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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAT FEBRUARY 9 1886
STORIES OF THE WAR.
Which Never Fell to Interact the Bender,
Whether Old or Young.
One Women** Romance.
A STORY OF A COTTON TRADES DURIV* TIIR
VAR.
From tlic Philadelphia 'lime*.
In the spring of l&rit 1 was ossigne 1 to duty
Bi assistant adjutant general of the military
district of —, confederate states army.
For the purposes of this narrative it is unnec-
ovary to fix the identity of this district or to
describe it geographically, further than to say
that it fronted westward on the Mississippi
river.
There were certain blockade runners around
With licenses obtained from the war depart-
incut at Richmond, over whose movements we
had no control, who flitted to and fro through
the Hues, and who seemed to be, as far ns we
could gather, as much at home with the fed
eral authorities as with our own. With these
our relations were brief and formal. To ex
amine their credentials, usually full and satis
factory. to viser their passports and to bid them
n civil good-bye, was generally about all that
imsscd between us. There was another class of
cotton dealers, howover, the speculators and
traders buying on their own hook, whom wo
were :<]i!>oiutcd especially to look after and
Whose illicit traffic we were ordered to destroy
at all hazards. Ido not remember that wo
felt any compunctions about handling these
gentry
Frenchmen, Germans, Englishmen, they ac
cepted their discomfiture in various ways and
deg rets, according to temperament. Some
were cool and nonchalant, viewing the untow-
nrd result from the philosophic standpoint of
the gambler.
Our headquarters were established at a ham-
let which I shall call Freedom, though not so
denominated on the map. Our life had grown
Irksome with its monotonous round of picket
duty, M'ontinjjj and watching for contraband
cotton.
by an occasional brush with
chor in the river, or with small
cral cavalry, continually passing to and fro
nlong the eountiy roads. It was October.
What with Gettysburg and Atlanta thing* had
not gone well for our side that summer of IrtGl.
It was growing dark and I was just prepar
ing to go to my quarters when a corporal en
tered, accompanied by a woman. A glance
was sufficient to inform me that she was an in
voluntary visitor. I olTcred her n chair and
learned that she had been captured some di«-
fence back of Red Post (» river town of con-
nlderable importance, garrisoned by n
heavy force of federal , troops) un
der tircnmstances which seemed to
justify the suspicion that she was a spy. 8ho
was apparently thirty years of ago, with in-
significant features ana a somewhat sun-burnt
face, redeemed by a pair of bright, inquisitive
eyes; in figure, under-sized, but round and
plump and with small hands and fc( t. Ilcr
raiment was costly and in showy contrast to
the simple calicoes worn by our confederate
ladies Not being of the Jenkins tribe,
nor even ordinarily versed in
the mysteries of millinery, I cannot
describe her costumo, beyond that she wore a
long black silk garment of tho cloak kind,
which reached almost to her feet. This gar
ment was splashed with mud from ton to bot
tom and gave to its wearer a most pitiful look,
Tho woman seemed to bo ulivo to tho awk
wardness of her situation, but she was a cool
hand and met every question ns to her
movements and plans with cotir-
Bge and promptness. She gave her
name ns Mrs. Eugeno Verdure, a widow, a na
tive of a largo southern city, but now a resi
dent of Red Post, where she kept a boarding
house. Jn answer to tho inquiry as to what
ahe was doing so far from Red Post and iusido
the confederate lines, her reply carno prompt
ly. “I had been out jw Greenbrier crook to
Visit tho plantation of somo friends, and was
ou my way home."
THOUGHT HER A SPY ALL THE SAME.
However, wo wero persuaded that her story
wss an invention, that hor prcscnco in our
lines was the result of a purpose, and that pur-
__ _ t her with him. In n few moments she was
brought tack with tho instructions: “Dotaiu
this woman till tomorrow morning: after
Which, scud her to division headquarters in
charge of a staff officer, with all the papers in
her case. Direct the quartermaster to furnish
necesary transportation.”
I reflected a moment. It was easy to say,
•‘Detain this woman until tomorrow,” but how
viu 1 to do it? Tho houso occupied as hood*
quarters was of the cottage build, so common
in the south—a porch in front, a hall through
tho middle, a couple of rooms tandem-w*ise on
each side of the hall aud another porch at tho
tack. The general had one-half the houso for
his use. The other half was used as tho ad
jutant general's office and as the sleeping
apartments of an aide-de-camp, ono
nr two clerks and an orderly. I did
not belong to tho headquarters' mess, but
was a member of one composed of the post
commissary and other officers haviug its
xtodeavout at the village hotel, where I also
had a room. I finally said to tho woman:
*Madam, I am ordered to detain you a prison
er till tomorrow and then send yon under es
cort to division headquarters.” She was not a
lady, that was ovident, hut she was a woman,
nnd I was conscious of an instinctive aversion
for the task assigned me. She looked me
cooly in tho face and said: ‘‘This Is a very
unjust proceeding. I have been guilty
of nothing that should subject mo to such
treatment.” “I cannot discuss that with
you,” was my reply* "If you are to remain
hero you must either sit up all night by the
fire or >tek what repose you can on blankets
on the floor.” She was dead game, no doubt,
hut at such a dismal prospect her countonaneo
fell. ”1 am an unfortunate woman and cruelly
misjudged, and I am wet, and cold, nnd lain-
gry. Purely you are a gentleman and will
have some compassion on me.”
Seizing my hat I went to thekotel aud stated
the case to the landlady, a rough, old woman,
but honest and kindly. “Bring her here. I’ll
see w bat can be done.” I went hack to my
office and my prisoner, and told her that I had
found suitable quarters for her at the hotel.
Next morning she wentouletlyaway in an
ambulance to division headquarters accompa
nied by a staff officer.
THE WOMAN’S TURN.
In a few days she returned in the same man
ner she went, and looked on with undisguised
pleasure and some malice, as I opened and read
a letter from the division commander to the ef
fect that there was not sufficient evidence
against Mrs* Verdure to detain her as a spy;
■he was to be allowed to return to Red Pott at
once, hut with the understanding that if sho
was caught again within our lines she would
be dealt with severely. 1 read it through rare-
iblly and then said: "You are free to go home.
Wbeu do you wish to start.”
"Right now,” she replied, emphatically. In
a few moments the carriage was at the door—
her own, by the way, the same in which she
was captured—and I took her to it. Before
getting in she turned to me and said, with tho
only touch of genuine feeling I had observed
in her whole conduct: "Good-bye, major. I
■ball net forget jour kindness to me. Stranger
things have happened than that it should be in
my power to serve you. If you knew what I
know ycu would think it very probable. Re
member what I say. Good-bye.”
Of ccurseher words made no impression
Upon me. If I ever gave them a second
thought, which is doubtful, it was only to
■mile nt the improbability of any event hap
pening by which Mrs. Verdure could be use
ful to me. I was not of an age to peer far into
the future.
A TURK IN AFFAIR*.
Thirgs resumed their usual course and were
uneventful tor the next lew weeks. Sudden
ly cne raw November morning, a courier dash
ed into Freedom with the startling iotelli-
Recce that a heavy force of federal
cavalry had driven in the pickets
on n certain road and were advanc
ing. The officer In command of the regiment
which covered that road aent word that he
would contest every inch of ground, bat that
bis force was wholly Inadequate to give battle
and begged for reinforcement*. He was ono
of our most gallaut coloucls, a mau of daunt
less courage aud great intelligence, aud wc
knew would uever ask for help if he did not
need it. Before any plan of actiou could be
decided upon, another courier rode in at great
speed to announce a similar advance upou an
other road. In a very short tirno intelligence
reached us of like movements at all points,
and then wo knew that a genera! raid of fed
eral troops was being made upon tho district.
I remained at Freedom all day with my
general receiving aud sending dis
patches. At nightfall tiie enemy eutered tho
village on all the roads, frout and rear. I was
standing in the street by the side of my horse
and bcariug the grinding sound of horses' feet
behind me, turned, and by the light of a lamp
streaming from a window, saw the shoulder
straps of a federal officer. I sprung into my
dale, spurred my korso and set off at full
e<' - -
uy
other instant I was a prisoner. Tho capture
and surprise of tho place was thorough and
complete. I give tho yaukccs credit for that.
EXPERIENCES OF A PRISONER.
Tlio federal fore© remained at Freedom two or
throodav*. Tho confederate prisoners were
kept under elese guard, but were otherwise
time. Subsequent events
clue to the mystery and more than an inkliug
as to the meaning of Mrs. Verdure's move
ments in connection with it. Mouutcd on a
sorry steed nnd placed between two troopers
I set ofl* at tho head ot tho column of
prisoners. nnd after a weary
tramp reached the town of Red Post.
Thoughts of escape from capturo constantly
flitted through the brain, and had an opportu
nity presented itself there would doubtless
have been more than ono attempt. But our
guards were wary and vigilant. The night
was drawing ou ns we totaled the ynrdofwhnt
appeared to be a large jail. It was » gloomy-
looking place nnd I felt a shudder creep ovor
me. Wc were ordered to dismouutaud answer
the roll call. That ceremony concluded the
provost marshal was about to march us into
the prison when an officer, w hom I recognized
as belonging to the staff of tho fcdoral general,
whispered into his car.
LINER IN r LEAR ANT PLACER.
The provost marshal l>owcd uml said: “Maior
Robinson will step to the front.” Having
done so I was approached by the staff officer,
who saluted me with great courtesy aud said:
"I am directed by tho general to invite you to
accept the hospitality of his houso during your
stay nt Red Post. Of coarse you will give
your verbal parole to mako uo attempt at es
cape.” 1 looked at him in astouishment, and
Anally said: "I am much obliged to the gen
eral for his politcncts. but it seems hardly the
thing-”
"Oh! my dear fellow,” he laughingly replied,
"now don’t decline the invitation. The gener
al Is very hospitably inclined and would bo
happy to entertaiu the whole confederate par
ty. but his housc'is really not big enough. You
will And things much imno comfortable over
there than here, I awuro you.”
Of that there could bo no doubt. After a mo
ment I wild: "Would you object to nllowiug a
friend, u brother staff officer to accompany
me?”
‘Xotnt all.” I gave the name of Mi\jor H ,
who had been my messmate for years, and who
was now my companion in misfortune,'and in a
momint wc three were cnroute to tho general's
house. I fully believed that the general in his
invitetion was actuated by tiro solo dcsiro to
1alk to me about military matter* nnd to ou-
dcavorto draw from me important information
concerning confederate plaus. For that rea
son I had asked that Major II be allowed
to go. 1 had no wish to be nlono with tho
geneinl. A short walk brought in to the door
of a pi etty cottage. As wo entered the hall
wcwno received by a richly dressed lady,
who hurst into laughter, and extending both
hands to me, exclaimed:
Havo you forgottcu me?”
ed of every military movement and its de
tails, and knew exactly when and where to
act, so that it ‘would do tho most good.' Sho
bnd gradually acquired wealth, but Its acqui
sition had only served to stimulate her
greater effort. It is hardly an exaggeration
say that she had a finger in every scheme
having for its object illicit trado in cot
ton in that regiou. It will bo remembered
that loth the federal aud tho confederate gov
ernments endeavored to suppress this traffic,
though for very different reasons, and it was
necessary for parties engaged in it to move
with the utmost secrecy and celerity. In stu b
a woman as Mrs. Verdure, cool, self-possessed,
intelligent aud energetic, these daring ‘free
traders’ found an admirable instrument.
Through her largo lots of cottou had boor
* ecu red at difl'erent points within the confed
erate lines adjacent to Red Post and wero
stored in warehouses, in plantation ginhouses
and in lonely, unfrequented forest depths.
"Well, when the tidiugs reached Red Post of
my capture by the confederate pickets tho ex
citement was intense. Some of my friends
were, no doubt, not sorry that I was out of the
way. But in other quarters there was genuine
conc ern felt for my safety. Had one liatr of
my head been harmed it would have gone
hard with the confederate officers who had the
misfortuuo to fall into the hands of our
troops.” Here a slight color mantled her cheeks
aud with a conscious smilo sho .went on:
"You see I am a person of consequence boro,
At last I was released from imprisonment, nr
you remember, aud reached home in safety
Everybody seemed eager to hear about my ad
ventures in Dixie, but I have not indulged
their curiosity, for obvious reasons. I did
however, relate tho wholo story to Gen
cral , dwelling especially upou your
courtesy, and exacted a promise from him to
take good care of you in tho event of your
capture.
MORE ABOUT THE C OTTON.
"Just behind the federal cavalry in this late
raid went a largo wagon train. While the
troeps lingered nt Freedom wc had all the
time needed to load up and haul the cotton
intq Red Post. In fact, from some points tho
wagons made several trips.”
"Did you manage to secure all your cotton?”
"Well, there was a little of it captured and
burned by some bands of confederate troopers,
who had marched to the roar of tho federal
forces, but not enough to cry about.'
"Ycu promised to tell mo how you
against fraud on the part of your associates in
the matter of dividing the spoils?”
‘Til tell you how. Most of them are so sit
uated that they dare not avow their connection
with the business. These voluntarily put their
cottou in my name. Tho others consent to do
the tamo in order to secure protection. It if
shipped from Red Poet In my name, sold for
my account and the proceeds placed in bank
to my credit. So you perceive that they are
dependent upon my good faith, not I upon
theirs. Not a stiver of the money do they got
until Mrs. Verdure pays herself.’ 7
At nightfall wo joined our comrades on
board a United States transport lying at tho
wharf, our paroles expiring as wo crossed the
gang-plank, nnd were soou on our way to a
laigo central depot for prisoners. As I took
leave of my hostess, nbe said:
"Now, haven’t I kept my word?”
"Yes, you have, most undoubtedly. What
ever attention I was enabled to show you at
Freedom has been amply requited. We are
quits.”
I have ficcn Mrs. Vcndure but twlco sinco.
Once, not many years alter the war, I was
standing in the corridor of a fashionable hotel,
when she passed on tho arm of tho fedoral gen
eral who lind captured mo and with whom I
had diued tho night of my visit to Red Post.
Turning to the clerk I said: "Do you know
these people?”
"Oil! yes, they are stopping liorc—Goneral
, formerly of the union array, aud his
ife. Not a pretty w’omnn, hut awAiIiv
they say, ami sho brought him a lu
money—a rich widow, I believe.”
A few years later I encountered tho Inter
esting pair on the streets of n largo city. They
It was my quondam prisoner at Freedom, tho ,tacked Wttltbv, idlovand luxurious. Crows’
to-called spy, Mrs. Verdure! * - f fm wcreJBUrerfng rtoontth© fine eyes of mad-
I was speechless with surprise. The staff
officer had remarked on our way from tho
irison that I would meet friends iu Red Post,
tut I had no suspicion of his meaning. What
with perplexity at finding myself a guest of
tho little woman and my fatigue after the long
ride and tho intense cold (it was November and
wo had lrtcn despoiled of our overcoats), I must
have looked forlorn enough.
ENTERTAINED RIGHT ROYALLY.
My hostess seemed to appreciate my embar
rassment, and at once summoned n servant, an
aristocratic looking old dartyy who answered
to the name of "Madison,” and directed him
to show the gentlemen to their room, adding:
"Dinner is on the table nnd will bo served, as
soon os you have made your toilet.”
Making one’s "toilct”had an absurd sound to
the caisof a man who was clad iu a well worn,
dingy suit of confederate gray, the origiual
color of which was lost in n coating of mud.
and who did not at the moment possess a single
other article of clothiug. Nevertheless wo fol
lowed our guide into a bed room of moderate
size, with luxurious appointments, a isrgo
French bed, rosewood bureau and armoir aud
nil other appurtenances in keeping.
The diunor passed oft pleasantly. Tho table
was spread in bounteous fashion, und there was
plenty of good claret nnd champaguc. The
company consisted of the federal general, who
had led tho raid which resulted in my capturo,
his aide-de-camp, another general ofllcor, our
hostess and ourselves. Major II and I plied
our knivc3 and forks with deligence, but took
little part in the conversation. They talked
on Indifferent subjects at first, but os tho wine
began to circulate the two geuerals launched
into a discussion of military matters, aud final
ly into sharp criticisms of tho plans of their
superiors, spiced witli racy anecdote aud pun
gent satire. My comrade and I retired early
to bed, and were soon oblivious of our dismal
Cite.
A week before Mrs. Venture stood before mo
a prisoner, charged w ith an odious crime, and
I tad stretched my authority to shield her Iu
part from the consequences. Now I was the
f risoncr and a recipient of her hospitality, for
could not doubt that to her intercession was
due my esenpo from spending the night iu
prison. She was evidently a person of in
fluence nt federal headquarters, aud my curi
osity was piqued to know by what means it
was ucquired and upon what foundation it
rested.
I was not kept long in suspense. From her
own lips came the "round, unvarnished tale,”
and such information as I was enabled to glean
after the war was over only served to confirm
the truth of it. We were alone in her parlor.
Arrayed in fashionable clothes, with lace at
her throat and around her wrists, diamonds
pendant from her ears and gleaming upou ker
fingers, her haircoiffercd iu what seemed the
latest mede, her feet encased in embroidered
•Uppers, her form half reclining in a roomy
rocking chair, she certainly presented n sharp
contrast to herself as she appeared at the con
federate ramp a short time before. She began
by rallying me upon my low spirits, and drift
ing into a discussion of the war betrayed much
bitterness towaida the southern people, partic
ularly certain officers in the confederate army,
‘Of coarse,” she said. "I knew all about the
federal movements, and I made General
£ remise before he left Red Post to treat you
indly if you fell into his hands, as I felt you
must do.” After a while she added: "I expect
you would like to know what I was doing in
side the lines that day I wax captured and
brought to Freedom? Well. I don't mind tell
ing you. The war is pretty nearly
over, the confederacy will soon collapse, and
you arc likely to stay in prison until the
cud, so there will be no harm done. De
but her desire to make a display of her shrewd
ness in outwitting the confederates carried the
day. It was amusing to watch the exhibition
of feminine triumph that pervaded her feat
ures as she recounted her adventures.
It w ould be too long to tell her whole story.
The main points were these:
A C OTTON SPECULATOR.
"She was a bold, skilful cotton speculator,
operating to some extent for her .own ac
count, bnt more largely a» the agent of others. “~jif»htude>r.neTe,
Through her relations with the federal gen- I Unknown, unnamed, forgotten lies
eral she was thoroughly aud acturately Inform- I A Georgia Volunteer.
aim-, nml I thought she wore an air of listless
ennui. They live abroad now, chiefly in a gay
continental city. I wonder if she ever recalls
her career as a cotton trader.
Tho lloinfmrtlineiit of Sitmtor,
Daytona,Volusia county, Fla.,January 30.—
Editor* Constitution. The (mill of any matter of
history Is always nu*t to be desired. You publish
an ex Ira cl from (lie Athens, Ga., Banner, contain
itig a short account of the bombardment *of Fort
Sumter. The writer, Sir. T. Jl. Toomcr, who was
merely a looker on, ns it seems and not n partici
pant In that bloodless affair, falls into certain er
ror* of statement in regard to times and other cir
cumstance* attending that mcmorablo event
which 1 propose to correct. The bombardment in
question did not begin and end upon tho Itb of
April, us lie state s, but on the morning of tho 12th
or April, and ended about 1‘Jo'clock m. on tho lath.
Tho fort was set on lire by red hot allot from Fort
Moultrie during the morning of the second ;dajr’s
bombardment, and not on the lint day,ns he states.
No white ling woa scon or ever heard of by the
writer, being hoisted by the garrison of the fort,
nor was the flag lowered until the notorious Frank
lin .1. Moms, then an aide of Governor Pickens, In
roinjauty with General L. T. WJgfall nnd others,
lowered it from tho fla
error* with regard to ti
uel Bliett.
He, it i* said, requested to l>c relioved from tho
command of the fort upon tho ground that it was
not tenable. Ills request was granted, nnd that
noble soldier nnd Christian gentleman. General
Hteplic-ii Elliott, being appointed to Uyc command,
didhold Sumter until the evacuation of Charles
ton in IMft.
Yon will oblige tnc and perhaps gratify others by
giving publication to the foregoing. Yours, etc.,
John A. Uuaoley,
A Georgia Volunteer.
l-'ar up tlic lonely mountain side
My wandering footsteps led,
The moM iny thick beneath my feet,
The pine sighed o’er bead:
The trace of u <11-mu tilled fort
The bramble wrestled with the weed
Upon the lowly mound;
The simple hcudltounl, rudely writ,
Had rotted to the ground.
1 ruhed it with a reverent hand,
From dust Its words to dear.
Rm Time bad blotted nil but these:
'•A Georgia Volunteer.”
I snw Ihc toad and scaly soake
1'rum tangled covert* start.
And hide themselves among the weeds
Above the dead man’* heart:
Rut. undisturbed, in sleep profound,
< nheeillog, there be lay.
Hi* coffin but tlic mountain soil,
Ills shroud, Confederate Gray.
1 heard the Rhonandouh roll
.M. ivnOer’s name, and then
I knew the sleeper had been one
Of Stonewall Jackson** men.
unknown to C
RememlM-r, on his lonely grate
There i« not ereti a mrraa.
e snow, cne ne nau u
A Georgia Volunteer.
to que
light.
He knows ere UihTwhowe cause Is Just
In God. the father * fight:
He wields no warlike weapon* now,
Return* no fuemau's thrust;
Who but a coward would revile
An honored soldier’s dust?
What desolated hem-th? and hearts
Have been, became be fell :
What /ad eyed maiden braid* her hair
tier hair which he held dear.
One lock of whic h, perchance He* with
The Georgia Volunteer:
What mother, with her watching eye*.
And while lip*-, cold and dumb,
tail* with appa"* ' -
Hcrdiirllrg t
Her boy, whose mountain grave swells up
Butene of many a scar?
Cut on the face-of our fair land
By Gory-handed War.
Roll. Shenandoah, proudly roll
Adown thy rocky glen: _
Above thee lies the grave of one
THE FLORIDA FRAUDS.
A Visit to the Lecdon Offlcw, Where Trade Is Msd#
in the Popular Credulity-Teaching Young
Men Bow to Farm-Tbe Sarasota Swin
dler* Bow tha Dane ta Worked.
New York, February (1.—Tho London cor
respondent of tho New York Herald has been
inquiring into tho Florida land frauds perpe
trated in tlint city. He says:
1 began my inquiries today on Florida emt
gration at tho United States consulate, where I
was informed that Intending emigrants pall
almost daily to ask for advice. Consul Gon-
cral Waller said: "Tho advice given is always
the same. Don’t buy land before you ltavo
seen it. Take nobody's opinion ou trust,
out with a little niouoy and wait six months to
inspect tho land. Then, if you like everything
buy, but not before.”
As there is some danger of confounding
honest with dishonest schemes in inquiries of
this sort, I next interviewed a number of per
sons here connected with Florida, all of whom
united Iu condemning the trickery of Tait,
the Sarasota hero, and tho credulity of his
Scotch patrons. Tait is not tho only man
blamed. T. G. Mcllcrsh, not Blellish, as re
ported, is also much abused. Ho seems, how
ever, to have been foolish rather than knavish.
The conduct of a Chicago firm, said to bo in
terested in the Marion county "sand” bank
called Bclmore, Is also denounced.
I was asked to call attention to tlio pro
ceedings of a 'Tccksniffian” speculator uamed
Stapleton, residing iu or near rutnam county.
Stapleton is tho roii of au English canon of
unimpeachable respectability, and seems to
have traded on tho prestige attaching
to his clerical connections. I am
assured ho has loug been in
the habit of enticing young Euglisbuieu to
Florida on the pretense of "teaching them
farming.” Once in his clutches, he sets thorn
to do work as common farm hands, for which,
instead of receiving wages, they have to pay a
bonus of $100 or tfOOner annum. Finally
Stnpleton unloads himself of his less destrablq
lots, for which ho extracts high price* from
those persons. Mcllcrsh (s a reputed ageut of
Stapleton.
Doing my best to look like an intending
emigrant, 1 next interviewed tlio manager* of
several Florida investment cowiianics, Six
or seven at least of these companies advertise
their existence in London. Others discreetly
hide their business. The first person inter
viewed was Mr. Williams, of No. 40 Leicester
square, a gcutleman of respectable appearance,
w ho informed mo he was t»art proprietor or
land held by the "Florida Estates company,”
strictly a private concern, which had solicited
no public subscriptions aud was entirely in
the hands of Mr. Williams, his son and
another gentleman. Togethor thoy own
about five tbousaud acres—twenty-four hun
dred at St. Lucie, on tho Indiatt river, and tho
rest Iu Taylor aud LalWyctto couutios.
"What is the usual courso adopted by emi
grants purchasing your land?” I asked.
"They usually nay twenty per cent down
before starting. Iu return wo glvo them cer
tificates entitling them to tako possession of
any lot not already let.”
"What is the climate like at St. Lucie?”
"Dollglitfiil, below tho front line, and is a
good plate for orango growing. Taylor aud
Lafayette counties arc chiefly good for raising
cereals.”
"Are there any settlers in St. Lucie al
ready?”
"Yes, lut they are scattered about. Tho
nearest civilization, however, Is at Eau Gallic,
a beautiful place further north.”
‘ At what prico do you sell land at St. Lu-
cio V”
'It runs from $rt to $20 an acre. In three
Uould be ^orth $T»Q or $100 Jo pur-
On inquiring at the "East Florida Land nnd
Improvement company.” in Leodonhall street,
I whs assured that all the company’s land Iny
near St. Augustine. Nothing was previously
known of tho frauds as they were exposed in
the Herald. Tho "Florida Land and Coloni
zation company,” of No. 13 Austin Friars, was
next visited. Several pamphlets, more flow
ery than tho "Land of Flowers” Itself, wore
handed to me in answer to questions about
orongo groves nnd emigration. By its
own account tlio company owns “aov-
chty thousand acres of land of tho choicest
character for sale, between 27? degrees and
2i)I degrees of latitude. Tho laud selected is
tho best in each locality and tho settlers are
offered a choice of great variety. Tho compa
ny owns tho Sanford grant, including tho town
of Sanford; tho Powell and BItckiunon grants,
large tracts in Hillsboro county south or Tam
pa, and large tracts in Manatee. Hernando and
Polk counties.” Polk county is descrlbod iu
tlic pamphlets as salubrious aud attractive.
A* clim bing arguments, the purchasers are
told that tho South Florida railway tosses
through the company's land, and that "sani
tary reports give the state tho first place in the
Viuon ns regards liealthfulnean.” I asked tho
trice of laud in this earthly paradise. It ran
’rom$20 to $30 an acre. An official assured
me it would be against tho traditions Of the
company to accept purchase money for land
before Inspection or to take out emigrants; but
on reflection ho thought that, if very much
pressed, the company might consent to recoive
money ns n deposit for land, and hinted that a
jteiKonnlly conducted voyage might ho ar<
tanged.
Said ono of tho officials: "Mr. Tait nover
saw Florida until he took out the Sarasota
party. Ho bad bought a quantity of worth
less land at a nominal price of tho 'Florida
I .and und Improvement company,’ of No. SO
Lombard street, which has something to do
with Mr. Dlsston. He persuaded bis dupes he
laud at about £2 10«an acre. He says it cost
him $2-23 per acre, but tho real price, I believe*
was about seventy-five cents. Our own Und
wc sell at prices ranging from $2 to $5 at the
highest. Excellent uncleared land can be had
for $2. The idea of asking £210s U monstrous,
"tats of iniquitous dodj
g rant*. Speculators buy
caps, and plant a few ac „ _____
which novergrow and never could grow there.
Then bring their dupes.to see them, saying:—
"Are not they beautiful? And only pUnted
two years ago.Tbe dupes buy and work away at
the Und for two or three yean
id worthless sand
few scrubby orange trees
pie with some capital, who had taken out t
‘ nos and bric-a-brac expecting to find regu-
settlements. On their arrival they found
nothing but wastes and sand, while their lots,
which they believed would be contiguous,
were scattered all along the coast, with often
ten or twelve miles between them. It’s a
wonder Tait was not nched. Had his du|»es
been Americans he would have been.”
Weather Proverb* for February.
From tho Providence Journal.
February second bright and clear
Give* a good flax year.
There Is alwa y» one fine week In February.
Violent north winds in February herald a fruit
ful jeur.
When the cat in February lies in the sun, sho
willsgRln creep behind the stove in March.
For every thunder with rain In February, there
Will be a cold spell in May.
If February gives much snow
A fine snouacr U doth foreshow.
There con be no doubt that many popular iretth-
e» prorerf* are worth comidering. but that they
are not to be depended on is seen in the fact that
they often contradict etch other, of which take the
following Illustration:
If on the 2d of February the gonae finds ft wet,
Most perfect made
Prepared by a physician with spedsl regard
to health. No Ammonia, Lima or Ahun.
AUCTION SALE!
70 Head Choice
II, J, C, C, JERSEY CUTTLE,
•JJNDEU THE AU.srit’ES OF THE GEORGIA
Jersey Breeders' Association, at Atlanta, Ga., on
Wednesday, 10th day March next.
Drafts from the herds or Richard Peters, John L.
Hopkins, J. U. Wndc and Woodward, BleClellati A
Co., consisting of many valuable animal*, strong
in tlic blood of Uoomarsle, Stoke Pogis, signal
Alpha, Mercury, St. Ilelier, Rex and Duke 76.
Cattle eligible to the association sales arc cither
born Iu this state or have beon thoroughly
acclimated. Catalogue* will be ready for distribu
tion about ,20th of February. Application* for
same must be addressed to
GKO. M. HA PE,
Secretary and Treasurer, Atlanta, Ga.
Mention this paper. fob 0 wky It
DYSPEPSIA.
PIlKTEftTOr MANY YKABft AND THK
KXrKVUMNCK OF MANY THOUSANDS
AND TJSNN ON THOUSANDS K4TAIff.MII i
THK FACT THAT NO ONKWILI.BK-I
MAIN A DxSPKPTlO WHO WILL TAKE
SIMMONS LI VKK REGULATOR.
and after our homo p!
me they advised removal to Colorado or Califor
nia In hope of relief. I thought of leaving my
family, and would have gone to tho mountain*
11 this Kummcr, If you had not recommended Him- I
mon’* Liver Regulator, which I took, and l am
now taking the second bottle, and the fact t*()
that word* cannot express the relief I Ael. My
■ appetite U very good, and I digest everything ■
thoroughly, where 1 used to havo a |>a**ago
every four or flvo day*, now I havo regular
dally evacuations of tne t/owels. I sleep well j
to th(*?*Ut?mcnt*ir debited.,
K. 8. HALLor, Syracuse, Nebraska.
TIUSRK IHItUTONK NIMMONtf
L1VKR ROGULATOR! _
iniliio with tho rad Z
Bee that you get the in .........
u front or wrapper. Prepared only by
J* II. ZHILIN * CO.,
Sole Proprietor*. PHILADELPHIA, PA.
wky cow no:2
'®L00.D ftE. n EWER •
de my opinion of Guinn'* Pioneer
t as a blood medicine nnd the eftbot
ny»clf and other*. Words ean hard-
Fnrcwell to tlio Excrntlatlug Pains of Rheu-
mutism*
T write to state m;
Blood ltcnewer a* a'
It bo* hod oh myself tod
ly express all 1 would like to say, but for years 1
suffered the roost cxcrutlatlng pain from Rheuma
tism and pains arising from The dlrordored condi
tion of blood before using the Blood Rencwer.beliig
for mouths auabki to walk or more my lower limbs.
After commencing; thetuseiof; 1 - *• *
found such rel <ef I continued
taken aboutonc lialfgnlloii; s
two years ‘
since suff
with the Blfod BanewerVanri car h of them expert-
enred great relief from tho useof ib
Rock mart, Go. H. f*. CHERRY.
For frill Information our free pamphlet on Blood
and Bkfn DDcases will bo furnished on application
to the MACON MEDICINE CO.. Moron, Ga.
“ rod form, easy to prepare at home,
spirits;small also*** cants, large
.’^iv.vsr p,io# w^ 1 -
THE GATE CITY NATIONAL BARK
OF ATLANTA, GA.
U. 6.. DEPOSITORY.
Interest Allowed on Deposits.
rorinfonMtlou, nil on or kldrav,
L. J. HILL, President.
Mention tbi* paper. wky
HOUTHKRN SCHOOL
PHONOGRAPHY.
As perfect and practical instruction
guaranteed in standard short Hand /
writing as con be obtained any where.
Pupils received at any time. For terms
address A. C. Briscoe, Constitution build
ing, Atlanta, Go.
Capital Prize $190,000.
fontement* tor all the Monthly and Bemi-Antunri
Drawings of tho Louisiana Htato Lottery Company,
and in person mr— * -
themselves, and 1
and lu '’panda menim and ^amttouSe drawtan!
that the some are conducted wuS
We the undersigned Banks and Bankers will pay
all Prise* drawn fli The Louisiana Htato Lotteries
which may be presented at our counter*.
J. II. OGLKHUT,
Prr, Louisiana National Bank.
BAMViX II. KENNKDV,
Frei. State National Bonk.
A. IIAMim.f.
I’m. New Orleans National Bank.
UNPRECEDENTED - ATTRACTIONS!
Over Hulln Million Dlitriliutod.
Louisiana Slate Loiter)’ Company.
Incorporated In IMS tor twenty-five yehrs by the
LcgMiUtircfor Educational and Charitable purpo-
By an overwhelming popular vote, its franchise
was mode a part of the present State ConmtutiOB
adopted December 2d, A. D., 1870.
H* Grand Single Number Drawings will take
plncc monthly.
, H never scales or postpones. Look at the follow*
Ing distributions:
lCOtli Grand Monthly
—AKD TIIE—
Extraordinary Quarterly Drawing
In the Arademy of Music, New Orleans, Tuesday,
Capital Prize $150,000.
NOTICE—Tickets are Ten Dollars ouly. Halves,
Five Dollars. Fifths Two Dollars. Tenth*
One Dollar.
List of Prlzeu
1 Capital prise or 91M.000.
1 Grand prlxo of
1 Grand prize of
2Large prize* of
4 targe prises of
W.0W...
20,000...
20 Prizes of
ho ••
200 "
MO Approximation prize
7,601
r? Prizes amounting to ..mJBOMfi
ppliratlon* for rate* to club* should be mode
only to the office of the Company In New Orleans.
For further information write clearly, giving frill
address. POSTAL NOTES. Express Mouey Orders-
or New York Exchange Inordinary letter. Our-
br M. A. DAUPniN, New Orleuu, lU.
H’uftutm. D. a
.M» P. O. Ilot^ Oiden wife
RctUtcrcd I^ticfi, to
—-WOBL1
i p»Kr.
Onlcn wtblo tad iddnat
Wttt
I4AKIN0.
DOES IT PAYt
JUlS-wkyM
riiw brnw.il.. ,
"UEVER KNOWN TO FAIL.”
TABUANT8 EXTRACT
CUBEB9 and OOPAIBA
Is an old, tried remedy toff
Ronorr hrr *, gleet sod all dis
eases of the urinary organa,
Its neat, portable form, frMN
dom from lasts and speed/
action (U frequently cutfi
tn three or four days end el*
way* in toee time than any
m&ESmr®
bum dnlrahb rased/ ere*
** I'.iij. II 0Q.
BOLD BT AM. DttUQOWTB.
Mention thto mmt. d«f mon thu ut wk/
Hunnicutt&Bellingrath
JOBBERS AND DXALER3 IN
COOKING AND HEATING STOVES, BINGES,
FURNACES, MANTELS, CRATES, Elf.,
80 end88 cor. P«(tohtrc«and Walton 8W.,
ATLANTA, OA.
KtUlVSt
•prl-JAwknr Us ut to*
f.W-wky lit
j ,'dwi, tn.ratta.tton at
w ^ rr ^ /ebi-dAwkyst*
VTm urge our ireadora when they answer
ndyertlsement* to mention fbat they aaw
I hem In tho Constitution, This wUl help ail
INDISTINCT PRIHT I