FOREST AND STREAM 
153 
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA— NO. 6. 
BEING NOTES OK A TOUR OK EXPLORATION— BT OUR OWN 
COMMISSIONER. 
E N ROUTE we were repeatedly assured that we need not 
encumber our boat with a large stock of provisions, 
ns a fresh supply could be purchased at old Lauier's store, 
at Fort Meyers. Early the next morning after our arrival 
I visited the store for the purpose of adding to our 6tock 
of hard tack", but found a total absence of the staff of life. 
Fearful that our supply of sugar would give out, I pur- 
chased four pounds, for which I paid one dollar. One of 
the residents kindly spared me one bushel of potatoes, and 
I paid therefor one dollar. 
At this point I met Dr. McCallam, formerly of South 
Carolina, but who has settled thirty-five miles farther up 
the river. This gentleman informed me that he had half 
a barrel of flour at his camp, and if I would accept a por- 
tion it was at my disposal when I reached his palmetto hut. 
Here was an awkward position— a limited supply of bread- 
stuff to carry us through a long journey, and none to be 
obtained nearer than Manatee; but wo could not consent 
to impose on the Doctor, and leave him short of flour, so 
we concluded to go for the sweet potatoes, and hurry over 
our route. 
To any one attempting a trip to Charlotte Harbor, or up 
the river, I would say curry, or have transported by the 
steamer Einelie to Punta Rassa, a sufficient supply of pro- 
visions for the return trip. They can be stored at the tele- 
graph station until wanted. Uncle Sam has not supplied 
the residents above Punta Rassa with mail facilities, and 
advantage is taken of every opportunity to forward letters 
and papers to persons residing on the river. Dr. McCallam 
requested us to take charge of the letters and papers ad- 
dressed tp persons at or near his settlement, and we of 
course consented. 
Anxious to reach our objective point, we left the fort at 
eight A. M. Commencing three miles above the fort, for 
a distance of nearly three miles the navigation is rendered 
difficult by islands and mud banks. At the lower, or west- 
ern end of the first island an extensive mud bank will be 
found, and the channel will be discovered on its north side, 
near the northern bank of the river. Soon after entering 
the channel several stakes will be noticed on the port side, 
and one on the starboard side of the channel. Opposite 
the upper end, and to the north of the first island, a small 
circular one will be discovered, which must be left to star- 
board. The next two islands must be kept to port, when 
a projecting point, studded with tall cabbage palmettos, 
will be sighted on the northern bank of the river. Beyond 
this point another island will be observed, which must be 
left on the port side. If attention is paid to these direc- 
tions, and the shallow' water on either hand of the channel 
looked for, no great difficulty will be experienced in navi- 
gating this troublesome locality. Above the upper island 
navigation is easy to Fort Thompson. The river in the 
neighborhood of the upper islands is famous for its well 
developed alligators. We devoted about an hour to their 
destruction, and killed eight— the smallest of which mea- 
sured over ten feet. Above the islands the river narrows 
to a few hundred feet, and somewhat resembles the St. 
John’s above the Devil’s Elbow. To within about two 
miles of the telegraph station the banks are low, and are 
covered with mangrove bushes, cabbage palmetto, and live 
oak trees, with an undergrowth of ferns, some of the fronds 
measuring eight feet in length. If the tourist is a disciple 
of old Isaac we would advise him to drop a strongly geared 
spinner overboard after leaving the islands, for if disposed 
he can have his time fully occupied in landing cavalli rang- 
ing from two to tweuty pounds. During our ascent of this 
stream we daily and hourly regretted the absence of a 
Grains (fishing spear), for we felt tempted to capture some 
of the large pompano that exist in countless numbers in 
this stream. We have seen a dozen of these huge fellows 
“breaking water" at once within fifty yards of the boat, 
but as they refused a bait their capture was impossible. 
Late in the afternoon we reached the Caloosahatchie 
telegraph station, forty miles from Punta Rassa. At this 
point the line crosses the river, and the wanderer can com- 
municate with home for the remarkably low price of two 
hundred and fifty cents. We received more than a hearty 
welcome from the gentlemanly operator in charge. Dis- 
posed to keep our teeth moving, we purchased from this 
gentleman two bushels of excellent sweet potatoes. Here 
we met a son of old Ireland, and were favored with a true 
Hibernian welcome, and an invitation to visit his residence 
and see the “ould woman and the bairns." He stuted that 
he hud two acres of superior sugar cano under cultivation, 
and that he was about to make his first attempt at the man. 
ufacture of sugar. He assured us that if we would favor 
him with a visit he would present us with stalks of sugar 
cane fourteen feet long. Ascertaining that his residence 
was two miles distant, we were forced to decline. The 
population of the locality consists of three families, in- 
cluding that of the operator and our Irish friend. Irish- 
men arc to be found everywhere, and are ever ready to ex- 
tend the hand of welcome to the wanderer. We deeply 
regretted that we could not visit our new made acquaint 
ance and discuss at his ingleside the merits of the Cove of 
Cork and the demerits of the Head of Ould Ivinsale; but 
the bareness (not of our exchequer) of our bread box 
stimulated us to push ahead. After supper, we fried a sup- 
ply of sweet potatoes for the next day, and left our water 
keg with the operator. At this point the water was almost 
fresh, and we deemed it beat to make room in our crowded 
boat. . 
Dr. McCallam’8 clearing being twenty miles farther up 
the river, we made an early start the next morning after 
our airival. During the day we amused ourselves boating 
and rowing up the tortuous channel. Above the Caloosa- 
hatchie telegraph station the banks of the river become 
higher, and are studded with live oaks and majestic palms , 
For miles in many places the banks are nearly perpendicu- 
lar, and range from ten to eighteen feet high. On each 
bank rich high hammocks extend back from the river for 
a distunce of ouo quarter to one half a mile. Back of the 
hammocks rich pine land will be found, and beyond this 
the open prairie country, which will be described at some 
future time. Above the telegraph station the intending 
emigrant will find an admirable climate, excellent health, 
superior land, a noble river, und everything to inducu a 
man to settle. The day is not far distant when this river 
will be bounded with happy homes, orange groves, farm 
and tropical productions, and the evidences of education, 
Christianity, and civilization. We have at various times 
visited almost every portion of. Florida, from the Apulu 
chicola to the Atlantic, and from the Gulf to the northern 
boundary of the State, and we are forced to givo this sec- 
tion our unqualified recommendation as the" most desirable 
place for the pioneer. I admit that the region is wild and 
unfrequented, but the time is near when the river will be 
navigated by steamers, and residences, school houses, and 
churches will arise as if by magic. 
Night overtook us, and as we were anxious to rench Dr. 
McCallam’s residence we furled our sail and resorted to an 
ashen breeze. Wc had rowed but a short distance when 
we heard the welcome bark of a dog, aud soon after the 
pleasant ‘sound of human voices. We hailed, und were 
met at the landing by five human beings. The welcome 
we received in this wild spot will long be remembered. 
We found one gentleman from New York, who had settled 
on a section next to that of Dr. McC.’s, and four from Rah- 
way, N. J., two miles above, at “Camellia Point.” We 
announced the fact that we carried the mail, aud the joy- 
ous shout that arose on that river when the settlers received 
letters and newspapers from home beggars all description. 
Aware of the fact that Dr. McCallum and his companion 
in this wilderness had but a limited supply of the necessa- 
ries of life, we positively declined a pressing invitation to 
stop and partake of the hospitalities of his backwoods 
home. As soon as we announced our intention of proceed- 
ing to the Jersey settlement, the Jerseymen pocketed let- 
ters and papers and followed us to the river bank. They 
took our boat in tow, and while rowing and puddling they 
yelled and laughed os joyous men never laughed and yelled 
before. After proceeding two miles, we reached their camp 
and lunded. We found them comfortably settled in a pal- 
metto hut, and apparently more than pleased with their 
new home. We started early the next morning, and were 
escorted for several miles by our new friends. It is a grati- 
fication to the wanderer to meet with a welcome in the wil- 
derness, and annoying to refuse hospitality when kindly 
and courteously tendered. 
During the course of the the forenoon we sighted a 
“’gator" about seven feet loug reclining on a grassy bank 
enjoying the sunshine. I handed Harry my Winchester, 
and requested him to shoot. He did so, and the ’gator 
quivered and dropped his head. Harry expressed satisfac- 
tion at the result of his maiden shot, and wondered wliat 
effect had been produced by the ball. I suggested that wo 
should land and examine the critter. We did so, and Harry 
seized the brute by the tail and attempted to turn him over. 
Like a flash the dead ’gator doubled on himself, aud endea- 
vored to seize him by the hand. As a result the pair step- 
ped into the river, and the celerity with which Hurry 
scrambled up the bank will never be forgotten by those 
who witnessed it. Before the ugly customer could get 
away I gave him a pill in his brain, and he turned his paws 
heavenward. Thus ended the only ’gator scrape worthy 
of record. 
As we proceeded the river gradually narrowed, and above 
the former site of Fort Doimud the overhanging live oaks 
gave us some trouble. Still farther up the river wo met 
with shallows and annoying sand bars and drift logs. Hav- 
ing rowed all day, we found ourselves tired at five P. 51., 
and came to an anchor. Al Fresco. 
Quail and Pinnated Grouse in England.— A writer 
in London "Field" is convinced from sundry experiments, 
that it is useless to attempt to introduce the pinnated or 
prairie grouse into Great Britain, the characteristics of their 
native American ranges being totally different from any 
tract of country in the British Isles. lie is of the opinion, 
however, that ruffed grouse might be introduced with suc- 
cess, and also the qu3il ( ortyx Virginianus.) With regard 
to the latter, he remarks that they are to a certain extent 
migratory, in Autumn following the courses of the streams 
from high to low grouud, and working their way again 
to the uplands in the Spring. This means that they are 
prompted by instinct to move to localities where they are 
more likely to find food and avoid inclemencies of weather. 
The only way to ensure success in acclimating them to 
new localities is, to turn them out in large numbesr in various 
parts of the country selected. This suggestion is worth 
noticing here. 
A writer in the “ Fancier's Journal" says that “prairie 
chickens are more easily tamed than any bird of which I 
know. I have had them, in the short space of five or six 
days from the time they were caught, to eat from my hand. 
They will breed while confined, and do well, if provided 
with suitable run. It is my intention to breed them this 
season, and the following are tho plans I propose to adopt: 
My poultry house is built In tho shape of a cross, having a 
centre building with four wings; each wing has a yard at- 
tached, forty feet square, enclosed with a lattice fence, six 
feet high, so arranged that tho fowls can pass from tho 
house to tho yard, or the yard to the house. I will make 
the house as private os possible, in order that they may use 
it for laying and hatching, as they are shy the first season, 
and do not like to have their nests exposed. Tho food 
should consist of corn, wheat, berries, and buds, with plenty 
of grass. They are also, while young and in their wild 
statu, fond of Insects, und in order to satisfy this natural 
craving I propose to give them tho run of the yard, that they 
may bo supplied with this kind of food, as well as gravel.'* 
(CM ity/r- 
- ■ ■■ + 
THE AMATEUR RIFLE CLUB. 
ELECTION OK OFFICERS AND PRESENTATION OK MEMORIALS 
ON TUESDAY EVENING. 
T HE annual meeting of the Amateur llifio Club was 
held at No. 7 West Thirteenth Hlroot last Tuesday 
evening, Col. Wingate, the President, in tho chair. The 
report of tho Treasurer allowed a balance in tho treasury 
of $627. Col. Gildersleevo, in behalf of tho American 
team iu the late International match, next presented to tho 
retiring President a handsome bronze statuette, entitled 
“Victory, or the Messenger from Marntlu n." It represents 
in the most spirited manner a nude figure of a Grecian sol- 
dier ruising himself from tho ground and waving iu his 
right hand a sprig of laurel, representing the Greek legend 
of thomessenger who, hastening with tho glorious nows of 
Marathon, fell dead at the City Gates, hut iu fall- 
ing waved aloft the palm of victory to signal the re- 
sult to his countrymen. On the base is a silver plate he Br- 
ing the inscription, "Presented to Col. Geo. W. Wingate, 
Captain of the International Team of American Rilleincn, 
by tho members thoroof, as a memorial of the victory 
over the celebrated team of Irish riflomon, Creed moor, 
September 26, 1874. In responding Col. Wingate said: 
"Ido not know of anything which would cause mo 
more pleasure tlmu to receive at your hands lliis beau- 
tiful und appropriate gift. It is hut seldom that one 
has an opportunity of representing Ills country on such 
mi occasion as the Into International match, and to feel that 
it has been done with success forms uu episode to which 
we all will look with prido mid pleasure. Few hut those 
engaged in the struggle know the anxiety we felt about tho 
success of this match— the hopes that wo hardly dared ac- 
knowledge os our scores improved at each competition, the 
fears that some precaution might bo omitted which would 
cripple our chances of success. I shall prcsuivo this 
bronze not only ns a token of your friendship, but as a re- 
membrance of those scones of excitement that wo went 
through with together, and looking at it Iu after days, 
perhaps it will bring back to me not only tho faces of my 
friends now present, the kindly words that you have spoken, 
but the thrill which wo all felt when the white disc, slowly 
rising at IJodino’s last shot, marked the victory of tho Am- 
erican team in the first International rifle match, " Captain 
Fulton was also tho recipient of a handsome gold hunting- 
case, stem-winding watch and chain, which Is referred 
to elsewhere. Mr. Alford moved the appointment of a 
committee to select a suitable testimonial for the Secretary 
and Treasurer, Mr. Fairbanks, The motion was carried, 
and the President appointed Messrs. Alford, Johnson, and 
Fairbanks n mince to select asultablt memento foi tho 
purpose. The by-laws were amended by the addition of 
clauses providing for the election of an additional officer to 
act ns Treasurer; also a clause permitting tho members 
of the qjub to have free access to the hooks. Colonel 
Wingate then stated that having held the position of 
President since the organization of the club, lie foil that 
the time had come when ho ought to surrender tho respon- 
sibilities of the position. Tho dub had grown from a 
small and unknown body into a vigorous organization, 
more widely known than almost any other club in America. 
Its future was secure while his engagements would no 
longer permit him to devote the time to the office Hint it 
required, and he therefore requested that his name slioujd 
not be used as a candidate for that or any other office. Col. 
Glldcrsleovo, tho Vico Prcsiedunt, and Mr. Fairbanks, the 
Secretary, also declined re-election. The members then 
voted for officers of the club for the ensuing year, with the 
following result:— President, Capt. Henry Fulton; Vico 
President, Col. John Bodlnc; Secretary, Mr. W It Cough 
try; Treasurer, Mr. A. Alford; Executive Committee, Col. 
George W. Wingate, G. W. Yale, E. 11. Sandford, and R. 
Johnson. Col. Wingate being induced to remain on the 
Executive Committee, on account of tho necessity of his 
remaining tho Chairman of the Joint Commit tee having 
charge n? the International match. The Committee on 
Uniforms, Col. Gildersleeve, Chairman, presented a cos- 
tume as a sample for the adoption of the club, but not 
meeting the entire approbation of the members, the Chair- 
man moved the appointment of a new committee, which 
was carried, and Col. Gildersleeve, Col. Wingate, and R. 
Johnson were appointed . On motion of Col. Wingate, a 
vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. John 11. Bird for the 
provision of tho entertainment at the Academy of Music last 
Saturday evening, and lie was declared an honorary mem- 
ber. On motion, all parties who had heretofore subscribed 
sums exceeding $50 were elected honorary members of the 
club. After the transaction o ( some further routine busi- 
ness the meeting then adjourned. 
Creedmook.— The "Challenge Shell Badge’’ was con 
tested for by the members of the Seventh Regiment Rifle 
Club on Saturday last. Only a small number were present, 
and, owing to the strong wind prevailing, very poor 
shooting, with smull scores, was the result. Left General 
Guide Sergeant Coughtry was the winner . 
Tug American Kiklb Association. — The directors of 
the above association have held two meetings in relation 
to their now range. On Friday of this week they hold 
another meeting, when the matter will be deflneily settled. 
