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it NEW SMYRNA HlWk FBIPAY, tK?Ttl»** tt.New Smyrna of the Past and As It Appears TodayBy H. I. Hamilton Secretary New Smyrna Board of Trade44ln days of old, when Knights were bold, And Barons bold their awaya small party of people, men, women and children, sailed through Mosquito Inlet and landed on the green shores of the now famous Indian river. The baron in this case was Dr. Andrew Turnbull, and the people accompanying him were his slaves. From time to time hi a colony grew, as boat load after boat load of new slaves entered the inlet and tied up on the shores of his domain, until it numbered many hundreds-He found here the remains of a former civilization of which he knewtwo more in prospect; with ateamera again running on the river both north and south, all centering at thU point from a vast productive tributary terri tory; with upwards of a million ton* of freight to handle, the time has ar-riven when the needs of the people again demand the opening of Mosquito inlet to ocean-going vessels. This time to be permanently improved and developed so that the largest ocean-going steamers may enter at will. A port of commerce, a harbor of refuge, and a coaling station for the navy, It Is j geographically situated as the logical ; port of the greatest producing section 'of the state, with a natural harbor i inside the heads, and the most south era Atlantic port that is easily accessible to more than one railroad.Herein lies the appeal to our northern friends, the opening of Mosquitonothing, but he cared not for this for he had come to build a fortune. In honor of his wife, a native of Smyrna he called this new land New Smyrna a name which it holds to this day. He cleared vast tracts of forest and plant ed the fields to cane and indigo This great baron grew rich and with lus riches came a fearlessness, because of the vast surrounding forest which stretched away to the north, south and west, furnishing him protection against outsiders and a safeguatd against the escape of his slaves, his nearest neighbor being St, AugustineHe was the original Florida land shark, a master at his call ing, and the king bee of the hive for there were no laws in those days to protect the innocent. He was monarch of all he surveyed and from his throne of coquina rock ruled with a cruel hand His slavp* were not the black aborigines of Dark est Africa, but were white people of his own race, people of wealth, refine ment and education, gathered from the Islands of the Mediterranean, sup posedly under contract to participate with the doctor in the development of this new country and to share in its productiveness Once at sea and needed for their new home, they *ere thrown into chains, compelled to tign away all property and personal rights, and arrived In this new and sionoi's land in abject slavery. But like all fraunds his bubble burst. The thousands of acres then under cultivation again grew up to forest and blotted ! from view his attempt at colonization | Years passed by, and white man again floated down the east coast and 'entered Mosquito inlet The country ’was fair to see The dense tropical ! growth proved to his mind that this f was a fertile land. This time the cruelty of the former slavery was un [known and the settlement grew, slow to be sure, but nevertheless certainly Again forests were cleared and fields planted and the community grew and prosperedWith the advancement of civilization and the accompanying clearing and building, the remains of the former civilization again came to light The old Spanish mission and the rock house, which Turnbull found upon his first arrival, were uncovered from the forest, though within the last few years the latter has disappeared to serve another purpose in the march of progress. The ruins of Turnbull's settlement are here today. Many foundations of former buildings are found throughout the present town, the remains of his indigo vats, and last, but not least, the miles of drainage canals which were dug by white women slaves under black overseers.Ocean-going ships arrived and departed through Mosquito inlet bearing their cargoes to and from this land of promise.Next came the narrow thread of ateel crawling down the east coast and with the advent Of the modern railroad the port fell into disuse and was abandoned Settlers came from the north and tilled the fertile acres, producing anything that can be grown in any similar clime Thus grew the town and surrounding country.Today the historic old town is wide awake The ring of hammer, saw and mason’s trowel are continuously heard on every side. The little town, has roused from its long sleep, and growing into the vigor of young manhood, begins to appreciate the vast possibilities the future holds In store for it Within the last three years the public school enumeration has Increased 146 per cent., many brick buildings have been added to the business section of the town, many handsome residences built. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of northern money have been expended, both ic providing winter homes and in opening up unimproved land to settlement and cultivation. Hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable land still lie Idle awaiting the arrival of more settlers who are coming by hundreds every year.Here we have no severe winter to stop all vegetable growth, and as a result, instead of raising one crop a year as Is the custom in the north, weraise three or four or even five crop* on the same ground in one twelve months. No farmer need think, however, that he can take life easy to Florida and wealth will be his, for if he raises three or four crops a year he must plan on three or four timeg the work he does in the north, if ho la not afraid of work, a rich reward awaits him here.The promt New Smyrna has excellent prospects as the coming mistress of central Florida. Her board of trade Is active and progressive. With railroads north, south and west, another bonding fb tbs southwest and at leastSouth Beach Street, Daytona~—.—— *—.—-■ ———Infet will furnish means of more rapid an4 direct transportation and conse-j quent delivery of freight, at the same time, a reduction in the cost of that delivery. You pay the freight. If bo vital a matter as the reduction ot freight Is of interest to you. If you want your Florida fruit and vegetablea laid down in the northern and easternmarkets at a lower cost to the con sumer, if you are Interested in the great question before the American people today, namely “the reduction of the high cost of living,” then join hands with us In our efforts to secure the opening of this important harbor Get back Of your senators and repre aentatives in Washington and insist on them standing for the rights and needs of our people In the opening of Mosquito inlet The Florida delegation have taken the initiative and 11 your representation will back up the work they have started, you will knock one prop from under the cost of livingA Pivtey Trail Ntar New Smyrna
Newspaper Details
New Smyrna Daily News
New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US
Fri, Sep 19, 1913
Page 2
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FL, USA 10 Feb 2023
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