Terra*, Five Dollnrx a Year. 
Ten Cents a Copy. 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1875. 
j Volume I, Number II. 
1 17 Chatham Ml. (City llnll Hqr.) 
nth west Florida. 
NUMBER EIGHTH 
BEING NOTF.8 OF A TOOK OF EXPLOHATION— BY OTTR OWN 
COMMISSIONER. 
W E left Fort Thompson with reluctance, but our . r .) 
exhausted bread box prompted us to reacli Mana- 
tee at an early day. We commenced the descent of the 
river and resolved upon thinning out the 'gators. Before 
reaching Punta Rassa, we footed up our 'gator account and 
found that we had settled the affairs of ninety-four on the 
Caloosahatchie, the best day’s sport being thirty-six. We 
have done some little shooting in our time, but for excite- 
ment and amusement give preference to 'gator perforating, 
and can confidently recommend the Caloosahatchie to 
those who wish to engage in this description of sport. At 
this point I may remark, that we thoroughly tested the 
Winchester and Remington rifles, and for penetration, con- 
venience of loading, accuracy of shooting and general use- 
fulness, we are forced to give the decided preference to the 
former. 
Passing a bayou twenty miles below Fort Thompson, 
Harry noticed a woodcock and we landed. In this retired 
and beautiful spot we started seven, the only ones we no- 
ticed during our wanderings. We have often thought that 
these birds have a taste for the beautiful in nature, for they 
are generally found where nature has been most lavish 
in her offerings. After leaving the Caloosahatchie tele- 
graph station, and before reaching the islands above Fort 
Thompson, we towed our spinners astern, but soon tired 
of landing cavalli ranging from five to fifteen pounds. 
Reaching Punta Rassa, we steered across the Caloosa en- 
trance, entered Matansas pass and proceeded southward to- 
wards the Erastro and Corkscrew rivers. If time had per- 
mitted we would have ascended these streams and described 
an unknown but wc have reason to believe an interesting 
section. Reluctantly we turned the prow of the Spray 
northward. En route wc visited the northern end of Pine 
Islaud, situated three miles north of Useppi. Here we 
founcl a Yankee named Ham, who had resided there for 
twenty-four years. At the landing we found two luxuri- 
ant cocoa nut trees in fruit, and back of the hut, roasting 
ears, garden vegetables, and several hundred lemon trees 
loaded down with their golden fruit. At this point will be 
found four of the largest mounds on the coast, and the 
archeologist will be pointed to something interesting and cal- 
culated to puzzle him. The island is three miles wide and 
with the exception of a few hundred feet on each side, is 
traversed by a canal forty feet wide and eight feet in depth. 
Mr. Ham assured mo that a similar excavation existed on 
the main land, and could be traced in a direct line towards 
Okeechobee for a distance of fourteen miles. On the north 
side of Caloosahatchie River, near its source, a similar 
canal is found and of about three miles in length. I was 
assured by a reliable party familiar with the locality, that a 
similar one existed on one of the Thousand Islands. The 
question arises, who excavated these canals, or for what 
purpose where they dug? It is a well known fact that 
the Indians were too indolent to engage in such an under- 
taking. There cannot be a question regarding these exca- 
vations having been made by man, but why made, or by 
whom, is the questiou. An examination of the live oak 
trees growing in and on the sides of the excavation negatives 
any argument that they could have been the work of the 
early Spaniards or the Seminoles. From our knowledge of 
the Indian tribes it is not probable that these canals were 
dug by the Yamasees. We think that a thorough examina- 
tion should be made of these ancient works by the Smith- 
sonian authorities, as such an investigation might lead to 
interesting developments regarding the earlier races inhab- 
iting the southwest portion of the peninsula. In addition 
to the canals referred to, the large Indian mounds on the 
southwest coast deserve examination. Such an explora* 
tion would fall within the legitimate sphere of the institu- 
tion referred to, and the expense incurred would be trifling 
compared to probable results. During the trip, birds, fish 
aud marine and fresh water alga? could be collected, and 
the Institution benefltted thereby. 
Leaving Pine Island, with its hospitable inhabitants, wc 
made for Bird Key, one mile west of Useppi. This small 
island consists of about forty acres and is covered with 
large maugrove trees. At one time it boasted of inhabi- 
tants for where we landed the shore had been carefully 
paved with ht'VtJ'lain shells. It is the rookery, or roost- 
ing place for the multitudes of birds that fremicnt Charlotte 
Harbor. On the island will be found ptffu im.-.'gHiu't, cor. 
morants, water turkeys, cranes and heronsiffT^kinds, 
sizes and descriptions. A person desirous of collecting 
ornithological specimens would find this a desirable local- 
ity. In the evening we amused ourselves by shooting 
white herons for their plumes, aud the noise made by the 
birds after each discharge beggars all description, We 
left Bird Key and adjoining coast islands, after devoting a 
couple of days to their examination. 
Wending our way homeward, we reached the northern 
end of Gosparilla Island, and came to a halt for a time. 
We had been skeptical regarding the fish-stories that had 
been told us about the fish iu this region, but after having 
practically tested the matter we are prepared to credit al- 
most anything we hear stated, or see printed, regarding fish 
and fishing on the southwest coast of Florida. I am 
somewhat of a veteran aud energetic fisherman, but for 
the first time in my life became surfeited with one hour’s 
fishing at the inner point of Little Gosparilla Inlet. At 
the young Hood, Harry, Frank and I visited the inlet aud 
noticed a school of minnows being chased by a red fish. 
To escape their pursuers hundreds jumped on the sand, 
and with hands and feet we assisted many more to laud. 
We commenced with rods and reels, but were forced to 
abandon these fancy implements; for whilst we were en- 
gaged playing a large red or other fish he would be gob- 
bled by a shark and tackle would go by the board. I 
hooked a large red fish which was taken by a large shark, 
and to my regret I found that I had secured an elephant. I 
showed fight, the last foot of line left my reel, and my ex- 
cellent and serviceable Shipley bamboo rod was soon in 
extremis. The rod bent like a bit of steel, but the braided 
line held — one joint after another was strained, and at 
last the line parted, and I was left alone in my glory, with 
a strained and dilapidated Shipley rod. Resolved upon 
having a little piscatorial amusement, I visited the boat and 
obtained three strong lines eighty feet long, attached an 
eight ounce sinker and two large hooks to each and again 
entered the lists. We baited with the minnows and would 
throw our lines out their full length. Almost instantly the 
baits would be taken by red fish ranging from five to twenty 
pounds, cavalli, weakfish, bone fish, grunts, or red aud 
black grouper of large size. We unhooked the fish and re- 
turned them to their native element. At the end of an hour 
Harry, Frank, and A1 Fresco abandoned the sport ex- 
hausted and demoralized. Some of my readers will say 
that this was unnecessary slaughter and not sport. I am 
prepared to admit the soft impeachment, but in extenuation 
enter the plea that we followed up the amusement iu order 
that the readers of Forf.st and Stream could form an 
opinion regarding the kind of sport obtainable on the south- 
west coast. Some of my readers will probably say that 
“this was equal to pot hunting, and that the piscator would 
only capture fish in an artistic manner, with rod and reel." 
To such we will simply say, hook and play a ten or fifteen 
pound red fish for a few minutes, and then secure an addi- 
tion of from eight to twelve lineal feet of shark, and one 
such catch and rods, lines and reels would “go up." In- 
side the inner point sheepsheading is excellent, the fish 
ranging from one to five pounds. With a stout nine foot 
rod and three hooks baited with fiddlers, from one to three 
sheepshead can be captured at almost every cast. The 
water is very clear, and the bottom a white shell bank, and 
the fish are visible in dozens slowly swimming along in 
search of food. Fiddlers of large size can be secured in 
quantity for bait on most of the sandy keys. To obtain 
them easily nothing more is necessary than to dig them 
out of the sand, where their holes are visible. If placed in 
an ordinary wooden pail they will live for mauy days. Red 
and other fish will readily tukc cut fish bait, but seem to 
prefer minnows. 
I noticed numerous deer tracks on the Island and sug- 
gested to Frank and Harry that they shou.d kill one. After 
their departure for the central portion of the island, I seated 
myself on an empty pail and engaged in catching sheeps- 
head and throwing them in again unless so badly hooked 
as to render them unfit for anything but a frying pan. I 
was absorbed in the amusement, when I was startled by a 
large buck and doe plunging intoihe bay within a few feet 
of my person. When Harry aud Frank returned they in- 
formed me that they hud started a number, fired at two, 
but did not kill. All the lar.-rr > kinds at d with 
deer, and on most of them •.« !_' uw: uimeeTsTury; in fact, 
still hunting is the preferable mode. Coons in immense 
numbers exist on these islands and their tracks arc visible 
everywhere Dear the bay beaches. On the mud fiats oppo- 
site our camping place thousands of snipe and curlews 
could be seen at any time, apparently waiting to be destroy- 
ed. In the centre of the island the sportsman will find a 
large fresh water lagoon whore excellent water can be ob- 
tained. For the invalid who is piscatorially inclined, and 
who desires an excellent climate, we would say spend a 
few weeks or months on the northern end of Little Gaspa- 
rilla. The air is pure, water excellent, frost absent, sea 
bathing unequalled, fishing beyond description, deer plen- 
tiful on the island and on the main land. To the sports- 
man this island offers many inducements, and I would 
earnestly advise any one visiting Charlotte Harbor to 
speud some ^ays here. Yesterday I received a communi- 
cation from a gentleman residing in the interior of Penn- 
sylvania in which I find the following:— 
“I have greatly desired to visit Florida for years past, 
but have feared the trip on account of fevers and bad 
water. I have also heard much of the insects of Florida, 
and am enough of an angler to have a wholesome dread of 
the woods in fly time.” 
I proposed postponing the consideration of these subjects 
until the final communication, but ns I find so tnueh iguor- 
aucc prevailing on many points, I shall take advantage of 
this letter to ventilate these subjects. Excellent water can 
be obtained at any settlement, or from the rivers and CMteL? 
above salt water. On a few of the islands fresh ponds and 
lagoons can be found, where a supply can be secured. On 
Pine, Useppi, and Lacosta islands a superior article can be 
obtained. On any of the islands a fair to good sample can 
be found by digging a well from two to four feet deep. At 
Punta Rassa and Fort Myers, cistern water can bo secured. 
From the streams aud springs north of Clear Water Har- 
bor, water equaling the Croton can be found. If the 
sportsman carries with him one or two five gallon water 
kegs lie will not suffer. We could find room for but one 
five gallon keg and we mauaged very well. Aware of the 
suffering that results from a deficient supply of good watery 
I was induced in a previous communication to refer to \JtC 
subject. 
I have visited nearly all portions of Florida except Indian 
River and Bay Biscayne region, both in Winter and Sum 
mer, and can safely assert that I have suffered more from 
mosquitoes in one day at the head of Lake Superior, aud 
at Barnegat, N. J., than I have during all my visits to 
Florida combined. From what I have heurd stated and 
seen published, I have reason to believe that insects are 
troublesome on the Indian River, but this should not bo 
made to apply to the whole of the State. I spout nearly 
two mouths on the southwest coast, traversed several de- 
grees of latitude and longitude, visited most of the bays, 
rivers, creeks and islands, and I can positively assert that I 
was really annoyed on but one occasion with sand flies and 
mosquitoes, and that wa9 one afternoon and evening when 
we were encamped in the spring of the Chisiowilski. We 
made it a rule to anchor a short distance from shore every 
night, but if tho sportsman encamps on land lie will be 
somewhat annoyed by mosquitoes in the early part of the 
evening. Tho mosquitoes of the southwest coast are 
lethargic, and not active and industrious, as are those of 
Lake Superior and New Jersey. We carried with us a full 
I 
