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PISBURQ-, SATTJRDAT, PEBEUABT 14, 1891.
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WILDWOOlrS WEALTH
Of Golden Grease That Gushes
Forth From Earthly. Depths
in Lively" Streams.
FULL HISTORY AND A MAP
Of This Richest Spot in Allegheny
County's Rich Territory.
THAT WOKDER OF THE OIL WORLD,
Thorn Creek, Closely Pressed by the New
Tool in Production.
BIG FOETUSES THAT HATE BEEN MADE
This morning we publish a complete map
of the famous Wildwood field, showing the
location and number of veils completed,
dry holes, passers and veils drilling, together
with a full history of the field from the
first experimental well drilled up to the
present "With the possible exception of
Thorn Creek, Wildwood, for the number oi
acres embraced in its producing territory, is
the most prolific and important white sand
pool erer discovered. It has not only
attained a national reputation, but has
been commented on by many of the
leading European oil journals as
the great Oilderado of America, The
field is located in Allegheny county
12 miles north from Pittsburg on the Pitts
burg and Western Railroad.
The Bear Creek Refining Company drilled
the first well on the field, in the spring of
16SS, on the C. J. Gibson farm, located
on little Pine Creek, aboutseven-eighths of
a mile due north from the old Whitesell
well No. 1, which subsequently astonished
the oleaginous world. This venture was a
'wildcat, pure and simple, and was only
drilled to the "30-foot" sand, in which was
found a strong flow of gas. At a later
date, after Earner Forst and Max Klein
discovered a third sand on the A. Moon
farm, two-thirds of a mile due west from the
Bear Creek well, it was drilled down to
that formation, proving barren in
both oil and gas. The Forst and
Klein Moon farm well .was drilled
at about the came time as -the Gibson.
1 hey found 35 feet of inferior' third sand
and the well started off at five barrels a day,
but never paid to operate.
In the same year John M. Patterson, tak
ing his cue from the records of these two
wells, which indicated that the sand thick
ened to the east, located a well one and a
half miles a little south of cast from the
Bear Creek's duster on the Gibson farm and
drilled what is known as the Cockscomb
well. He found SO feet of third and fourth
sand, which nearly run together, and a good
showing ot oil in both strata, but it did not
prove a paying well.
Another Experimental Failure.
The knowledge obtained by drilling this
well, together with the previous develop
ments of J. M. Guffy &Co. to the southwest,
near Perrysville, where ibev found a thick
sand and some oil, led Gibson & Giles
to drill a well on the "William Glenn farm
in 1888, three miles southwest from the
Cockscomb, and on a line between it and
the Guffy developments. Here they ob
tained 30 feet of good white sand, and many
of the best operators were puzzled to know
why it did not produce oil. Encouraged by
the good indications of the developments,
Cleveland & Kiskadden next drilled a well
on the Enoch Guvton farm, one-half mile
north from the wells drilled by the Bear
Creek Refining Company and Forst &
Klein, on the Gibson and Moon farms. They
found 40 feet of pebblysand, hard and
glassy, but no oil.
W. E. Griffith, a close observer of events,
and one of the most practical gentlemen in
the business, then appeared upon the
scene ol action. Having a perfect Knowl
edge and record of all the wells that had
ilius fir been drilled, he was of the opinion
that, owing to the formation existing east
and west of a 45 line, and according to
geological calculations, there would be a
large pool of oil lying south of the original
Bear creek welL The strength. of his faith
n this theory materialized by drilling a well
on the Whitesell farm, seven-eighths of a
mile aouth from the Bear Creek Jiefining
Company's well, on the Gibson. In this
well the sand was tapped on ths 24th of
March, 1890. and for the first 24 hours it was
one of tne strongest gasscrs ever struck in
tue field. At the exniration of this time
the pressure had sufficiently subsided to re
sume drilling, when the well commenced
spraying oil, and three davs later it was
drilled in and started off at 300 barrels a dar.
This save lid wood its first boom, and to
Mr. Griffith belongs the honor of opening up
the field.
Gusher After Gusher Followed.
Soon after the advent of Whitesell No. 1,
Greenlee & Forst followed with an 800
birrel well on the Rolsehonse, which held
up at COO barrels a day for some time. At
mis period the ball was rolling in good
shjpe, and the southwest line of the field
lias sines been characterized by a regular
succession of gushers. It is an 'open ques
tion which is the largest gas well strnck
in the field. It is claimed by some
that J. M. Guffy & Co.'s So. 4, Rolse
housc, 30 acres, made the most oil
for the first 24 nours, while others think
that Barnsdall & Gillespie' No. 2,Kress,
is entitled to this distinction. However this
may be they were both gushers of the first
magnitude and made over 3,000 barrels each
the first 24 hours.
Griffith & Co., Whitesell No. 2, has pro
duced more oil than any one well in the
field, having a credit cf over 250,000 barrels.
A careful computation of developed terrii
tory embracing the entire production of the
field snows that it encompassed an area ot
TOO acres. In this aggregate there is 210
seres of the Whitesell, "100 of the Smith,
137 of the Rolsehonse, Harbush,
40; Kress, 40; McGcigh. C; Ring
heisca, 20; Hcrr, 25; Krclzer, 20:
Young, lii; Dr. Smith, 18; Simpson, 18;
ltuaga, 10; Gnvton, 5; Zeigenheim, 25;
'.Villeson. 14; Punk, 2; Hryant, 10; Badj
Ktcfer, 10. Of the 750 acres only 241 is
c ased as prolific territory, and from which
the bulk ot oil is produced, and is summed
up in the following manner: Whitesell, 35
acres; Smith, 50; Rolsehonse, 50; Harbush,
30; Kress, 30: McGeagh. 6; Ringheisen, 10;
-Jrr, 10, Kretzer, 10; Zeigenhenn, 10.
In this field oil is not only produced from
tac third sjnd, but is found in limited
oaautitics in the fourth, and it the writer
omenibers right, Scott, Xo. 3, 8t Scmple
Matimi, is producing irom the fifth sand.
The depth at which the third sand is
reached varies according to location. In
the valley, along the Pittsburg and Western
Railroad, this formation is lound at from
1,725 fcetlto 1,750 feet, while on the hills, in
tlie locality of Harbush, Rolsehonse 30
acres, Kress, Guyton and Ringheisen farms,
ins reached at 1,925 to 1,975 feet. The
Innrth sand lies CO feet below the top of the
tiiird, and the firth 240 feet below. .
Varjlnc Sand Formations.
On the Herr farm the third and fourth
sands run together and have a depth of 110
leet while the thickness of -the third sand
on the Whitesell and Rolsehonse farms is
about 72 feet. Developments on the south
west end cf the pool have demonstrated the
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fact that the sand diminishes about 18 feet to
the mile, on a 45 line, running due south
west, and on a 22 southwest line nearly 25
feet to the mile. Good gas territory has
been developed both east and west of a 49
line, the west side showing the heaviest
pressure and best staying qualities.
It is pertinent to remark here that the pro
duction of the field has been over-estimated
by the daily reports which is con
clusively shown by the monthly
statements and aggregate output.
The question has been discussed ambng
the oil fraternity as to whether Wildwood or
Thorn Creek is entitled to the supremacy as
a white-sand producing pool. The Dis
patch scout, at considerable pains and ex
pense, has been able to obtain the records of
both fields, and we present the comparison
without an opinion anJUeaye the -reader to
draw his own conclusion!. The following
statistics indicate the number of barrels of
oil received each month by the pine line
and the total production for 11 months, or
since the field was opened up;
TOTAL FBODUCTTOX OT FIELD.
Month. Barrels.
March. 1890 1.33L
April, 1890 3,3)2
May, 1S90 , 509
June, 1S90 17.390
July, 1890.. ....... ..4. 68,211
August, 1S90.. .. . . 54,810
September. 1890.... ."..:"..... 152,265
October, 1890 ... 228.090
November. 1890 , ,. 27S.SM
December. 1890 324.053
January. 1S91 455,170
Total 1,570,525
The appended table is a correct record of
the big gushers at Thorn Creek, showing
when they were struck, on what farms and
their highest day production,
Date.
Farm.
Owner. Product.
inssi.
UUober 12..
October 22..
October 26.,
hOTeraber2l
October 14..
October 23..
Birtlfj..
Bartlev..
JJartley.
, Hartley.
. Hartley.
..T.W.Phlllipil....S,HX
..T.W.Plillllp. 2.. 600
..T.TV.l'hlMpjS... 4M
..T.Y.l'hllllp3S....l,700
Cbristle 1.. ..5,200
... Connors l... .1,860
Connors 2 L9fi&
jtarciejr.
.Sovrmber2l.... Bartler,
October 29....Marsball....
,'oiemDerlG....llartliall....
.November 9.. ..Marshall....
November 25 ...Harshall....
December 4....Marsball.. .
November 15 ...Marshall....
November lS....larshalI....
October II..., Marshall....
December 10. ..Marshall....
December 12.... bcully....
December 18.. ..Marshall....
Armstrong 2.. ..8, 500
Orecnlee 1... .2,200
Gibson 1.... GOO
Gibson 2. ...1,200
fisher l... .1,440
Klshcr 3....4.44S
Fisher 6. ...3, 120
Usher 11.... 750
V. 8. well....3,8O0
jticiinae
rlsberS,
.7,200
00
ISA
January 29.... Marshall.. .T. W.l'hllllps 1
February 14.... Marshall.. .T.W.l"bUlips 3
400
1,800
The glory of discovering the great Thorn
creek pool is credited to Sam Armstrong
and S. M. Bovd, who completed No. 1 Mar
shall June 23," 1884. There is a difierence
of opinion among the old producers as to
the well's production. Some claim it was
not better than a 25-barrel producer and at
best never did more than 75 barrels a day,
but Mr. Boyd informed The Dispatch
scout that on the start it made over 200 bar
rels a day. The pipeline record shows
1,800 barrels run from the well for the first
12 days.
The Accident of Discovery.
However, it is a significant fact that had
this well been located 17 rods further south,
while Pisher No. 2 was drilled, it would
have been a duster, and Thorn creek to-day
most likely would have remained condemned
and undiscovered. -It is also a noteworthy
fact that if Armstrong No. 2 had been
drilled first, Thorn creek probably would
have never been chronicled in the history of
the petroleum industry, as it did. not show a
drop of oil when drilled through the sand.
It had 1,300 feet of salt water in the hole,
and a close? hard sand. But being onlv
about 150 feet from Phillips Bartley 2o. 1,
then making 100 barrels an honr, the owners
decided to shoot it. It was drilled in on Fri
day. On Monday it was shot with 40 quarts,
and the result surprised the oil world, as the
first 24 hours' production was certainly the
largest of any well in this country. The pro
duction forthe first five hours was lost be
fore connections could be made.
The highest daily production of the
Thorn creek pool was 21,000 barrels, which
is 2,128 barrels more than the biggest day's
output at Wildwood, while the largest daily
average for 30 days was IC.000 barrels', or a
total ot 480,000 barrels for the month. This,
compared with January's production at
Wildwood, is 24,830 barrels in favor of
Thorn creek. Thorn creek bears the dis
tinction of producing the largest well ever
t truck-in America, which, as shown by the
above table, came in on the 29th of Octo
ber, 1884, on the Marshall farm, and was
owned by Armstrong, Semple & Boyd. The
pipe line report shows that there was run
Irom this phenomenal gusher 8,600 barrels
the first 24 hours, while the most conserva
tive estimate placed the amount of oil lost
at 2,000 barrels, which properly makes Its
production 10,400 barrels the first day.
Tlieie were exciting times, and perhaps at
no period of the industry was there more
fortunes won and lost in the speculative
trade than then.
At this time the market was entirely gov
erned by field reports, fluctuating on the
strength of a dry hole or big well with re
markable rapidity. But now things have
changed, and under the more stable condi
tion of affairs Wildwood has Sever exerted
this potent influence upon the trade.
Those Upon Whom Fortune Smiles. BR
Fortune has smiled upon many operators
in the Wildwood field, and below we give
a brief sketch of some who were especially
active in drilling experimental wells
and largely engaged in the development of
the pool. W. E. Griffith has been the most
successful operator in the field. At the
time he struck Whitesell No. 1, the initial
well, he was the proud owner of 600 acres of
territory. Shortly after the well came in
he sold half of his Interest to the Forest Oil
Company for the snug sum of 65,000. He
was offered $125,000 for his entire interest,
and notwithstanding the importunities of
many friends to accept it, conclnded to take
chances of doing better by holding on.
In this, subsequent events, demonstrated,
he was well posted upon the situation, and
his firm faith in the future greatness of
Wildwood soon materialized into a realiza
tion of fabulous wealth. Taking into con
sideration his sale, the large amount of oil
he has produced, together with his present
holdings, he hai made in this field not less
than $500,000.
It is conceded that the Forest Oil Com
pany are the largest holders, being interested
in over 1,000 'acres, while it also has a
greater production than any other operator
or firm in the field. The business .sagacity
ot Mr. J. W. Young, "Vice President and
general manager . of tht company, will be
readily recognized in his immense purchases
in the field, and it is to him alone the cor
poration is indebted for its remunerative in
vestments. Gibson & Giles, two as honest
and hard-working men as you will find in
the oil regions, are counted among the lucky
Wildwood producers.
For two years previous to their success
here, they had been playing in hard luck,
having drilled many experimental dusters.
They were induced by Roth, Jennings &
Calhoun to drill a well on the William
Glenn farm for a half interest in 1,350 acres
in which is included the Harbush, Kretzer,
Kyhle, Bryant, and iu all some 12 or 13
farms. As was their usual luck the well
came in dry or nearly so. Disheartened at
their continued reverses they tried to dispose
of their leases and finally offered them back
to the party they had leased from, for noth
ing, in order that they might be relieved of
paying rentals. The leases went begging
and they were compelled to keep them, and
when W. . Griffith opened up the field 15
months later with Whitesell No. 1, they had
just two days lett to pay up their rentals or
lorfeit the leases.
Rewarded at Last.
Inspired with new hopo they at once
started two wells, one on the Kretzer and
the other on the James Bryant farm, the
latter when complete making ICO barrels a
day. They next cast their anchor on the
Harbush farm, and on the Gth of September
they had tbe pleasureand satisfaction of
seeing their well belch forth the golden fluid
at the Tate of 90 barrels an hour. They
actively pushed the drill in this prolific
locality, and after taking out 90,000 barrels
oil sold. their interests to John L. Mr-Kinner
and James Arum for $165,000. Forst &
Greenlee have also been very successful at
In all they have completed 21 wells, and
a while had" a daily production of 4,000 bar
rels. After taking the cream out of their
best territorv, they sold It to the Midland
Oil Company for 5100,000. They still
retain large interests, and are among the
most active operators in the field.
Other producers- who have been success
ful and made a handsome stake may be
mentioned as follows: Roth & Jennings,
Calhoun, Barnsdall & Gillespie, J. M. and.
W. S. Guffy, Emmet Queen, Smith Oil
Company, John M, Patterson, Coast &
Evans, and W. F, Miller. Up to date there
has been a total of 173 wells completed, and
including the first wildcat wells drilled, 16
of this number were dry and 9 of these are
gassers.
Present Condition of the PooL
The production of the field for the past 21
hours is 7,000 barrels, and still declining.
The situation at present on the southwest
line does not present any encouraging
feature. As developed by the drill, one is
naturally led to the conclusion that
Wildwood has. seen iu best days.
Most ot the big gushers have stopped,
flowing and should the advance well now
drilling come in poor, it will look as if this
end of the field is done for. There is, how
ever, a possibility of some good territory
being developed in tbe locality of the Bow
man gasser and the Kennedy well on tbe
railroad lot. The conclusion is drawn from
the prodnctlon and staving qualities of the
latter well, which is making 20 barrels an
hour. (The Bowman gasser has been shot,
and is showing for a good well. Taking
these two well as a pointer, we again re
mark it will be no surprise to see some fair
wells and considerable activity in this quar
ter, -u.UqQlisxqcki ,-.
PORTER PASSES AWAY
The Admiral of the Navy Dies Very
Suddenly at His' Home.
CLOSE OF A BRILLIANT CABEEB.
His Services for tbe Country In tbe Mexican
and Late Wars.
SIMPLE HABITS OP THE NAVAL HEE0
Washikqton, Feb. 13. Admiral David
D. Porter, who had been in failing health
for some years, died suddenly at 3:16 o'clock
this morning, at his residence in this city, of
fatty degeneration of tbe heart. His death
was unexpected, for, although he had been
an invalid for a year or more, he had been
reported better of late and there was no
signs of the sudden termination of his dis
ease, which was an affection of the heart.
So unexpected was the death of Admiral
Porter that the members of tbe family who
were in tbe city, and even some members of
the family in an adjoining room, were uot
present at his bedside until after he had
breathed his last. At 8 o'clock this morn-
ing his nurse observed unfamiliar symptoms,
and two of his sons, who were in the house,
were summoned and Dr. Wales sent for.
Within 15 minutes he was dead, his two
sous and nurse being the only ones at his
beiside. Even they did not realize the ex
te it of the trouble until he had ceased to
breathe.
Death Came Without Warning.
Admiral Porter had been unable to attend
generally to bis official duties during tbe
past two or three years, and at times his
death was almost daily expected. Some
months ago, however, a marked improve
ment in h!s condition was reported, and
since that time there had been no warning
of the end, which came unexpectedly. No
arrangements have yet been made for the
funeral, bht they will probably be placed in
charge of the Najry Department. Although
death came suddenly, it was. not unexpected
by the family.
"David Dixon Porter was born in Chester,
Pa., in 1814. He was the youngest son of
Commodore David Porter, who commanded
the Essex in the war of 1812-14. He en
tered the service as a midshipman, in Feb
ruary, 1829, and served for some time in the
Mediterranean. After passing his examina
tion in 1835, he was employed for several
years in the coast survey and river explora
tions, and became a lieutenant in 1841.
Services In the Rebellion.
At the close of 1845 he was placed on spe
cial duty at the Observatory at Washington,
which position he resigned in 1846, iu order
to take part iu the Mexican war, in which
he served with distinction. At the out
break of the Civil War, in 1861, hewas pro
moted to the rank of Commander, and at the
beginning ofj.862 the mortar fleet for the
reduction of the forts below New Orleans
was placed under his orders.
During the naval operations on the
Mississippi he distinguished himself,
especially in the reduction of tbe forts be
low New Orleans. After the capture of
that eity, he proceeded up th river with
his fleet, and was engaged in the unsuccesst
ful siege of Yioksburg. which he raised
JflllSil63. gp JTM Mpijite,djactoAJ
Admtral Potter.
ber of that year to the command of the
Upper Mississippi squadron, with the rank
of Acting Bear Admiral, and after super
intending the construction of that fleet, he
sailed down the river and assisted in the
operations for opening indirect routes to the
Gulf.
VickaDnrg and Fort risher.
In the summer of 1863, during the second
siege of Vicksburg, he bombarded tbe works
and rendered material assistance to General
Grant, who commanded tbe besieging army,
until the occupation of that stronghold, July
4. Admiral Porter was employed in several
important expeditions, especially in the two
combined attacks on Fort iffsher, which
commands the approaches to Wilmingt6n,
N. O. The first of these attacks, at the' close
of 1864, miscarried. The second expedition
in January, 1865, was completely successful.
Admiral Porter was advanced to the rank
of Vico Admiral July 25, 1866, and after
the death of Admiral Farragut he was pro
moted, in August, 1870, to the rank of Ad
miral, which carried .with it the command
of the entire navy of the United States, sub
ject only to the President.
The Admiral's Simple Habits.
Those who have seen the Admiral on oc
casions when he was resplendent in gold
braid and gilt buttons, would hardly have
recognized him as he appeared at home.
He did not wear his military air and looked
no more like the brave old salt or tbe Ad
miral of the Navy than any business man..
He wasaman of very simple habits, and
was rarely seen on the streets, sticking
close to home. He seldom went to the Navy
Department. But his duties were far from
ornamental and were very often onerous,
giving orders and examining reports consti
tuting tho larger part of his work. His
family went much into society, though the
Admiral never showed a marked fondness
for it, confining his entertainments for the
most part to dinners.
He had a good stable and rode occasion
ally, showing a preference to his daughter's
pony nhaetun rather than to the dignified
family carriage. Still, he has bad time for
literary work, and in the last few years he
has given both a novel and a history to the
publishers.
O. P. CATLOK, tho well-known baseball
writer, contributes a breezy letter for to
morrow's big DISPATCH.
WOHLD'S FAIR WOEK STOPPED.
Italian laborers in Jackson Park Driven
Away by a Union Mob.
CnicAGO, Feb. 13. Tne work of grad
ing in Jackson Park in preparation for the
World's Fair is at a standstill. Late yes
terday afternoon a lot of idle workmen,
finding that they were unable to induce the
Italians who' were at work to strike for an
advance in wages, attacked them and drove
them out of the park with kicks and enffs.
This morning the crowd ot idlers gathered
In the park to tbe- number of 700 or more
and maintained such a threatening attitude
toward the Italians that tbe contractors
thought it best not to attempt to resume
operations. Some union carpenters, en
gaged in building offices and stables, were
not molested.
The contractors say they will wait till
they secure telephone connection with the
police department, when they will resume
work, ana if interfered with will demand
protection. A committee has been appointed
by the joint committees representing all of
the organizations of union labor jn Chicago
to confer with the management of the
World's Fair with a view to securing a rec
ognition of union labor in the work to be
done on the fair buildings. If their claims
are not recognized they threaten to turn tbe
antagonism of the solid labor element
against tbe enterprise.
CHATTAH00GA PABTLY FLOODED.
The Klver Higher Than the Danger Line,
and Driving People Prom Houses.
Chattanooga, Feb. 13. The Tennessee
river marked 35.6 feet by the Government
gauge at 5 o'clock last evening, and is still
rising rapidly, with au almost certainty of
exceeding 40 feet. Part of the suburb of
East End is udder water, as also the tracks
of the Union and Chattanooga, Borne and
Columbus Railroad iu that part of the
city.
Near the South Tredgar Boiling Mill
many houses are flooded, their inmates
having yacatcd. The ifirryboats have
stopped running, and but fir the new iron
bridge, over which foot travel is possible,
Hill City would be cut off. The stream is
already several feet above the danger line.
It rained nearly all night, and reports from
above are that the stream is, still rising.
Tbe Cincinnati Southern bridge, four miles
up, is in some danger from the wreckage of
Ajtfcjjgom -
FLORIDA HOME LIFE.
It Is a Languid, Sunshiny Existence
Throughout the Tear.
SCARCITY OP MEAT AND FRUITS.
Cottages That Have a Temporary Look in
Their Construction.
INFLUX OP KOETHEENEBS INCREASING
tWEITTEN FOB THE DISPATCH.!
The real Floridean, or cracker, one who
was born and raised on the, soil, is only to
be found here and there. Florida always
was, and is yet, thinly peopled, and the
remnant that is left of the early settlers are
so few iu numbers as to be almost lost among
the new popplatlon. What surprises a new
comer most on arriving, is to find everybody
else is a newcomer. Everyone who is living
here seems to have just, come from some
other place. And all are 'called Northern
era if they have moved in only from
Georgia or an adjoining S(ate.
They have come as it were to a great sani
tarium and by so doing have added years to
their life, as many of them will tell you.
There are to-day people at the North dying
who would live long lives here; if they had
the courage to leave home and come and
make one in this air this sunshine. One
meets preachers, lawyers, doctors, school
teachers, railroad men, civil engineers and
so on, following their professions or occupa
tions here, who were invalids in the North,
and would be again were they obliged to re
turn. They Welcome the Yankee.
The handful of natives welcome the Yan
kee, even if he is a sick one. They see in
him a re-discoverer of their country and
their hope of its development. Every year
the travel in this direction increases. We
see them penetrating into the remotest parts
of the State. They do not no w stop at Jack
sonville, as in "ye olden time," but are in
South Florida building up neat cottage
homes and thrifty little towns all through
her pine woods, and great hotels and winter
resorts along her gulf and ocean coasts.
To build a home in this climate seems but
the work of a day. Any day in the year a
building can be commenced. "Very little
time, if any, need be lost on account of in
clement weather. No excavating is done,
no cellar wall built. Every man here is
likened to the foolish one who built upon the
sand, Stones for a foundation are some
thing not to be had in Florida, and to have
them brought here would be very expensive.
A rock is handled as a curiosity, and given
a place on the parlor mantel as an ornament
The buildings are entirely of frame, built
on the cottage style, generally one story,
with a liberal allowance of doors, windows
and porches, and are constructed in a man
ner that would only be possible in a climate
warm and dry the entire year. These airy
homes -are tasty and picturesque looking,
particularly so when surrounded by pretty
yards and gardens, as most of them are. In
the rear of tbe house is the kitchen,
separated by a porch. This is provided with
a terra cotta flue, and, as a rule, provides the
only means for a stove on the premises. If
a chimney is built at all to any of the cot
tages, you will likely find it on the outside.
The other week, when a more chilling breeze
than usual swept down over us from the
North, it was rather amusing to see several
new chimneys springing up alongside some
of the houses' here.
A Profusion of Plants.
Every housekeeper is a florist. ' Plants
grow so easily the temptation .to experi
ment is great. Ton see in the windows, on
the porches, everywhere about the house,
flowers and vines of every variety. Hot
house plants, rare and delicate, are adopted
and flourish in this sub-tropical home. We
noticed a residence, well named the Floral
Home, where the variety of growing plants
numbered several hundred. Of vines alone
there were 35 different kinds. All were
strangers, or very few if any were native
specimens.
All this outdoor life is the principal one
here. More attention is paid to the sur
roundings than interior decorations. The
house as a rule is furnished as simply as
possible just barely enough to meet'the
wants of the occupants. Heavy upholster
ing and drapery looks too warm and is out
of place in a Florida house. For windows,
white curtains, and for floor covering straw
matting is used exclusively. Woolen carpets
and rugs are very apt to become infested
with moths, and for that reason are not olten
put down.
The furniture is light in weight and
color, much of it-being bamboo and wicker.
A guide for a Northerner iu fitting up a home
in Florida Would be to follow out tbe cot
tage style of furnishing one sees at a
Northern summer resort, or seaside home.
As to bedding, just the amount generally
required during the autumn months In the
North is sufficient here the year around,
and it is quite as necessary to have blankets
on the beds in summer as well as winter,
for tbe nights are never sultry and op
pressive, but often cool and breezy.
As to the Insects.
Considerable is said about all sorts of an
noying insects iu this climate. That they
are numerous, it is true.v It may even teem
at times there is a bug or worm for every
thing. But by using freely various exter
minators no housekeeper need suffer any
more annoyance here than in some colder
climates.
A novel way of getting water is to drive
down through tbe sand a two-inch pipe to
about the depth of 16 feet, where good water
is usually reached iu a clay bed A perfor
ated cap is placed over the pipe when driven
in, to prevent it from filling with sand.
About two hours after the well is com
menced water can be pumped and it is fin
ished. Open wells are more common. These
arc walled up from the clay bed with boards.
Whenever the Tyater gets.Iow someone goes
down and digs the well deeper.
Where it is possible to raise two crops of
vegetables a year, and where fruit ripens in
midwinter, it would seem no housekeeper
could complain of scarcity of provisional;
vet this is a general complaint heard in
Florida. No State raises a greater variety
of vegetables; no State grows fruits better,
more dellnate in flavor And in prMt.p
abundance; and yet more canned goods are
klnMnri ... U In.lll, rt .. ,1 .....b.. .u Jt
ouiiJv;u iu tfivuud, auu luuic jircparcu
especially for her trade than any other
State proportionate to iu size. This condi
tion can only be accounted lor in this way:
Owing to the warm, moist climate, none of
the fruits and vegetables when in season
here can be stored away, for future use.
Nothing can be buried ih the ground or
kept in cellars, even if there were any for
that purpose.
Fruits Cannot Be Kept.
The fruits are very perishable. Every
thing must be used just in its season. Little
or nn-attenlion is given fo home markets.
X",vi.ry family is obliced to garden some on a
small scile if they want to enjoy the luxury
of new and fresh vegetables.
Those who make a business of gardening
ship about all they laise to-Northern mar
kets, where the demand is great! and prices
high. Just at present there are
sent from here new beans, new potatoes',
tomatoes, egg plants, cabbage, "lettuce,
strawberries, etct While the market price
remains good at trie North, these early veg
etables are not disposed of here, unlessto the
large hotels .at the winter resorts, where
special supply arrangements have been made
with the gardeners. Later, as the season ad
vances, the supply is larger and more easily
obtained. By mid-summer, though, every
thing Is over. Even the oranges have all
been shipped, and this is the most difficult
time of all to get anything to eat, '
MaHRSMSSisSPU ,
Eev. Lyon Stedfast was one of tbe parsons
who take their calling seriously. When he
resolved to enter the church, he did not 4p
so with the object of getting a fat living;
and when he did get a living, he did not
leave the work to be done by the curate, and
himself settle down to enjoy the income.
Among all the clergy in or about the fash
ionable suburb of Bourgoistown, he was the
hardest worker, tbe most generous giver and
the most frugal liver. Vet strange, per
haps, to say, he was regarded with respect
ful aversion by his wealthy stock-jobbing,
company-promoting, shop-keeping hearers
and their wives; and with suspicion and dis
favor even by his own brethren of the cloth.
Among the poor, indeed, he was adored as
such a good friend of the poor deserved to
be, but there his popularity may be said to
begin and end.
There were various good grounds for the
dislike toward him manifested by "the
smart people" and the clergy of Bourgois
town. With the former the version waj
largely the result of flouted love. When
the only son of Lady Fanny Stedfast, that
queen of the fashionable world, and of that
wealthy magnate, the late Charles Stedfast,
came among them, their enthusiasm knew
no bounds. He united in his person every
thing they admired and venerated. Through
his mother he was connected with half the
noble families of England. Through his
father he was a leading partner in the great
banking house of Stedfast & Holden. In
other words he was well born and wealthy-in
both respects incomparably beyond his ven
erated predecessor, Key. Mr. Sawter, whp
was poor and only a baronet's cousin. If,
then, they loved Mr. Sawter, how much
more should they love Mr. Stedfcst? They
were prepared to adore him to go to church
regularly and worship his purse and his re
lations. Ana au they asked of him for
this devotion was that he should dine with
them as -often as possible, let them dine
with him occasionally, and, if he could see
his way to it, at his own good time marry
one of their daughters. Surely that was a
very reasonable return to demand for such
adoration! They never doubted for a mo
ment but he would grant it as willingly and
fully as Mr. Siwter had done.
Imagine, then, the general consternation
when, shortly after his induotion, it was an
nounced that he had declined an invitation
to dinner the second within a fortnight
from Mrs. Capelcourt Mrs. Capelcourt, the
wife of the great .Mr. Capelcourt, the first
and wealthiest company promoter in Eng
land! When Mr. Stedfast could behave in
such a way toward him, what were the
smaller fry in Bourgoistown to expect?
And then the reason he gave for refusing
was worse even than the refusal itself. He
actually said that the necessary work among
the poor of the parish was sV great as to
leave him little or. no timef5r social
pleasures. That was tbe first time that any
of the smart people of Bourgoistown had
heard of working among tbe poor being
more important than dining among tbe rich.
"It was not Mr. Sawter's way," as Mr. Ca
pelcourt justly said, "to neglect the people
who kept up his church for beggars who
couldn't put down a farthing, and," he
added, "Mr. Stedfast should soon find that
such conduct didn't pay." Indeed, Mr,
Capelcourt was so indignant that he would
have given up his pew, only his wife per
suaded him to remain on, in tbe hope that
she might get Mr. Stedfast to askhis mother
to present her at court.
After a few other leading members of the
congregation had experienced the same
treatment as tbe Capelcourts it became evi
dent that Mr. Stedfast had come to All
Souls' Bourgoistown to work and not to
dine. The discontent among the smart
people was terrible, and a remonstrance was
attempted. Through tbe curate, Mr.
Wbymper, an intimation was conveyed to
the vicar that tbe congregation expected a
little more of his company socially, and if
he refused it there possibly would be a se
cession. Mr. Stedfast received this awful
intelligence calmly. He simply answered
that he would do his duty, let the conse
quences be what tbey might. For a mo
ment there seemed every likelihood of a re
volt. Mr. Stedfast continued in his former
ways, and showed not the slightest anxiety
in the matter, and in the end the discon
tented faction, finding that he did not care
whether they went or not, stayed stayed to
subscribe liberally to his projects, to pre
tend to take an interest in bis work, and to
regard him with respect and dislike.
For several years Mr. Stedfast continued
as he had begun. His labor among the
poor, miserable and depraved of his parish
was never-ending, his interest in them ab
sorbing. Sorrow or sickness never crossed
tbe threshold of any ot the humble houses
around but it was soon followed by the good
pastor. By day and by night he carried on
ins mission of charity, and charity brought
with her to many a desolate hearth her sis
ters, faith and hope.
While prodigal of his wealth to those in
need, he himself lived like a hermit. Tbe
vicarage which the congregation had built
forMr. Sawter, who had 12 children, was
almost palatial. Mr. Stedfast only occu
pied a third of it, which he fur
nished as plainly as a hermit's cell. He
received little company. Among all his
fashionable relations, not one visited him
not even his mother. From time to time he
ran up to town to see them, but they never
came to see him.
This constitnted another grievance with
the fashionable people. Many of them were
looking forward to meeting Lady Fanny
and others of bis grand relatives. That he
by his uncouth and ascetic way o living;
bjinjdjgllteajbjse ujIe bjajgga awaj an...
i jt i i i j
noyed their would-be acquaintances ex
tjcmely.
As the dislike of the smart people of.
Bonrgoistowo was due to the flouted love,
so the disfavor of the clerry was caused
by! perverted admiration. His brother
clerics regarded Air. Stedfast with aversion,
because they felt that he was doing as they
should do, and would do, had it not been so
disagreeable. Prosperous, comfortable, in
offensive gentlemen, as they were, these
easy-going, over-dining parsons saw in ths
asceticism and self-sacrificing labors of their
colleague a continual reproof to themselves,
and, though in their hearts they admitted
the reproof was just, and admired the no
bility of its author, still they could not lova
him who brought so clearly home to them
selves and the world their own deficiencies.
At first there were hopes that as soon as
the fervor of yonth wore off Mr. Stedfast
would become as other parsons are. "Let
us get him married," said Bev. Mr. Earthen
ware. "If that doesn't bring him to hia
senses I .don't know what will." No doubt
Mr. Earthenware made this suggestion in
the general interest, hut some of his fellow
clerics shrewdly suspected that he had also
au eye co private advantage. At any rate,
Mr. Earthenware had seven fine, strapping
daughters, who were not "going off" quite to
his or his wife's satisfaction. Indeed, al-t
though they had many admirers among the'
young men of Bourgoistown, so far theyl
were only admired, not appropriated. NowJ
Mrs. 'Earthenware, with feminine sagacity,'
felt that if Mr. Stedfast only set a proper ex-i
ample, soon there would be such a "run
upon her daughters that even her large stock
would scarcely satisfy it.
But Mr, Stedfast was no' to be caught by
the Earthenware family. When besaw how
the wind was setting, with his usual straight-'
forwardness he let his mind on the matter'
be seen. He took advantage of a tete-tete
with Mrs. Earthenware to state his views on
marriage. While not holding that a clergy
man should not marry, he at the same time
doubted whether marriage better fitted him
for his mission. As for himself, he said, he
probably should never marry, and, if he did.
it would ouly be to a woman who was will
ing tosacrifice all social pleasures to work
for God's poor.
Mr. Earthenware was annoyed when he
heard of this conversation; it showed him
the uselessness of attempting to induce Mr.
Stedfast to marry one of his dancing, lawn
tennis playing daughters. The inference,
however, that Mrs. Earthenware drew from
it was such as even to surprise her husband.
"Let me tell" you, Josias," she said, with
an air of deep conviction "let me tell you I
have discovered Mr. Stedfast's secret. That
young man's melancholy, and aversion to
pleasant company, and resolve not to marry,
are all due to one thing he's had an en
tanglement before he came here, perhaps
when he was at college. I wouldn't be
surprised even if some day we discovered
that he's married already!"
Though Mr. Earthenware enjoined abso
lute silence as to this matter, yet his worthy
spouse could not help mentioning, or, at any
rate, hinting at, her suspicions to many of
her most familiar cronies, who, under tbe
strictest pledges, repeated them to their
friends; who again went through the same
process, until every man, woman and child
in Bourgoistown had heard of them. And
uow that people began to think of it, there
were other things which seemed to confirm
Mrs. Earthenware's view. For instance,
Mr. Whymper admitted that from time to
time Mr. Stedfast received letters in a
woman's handwriting, and that, after re
ceiving them, Mr. Stedfast would often ap
pear for several days to be very gloomy and
depressed. Then, again, Mr. Stedfast would
sometimes, in reply to an unsigned tele
gram, rush off unexpectedly to London and
remain there for several days. Then, worst
of all, althongh hewas notoriously wealthy?
still at times, and especially of late, he was
in want of money, so much so that once be
had to borrow 1,000 from Mr. Capelcourt,
and what "he did with it nobody knew.
Lastly, Mr. Earthenware himself one day
surprised him weeping like a child, and, in
reply to inquiries, he simply stated that he
had private troubles that the world knew,
and should know, nothing of.
With 'these undoubted facts to support it,
Mrs-Earthen ware's theory lived and thrived.
Plenty of the worthier 'people pf Bourgois
town did not credit it, but, in spite of their
disbelief and. ridicule, it flourished among
tbe weaker minded and more malicious.
A rude shock, however, was in store for
it, and also for its author. To Mrs. Earthen
ware's disgust, it was announced that Mr.
Stedfast was about to marry! And who of
all people in the world was the chosen
woman but Mrs. Capelcourt's governess a
little, quiet, spirit-broken woman, a poor
orphan who all herlifelonghad experienced
nothing but misery and oppression! It
came as a surprise to everybody iu Bonr
goistowo, but to tbe "smart people and to
Mrs. and the Misses Earthenware it seemed
like an insult
The smart people, however, were to be
soon avenged, and Mrs. Earthenwcar vin
dicated. Just a few days after the engage
ment was announced an incident happened
which threw all Bourgoistown into a fever.
This was Mr. Wbymper" s account of it,
and be was corroborated by Mr. Stedfast's
housekeeper, who was, on. the whole, a re
liable witness, though she was a bifle an
noyed with Mr. Stedfast for daring to think
of bringing Mrs. Capelcourt's governess to
rule over her.
Mr. Stedfast and Mr. Whvmper were
holding a conference at the vicarage oa
parish affairs. They had been busily en-
engaged for several hours, and the evening.
a dart and rainy one was well advanced
when a knock sounded on the ball door. Mr.
Whymper noticed that when Mr. Stedfast
heard it he started and turned pale. 'A mo
ment laterthe Immjkeeper opened the, treat ,
door, and f uiJ a cl-jatiy, muffle j ;wh
M '
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