30 December 1885:
excerpt from the diary of Frederick Hartline, Franklin Twp, Tuscarawas,
Ohio:: "Mailed a letter to Emanuel Fashbaugh for Ma'am to Keuka,
Putnam County, Florida."
letter, Mrs Emanuel Fashbaugh (Lavina Spalding) to her sister in law,
Mrs Frederick Hartline (Lovina Fashbaugh), my great grandmother,
Franklin Twp, Tuscarawas, Ohio
Mrs Frederick Hartline
Franklin Twp
Tuscarawas County, Ohio January 11, 1886
"We got your letter on January 4th and was glad to hear from you and
that you are well. We are all well except a bad cold. It has been cold
and windy here for a few days. The ground froze last night
and froze our pump and we had to thaw the pump with hot water.
It was 22 degrees below freezing this morning and has been cold all day.
We had a cold snap about 3 weeks ago, but we had nice weather before
this last cold snap. New Years was a very warm day. It was above summer
heat.
"I made some garden in December and my peas and lettuce was up and
growing but I guess this freeze will cook them. Emanuel set out some
strawberry plants 2 weeks ago and set out some orange trees yesterday.
I am afraid this freeze will kill them.
Well, Lovina, I can't say that I like Florida very well. I don't like so
much sand and the weather is about as changeable as it is up north.
Only it does not get so Cold. I guess one has to live here for a winter
and a summer before one can tell much about Florida.
"The neighbors all say it did not freeze last winter. I wish you folks
could be here for a while to help us eat oranges. That is about al we
have to eat. Emanuel is as hearty as a pig. I gues we will have to
send back to Indiana for some food if we stay here much longer.
Don't laugh at my scribbling for I am cold and nervous and can't half
write. Cold as ever and froze our pump last night.
"Well! Lovina, you said you wanted to know how we got way down to
Florida. I will try and tell you as near as I can. We left Pierceton at
10 in the morning and got to Fort Wayne at half past 11.
We stayed there for an hour and then started for Cincinnati. We went by
way of Richmond and arrivd in Cincinnati at 1 in the morning.
"We took a buss to the Cincinnati Southern Depot and waited there 1 hour
and then took the train to Chattanooga. We arrived there at 9 in the
morning and changed Cars for Atlanta, Georgia. We arrived in Atlanta at
2 in the afternoon. We did not change cars there, but had to wait 2
hours and then went by way of Macon, Albany and Waycross.
"We arrived at Waycross at 5 in the morning. We did not change cars
there but had to wait 2 hours before we started for Jacksonville,
Florida. We arrived there at 11 in the morning and stayed there 2 hours
and then took a train for Palatka.
"We arrived in Palatka at 5 in the evening. We stayed all night at a
Horel and paid $3 for supper and breakfast and bed. In the morning we
took a 9 o'clock train for Keuka and arrived there at 11 o'clock. Keuka
is 19 miles west of Palatka on the Florida Southern Railroad.
"I will send you some of the moss that grows in the trees in the woods.
The trees are loaded with it. It hangs down like fleeces of wool.
"I would like to make you folks a visit, but I don't know if that will
ever happen. I don't think I will stay here any longer than spring.
I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the best of health and
hoping to hear from you again. Excuse Emanuel for not writing.
Mrs Emanuel Fashbaugh