Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1915 — V. J. CRISLER FIGURES IN FLORIDA LAND DEAL [ARTICLE]

V. J. CRISLER FIGURES IN FLORIDA LAND DEAL

Local Real Estate Man Associated With H. D. Harms of Chicago in Purchase at Fort Myers. V. J. Crisler, who has been successfully engaged in the real estate business here for several years, recently joind forces with H. D. Harms, of Chicago, and closed a deal for the purchase of 10,000 acres of land in southern Florida, near Fort Myers. The Fort Myers Press of April 22nd makes the following report of the transaction: For some time a deal has been pending for the purchase of 10,000 acres of land near Fort Myers, extending from near the city along the McGregor boulevard, and ending near lona on the bay. This tract is one of the most desirable locations in southern Florida for trucking and growing winter vegetables, protected as it is by the warm waters of the Gulf and the Caloosahatchee bay, washing the shores daily, due to the ebb and flow of the tide. Along McGregor boulevard, which traverses this tract for several miles, are many beautiful estates, including the homes of Thomas A. Edison, Dr. Franklin Miles, John M. Dean and others, who have demonstrated their faith in this favored section by locating their winter homes here. H. D. Harms and V. J. Crisler, of Chicago, and associates, are the purchasers of this splendid tract, and they have organized the Peninsular Realty Co., with their main office in Fort Myers. The purpose of the new company will be to develop several hundred acres of this tract, ready for truckgrowing by draining, clearing and plowing, placing the property ready for truckers to plant crops of winter vegetables the coming season. lona, Fla., which joins the tract, is perhaps one of the most favored spots in all southern Florida for growing winter vegetables, being protected as it is from cold, the growers having never lost a single crop by frost—a guarantee of success to the trucking business. McGregor boulevard, which is nearing completion at a cost of over one hundred thousand dollars, touches this land for several miles, furnishes one of the most beautiful drives in the state, and the Caloosahatchee bay with Kinzie Bros.’ daily boat service, furnishes the most perfect transportation to the truck-growers, as vegetables shipped in the morning are moving on the Coast Line railroad in the afternoon to the markets of the country. The truckers in this section have met with big success due to not having killing frosts to contend with. They usuallv grow two crops in a season, receiving from ?40C to SI,OOO net per acre, and in some cases even more, The development of this section means much to Fort Myers and the lona section, as the new company will make a special effort to make this section headquarters for the growing and marketing of winter vegetables. Geo. R. Lynn, of Fort Myers, is responsible for the purchase of this land. Mr. Lynn has lived in Fort Myers during the last five years, and having made a close study of the general conditions he selected this particular tract, Jbelieving it to be one of the most desirable in Lee county. Mr. Lynn will be treasurer and general manager of the new company, with headquarters in the Eamhart block on First street.