress, will make but
few recommendations to Congress. He
will refer to the operations of the depart
ment during the year in torms of satis,
faction, will recite the changes and im
provements in the manner of making
contracts and the transportation of the
mails, most of which hsve been reported
from time to time, and will call attention
to the very creditable financial exhibit.
He will treat at some length of the fast
mail service throughout the country,
which he approves in the most earnest
manner. A portion of his report will also
be devoted to the new system of prepay
ing newspaper postage and its operations.
No change in method will be reoom
mended. The Postmaster General looks
with regret upon the practice of Post
masters who receive large salaries, rang
ing from fifteen hundred to four thous
and dollars, who devote only s few hours
each day to their duties. He strongly
condemns such officers as come to their
offices late in the afternoon, hastily
turning over their mail, signing snch
documents as require their official signa
tures, then leaving their duties to sub
ordinates and giving their time to their
private pursuits. Mr. Jewell is cf the
opinion that officers paid by the govern
ment should give their whole time to the
government, and that those who cannot
do this ought to retire. In this respect
he will, without probably intending it,
hit sundry administration editorial post
masters some severe blows. In regard
to what is known as the “third-class
matter,” upon which the rate was so un
reasonably increased during the last
session of Congress, the Postmaster
General will make some important re
commendations. The present postage on
all printed matter and packages is a cent
an ounce, or fraction of an ounce, on all
transient matter, so that it not onfre
quently happens that a transient news
paper will require four cents postage, or
as much as the original cost of the paper.
Mr. Jewell will recommend a return to
the old rates, namely: half a cent an
ounce on newspapers, but will ask that
the law remain as it is in regard to other
articles, except, perhaps, books, and
upon this he has not yet decided.
Report or the Chief Signal Officer.
The Chief Signal Officer of the Army
in his annual report says: .“The display
of cautionary day and night signals on
the lakes and at the great ports of the
United States, has been made systemati
cally on occasions of supposed especial
danger at forty-three different sta
tions. Of the total number of caution
ary signals thus displayed, 70 percent,
have been afterward reported as justi -
fied. In the cases reported as fail
ures of justification following the display,
the winds did not attain, at the place
of display, a violence held to jus
tify it, while in isolated instances the
signals have not been displayed when
they ought to have been. The records
show that no great storm has swept over
any considerable number of the ports of
the United States without pre-announce
ment. In instances of disasters to ves
sels occurring during the year the facts
have proven that the watch kept by the
service and the prompt transmission in
times of danger of a few messages have
saved property amounting to more than
the cost of the lines. The scanty force
of the signal service will not permit it
to occupy lines greater in extent than
those contemplated in existing legisla
tion.”
The report earnestly recommends leg
islation for a more complete organization
of the signal service as necessary now,
*botn for the interests of the United
States and as simple justice to the offi
cers and men who have served so long
and faithfully upon it, with duties now
as extensive, as important, and reaching
directly more interests of the people of
the United States than those of any other
bureau of the War Department. It ex
ists without laws providing for the per
manent employment and grades of its
officers, or the promotion of its enlisted
mem This condition is found to seri
ously embarrass the work of the office.
The service depends for its success upon
a rapidity of action which may save min
utes of time. It cannot be too safely
guarded against possible hamperiugs.
The Liberian War.
A Washington dispatch says that offi
cial information has been received show
ing that in consequence of the war of the
Liberians with the natives much distress
has been produced among the Liberians,
some of whom in the interior set
tlements are almost in a state of starva
tion. It further appears that several of
the native students at the Theological
College at Cape Palmas are in sympathy
with their fellow natives, and give them
encouragement in their attacks on the
Liberians, and that a number of English
men are trading with the natives, sup
plying them with firearms, ammunition,
and other means of war. In view of
these facts Dr. Peter Parker, and Drs.
Nichols and Lindsay, and Mr. Coppinger,
Secretary of the American Coloniza
tion Society, called on President
Grant to represent all the facts in the
oase and to ask that a ship of war be
sent to the African coast in the neigh
borhood of the settlements with a view
of giving encouragement and support to
the Liberians, and to chastise such na
tives as may be within reach of its guns,
l’he President, sympathizing with the
Liberians, informed the committee that
several weeks ago a vessel had been or
dered thither for the purpose of
affording protection to the Libe
rians in the manner indicated. The
Secretary of the Navy subsequently
informed the above-named represen
tatives of the Colonization Society that
instructions to the commander of the
ship-of-war had already been prepared,
and would soon be forwarded to him.
The Secretary of State will doubtless
communicate with Minister Schenck, in
order that proper representations may be
made to the British Government, with a
view to the removal of the Englishmen
who are supplying the natives with means
of war as a private speculation.
It is claimed by those who have exam
ined the subject that the treaty between
the l nited States and Great Britain for
the suppression of the African slave
trade give ample authority for govern
mental interference for the protection of
the Liberians.
Electric Hail way Signals. —About
one hundred and fifty trains a day enter
or leave the Grand Central depot, New
York, their movements being regu
lated by an electric apparatus elevated
above the tracks, and which is connected
with self-acting signals a mile distant to
give warning of an approaching train.
These signals indicate danger after a
train passes one, until the train has
reached another signal. At the draw
bridge at Harlem the watchman cannot
open the bridge until danger signals are
set on both sides, and when the bridge
shuts, a bell rings until safety signals are
set. The machinery employed is very
simple, and not likely to get ont of order.
Three years ago it cost SSOO per month
to operate the electric system of signals.
Now it costs only S2O a month, snd six
fuen to do the work of sixteen.
A New Discovery.
It is stated that Mr. T. A.
Edison, the electrician of the
Southern and Pacific Telegraph Compa
ny, while experimenting with light as a
force, has made a discovery which prom
ise* to revolutionize telegraphy. Mr.
Edison claims that his experiments hsve
resulted in the discovery of anew force
of a nature similar to electricity and
possessing an efficiency without being
subject to many of the influences which
affect the latter. A remarkable feature
in the newly discovered force is that the
earth has no effect upon it as a conductor
whatever. Wires operated by this new
agent, can work perfectly, lying on the
ground, or in any other position, so long
as they are unbroken. Glass, however, is
a conductor.
Mr. Edison intends to pursue his in
vestigations, with a view of applying
the new force to telegraphic uses. It will
have innumerous advantages over the
present method. The current will not
be interrupted by anything short of a
complete breakage of the wires, instead
of being influenced by every variation of
atmosphere or change in position, as at
present. Wires can be laid along rail
road tracks, under the rails, and a large
proportion of the heavy cost of con
structing lines as now used will thus be
averted.
The Speakership.
The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Sun says that the number of
candidates from the South for all the im
portant positions, after the Speakership,
is very large, and in the event of the
Southern members going into the general
caucns without some agreement among
themselves as to their officers, a very pro
tracted struggle would ensue, and the re
sult might be that the South would get
much less than what in her opinion she
is justly entitled to. Recognizing the
force of this, the Southern members will
hold some time next week, in advance of
the general caucus, a caucus of their
own. At this meeting the effort will be
to reconcile the conflicting claims of the
various candidates for Clerk,
Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper, <fcc. As
the South has no candidate for Speaker,
it will of course be perfectly feasible for
that section to obtain any other position
it desires by presenting a united front.
Whether it will be possible to do this
can only be ascertained at their caucus.
A Strange Story of Outrage. —A
strange story of outrage has been made
public in New York respecting the alleged
seizure in broad daylight, the arrest ind
incarceration in the Tombs, and transfer
to Sing Sing of a young man named
Schwarz, whose case was recently brought
before the Assembly Committee on Crime.
Schwarz describes his companions in the
oell in the Tombs, and investigation con
firms his statement as to the fact of such
a person having been in such a cell at
the time mentioned. He attributes the
alleged outrage to the fact of his being
an important witness in a case in which
the damages were laid at SI,OOO. The
case was one of assault on a woman, in
which two Bohemians were charged with
the offense. Schwarz states that at the
time of his seizure several persons saw
him, but that no notice was taken of his
outcries because he could not speak Eng
lish. A reward is now effered for any
witness of the seizure who will come
forward and testify.
The Chicago Tribune thinks that the
National Government has about as much
to do with the public school system as it
has with the sewerage of Chicago, or the
spiritual condition of the Hottentots.
The reason, then, for the existence at
Washington of a Bureau of Education,
with varied salaried officials and a mania
for publishing pamphlets, is not appa
rent. It is the easiest thing in the world
to get Congress to establish a bureau for
something or other, but, like most easy
things, it is a bad thing to do. The sta
tistics, however, compiled by the bureau,
are interesting and useful, though, of
course, they are generally gathered from
State agents.
THE VACANT TREASURY.
Ilow ilie Money Hugs ot Georgia are
Taking Care of Themselves.
[Atlanta Herald of Sunday.]
There were no new movements in
Treasury circles on yesterday.
The Governor did a piece of routine
work in sending an order to the Treas
urer, notifying him that his office was
vacated by operation of the law, and that
in ten days he might turn over his books
and papers to his successor. The follow
ing is the official order:
Atlanta, Ga., November 26, 1875.
John Jones, Esq., Atlanta, Ga.:
Whereas, On the 15th instant an exe
cutive order was issued, requiring you to
give new bond and surety, as Treasurer
of said State, in terms of the law in such
casts made aud provided, a copy of which
was, upon the second day, served upon
you personally; and
Whereas, You have failed to comply
with such requisition within the ten days
allowed by law therefor.
You are hereby notified that by opera
tion of law you are removed from said
office of State Treasurer, and a vacancy
declared.
You will please, within the next ten
days, state your accounts, and deliver the
books, papers and money of the Trea
sury to your successor, , as re
quired by section 94 of the last Revised
Code of Georgia.
Given under my hand and the seal of
the Executive Department at the Capitol
in Atlanta the day and year first above
written.
By the Governor :
James M. Smith, Governor.
J. W. Warren, Sec’y Ex. Dep’t.
From all the information we could
gather it is quite probable that Dr. C. L.
Redwine will be appointed to fill the
vacancy for the unexpired term. Should
this be true, Dr. Redwine will be an ex
cellent choice, and the mantle could
hardly fall on more capable shoulders.
WHAT TREASURES JONES WILL DO.
The natural course of events, now that
Treasurer Jones is out of office, would be
for the Governor to proceed against him
and his securities in the courts in case
he finds him indebted to the State or be
hind in his accounts. Of course there
can be no impeachment by the Legis
lature. When an officer is removed
the Legislature has no jurisdic
tion. Colonel Jones can, if he so
desires, demand an investigation at the
hands of the Legislature, and promptly
settle the issues that now beset him.
This course we earnestly hope he will
see proper to take. Without speaking
by authority, we are inclined to believe
that he will demand a hearing before the
Legislature. He persistently demanded
an impeachment during the last session,
and it was denied him. His only object
as far as we have seen has been to get at
full and fair hearing. This he will be apt
to demand next January.
WHO WILL BE HIS SUCCESSOR ?
It is impossible to even guess at his
successor, indeed there is an air of vague
uncertainty pervading the Executive de
partment that justifies the opinion
that the Governor himself has not ar
rived at any determination. Dr. Boze
man has announced definitely and posi
tively that he would not accept the office
from either the Governor or the Legisla
ture. “I will not have,’’says he, “any office
that requires a bond of $20,000, and only
allows $2,000 salary.” No written ap
plication has been made as yet for the
place, though it is said that Mr. Kenfroe,
of the Comptroller’s Department, is a
candidate for it. Dr. Redwine did not
come to Atlanta on any business con
nected with the Governor about the
office.
It will be difficult for the Governor to
find a man who will make a twenty thou
sand dollar bond for a mere month’s
tenure of office. The appointment must
be made, however, within the next seven
days, and the right man will doubtless be
selected
THE LAND OF FLOWERS-No. 5.
Orange Count r—.Mellonville and Sal
ford—Fort Held and Vicinity—“Weno.
na,” the Home of Capt. G. W. Wylly—
“Onoro,” the Winter Boarding Hotel
of Dr. W. A. Spence.
[Special Correspondence of the Morning News.)
*‘Osoao,” November 23,1875.
Owing to the fact that the steamer on
which I took passage from Palatka left
there at midnight, I was unable to take
notes in regard to several important places
on the river that were passed before day.
light, which compels me to defer a report of
my observations during the voyage, and an
account of what I saw at Enterprise, on the
other side of the lake, for a subsequent
letter. In the present epistle I shall briefly
notice this immediate section of Orange
county, where many valuable and important
improvements have already been made and
others are now in an unfinished condition,
but will be completed during the present
season.
ORANGE COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS.
It is claimed that this is the “banner
county” for settlers, and that the improve
ments being made here surpass those of
&Dy other similar section of the State. It is
no doubt true that the great tides of immi
gration pour into Orange county, and it is
equally true that a large amount of money
is being expended here in making perma
nent and valuable improvements. This is
due to several causes, prominent among
which is persistent advertising, in
various ways, of the most desira
ble features and chief attractions
of the county as a place of residence. This
system of advertising has even invaded the
“Presentments of the Grand Jury” of the
county, who in their last “deliverance” have
this to say for the benefit of their orange
groves: “We note with much satisfaction
the continuance of the great demand for our
orange crop, which is sought with avidity
even before the fruit is ripe. We also notice
with pleasure that most of the young groves
in the county are in a thriving condition.”
On the immigration question they also
speak in very decided terms, as follows:
“We claim, without fear of successful con
tradiction, that no new county has ever re
ceived a more industrious and refined
class of settlers within its border* than has
this our own county. We are also glad to
gay that as usual our population enjoys the
great blessing of good health.” The immi
grant can scarcely move without seeing or
bearing something about this portion of
Florida. Men of wealth and influence have
become largely interested in lands here,
and all their energies are concentrated upon
one object—the speedy and permanent set
tlement of all this territory, including State
and government lands. When the latter
are ail taken up, as they will soon be at the
present rate of entry, private lands
will come into demand, and with better
prices than could now be obtained.
I have met quite a number of meu from
Georgia, who have considerable property at
home, who are entering free homesteads on
government lands in this county. Some of
them have selected places twenty-five or
thirty miles from Mellonville, the* nearest
steamboat lauding, in what is called the
“interior.” They are near A. St. Clair-
Abrams, whose homestead is said to be
delightfully located in the vicinity of
a number of very pretty little inland lakes.
In fact, so great are the improvements
through that portion of the county, and
so rapidly is it settling up, that the people
already talk about big hotels for visitors and
a railroad from Sanford to the Gulf coast.
Orlando, the countv town, is about twenty
miles inland from Mellonville, and is said to
be a growing place. As I have already re
ferred your readers to the “The Homc'stead
Agency,” Jacksonville, for all desired infor
mation, it is not necessary to go into details
of the county in this brief letter.
SANFORD AND MELLONVILLE.
The first landing after entering Lake
Monroe, on the east bank, is the new and
enterprising town of Sanford, named after
General H. S. Sanford, who has made, and is
still making, large investments here. The
buildings are neatly painted and rather at
tractive in appearance, and indicate that
the future ol the place will be a bright
one. The land there is said to be lower
than that on which Mellonville is
located, and was formerly owned by
General Barney Finnegan, of Savannah,
who now has a valuable place some three or
four miles hack of the town. The Post
Office at Mellonville, for some strange rea
son, has been removed to Sanford, instead
of having,a new one established there, thus
leaving the former place without local mail
facilities. These rival towns are, however;
only about a mile apart, so that this incon
venience is not as great as it might other
wise have been. Through the efforts of
Mrs. General Sanford a very handsome little
church edifice has been erected for the
Episcopalians, and the Rev. L. Phelps is the
present excellent rector, making his home
at “Onoro.”
A large first-claas hotel is now being
eroded at Sanford, just at the landing, in
front of which handsome grounds are to be
laid out. A portion of this building is nearly
ready for occupancy, and will probably be
opened for guests before Christmas. This
fine hotel will add much to the attractive
ness of the place as a winter resort for
tourists and invalids, and contribute no
little to the growth aud importance of the
town in connection with the interior trade.
It will also have some considerable in
fluence in settling the question as to whether
the proposed new railroad shall have its
lake terminus at Sanford or Mellonville.
The South Florida Journal , edited by Mr.
Fred. L. Robertson, is published at this
place, and is a neatly printed and lively pa
per, thoroughly devoted to the development
of Orange county, and well edited in its
local city department. I have not been
able to call on the editor, but his paper in
dicates that he has a good office, and knows
how to run it in the interest of his patrons.
It is rumored that a bank will soon be estab
lished at this point, the building being al
ready erected for its use. If money, energy
and persistent *• blowing of one’s own horn”
can accomplish anything for this live aud
growing place, Sanford will yet become an
important inland city.
Mellonville is a much older and more
widely-known town than Sanford, and is the
highest point on the right sido of the riVer
to which the large boats run. From this
place thoy cross over to Enterprise, about
six miles distant, on the west side of Lake
Monroe, and remain until morning, return
ing to Melonville at daylight, on their way
back to Palatka. The “Volusia” and
“Lollie Boy,” however, go on up Lake
Jesup to Salt Lake. For years past Mel
louvilJe has been the point from which
freight and passengers have been
carried into the interior, and but little of
that business has yet been transferred to
Sanford. With one or two exceptions, the
stores and residences are not very attractive
in appearance, there being an absence of
neatness, refinement and thrift which should
characterize a place that has such an ex
tended and favorable reputation abroad.
One of the greatest wants of this town is a
well-furnished and well-kept hotel, where
travelers who pay two dollars and fifty cents
per day for board can get at least second
class accommodations. The Mellonville
Advertiser, although a very small paper,
deserves to be liberally supported. Sir
Isaac Newton is earnestly devoting the riper
years of his life to its success, aud with a
suitable partner to furnish a few hundred
dollars to aid in its enlargement, he would
give the people of this section a stirring
Democratic journal worthy of the cause,
and one that would aid largely in develop
ing the resources of Orange county. The
old fogies of Mellonville must wake up and
make these needed improvements, or the
past glory of their town will fade away, and
the rival town of Sanford far outstrip it in
wealth, culture and business enterprise.
FORT REID AND VICINITY.
Back some two miles from Mellonville
and Sanford, where the lands are higher
and the soil hotter adapted to orange cul
ture, are numerous thrifty groves. A mile
and a half from the landing, on the main
road, is what is known as Ginn’s large
orange grove, and opposite and just beyond
are to be seen smaller but equally as prolific
groves.
Not far from this grove,on the opposite side
of the road, Mr. M. J. Doyle, formerly of
Savannah, lias nearly completed an imposing
two-story mansion for his own occupancy,
the result of his successful career as a mer
chant at the landing. He is a pleasant gen
tleman, a good business manager, and is
the local agent of the boats and the South
ern Express Company. His store is a model
of good order, aud "his new home will be
one of the most elegant in this vicinity.
Passing on to Fort Reid, about a mile dis
tant, several neat and attractive residences
are to be seen, and a few bearing orange
groves. Lemon, lime, banana and pineap
ple trees are also visible, but not in large
numbers. Near the Methodist Church edi
fice, which is a newly erected and handsome
structure, is the recently purchased home
of Judge Hayden, of Atlanta, who, with Mr.
Markham’s son, is making large investments
in orange groves in this neighborhood, the
latter having paid nineteen thousand dollars
for a single grove. Not far distant, on th 9
other side of the road, is the “Orange
House,” a commodious boarding hotel for
winter visitors, with a livery stable at
tached. This latter is a very desirable es
tablishment if people want to move about,
as walking is much harder than riding in
this new country, and a person don’t want
much of either, except in small doses, and
then only from necessity. The roads are
very sandy and heavy, with only an occa
sional place where your horse can get out of
a walk, and being used mostly by loaded
teams hauling freight into fthe" interior of
the country, are not well adapted to pleas
ure riding, especially for invalids.
Fort Reid is somewhat scattered, the
business part of the town having tour or
five stores, a large boarding house and
several dwellings, all rather widely sepa
rated from each other. The location of the
town is good, being in a pine forest, or
rolling land, and only some two or tbrea
miles from two important steamboat land
ings—Mellonville and Sanford. There are
at this place Methodist and Presbyterian
Church edifices, both having bells, but as
the people are averse to capital punish
ment, they are still unhung—the peo
ple and the bells. A movement is also
on foot to erect bouses of worship for
the Baptists and Episcopalians. As the
residents are generally meu of means,
they can weli afford to have all the leading
denominations represented in the church
privileges of the place. There can be no
aoubt as to the future growth ot this little
village, or that it will be surrounded by
families of wealth and refinement. The
lands lying in this section are mostly in the
possession of gentlemen who have no desire
to sell them to other than actual settle rs of
ample means to put up handsome residences
and make valuable imerovements on their
places. In less than three years every such
lot will be sold and improved in the most
attractive manner.
“WENONA,” G. W. WYLLY’S PLACE.
From near the “Orange House” I could
see, gome half mile beyond, a very hand
some budding with an imposing cnpalo,
which I took to be a public edifice of some
important character. On inquiry, however,
I learned that it was “Wenona,” the beauti
ful winter residence of Capt. G. W. Wylly,
of Savanuab. In gome cases “distance lends
enchantment to the view,” but the nearer
yon get to “Wenona," with i:s orange, lem
on, pineapple and guava trees, the
better you like the * scene, especially
if its liberal - hearted proprietor is at
home to ask you, as he most certainly will,
to “come in and eat a little fruit” with him.
The number of bearing orange trees in this
grove is not larye, but surrounding them
are over a thousand new trees, many of
which will commence bearing next year.
These trees are set out in most admirable
order, in rows twenty-one feet apart, the
same distance being maintained between
the trees in the rows. The broad avenues
between the rows are sown in hay seed, and
a fine crop of hay is the result. In the
spring the turf is turned under, and
forms a good fertilizer. Tue
trees have loose soil abont them for several
feet, which is readily kept in a proper condi
tion by running a small cultivator up and
down each side of a row. This seems to me a
very economical and successful method of
cultivating a young orange grove, and one
that a practical, energetic mau like Mr.
Wylly can make quite profitable. The well
filled hay loft of his stable is sufficient evi
dence of this fact.
Everywhere about this place can be seen
evidences of the owner’s taste and untirfDg
energy. The elegant residence, with its
neat little cottage near by, for the super
intendent of the grove, is as attractive and
convenient as one could possibly desire, and
on supplied table sparkles as pure
and excellent water—a great luxury here—
as any I ever tasted. In the garden, which
is laid out and prepared with the greatest
care, I found almost every variety of vege
tables, many of which will be ready within
less than a month for table use. Just think
of it- tomatoes, Irish potatoes and other
choice vegetables for a Thanksgiving or
Christmas dinner, with a fine . ariety of or
anges, lemons, pineapples, bananas, figs
and other fruit for dessert. It fairly makes
the mouth of an epicure wffter, especially
when such a dinner can be set in the open
air, uuder the shade trees.
At Wenona are soma of the largest castor
bean trees that I have seen in Florida, sev
eral of them being about twenty feet high.
Castor oil is made from the frnit of these
trees, and I presume their cultivation could
be made profitable. Near these trees X saw
a thrifty Aroleado, or West India pear tree,
which came from the hot house of Mr. Wm.
Hone, of Savannah, and which is now grow
ing finely in the open air. It is already
about ten feet high, and its recent growth
seems to have been nearly twenty inenes. I
also noticed a prolific Scuppernong grape
vine, a cutting from D. McDonald’s well
know i vine in Savannah. It is true that
Captain Wylly has the means with which to
improve wild lands and make them as at
tractive and fruitful as the beautiful garden
grounds and orange grove of “Wenona; 1 *
but it has required something more than
ready moi o to accomplish what ho has
done uier. Untiring energy and practical
good sens nave formed the groundwork of
his success. Without these he could have
fooled away twenty thousand dollars and
then had but little to show for it. Rich
er men than ho have done even
worse than that, and for this
reason I desire to give “Wenona” some
thing more than a brief notice.
Originally a pine thicket, the land was
cleared in a most thorough manner at an
expense of fifty dollars an acre. Neat fences
were then put up, a garden ditched and
drained, and a young orange grove of fifteen
hundred trees planted. The house is a
story aud a half cottage, ol peculiarly at
tractive architectural beauty, with five
rooms below and three above,
and surmounted by a verv pleasant obser
vatory, from which a good view of tho sur
rounding country is obtained. The build
ing Is painted white, with brown bordering,
aud has green blinds on all the windows.
The grounds in front are laid out with much
taste, and the walks are made of small shells
from the lake shore. There is nothing
prettier, in the way. of an attractive {home
in Florida, than such a cozy dwelling hid
away under the -foliage of the evergreen
orange tree, with its ripe and delicious
fruit dotting the dark leaves like stars in a
clear blue sky. For such homes
thousands vainly sigh, as wealth cannot
always purchase them, and the energy and
ability to make them are too frequently
wanting.
Capt, WyfSy not only has a small building
for the use of his commercial fertilizers—
mostly fish guano—but he prepares large
quantities of home-made manures for his
garden, grove and grounds. The floor of
his stable is constantly supplied with ma
terial that can be made profitable for
fertilizing purposes, and be also hauls
quantities of manure from Lake Jesup,
on the shore of which are large numbers of
cattle. In this way, but not without con
siderable trouble, he feeds and enriches his
land and compels it to be fruitful. In his
handsome carriage house 1 saw the “Ann,”
a folding boat, laid aside ready for use at
auy favorable opportunity. Putting this
boat into a wagon, with a party of friends,
Captain W. can drive over to Lake Jesup,
some five miles away, and eDjoy the best of
sport, returning home loaded down with
fish aud game enough to supply his table
for a week. This is the way a man of
means, with qo-dhead principles and a love
of hard work, can make himself a most de
sirable and valuable, aj well as pleasant and
healthy winter home in the “Land of
Flowers.” Few such places can be
purchased, as the cost of them cannot bo
computed in dollars" and cents, except
when a sale is made imperative. There aro
delightful residences and thrifty orange
groves to be bad here, but the prices asked
are beyond the reaoh of men of moder
ate means, ranging from five to fifty
thousand dollars, according to location,
improvements and quantity of land in the
purchase. It is much cheaper for men like
Capt. Wylly and Dr. W. A. Spence, who
have the energy aud ability to make valua
ble improvements under their own super
vision, to buy anew or slightly improved
place and finish it to suit their own ideas.
Thousands of dollars can be saved in this
way, and a much more desirable home se
cured.
There are several valuable lots between
Wenona and Onoro, Dr. Spence’s beautiful
lakeside retreat, that are for sale to men of
means, on which delightful residences and
fruitful groves could be established.
Persons who wish information in
regard to this most desirable neighborhood,
where several Savannah families already
have permanent homes, can secure it by ad
dressing Captain G. W. Wylly, Fort Reid
Post Office, Mellonville, Fla. It will cost
fifty dollars an acre to clear even the open
land, and only first-class improvements
would be in keeping with the homes iu the
vicinity, so that less than ten thousand
dollars would be a small sum to invest
here. Cheaper locations and plainer
homes can be found, however, in
less desirable portions of this section of
Orange county, from three to five miles dis
tant. There is also much low, cheap land
between Fort Reid and Mellonville, but
it is too wet for orange culture. Some of
this land, on which several hundred dollars
had been expended, is now abandoned, and
the fences are falling into rapid decay. The
purchaser was led to believe that he could
plant an orafage grove there, but “the floods
came" and he werit, a poorer and a wiser
man.
“ONORO,” DR. W. A. SPENCE’S PLACE.
After dinner Captain Wvlly took me in his
carriage over to “Onoro,” the charming,
health-restoring retreat of Dr. Spence,
formerly a prominent physician of the “For
est City.” The location of this place is its
chief charm, although Dr. and Mrs. Spence
make their guests very comfortable indeed.
The mansion fronts Crystal Lake, a beauti
ful little sheet of water, oblong in shape,
and with gently sloping banks. Pret
tily laid off " walks extend from
the shore to the house, and
lady guests find great enjoyment in sailing
over the placid waters after the sun goes
down in tne west. Just to the right, but a
few yards off, is Silver Lake, on the shore of
which Mr. Scott, of Frankfort, Ky., has an
attractive winter home. To the left, some
what farther off, is Golden Lake, near which
the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, of Atlanta, has
recently purchased a very pretty residence.
On the opposite side of Crystal Lake, and
running to the shore of Silver Lake, is W.
P. Alexander’s place, which he is improving,
and which in time will become one of the most
valuable and desirable in Orange county.
This gentleman is of the firm of Alexander
& Russell, of Savannah. Moses Lyman,
Esq., the original proprietor of the lands in
this section, has a fine mansion just to the
left of Dr. Spence’s, and their grounds run
into eacn other, thus forming a very attract
ive water front the entire length of the lake.
One finds at “Onoro” every variety of semi
tropi.-al fruit, with the clearest and most in
vigorating atmosphere and the highest
grades of refined and cultivated so
ciety. As the residences in the imme
diate) vicinity are the homes of wealth
and culture, there is Dever a lack of sooial
pleasures. To visit this place you would
hardly suppose it was anything more than
the elegant home of a wealthy gentleman,
so free is it from everything that is peculiar
to a hotel or boarding house. Yet hundreds
of invalids and tourists spend the winter
months here, and always leave with feelings
that are only experienced when we turn our
backs upon a place that has really seemed
like a home to us. I have seldom enjoyed a
more pleasant visit than the one made to
“Onoro.”
Dr. Spence has a very fine banana grove,
and his young orange trees are in a thrifty
oondition. his untiring energy and
practical good sense, aided by his most ex
cellent and accomplished lady, he cannot
fail in hjs purpose to make “Onoro,” or, as
this Indian name signifies, “Beautiful Lake,”
a profitable investment for himself, as well
as one of the places in the “Land of
Flowers” that will ever be remembered for
its rare beauty of scenery, its pare and
healthy atmosphere, and’ its charming
social influences. I might add just here, as
a very strong confirmation of my news, that
the venerable Admiral Ooldsborougb, now
a winter guest at “Onoro,” has already
much improved in health, although he has
been here but a week. While board at a
third-rate hotel in Melionville is twelve
dollars a week, Dr. Spence gives his guests
every luxury of a really first-class house for
only’fifteen' dollars per week. He cannot,
therefore, be accused of making money by
over-charging his guests. From this
charming retreat I very reluctantly eo back
to Palatka, and thence up the Ocklawaha
river to the celebrated Silver Springs. My
next letter will be about Palatka and the
Upper St. John’s river, and but for circum
stances over which I had no control,
it would have preceded the present epistle.
Sidney Herbert.
THE OKEFEXOKEE—WITHIN AND
WITHOUT.
Sketches of Incident and Adreutures
BY M. B. GRANT (PACT, TRANSIT), CIVIL EN
GINEER.
PART V.
On the day following our first explora
tion into the Swamp we commenced our
surveys, starting from the Indian mound
and following as nearly as practicable the
sinuosities of the Swamp. We ran both
a compass and a level line, and as the
pine woods on the outside were generally
open, we found no difficulty in averaging
three or four miles a day, which average
we succeeded in keeping up while run
ning the line entirely around the Swamp.
Some days when the woods were particu
larly open and free from underbrush we
exceeded our average by, sometifnSs, two
miles; again, when obstacles were en
countered, we fell short. The entire dis
tance around the Swamp by our line, as
actually tud, was 142 miles and a frac
tion. The actual distance traversed by
our line exceeds, of course, the apparent
circumference; but this excess of line in
distance is easily accounted for by the fact
that, in order to get an accurate outline
of the Swamp, we were obliged to follow
its ever-varying profile, and the tangents
made were constantly changing to every
point of the compass. But by being
thus particular in adhering to the Swamp
we were able to make a thoroughly accu
rate map, complete in all its details. The
lines, which at different points we run
into the Swamp, as also oUr traverse
lines up different streams, were all con
nected with our main line, and the whole
accurately tested. We also connected
with our survey the district and Jot lines
where accessible, thus correctly locating
them upon our map and with reference
to the swamp. At the conclusion of our
second day’s survey it became necessary
to move camp, so as to be in convenient
reach of the party, and this moving of
camp every two or three days became a
necessity whenever engaged in running
the line around the Swamp.
In order to facilitate our operations,
Gol. Matchoveaall thought it desirable, if
possible, to employ a guide, if such a
man could be found who was at least par
tially acquainted with the Swamp, but up
to this time we had not succeeded in find
ing one, and had about abandoned the
idea, when an old chap made his appear
ance at camp, a Mr. Shelton, who, with
a flourish of trumpets, announced that he
was the very man we wanted, as he
had been through the Swamp with Gen
eral Floyd and knew every foot of it.
“Well, Mr. Shelton,” said the Colonel,
“I am glad to see you, as we have been
anxious to procure the services of a guide,
and, from what you say, I suppose you
will suit us, if we can agree as to terms.”
“Well, I reckon we kin trade, for I haint
hard to please; but, I say, stranger, hain’t
you got a drink ?
“We do not keep any liquor in camp,
except a bottle or two of brandy for
medical purposes, but we will give you a
drink. ”
Whereupon the bottle was produced,
and Mr. Shelton helped himself to full
three fingers deep.
“Well, stranger, 1 reckon I’ll go with
you in the Swamp ef you’ll give me a
dollar a day and found, and to be sent to
fill the jug whenever hit is empty.”
‘‘But, Mr. Shelton, I have told you that
we did not keep liquor in camp, and con
sequently there will be no occasion to
send for it.”
“Well, Strangers, give me another
drink before we trade.”
“Why, really, sir, your request is un
reasonable.”
“Well, hit’s yourn. You kin do as you
please with it—but do gimme me a drink.”
“I do not think, Mr. Shelton, that you
will suit us. You are too fond of liquor;
besides we could not keep you supplied.”
“Well, good-bye; God bless you; but
do, for gracious sake, gimme a drink.”
“Really, sir, you had better seek some
other employment. I think we can get
along without your services.”
“Well, I suppose you mout, providin’
as how you haven’t got no whisky.
Well, good-bye all —here’s to you.
But for the Lord’s sake gimme a drink.”
His request not being acceded to, he
left, muttering as he went off, “Stay with
them strangers with no whisky ? Not me;
I wouldn’t do it for all their store clothes.”
“Mass Colonel,” said Stepney, you
know all de time you been a talkin’ to dat
old felur, he had a bottle of whisky be
hine dat pine tree? And he went off a
drinkin’, and I spose by night he’ll be
dead drunk; I nebber see sich a white
man in my life, and I bet he nebber seen
de inside ob de Swamp.
We continued our surveys regularly and
without interruption until we terminated
them temporarily at Old Fort Tompkins,
which is situated about ten miles north
of Ellicott’s Mound, on the east side.
Fort Tompkins was one among several
fortified posts which were constructed
at different points around the Swamp
during the Indian war. What we saw
of it was simply the clearing in the
woods of about one and a half or two
acres, in the centre of which were still
standing the remnants of the old pickets,
in a state of decay. These works were
very primitive in construction, but
doubtless answered every purpose, and
were admirably adapted to the require
ments of our forces in their campaigns
against the Indians.
Just before reaching Fort Tompkins
we spent our Christmas. In the morning
we went on a bear and deer hunt, in
which we were partially successful, and
enjoyed it immensely. In the evening
we attended a hop at Brown’s, near the
Race Ponds, which was novel and enter
taining, and furnished a most agreeable
conclusion to our Christmas diversions.
As one of these hops is elsewhere de
scribed in these sketches, we will not
here detail our experiences.
It being a matter of great importance
that our principal explorations should be
made in the winter months, before warm
weather set in, and as it was near New
Year the Colonel determined to move
round to the “pocket” on the west side
of the Swamp, and from thence make
our exploration entirely through the
Swamp to the east side.
This “pocket,” as it is called, is the
northeast extremity of a body of land
lying between the Suwanee river on the
west and the Swamp on the east, it runs
into the Swamp about six miles, and is
very narrow towards its termination.
From its location and shape it was
selected as the best point for
making an extrance into the
Swamp from the west side. We
immediately struck camp, and, after
a three days’ tramp around, reached our
destination safe and sound. We halted
at the mouth of the “Pocket,” and lo
cated our camp near the house of a Mr.
Hatch, who had recently settled himself
in this locality. His house was situated
near a cypress pond, and there was a
small clearing of a few acres adjoining.
We were curious to know what induce
ment could have offered in this place for
a settlement, and, upon inquiring, he in
formed us that there were “lots of light
wood knots, and water was powerful
handy.”
Mr. Hatch showed every disposition
to aid us, and while in his neighborhood
his good offices were highly appreciated.
After his visit to camp, on his return
home, he sent us an abundant supply of
honey and a fine saddle of venison—a
veritable treat to us, on which we feasted
to surfeiting; and, consequently, in our
heavy sleep succeeding, we were haunted
by antlered deer and stinging bees.
Bright and early the next morning the
Colonel and Mr. Hatch, with two of the
boys, started for the Swamp, leaving the
rest of us to move camp to the extreme
end of tfce “pocket,” there to make a com
paratively permanent location of tents,
mules, horses aud baggage, during our
absence on the exploration, that being
the farthest point inwards where we
could find camping-ground, or rather
where we could transport our camp equip
age. About one o’clock we arrived at the
appointed piace, which we found to be
the site of old Fort Tatnall, in the same
desolate and decaying condition as Fort
Tompkins. Having pitched our tents
in the open space we proceeded to look
for water, which was always our first
consideration on selecting anew camping
ground; but, on this occasion, the fact of
its having been once occupied induced
us to suppose, without doubt, water must
be abundant, and,therefore,without delay
for a search, we had set up our tents.
Judge, then, of our dismay, when we
could discover none. This required
consideration, and on consultation we
agreed to disperse in every direction for
a closer search, with the exception of Mr.
Lucknow and Beau Level, who bravely
undertook to dig a well, and set them
selves diligently to work on the edge of
the Swamp, which was new work for
them. How it did amuse us to see these
ordinarily self-indulgent fellows earnestly
delving. However, we left them to their
self-imposed task, and departed on our
hunt for nature’s best gift. We all re
turned from our divers routes about four
o’clock, with the same disastrous result.
No success: not one had. discovered
water, almost as incredible as this state
ment may appear. Iu the Okefenokee,
and without water ! Notwithstanding, it
was a fact, and to us a very distress
ing fact, for, wearied with our walk,
which had been dusty, over the “pocket,”
our troubled search among briers and
bushes for water, and our anxiety united,
we were literally parching up with thirst
The dread of not finding it, I suppose,
increased our desire. Almost hopeless,
we then turned our desponding steps tc
the spot where Beau and Lucknow were
still doing valarous service with the
spade; but it was “love’s labor lost,”
very nearly, for, from inexperience in
such matters, instead of commencing to
dig on the high piece of ground, they
had most wisely, as they supposed, but,
in reality, most unwisely, selected the
very edge of the Swamp. In consequence,
the result of all their labor only reached
a very little muddy water, undrinkable.
But, verily, “Necessity has no law,”
which adage is equally applicable to their
unwonted energy, and we wetted our
parched thirst.
Finding that in consequence of the po
sition of their attempted well there was
not the remotest probability of the water
ever settling or becoming clear and fit to
drink, I proposed digging anew the old
well of the garrison, which was filled up
with trash and filth of all kinds to within
six feet of the surface. This proposition
was hailed by acclamation, aud we hast
ened to the spot, having agreed that
Stepney and Adam should commence the
digging, and when they were tired we
would each take turns to continue it.
With his usual readiness and alacrity to
aid, Stepney jumped into the well and
began to dig with zealous good will, and
his pleasant voice, ever and anon, would
send up a mirthful sally to us, who anx
iously surrounded it. Ned, leaning over,
inquired:
“How are you getting on now, Step
ney ?”
“Putty well, sar, but no water yet. 1
jist a tinking, Mas Ned, now s’pose we
find some gold, or jewels, or somethin’ of
dat sort, hide here by de soldiers. Lord,
now, wouldn’t dat be good! How quick
we would cut dis country, and wid a
lemoncholy chorus say ‘Farewell, Okfi
noky.’”
“Dig on, Stepney. Stop your specu
lations until you come out. We want
water, man,'not gold, just now.”
“Well, if ebber time cum for true
when buckra, or nigger eider, ain’t ready
for find gold—hurrah ! ”
“Dig away, Stepney,” impatiently in
terrupted Rover, “dig away.”
“Lord! boss, does you tint a man got
a tousand arms, and nuttin’ else ? I’se
got to tink as well as dig.”
All laughed, but Rover mischievously
responded:
“Thousand devils, man 1 Think and
be hung. We want water man, so dig.”
“Spose I git kill ? How den ? Whar’s
de water?”
“Spos6 the devil! Dig! dig! I say.”
“Aha ! heave ahead, dig away.”
“Your turn now, Uncle Adam.”
“Well, git out de hole, den, and gib
me de spade, Xou nebber dig a hundred
well in your life. I dig many a one in
o Id Calliny. ”
“South ?” out of mischief, asked Sang
horne.
“Sout be swamp ! Old Nort State —
old Nort for ebber !”
Peering over into the well eagerly, we
saw, to our great joy, the moistening
earth thrown up by spadefuls—blessed
fruition of our hopes and efforts. It was
becoming more and more moist—joy !
“What dis here? dear Lord !” excitedly
cried Adam.
“Spec dat’s our gold now, Mas Paul,”
said Stepney.
“Oh, dig on!” impatiently cried Level,
“I never was so thirsty in my life.”
“De Lord hab massy !” shrieked Adam,
aud with one bound in the next instant
he sprang out of the well, pushing Step
ney aside, as he cried : “Git out ob de
way, boy—lemme go; I gwine lebe dis
place!”
“What is the matter?” in surprise,
asked more than one, while Rover said :
“Go back, go back in the well, Adam.”
“Me! nebber! Git back in dat hole,
whar a man’s diggin’ for water, when he
half dead for some ? Diggin’ for water
and find skeleton ! De Lord hab massy !
Yes, sar ! yes, sar ! dead man’s bones !
Don’t tell me—l nebber did see such a
country! I gwine tell de Colonel for
quit. Yah! lod; lod, lod! to lib to cum
yah! No water, and nuttin but dead
men’s bones whar de water oughter be !
De Lord hab massy ! ”
Sure enough, Adam was right. On
looking into the well, we saw a skele
ton - perhaps some poor unfortunate
therein hastily buried by the soldiers up
on the evacuation of the fort; perhaps
someone who had fallen in. Heaven
knows. It was there—a startling dis
covery, and another damper to our feel
ings, if not to our throats, which were so
dry that now we were almost frantic for
water, and bad no time for speculation
on the skeleton in the well. By this time
it was sunset.
“Orange,” said I, “you know you are
generally lucky; see if you can’t find
some water.” Off he darted, and in ten
minutes our ears were greeted with his
welcome shout:
“Water! water! Mas Transit; I fine
’em!”
Enough! Now all started, scrambled,
pushed, jostled and rushed over the
bushes and logs ! Following the sound
of his voice, we reached the spot, where
we found Orange full length on the
ground, his head under the huge root of
a cypress, swilling to his heart’s content,
which upon examination we found to bo
a cool, delicious spring, beneath the out
spreading roots of this grand tree, that
abundantly supplied, for three weeks, all
our wants for cooking, ablutions, horses,
etc. I cannot pass on without presenting
you with a sketch of this spring, to me
the prettiest I ever saw. We named it
“Orange Spring,” and when the Colonel re
turned to us that night from his toilsome
day’s travel with Mr. Hatch, we gave him
a draught, as, like ourselves, he too had
been without water all day, and then vied
with each other in relating to him our well
adventures. Bubbling around our heads
came dancing rays and sparking rills, leaf
sprays, all glittering with dewdrops,
crowded our sleeping visions, for we laid
our weary limbs down that night with
such a blessed conviction of having
water, and enough of it —how could we
escape visitatons from Undines or other
water-sprites ?
The next day being Sunday, according
to his usual custom, our honored com
mandant h6ld service for us and read a
sermon.
After dinner he proposed our join
ing him in a walk to Billy’s Island, which
was gladly acceded to by all, for to do our
best, most dreary and monotonous were
these Sundays of months continuance,
and it was quite a relief to have a walk
wherein we might hope for variety, if not
excitement. From the extremity of
the “Pocket” to Billy’s Island the trail is
open, and fair walking for foot
passengers being the Corduroy
road (called so from the round
logs which compose it being
laid side by side in the mud), constructed
by General Floyd for the passage of his
troops to the island, and is still in a good
state of preservation, though many years
have passed since it was built. It is made
of cypress, which is a wood remarkable
for its enduring qualities. The growth
on our way was most dense, consisting
of cypress, bay and gum, interspersed
with occasional pines, overrun with the
same impervious undergrowth of hem
leaf, titi and bamboo that pervades the
whole swamp, and is inaccessible except
to the axeman or strength of Bruin’s
paws.
The gloominess of this impenetrable
thicket, making light and air almost in
admisaable, is indescribable. Thousands
of bears inhabit this swamp. Moreover,
a more formidable foe to dread in the
comparatively helpless condition in
which a mau must traverse this swamp—
not being able to bear, without great diffi
culty, the weight, in addition to an axe,
and the constant effort to advance of
any other weapon than a revolver—is the
American cougar, a ferocious animal of
the feline species, generally by the in
habitants about here called simply tigers.
They are known to be numerous and dan
gerous.
After a walk of several hours we arrived
at Billy s Island—open pine land —a
pleasing relief to our vision of the dark
walls of close and tangled growth through
which we had passed in threading our
way over the old Corduroy road.
This island is about five miles long and
about two miles in breadth, being nar
rowest at the ends; the growth on it
lofty pines, exempt from underbrush,
except occasional clumps of the scrub
palmetto. It derived its appellation
from the fact that an old Indian called
Billy, inhabited it and planted a few
acres of it; a friendly old fellow, whose
chief support was obtained from
the venison which he killed and
sold to the inhabitants settled in the
neighborhood of the Swamp; but he was
basely murdered by some inhuman white
man for the little property he possessed,
or was supposed to have secreted.
The corn beds formed for his planting
were distinctly visible; and we found
arrow heads, pieces of simple pottery and
other vestiges of his abode here, and the
remains of part of his picket. This
island abounds in deer. We saw the
graceful creatures grazing in numbers
whenever we came to it, and they had
either outlived the recollection of old
Billy’s death-dealing musket, or were a
younger generation, that had Ao ken of
man, for they exhibited no symptoms of
fear at our approach, and rarely ran, un
less for loud noises, apparently having
no consciousness of danger.
It must be understood that the term
island, in the Swamp, is applied to
such portions of wodded and solid
land as, in the general quug
mire surrounding them, are elevated
and habitable, being only surrounded
with water when continuous rains or
other causes produce au overflow over
the entire Swamp. W e enjoyed a loiter
ing ramble around and about old Billy’s
deserted home, and by the pale light of
stars thre.ided our way back to camp,
with the pleasant consciousness that so
far our exploration was accomplished.
The ensuing morning we commenced
iu earnest our preparation for the real
campaign by making napsacks. We had
brought cloth with us for the purpose,
having bread and biscuit cooked and
other necessary articles prepared for our
projected mud cruise.
Letter from New Bethany.
New Bethany, Ga., Nov. 22, 1875.
Editor Mominq Eeics:
It may be of interest to some of your
readers to hear something of New
Bethany. It is a part of Jefferson
county, and is situated on the Central
Railroad, IOC miles from Savannah and
SC miles from Macon. It is one of the
most healthy and thriving towns on the
line of railroad. Just three years ago one
solitary store gave evidence of a settle
ment. Now we have four, and one more
in course of construction, to be com
pleted in a short time. There are also
building several residences. Already we
have a Baptist and Catholic Church,
both very neat and substantial buildings,
the former erected through the energies
of our highly esteemed townsman,
Wm. Donovan, Esq., the latter by the
indefatigable Bishop Gross. A short dis
tance from the railroad station is the ex
tensive saw mill of Mr. Donovan, who
supplies the town with all kind of build
ing material at prices to induce persons
to build. Town lots are offered at rea
sonable rates, and the land for farm pur
poses are good. No obstacles are thrown
in the way of new comers by the “pen
ny-wise and pound foolish policy” of put
ting land beyond the reach of small capi
talists.
The prosperity of this town has been
somewhat retarded by the want of a rail
road agent at the station, farmers not
wanting to risk their cotton and merchan
dise to the mercy of the dishonest or the
elements. The Central Railroad have
at last supplied this needed want, and
in future all cotton, and merchandise
will be cared for by Mr. S. L. Peterson,
who we learn has received the appoint
ment of agent. No better selection could
have been made. We feel satisfied that
the shipments of cotton from this point
will double that of last season. The peo
ple here, and the merchants of your city,
Macon and Augusta, will thank Mr. Ro
gers, though the agent was not put here
as early as they expected.
Your correspondent don’t like to make
suggestions, particularly to corporations,
but will venture to remark that it would
be a great accommodation to us if the
Central Railroad would allow their night
trains to put off and take on passengers.
We would ask for a turn out here, but
prefer to bide our time.
There are yet many things needed
here. A convenient school house is a
great want, and notwithstanding the
people have been urged to do something
in this direction, so far nothing has
been done. We are surprised at the lack
of. interest displayed in regard to this
great want of the people.
Among our land owners we have some
public-spirited men. Judge A. E. Tar
ver and Mr. William Donovan may be
mentioned. No request is made of
them for land to build upon for a pub
lic good but what has been cheerfully
given, The churches now erected are
on land presented by these gentlemen.
Why don’t our Episcopal Bishop look in
this direction for a field for his labors ?
We are confident of his success. There
are a few Episcopalians now here, and
as the world becomes more enlightened
each day, more can be added to the
members. You will hear from me again.
Hiram.
CITY AFFAIRS.
— -
Anl mportant flatter—The Poll Tax.
In calling attention to the notice of Capt
James J. McGowan, collector, we would
remind our readers that under the ex
isting laws, as will be observed by the fol
lowing section, which we quote, that
the poll tax is now kept in the
county for strictly educational purposes,
instead of being returned to the capital to
be included in the general fund for general
distribution. Hence tho importance of a
close collection of the polls, as every dollar
is devoted tothemaintainanceof our educa
tional system. The following is the section
referred to:
Section 1. Be it enacted, That all the poll
tax collected in this State shall, from and
after the passage of this act, be paid over
to the County School Commissioners of the
several counties of this State, and be, by the
County Board of Education in the several
counties in this State, paid out without any
deduction for fees or salaries of officers, to
the support of the common schools in the
respective counties where the school tax
was raised.
We would also call attention to the fact
that the law authorizes the garnishment of
wages and salaries for the poll tax, and
those who are not impelled by other motive
should certainly attend to this important
duty without delay, in order to avoid the
unpleasant alternative.
Capt. McGowan and his worthy assistant,
Mr. Thoraasson, will be found at the office
in the Court House throughout the day.
So step around and settlo up this matter.
Bankrupt Roll.
We learn from Mr. Jas. McPherson,
the affable Clerk of the United States
Courts, that during the past week the fol
lowing proceedings in bankruptcy have been
filed in his courts. Petitions in involuntary
bankruptcy as follows:
Sundry firms in Savannah, petitioning
creditors, vs. James Kirksey & George W.
Scott, copartners, under the firm name of
Kirksey <fc Bcott, Savannah, Ga. J. M.
Guerard and G. A. Mercer, solicitors for pe
titioning creditors.
Brower & Brothers, et al., petitioning
creditors, vs. John E. Dubignon & Wm. C.
Beck, copartners as Dubignon {& Beck,
Brunswick, Ga. J. Lawton Whatley, solici
tor for petitioning creditors.
Voluntary petitions filed by the following
parties:
Hilliard C. Burt, Buena Vista, Marion
county. B. B. Hinton solicitor.
Thomas J. Hart, Dawson, Terrill county.
Dupon Guerry, Americus, solicitor.
Petitions for final discharges as follows:
Thomas J. Alford, Sandersville, Washing
ton county.
John D. Amersen and William Cato, both
of Sandersville, Washington county. Thos.
EvaDS solicitor.
Greene B. Brantley, Sandersville, Wash
ington county, B. D, Evans solicitor.
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Summary of the Week’* Dispatcher
THE SUEZ ACQUISITION.
London, November 26.—The Jinjkin it§
financial article to-day aays: In refSfliu TO
the purchase by Great Britain of 177,000
scares in the Suez Canal, a breathing time
most essential to Egypt is secured The
value of the purchase to England is great
and probably will bo taken by the public to
mean more than it does. Bv buying the
rest of tho shares aud paying two loans
b 6 S° mp ?, ny 10 the amount ol
4,800,000 pounds, England would !<■
possessed of the entire property#
The advantage of tho bargain*
materially, is a secondary question. TUi
purchase was made for political reasofl
and therefore tho importance of the ste’JH
hardly to be overrated. For a considers®
time it, cannot be pecuniarily profita®
unless England also redeems the nin/Wir
years coupons which the Khedive has here
tofore sold. The Times, in a leading article
on the subject, has the following • “There
is an autiacity about it which we do
not generally associate with the 7 acts
of tho British Ministry. We Be{ , m to
trace in the business the hand of Mr.
Disraeli. The nation wakes this morning
to find that it has acquired a heavy stock in
the security and well-being of another dis
tant land, and it will be held bv all tbo
world to have entered upon anew phase of
the Eastern policy. We have no desire fo*.
an extension of territory. We do not cqget
the land of the Nile. Since tho finmmpf
1873, which gavo the Khedive the right M
treating independently with foreign states
the Egyptian Government has little cause
of complaint, and may fulfill h er
duties untrammelled by Stamboul. Lai
this settlement wo desire to make
no change; but should insurrection, or in
trigue, aggression from without, or corrup
tion within, briug a political as well as a
financial collapse to the Turkish Empire it
might become necessary to tako measures
for the security of that part of the domin
ions of tho Sultan with which we are most
nearly concerned. An acquisition of so com
manding an interest as tho Suez Canal—*u
interest which time must inevitably tend to
increase—will lead the government and peo-
Ele of the country to concern themselves’
abitually with Egypt. ,
PIEOAN PHIL.
Washington, November 29.—Ext|
from General Sheridan’s report say
troops stationed along the Rio Grande havjj
had the humiliating duty of attomptingdß
protect onr citizens aud their property
raids by the people of a foreign
who come over tho boundary in armed
tics to steal cattle and do not hesitate
tack aud kill our citizens when necessary to
accomplish their purposes. The low
stage of water iu the ltio Grando and the
great length (1,200 or 1,500 miles') make
the duty of protecting it difficult ; in fact,
almost impossible with the few troops
available for the purpose. Iu speaking of
this duty as a humiliating one, I do not
mean it is not perfectly legitimate, for
any duty is such which has for its object
tho protection of the lives and property of
the people on an international boundary
lino ; but when it is considered that these
armed parties, as soon as they are pursued,
take refuge ou the opposite bank of tho 1
river Rio Graude, and there, iu sight o&iur
troops, which dare not cross, graze Tiad
slaughter the stolen cattle with impunity,
the sight is very mortifying to those en
gaged in the protection of that frontier.
This condition of affairs has been going ou
for the last twenty years.
In tho Ddttartment of the Gulf evejs*|
thing seems to bo gettiug along quiotlv,
Last winter when tho department ciune un
der my jurisdiction, I thought it best to call
a halt iu a forcible way ou much lawlessness
from armed bands, which action brought
the attontion of the government and law
abiding aud good people of the country to a
growing and inhuman evil. Peace has been
the result, aud prosperity, I hoDe, will fol
low.
THE BLACK HILLS.
Washington, November 20. General
Crook, in his report concerning the Blaek
Hills, thinks tho settlors bordering the
Sioux reservation have just ground for
complaint when they claim that the
Sioux have violatod tho treaty time and
again every summer, stealing cattle and!
absolutely breaking up their business, aIP
this violation of the troaty is by Indians
who are fed and clothed by the govern
ment, and supported by taxos paiil
by frontiorsmen as well as other
tax-paying citizens. Then when those sarnet
Bottlers, impoverished by tho raids of the
Sioux, go to the Black Hills,a country,by tho
way. which the Indians seldom visi, on ac
count of tho terrible thunderstormein sum
mer and the deep snows in winter, for thA
purpose of prospecting for mine gj
they are charged with violations
a treaty, the main features H
which the Indians have >er
regarded. Crook says there are two sidJ
to this story, and tho frontiersmen should
be heard as well as the Indians. Tho set
tlers are weaker compared with tho Indians,
and most deserve sympathy and protection >
TUB DEBT OF VIBOINIA.
Richmond, Va., November 27. -From the
report of tho Second Auditor it appears that
the State debt on the 30th September, 1375,
exclusive of bonds and certificates paid by
the literary and sinking fund, was $29,514,-
420 38. Tho debt as reported October Ist,
1874, was $299,570,104 75. Tho debt is di
vided as follows : Amount of tax-paying
coupons issued to date, $1,888,150; amount
of registered bonds and fractional
cates wbich may be converted at option into
such bonds, $1,355,515 80, making the
amount of the consol debt $20,227,015 85:
amount of debt funded and to be funded
in bonds not convertible in consols, $92,777,-
410 58, making a debt proper of $29,514,-
426 38. The West Virginia portion amounto
to $15,239,370 74. The public debt is held
as follows : By citizens.and corporations in
Virginia, about $8,000,000, of which probably
$6,000,000 is in consols; in other Htates of
tho Union, $13,000,000; in foreign countries,
$8,500,000.
THE DAIUEN SHIP CANAL.
Washington, November 29. — The com
mission to examine the various surveys for
a ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien,
have submitted a report to the President.
They are of the opinion, after a full inves.
tigation, that the Nicaragua route is
best. They estimate that a canal from the
harbor of Brite on the Pacific to Grey town on
the Atlantic can be constructed at a cost not.
to exceed sixty millions. Objections of an'’
almost insurmountable nature are in all but
the Panama and Nicaragua routes, and not
withstanding the greater length of one hun
dred and eighty-six miles, they give pre
ference to the latter. Lake Nicaragua is on
this route.
FOBEIGN NOTES.
Pahis, November 28.—The Khedive of
Egypt offered the shares of the Suez Canal
stock for sale to Franco previous to their
purchase by England. Minister Decazes
wanted to accept the offer of His High-g
ness, but the Bank of France made"
some difficulty, and the opportunity for
the acquisition of the property was lost.
The United States ships Congress and/
Juniata will sail from Villa Franca, for
home, and the Franklin and Alaska for
Lisbon, on Monday, the 29th instant.
TBEASCItEE JONES.
Atlanta, November 20. — Ten days ago
the Governor required State Treasurer Jones
to muke anew bond. The time expired last
night, and Jones having failed to file anew
bond, tho office became vacant by operation
of the law. The Governor reserves the ap
pointment of his successor till a future day.
The Treasury business will be done through
the Comptroller’s office until an appoint
ment is made.
A CAVE.
Wilkepbabbe, November 29. — The roofs
of the Chauncy and Grand Tunnel mines
fell, covering a hundred acres. The loss is
1100,000. No lives were lost. Several hun- *
dred are ousted. Mr. Roberts, one of the
proprietors, noticed signs of danger and
gave orders for the men to leave. One hun
dred and twenty-five men ffift the mine two
hours before the cave.
beecheb’s CHL’BCH.
New Yobk, November 27.—Plymouth
Church has reconsidered the action of drop
ping West’s name from the roll. Beecher
read a long letter to Mrs. Moulton contain
ing this: “We accept your proposition for
a call of a mutual council of the churches,
and will listen to their fraternal advice.”
Prompt Reinforcement.
When the physical energies are overtasked or
flag through weakness or disease, they need
prompt reinforcement Renewed vigor is most
speedily supplied through the medium of a tonic
stimulant, and among medicinal resources
class, Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters assuaHyi*-
Berve a pre-eminent place.
constitutional or arising from dise^^^' ver
fatigue, cannot be better compensJ^T f t Iban
by a resort to this pri i e strengt cordial.
Ihe enfeebled invalid, the convaJfcent and the
aged and infirm find that it is an nitfailing source
of vigor and comfort. Its combined tonic and
alterative properties also constitute it an in
valuable remedy for indigestion, weakness of the
organs of urination, constipation, torpidity of the
liver, and many other irregularities and disabili
ties, and render it an invaluable protection against
malaria, as well as disorders of the stomach and
bowels. nov26-F,M,W&wlw
An Rasy Way to Buy a Plano.*
Lowest cash prices, with one year for final pay
ment. Those who don’t like the installment
plan should avail themselves of this special
offer, by which they can purchase at very lowest
cash rates, and get abundant time for final pay
ment. We offer
S4OO Pianos for $250.
$425 Pianos for $275.
$450 Pianos for SSOO.
SSOO Pianos for $550.
S6OO Pianos for $375.
S7OO Pianos for $425.
Terms—one-half cash and balance ta i®e year
without in teiest, stool and cover included. In
struments guaranteed. Please refer to this ad- ,
vertisement in your orders.
• Ludden & Bates,
Southern Music House, 1
nov3o-d2&wlm Savannah, Ga.
Certain Pleasures Vanish
when the teeth decay, viz : The pleasure
from eating, the pleasure arising from the con
sciousness of possessing a sweet breath, and the
pleasure of knowing that a smile in parting the
rosy lips reveals new beauties behind them.
Render these pleasnres perpetual by the regular
use of Sozodont-
What Spalding’s Glue lias joined cannot be put
asunder. noY2T-Sa,Tu,Th&wlw