Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1914 — Letter From Blaine Peacock, De-Land, Fla. [ARTICLE]

Letter From Blaine Peacock, DeLand, Fla.

DeLand, Fla., Dec. 10, 1914. Editor Jasper Co. Democrat, Rensselaer, Indiana. My Dear Sir: In answer to your request that I write a letter for your Christmas issue, I shall essay to recount a few of the most interesting events of my stay here in Florida, as well as to briefly discribe the country. From time to time I have written my friends back in Old Indiana of my various** experiences in the sunny south, consequently this will be familiar to some. My first impressions of Florida shall never be forgotten. In the spring of 1911 I arrived at Tarpon Springs, where my father owned an orange and grapefruit grove. Situated a mile from and overlooking the broad expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, lies the picturesque city of Tarpon Springs. Along the shores of the many beautiful bayous are the homeb of scores of winter tourists come here seeking rest, comfort and a warm climate. I know of no city In Florida that can surpass Tarpon Springs in charm or advantage. In hunting, fishing and other' outdoor sports, the year around, it is unexcelled. The richest citrig section of the state is in the vicinity of this little city. Southern College is only a few miles south and afTords the opportunity for tourist students to continue their work after leaving their winter homes. Tarpon Springs is the proud possessor of the largest sponge market in the world. For the most part the work of this great industry is carried on by Greeks who are peaceful, law abiding citizens, taking advantage of that wonderful opportunity which America affords the foreigner. During my first year in Florida I had several grand and' long to be remembered experiences which gave me a clearer conception of this tropical land. In the summer of 1912 a party of us chartered a schooner and sailed for Cuba, via Fort Meyers and Key West. We were absent three weeks, visiting enroute Thomas A.

Edison’s laboratory at Mort Meyers, the Over Sea Railroad extending from Miami to Key West, the United States barracks and old forts used during the Spanish-Ameriean war. In the lower part of Florida lib the far-famed and almost impenetrable “Everglades.” Here in places where white man has never trod are found several tribes of Indians, the pitiable, tragic remnant of that once powerful race, the Seminoles. the savages who kept at bay the “paleface” for half a century and were conquered only through a foul piece of treachery on his part. in the fall of lit 13 I entered the law department of Stetson University DeLand, Florida. This city, beautifully situated among groves of magnificent oak trees, is one of -the most attractive in the state. John B. Stetson University possesses a standard such as very few institutions of the south can truthfully claim. Splendidly equipped in every respect, it presents an Irresistible attraction to* the student. The tourist, season has begun and already hundreds have sought thewarm, sunny climate of Florida—eager to escape the severity of the. northern winter. With corldal Christmas greetings to the Hoosier state, I am Yours truly,

H. BLAINE PEACOCK.