they may be printed In a revised edition of the Club List also de.ig 
errors and send names of any clubj not mentioned. 
Purchasers of ihe first edition will receive a copy of the reviseu u> 
Llslfree Forest and Stream Publi8d.no Co 
List iree. m f niton at., New York. 
EXPLORATIONS IN FLORIDA. 
A WEEKLY JOURNAL, 
Devoted to Ft eld and Aquatic Sports, ^SS f^SSSSS: 
ST 5SSSK Interest 
Jm OUT-DOOB RECREATION AND STUDY . 
PUBLISHED BY 
jonst and gtrtanj publishing gompagg. 
—AT— 
MO. Ill (old NO. 103} FULTON STREET, NEW YORE. 
[Post Office Box 883«.} 
TERMS, FOUR DOLLARS A YEAR, STRICTLY IN ADVANCE. 
Twenty-five per cent, off lor Clnbs o! Two or more. 
Advertising Rates. 
inside pages, nonpareil type, V> cents per line ; outside page, 40 l centa. 
° mould »«■ 0, SUOUJ of *000 ««, If P»- 
7— — " “ oooomp.n.eo wftB to. »»»„ 
of an Immoral character will be 
received on any terms. 
• • Any publisher inserting our prospectus as above one time, with 
brief editorial notice calling attention thereto, and sending marked copy 
to us. will receive the Forest and Stream for one year. 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1878. 
To Correspondents. 
AU communications whatever, Intended for publication, most be ao- 
(onmnanied with real name of the writer as a guaranty of good faith 
2? be addressed to the Forest and Stream Publishing Comt*^- 
Names will not be published if objection be made. No anonymons com- 
munications will be regarded. 
We cannot promise to return rejected manuscripts. 
Secretaries of Olnbs and Associations are urged to favor ns with brief 
notes of their movements and transactions. 
Nothing will be admitted to any department of the paper that may 
not be read with propriety in the home circle. 
we cannot he responsible for dereliction of the mall service If money 
remitted to ns is lost. No person whatever Is authorized to collect 
money for ns unless he can show authentic credentials from one of the 
undersigned. We have no Philadelphia agent. 
tr Trade supplied by American News Company. 
CHARLES HALLOCK, Editor. 
_ „ n.vjg 8. H. TURRILL, Chicago, 
T. C. BANKS Western Manager . 
Business Manager. 
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE COMING 
WEEK. 
Fridav. June 29,-Crecdmcor : Fifteenth battalion. Regatta : Yale 
va^ Harvard. at New London. Cricket: Philadelphia vs Dor.an, at 
*2tardlff, June W.-Creedmoor : Remington Long-range; /matenrs’ 
100 yds.; Seventh Regiment trophy Nova Beetle Yacht Squacro 
Harbor Cruise. Union Club (Boston) Annual Spring Games. Cricket. 
Germantown (2d) vs Belmont (2d,, at N.cetown; Chestnut Hill vs 
?oung America, at Chestnut Hill; Merlon (3d) vs St Timothy, at Ard- 
m °ttlnday July l.-Nahasset Yacht Club Regatta, at Cohasset, Mass. 
Wednesday, July 3.-SI. George vs Young America cricket match at 
B Tw!rfay, July 4 -Regattas: Seawanhoka Annual, at Oyster Bay; 
Savannah Yacht Club; Detroit, Micb.,Open; Duxbury, Mass., Yacht 
Club; Lowell. Mass.. Open; Boston City; Buffalo City, Albany Open 
Amateurs; Royal Henley. Eng. Athletics: New York A C., at Mott 
Ua\ en; Siaten Island A. C. Sommer Meeting; Norwich, Conn., Cale- 
donians ; Scottish- American A. C., New York. 
Going West.— Charles Hallock, Esq., managing editor of 
Fobebt and Stream and Rod and Gun, left us on Saturday 
by the Old Dominion steamer en route for the West via Vir- 
ginia, Kentucky, and Minnesota. His wife accompanies him. 
He will revisit the territory covered by bis trip of last sum- 
mer. The letters which he then wrote, setting forth its 
natural attractions, have been so favorably regarded that 
the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Company traversing 
Michigan have had them republished in a pamphlet to adver- 
tise the road. As Mr. Hallock always utilizes his vacations 
by bringing new regions into notice, we are pleased to state 
that nearly all steam lines have been most prodigal in furnish- 
ing him every facility for investigation. Mr. Hallock will 
probably extend bis journey to New Mexico, which is now 
made easily accessible by the recent completion of the Denver 
and Rio Grande Railroad. 
A Practicable Water Route across Florida from 
Jacksonville to the Gulf of Mbxioo. 
TT is with no little satisfaction that we print the following 
I letters. They furnish the solution of the Intricate prob- 
lem which we and others have for so many years been trying 
to solve. During the years 1873-C the Forest and feu** 
went to considerable expense in fitting out the Fred Be y 
and “ A1 Fresco” expeditions to Lake Okeechobee, tberemdtt 
of whose respective explorations are fully set forth in the 
book entitled ‘-Camp Life in Florida.” This volume 
only contains most valuable general information regarding the 
climate, geography, fauna and resources of Florida, but de- 
scribes localities in the interior and along the ccast which had 
previously been wholly unknown. Fred Boverly gave us a 
insiK ht into ihe domestic life of the remnant of the Seminole 
Indians which still inhabit and cultivate with their negro 
slaves the regions bordering the Everglades, and described as 
far as he could the fluvial system of the interior, a map of 
which was printed in Forest and Stream in Vol. II., No. 10 
/A D rii 16 1874). His labors were afterward supplemented 
by a party of gentlemen, of whom several were from Indiana, 
and their discoveries and routes were fully described in 
Forest and Stream of Dec. 80, 1875 (Vol. V., No. 21) and 
illustrated by a full-page map and other diagrams. Mean- 
while the indefatigable Dr. Chas. J. Kenworthy better known 
as “ Al Fresco,” was equipped with a boat selected for the 
special service, and examined the watercourses, including the 
Caloosahatchie, which were supposed to communicate 
between the Gulf of Mexico and the lacustrine bodies of 
water in the interior of the State. What we give our readers 
this week is the sequel of their efforts and the proof of the 
correctness of their theories acd endeavors. A low stage of 
water alone prevented them from accomplishing what fortui- 
tous circumstances have enabled others to do. Much credit 
belongs to all concerned, and we do not know which most to 
admire, the pluck of Fred Ober (“Beverly”) who waded 
waist-deep through mud and water into the home of the alli- 
gators and moccasins, or of Mr. Driggs who pursued Ins 
lonely way through the sawgrass and submerged marshes 
around the headwaters of the Caloosahatchie. Messrs. Ingram 
Fletcher and A. M. Conklin, of Indianapolis, have been most 
persistent in their researches, and the latter has done much 
toward explaining the system of canals and earthwoiks which 
are found along the fluvial route discovered and now located 
by the several explorers referred to. There can be no doubt 
that these gentlemen have merely traced out an old and long 
abandoned line of intercommunication across the State, which 
was once defended by earthworks by the jealous inhabitants 
who populated that section. This water route is now choked 
at all times by sawgrass, water lettuce, and other rank vegeta- 
ble growth, and at some seasons is dry in places ; but that it 
can be made practicable by reopening channels and digging 
canals, at no great expense, can be easily demonstrated. 
Whether it will ever be utilized remains for the future to dis- 
close. The fact, as made known, is eufllciently valuable for 
the present. We subjoin the correspondence 
PROM OKEECHOBEE TO THE CALOOSAHATCHIE BY WATEB. 
Editor Forest and Stream: As you are well aware, several 
of us have made three different rounds of Lake Okeechobee 
with the belief that a passage could be found across the i saw- 
trrass to Lake Flirt, and from thence down to the Oaloosa- 
hatebie. This theory seemed the true one this spring when 
we found the lake (Okeechobee) but two feet higher, while 
the Kissimmee River indicated ten and twelve feet more 
water. The three previous seasons the river averaged one 
hundred and fifty feet iu width— this season it was fully three 
miles wide I All this was sufficient to convince us that the 
water “spilled” off in the direction of the Caloosahatchie. 
Barber, Dr. Hunt, Packard, Rooney, West and myself left 
Fort Bas&iDger with the river “ boommg,” so that we skimmed 
across the “bonnets” and marsh-grass with ease. But our 
stay at the Heronries was too long, and our lime required us 
at MellonviUe by the first of April. 
On our return to Fort Bassinger we met Mr. James W. 
Driers of orange Hammock, who bad siarted in pursuit of 
our party, determined to go across the Caloosahatchie with 
us. To him belongs the honor of taking the first boat across 
to the Gulf by way of w-iler communication. A few days since 
I received the enclos d letter from him. which you are at lib- 
erty to publish if you so desire. In conclusion I will say of 
Mr. Driggs that he is a thorough explorer. He has spent sev- 
To Correspondents and Contributors. — An unusual press 
of material thiB ween has obliged us to defer several articles 
and communications. We ask the indulgence of our corres- 
pondents and contributors. 
. n. ..... aoii and row aloDg near shore. Night comes 
get geared. a d we pushed our boat into the 
renting verv well conBlderlDg circumstances. 
TJday Voming.-TooK breakfast very early, and by daylight were 
turned south across the marsh back of Hie saw grass and down the 
. but here It was not the free open ailing as on the Kissimmee 
ESS ’and although the water was two or three feet deep we « ncount- 
P , . deal of switch grass, coarse prairie, but poled along wlth- 
^^r^andcampedonanold Indian held mono 
of null hammocks which dot Ihe prairie all the way ; but most of 
of the email hBd a good camp with plenty of wood. 
Next morning we atkited again, having the wlad south, while our 
Next morn ug of 8 ouih. No change for some time, 
wYmTias*" hue timber beyond .he clumrsof hammock on tire 
“ al ne and Boon It loomed up In front, and also off our po.t bow. We 
were running S. S. W. nowand thought .his timber must be on the 
SU of the caloosahatchie prairie, which proved to be the cue. 
Se now begin to notice a aL'ght current In that direction, and before 
n„nn were sailing W by S. down the mar>h, not aawgrass. trough 
XhTnd- To^k Sough— the W o/ rt. 
distant from old Fort Centre perhaps eighteen miles. Two miles far- 
mer down .he channel enters the Indian cane and Is obstructed by 
water lettuce ; so we get outside on the prairie (south aide) finding four 
leet of water, like a lake. Alter going perhaps seven miles from where 
we first entcrad the river, we struck Lake Flirt w hich at low water, la 
a beaut ful prairie, the bank of the liver fringed with widow; and at 
krt Thoa pson, now from four lo six feet under water, Is a sp'endld 
uark-ltke place with river flowing rapidly between Its walls of rock. 
Below these falls the tide flows. «hey say ; but now the giant live oaks 
and clumps of cabbage palmettos seem alandlDg in a lake of water, 
L.J. current barely flowing. Soon the river gets crooked, as we pass 
down, wind mg through the heavy hommock of oak and cabbage the 
current Increasing. We camp for - he nWbt on the flrsi dry land we find 
—a pine bluff three miles below Fort Thompson. 
For the next five or six miles the bauka are getting higher, and we 
nasa now and then a settler's cabin, some of them abandoned because 
It me flood. Current Incresaes to three miles an hour or more tin'll we 
get below Fort Simmons, which Is an old field where the old road 
crosses the river. Fort Deydaud (pronouoced Deno) was an Important 
poat during the Indian War, but the building and s.cctade have been 
Krned, and it Is a wilderness again. Below here the country Improves 
some knd we passed several pretty places, but none of thunwei Urn- 
proved as the people are not rich, and but few of them are have lived 
Sere more than three or four yea, a. Near.y all of the eeml-.rop^al 
fruits do well on these hammocks. The country seems to have a lime- 
stone and shell foundation, and even the many scrubs of palmetto w 11 
produce good potatoes, peas, or orange trees, melons, and other things 
which are raised here to some extent for the Key West market. The 
ueoDle are from every section nearly, and are generally kind and polite. 
Our camp the fourth night was aeven or eight miles above Fort 
My era on low ground again, and In the night the tide rose so that we 
were obliged to take up our bed aud walk to ihe boat to keep It dry. 
Next day we passed the mangrove Islands, entered the broad shallow 
river with deep Darrow channel and low-lying Oat woods on either side. 
For twenty-five miles from the coast the river 1 b one or two miles wide. 
Fort Myers has perhapB 160 Inhabitants living near enough to be neigh- 
bors three stores which Bell Inferior goods at war prices, a poet office, 
school Masonic lodge, poor land, and saw palmetto. There are a few 
bearing orange trees, and Major Evans has a few cocoanut trees beat iDg. 
The Major gave ns an account of an exploring expedition which was 
fitted out for the Okeechobee country, and which returned a few days 
before we arrived. Capt. Henry, he, and several other residents of the 
river started with two small boats aod succeeded In reaching Lake 
Hlck-po-chee, which they say Is two by three miles oblong and, unlike 
many of the Florida lakes, quite deep They worked some distance 
into the sawgrass toward Okeechobee, but returned without getting a 
sight of the great lake. I saw several of the party. Some of them still 
wear clothe on their hands, and all exhibit blisters from the oars, and 
cuts from the sawgrass. , 
Leaving my companions at Fort Myers I sailed on down the river to 
Punta Rassa, where I caught the first mess of salt water fish, chlefiy 
sheepjhead. The town, which consists of two buildings, stauds on a 
n dge of sand backed by a mangrove swamp. One old frame building 
covers a good deal of ground, and la occupied by the telegraph and post 
office signal tervlce station, eto. The other Is for me Block men, 
and both are Btllted high on tlmhera to be above the high tides. A 
wharf aod set of cow-pens complete the town. For five miles south, 
after leaving the river, we must sail outside ; and then I entered the 
Estero River. Through this salt lagoon aud oy ter bay nothing Is visi- 
ble but mangrove swamps, shoals, oyster bars, etc., except the pines In 
the background on the mainland and a fringe of ploes on the gulf 
beach I found one bird rookery on an Island, but few plume birds. I 
also found one galaxy of pink curlew and captured two of them, but 
birds are not plentiful In these parts justnow. I am told that April is 
too early, but if I should come In summer the Insects would devour me, 
I know, for they nearly diove me crazy the other night while I was put- 
ting up my mosqoUo bar. 
Fort Meade, Hay 12, 187S.-PerUstent head winds, Insects, and bad 
weatner admonished me to hasten back, and I returned with fair wind. 
At Fort Myers 1 learned that Pierce and Platt had bought a small skiff 
and returned, but were obliged to hire two men to help them against 
the current. I came without trouble, but had head winds and a rough 
time on Lake Okeechobee. Was all day beating up Lorn thia side of 
Flah-EallDg Creek to the mouth of the Klaslm mee river. There la very 
little game and few birds or alligators on the Caloosahatchie. The 
coast would be a pleasant place to cruise In, with a large fiat bottomed 
boat to five on and small boats to hunt with, only for the msecs. 
Jab. W. Dnioos. 
era'l years on the Kissimmee, gathering eggs and preparing 
bird skins. Any one wishing to communicate with him will 
find him at Fort Mead until October. 
I. F. 
THE RECENT YACHT MATCHES. 
Estero, Monroe Co., Florida, April 4, 1878. 
Mr. iNOnAM Fletcuhb : 
Being weather bound here on the coast twenty miles fonth of Punta 
Rassa by a strong northwest gale, it seemB a proper time to begin io 
write you an account of my exploring trip. ♦ • On Monday morning, 
alter 1 saw you at Mr. Dougherty 's, I started from Platt's place, four 
miles below Fort Bassinger, taking as working passengers to Fort 
Myers, Messrs. Pierce. Platt and Jones. We called down the Hooded 
prairie on the cast aide of the river (Klaslmmee) until within a few 
miles of the lake, and then turned abort across ttje marsh, entered the 
channel, and down ita winding course to the greatest lake of the South, 
the mysterious Okeechobee ; head wind, aome wavea, and graen hand* 
A MONG the maDy unprofessional critics who have dilated 
upon the paucity of entries in some of the recent re- 
gattas in the waters of the metropolis, we notice a tendency to 
judge of the extent and prospect of the sport of yachting by a 
numerical comparison of the entries of one year with those of 
another. This inclination is entirely wrong, and leads to very 
deceptive and valueless deductions. Yacht sailing and yacht 
raciDg are two quite distinct branches of the same sport, nnd 
the status of one has no connection with, nor does it indicate 
in any way, the prosperity or adversity of the other. The 
number of yachts coming to the line with racing colors aloft 
depends so much upon secondary considerations that inferen- 
ces based upon their number are misleading. The weather, 
expenses, temporary attractions abroad, lack of particular ob- 
