Foreverglades_Valiente2019

28 28 BELLE GLADE FROM SW SW AMP TO TO SUGAR BOWL
36
36 BELLE GLADE FROM SW AMP TO SUGAR BOWL
BELLE GLADE FROM SW AMP TO SUGAR BOWL
36 BELLE GLADE FROM SW AMP TO SUGAR BOWL
Lauderdale, yet it wasn't very popular. The locks were six
Lauderdale, yet it wasn't very popular. The locks were six
miles from town, and since the water below was too shoal
to navigate, all goods had to be transferred from the locks
Lauderdale, yet it wasn't very popular. The locks were six
miles from town, and since the water below was too shoal
to navigate, all goods had to be transferred from the locks
miles from town, and since the water below was too shoal
to navigate, all goods had to be transferred from the locks
over a rutted sandy road through the piney woods to Deerfield.
But good gosh, when you got there, except for the
over a rutted sandy road through the piney woods to Deerfield.
But good gosh, when you got there, except for the
railroad, you still hadn't got nowhere! Yet by the spring
over a rutted sandy road through the piney woods to Deerfield.
But good gosh, when you got there, except for the
railroad, you still hadn't got nowhere! Yet by the spring
of 1915 there already were some 72 starry-eyed enthusiasts
railroad, you still hadn't got nowhere! Yet by the spring
of 1915 there already were some 72 starry-eyed enthusiasts
camped at Glade Crest, the most I wouldn't doubt, who
of 1915 there already were some 72 starry-eyed enthusiasts
camped at Glade Crest, the most I wouldn't doubt, who
ever lived there at one time. But friend, they were having
camped at Glade Crest, the most I wouldn't doubt, who
ever lived there at one time. But friend, they were having
36
GLADE CREST 35
part of of this this stream was was dredged out out some five five years later
to to become a a part of of the the Thirteen Mile Canal which Disston
had had intended to to continue on on to to Shark River. It It now forms
part of of the the Miami canal. As As this this stream was was typical of of the the
lake's dead rivers, including the the Democrat, let's see see what
it it was was like.
"The river at at its its mouth is is about 100 100 yards wide, the the
depth of of water being about eight feet. To To say say that our our
little party was was overjoyed would but but poorly express it. it. We We
do do not not go go one one hundred yards before we we hear exclamations
from the the members of of the the party in in praise of of the the beautiful
scenery which greets the the eye eye on on every side. There is is no no
perceptible current so so far far as as we we can can discern. The The water is is
clear as as crystal, the the banks fringed with a a dense tropical
growth of of trees, presenting to to the the view a a solid green wall,
impenetrable to to the the eye. This wall is is formed by by vines,
which have twined around the the trunks and and branches of of the the
trees, and and have interlaced and and wound themselves around
each other until they form a a screen which is is almost sufficient
to to shut out out the the light of of day. Looking behind us us we we
suf­
find that we we are are followed by by innumerable alligators, who
are are swimming lazily along in in our our wake. From all all sides we we
see see them plunging in in the the water, remain under for for a a few few
seconds, rise rise after we we have passed and and join join the the crowd behind
us. us. We We do do not not go go two two miles before the the river begins
to to get get narrow, and and we we find ourselves in in a a little stream only
a a few few yards in in width, the the sunlight completely shut out out by by
be­
the the branches of of trees and and vines, which have interlocked
and and twined around each other until a a perfect roof is is formed
... ... After going half half a a mile, we we find we we are are no no longer in in
ed
a a stream, but but winding around in in dark, sluggish water, the the
roots and and branches of of the the trees forming a a barrier to to our our
further progress ... ... As As we we return we we examine more closely
the the vines which grow so so luxuriantly, and and find that they are are
a a species of of gourd, with innumerable gourds hanging from
them, perfectly round, and and about the the size size of of a a billiard ball.
The The vines run run all all over the the trees, and and on on the the ground form
a a mat mat two two or or three feet feet deep."
their troubles.
ever lived there at one time. But friend, they were having
their troubles.
their troubles.
BELLE GLADE FROM SW AMP TO SUGAR BOWL
Glade Crest was in the pure old peat of the sawgrass
Everglades, new and raw. I know exactly what they had
to contend with, for I was having the same problems at
the very same time in Okeelanta. Water no longer covered
the land, but it wasn't far below the surface, and clearing
that sawgrass was a terrific task, for no machines which
we had could do it.
The land salesmen had told us all, "Just mow off the
sawgrass, then plow the ground with a hand push plow."
Mrs. Daniel has said that they even had told her. "A family
of four could make a living on a single acre, since four
crops could be grown each year". Oh yes, they even said,
and backed it up with government reports, "Frost has
never been known to damage the tenderest vegetation."
And gee whiz, they even claimed there were no mosquitoes,
either!
That first winter, according to Herman Herndon, there
were fifteen frosts and freezes from December till April
5th. Farmers tried to protect their little crops by burning
piles of sawgrass, but the heat mostly went straight up,
so some plants were scorched while the majority simply
froze. Anyway, by the second night, there were no more
sawgrass piles. Then they tried covering the plants with
muck. This worked fine once or twice and with small plants,
but the covering and uncovering was near about as damaging
as the frost.
Since the first tractors couldn't clear the sawgrass, all
this had to be done by hand. Sawgrass first was chopped
Lauderdale, yet it wasn't very popular. The locks were six
Glade Crest was in the pure old peat of the sawgrass
Everglades, new and raw. I know exactly what they had
to contend with, for I was having the same problems at
the very same time in Okeelanta. Water no longer covered
the land, but it wasn't far below the surface, and clearing
that sawgrass was a terrific task, for no machines which
we had could do it.
The land salesmen had told us all, "Just mow off the
sawgrass, then plow the ground with a hand push plow."
Mrs. Daniel has said that they even had told her. "A family
of Glade four Crest could was make in a the living pure on old a single peat of acre, the since sawgrass four
crops Everglades, could be new grown and raw. each I year". know Oh exactly yes, they what even they said, had
and to contend backed with, up for with I was government having the reports, same problems "Frost has at
never the very been same known time to in Okeelanta. damage the Water tenderest no longer vegetation." covered
And the land, gee whiz, but it they wasn't even far claimed below there surface, were no and mosquitoes, clearing
either! that sawgrass was a terrific task, for no machines which
we That had could first winter, do it. according to Herman Herndon, there
were The fifteen land salesmen frosts and had freezes told us from all, December "Just mow till off April the
5th. sawgrass, Farmers then tried plow to the protect ground their with little a hand crops push by burning plow."
piles Mrs. Daniel of sawgrass, has said but that the they heat even mostly had went told her. straight "A family
some of four plants could were make scorched a living on while a single the majority acre, since simply four
up,
so
froze. crops could Anyway, be grown by the each second year". night, Oh there yes, they were even no more said,
sawgrass and backed piles. it up Then with they government tried covering reports, the plants "Frost with has
muck. never This been worked known fine to damage once or twice the tenderest and with small vegetation." plants,
but And the gee covering whiz, they and even uncovering claimed there was near were about no mosquitoes, as damaging
either! as the frost.
Since That first the first winter, tractors according couldn't to Herman clear the Herndon, sawgrass, there all
this were had fifteen to be frosts done and by hand. freezes Sawgrass from December first was till chopped April
5th. Farmers tried to protect their little crops by burning
piles of sawgrass, but the heat mostly went straight up,
so some plants were scorched while the majority simply
froze. Anyway, by the second night, there were no more
miles from town, and since the water below was too shoal
to navigate, all goods had to be transferred from the locks
Glade Crest was in the pure old peat of the sawgrass
Everglades, new and raw. I know exactly what they had
to contend with, for I was having the same problems at
the very same time in Okeelanta. Water no longer covered
the land, but it wasn't far below the surface, and clearing
that sawgrass was a terrific task, for no machines which
we had could do it.
The land salesmen had told us all, "Just mow off the
sawgrass, then plow the ground with a hand push plow."
Mrs. Daniel has said that they even had told her. "A family
of four could make a living on a single acre, since four
crops could be grown each year". Oh yes, they even said,
and backed it up with government reports, "Frost has
never been known to damage the tenderest vegetation."
And gee whiz, they even claimed there were no mosquitoes,
either!
That first winter, according to Herman Herndon, there
were fifteen frosts and freezes from December till April
5th. Farmers tried to protect their little crops by burning
piles of sawgrass, but the heat mostly went straight up,
so some plants were scorched while the majority simply
froze. Anyway, by the second night, there were no more
sawgrass piles. Then they tried covering the plants with
muck. This worked fine once or twice and with small plants,
but the covering and uncovering was near about as damaging
as the frost.
Since the first tractors couldn't clear the sawgrass, all
this had to be done by hand. Sawgrass first was chopped
over a rutted sandy road through the piney woods to Deerfield.
But good gosh, when you got there, except for the
railroad, you still hadn't got nowhere! Yet by the spring
Sawgrass plow with mouldboard slatted for better scouring.
of 1915 there already were some 72 starry-eyed enthusiasts
one of these same boys, while far from the settlement, got
bitten by a moccasin. His ankle swelled until he couldn't
work, so the crew abandoned surveying and began frantically
to hack a trail through the head high sawgrass.
They knew the direction to the settlement but with grass
so high, couldn't see any buildings. It was pitch dark when
they got to the canal, and they began to shout. Finally a
settler heard the racket and rescued them with his boat.
The leg was doctored with turpentine, the nearest thing to
medicine in the camp. The boy must have been pretty
tough for the leg got well, but he was promoted to be camp
cook after that.
camped at Glade Crest, the most I wouldn't doubt, who
ever lived there at one time. But friend, they were having
their troubles.
By the winter of 1914-15, besides Slade, there were the
families of Baker, Daniel, Elsasser, Herndon, Garrett, Metcalf
and two Bissell families and a Mrs. Chisolm who was
sister to one of the Bissell ladies. Later, Shields and his
son, who had some boats and barges, started a little store,
and since the Hillsboro canal had just been opened, "Shorty"
Woods, in his boat Bonnie made occasional trips
down it to the coast. Although this route was far shorter
than by way of Torry Island and down the canal to Ft.
GLADE CREST 37
DEMOCRAT DRAINAGE AND RIVER LAND CLEARING
29 29
GLADE CREST 37
GLADE CREST 37
down with a machete, unless you were lucky enough to
down with a machete, unless you were lucky enough to
When I I first came to to this this lake these gourds still still were
plentiful in in the the custard apple forest, although they then
were less less luxuriant than the the moon vine, a a kind of of morning
glory, which completely blanketed the the tops and and the the exposed
flanks of of the the custard apple woods, making a a shadowy
dusk at at mid mid day.
ex­
down with a machete, unless you were lucky enough to
get the cussed grass to burn. Then, with a heavy planter's
get the cussed grass to burn. Then, with a heavy planter's
get the cussed grass to burn. Then, with a heavy planter's
hoe, the stubs and roots were grubbed up, and the tough,
hoe, the stubs and roots were grubbed up, and the tough,
hoe, the stubs and roots were grubbed up, and the tough,
rope-like connecting runners were pulled up with a potato
rope-like connecting runners were pulled up with a potato
rope-like connecting runners were pulled up with a potato
rake and tossed behind to dry. After the sawgrass had been
rake and tossed behind to dry. After the sawgrass had been
rake and tossed behind to dry. After the sawgrass had been
grubbed up, then the soft ground could be plowed with a
grubbed up, then the soft ground could be plowed with a
grubbed up, then the soft ground could be plowed with a
push plow. In a long, hard day (all our days were long
push plow. In a long, hard day (all our days were long
push plow. In a long, hard day (all our days were long
After cruising the the south shore for. for. nine days the the party
arrived, near the the southernmost point on on the the lake, at at the the
largest and and longest of of all all these rivers. This they christened
T-D, or or Times-Democrat River. After traversing this this
ed
stream to to its its end, end, they laid laid a a course south by by the the compass
for for Shark River, ninety miles away by by air air line. Although
water had had evidently been five five feet feet over the the land not not too too
long before, they found that it it now was was a a scant five five inches,
and and under that was was fifteen feet, more or or less, less, of of soft soft mud.
and hard, so it seemed), one man could grub up a patch
and hard, so it seemed), one man could grub up a patch
and hard, so it seemed), one man could grub up a patch
of saw grass about fifty feet square. That's one-seventeenth
GLADE CREST 37
of saw grass about fifty feet square. That's one-seventeenth
of saw grass about fifty feet square. That's one-seventeenth
of an acre. To get one acre ready for planting was about
of an acre. To get one acre ready for planting was about
of an acre. To get one acre ready for planting was about
down with a machete, unless you were lucky enough to
a month's job for one man. Yet that first winter that's
a month's job for one man. Yet that first winter that's
how it all was done.
'
Worst of all, we learned that on sawgrass land nothing
would grow but sawgrass ! The brown, fibrous peat had
to be stirred and aerated so it could decompose into black
muck. Plants would spring up, turn yellow and die. Yet
where Irish potatoes had been sprayed with lime and copper
sulphate to prevent blight, a second crop of potatoes,
or nearly anything else, would grow fairly well. So that's
how we learned that copper in this soil was essential and
we had to use commercial fertilizer, too. The land companies
how it had all was insisted done.
'
that this would not be necessary, since
analysis Worst showed of all, there we learned was an that excess on sawgrass of nitrogen. land nothing That
sounded would grow fine, but but sawgrass what they ! The didn't brown, know fibrous was that peat this had
nitrogen to be stirred was and in a aerated form not so it available could decompose to plants. into Oh black boy,
there muck. was Plants a heap would to learn! spring up, turn yellow and die. Yet
where Yet Irish in spite potatoes of all, had there been were sprayed some with vegetables lime and raised. copper
Ft. sulphate Lauderdale to prevent Sentinel blight, of June a second 19, 1914 crop of states potatoes, that
'l'he
J. or W. nearly Bissell anything of Glade else, Crest would had grow sold fairly some Irish well. So potatoes that's
for how $1 we and learned $1.25 that a hamper, copper in and this they soil had was yielded essential at the and
rwe te had of 150 to use bushels commercial per acre. fertilizer, Now, to too. be sure, The the land paper companies
state had insisted how many that hampers this would or not how be many necessary, acres since Mr.
didn't
Bissell analysis had, showed whether there it was was an one excess acre or of more nitrogen. or less. That It
wouldn't sounded surprise fine, but me what if it they was didn't less. In know Okeelanta was that the five
this
of nitrogen us, for was our whole in a form winter's not labor, available had to succeeded plants. in Oh raising
there and was selling a heap only to 40 learn! hampers of potatoes, ten hampers
boy,
of beans Yet in and spite a few of all, batches there of were carrots some and vegetables turnips. raised. Our
potatoes 'l'he Ft. brought Lauderdale $1.50 Sentinel and $1.75. of June 19, 1914 states that
J. W. Bissell of Glade Crest had sold some Irish potatoes
for $1 and $1.25 a hamper, and they had yielded at the
r te of 150 bushels per acre. Now, to be sure, the paper
didn't state how many hampers or how many acres Mr.
Bissell had, whether it was one acre or more or less. It
a month's job for one man. Yet that first winter that's
get the cussed grass to burn. Then, with a heavy planter's
how it all was done.
'
Worst of all, we learned that on sawgrass land nothing
would grow but sawgrass ! The brown, fibrous peat had
to be stirred and aerated so it could decompose into black
muck. Plants would spring up, turn yellow and die. Yet
where Irish potatoes had been sprayed with lime and copper
sulphate to prevent blight, a second crop of potatoes,
or nearly anything else, would grow fairly well. So that's
how we learned that copper in this soil was essential and
we had to use commercial fertilizer, too. The land companies
had insisted that this would not be necessary, since
analysis showed there was an excess of nitrogen. That
sounded fine, but what they didn't know was that this
nitrogen was in a form not available to plants. Oh boy,
there was a heap to learn!
Yet in spite of all, there were some vegetables raised.
'l'he Ft. Lauderdale Sentinel of June 19, 1914 states that
J. W. Bissell of Glade Crest had sold some Irish potatoes
for $1 and $1.25 a hamper, and they had yielded at the
r te of 150 bushels per acre. Now, to be sure, the paper
didn't state how many hampers or how many acres Mr.
Bissell had, whether it was one acre or more or less. It
wouldn't surprise me if it was less. In Okeelanta the five
of us, for our whole winter's labor, had succeeded in raising
and selling only 40 hampers of potatoes, ten hampers
of beans and a few batches of carrots and turnips. Our
potatoes brought $1.50 and $1.75.
how it all was done.
'
Worst of all, we learned that on sawgrass land nothing
would grow but sawgrass ! The brown, fibrous peat had
to be stirred and aerated so it could decompose into black
muck. Plants would spring up, turn yellow and die. Yet
where Irish potatoes had been sprayed with lime and copper
sulphate to prevent blight, a second crop of potatoes,
or nearly anything else, would grow fairly well. So that's
how we learned that copper in this soil was essential and
we had to use commercial fertilizer, too. The land companies
had insisted that this would not be necessary, since
analysis showed there was an excess of nitrogen. That
sounded fine, but what they didn't know was that this
nitrogen was in a form not available to plants. Oh boy,
there was a heap to learn!
hoe, the stubs and roots were grubbed up, and the tough,
rope-like connecting runners were pulled up with a potato
rake and tossed behind to dry. After the sawgrass had been
grubbed up, then the soft ground could be plowed with a
push plow. In a long, hard day (all our days were long
So So now they are are compelled to to battle the the sharp-edged
sawgrass, which they had had believed to to be be only ten ten miles in in
extent, but but which actually persisted clear to to the the headwaters
of of Shark River. At At times they were able able to to burn the the sawgrass,
but but usually the the way must be be hacked with machetes.
For For many days they were compelled to to push and and lift lift their
boats every foot foot of of the the way, often making only a a few few hundred
yards in in a a day. On On November 17th, a a week after leaving
the the lake, a a tall tall cypress at at Democrat River was was still still
ing
visible to to the the naked eye.
and hard, so it seemed), one man could grub up a patch
of saw grass about fifty feet square. That's one-seventeenth
of an acre. To get one acre ready for planting was about
a month's job for one man. Yet that first winter that's
Yet in spite of all, there were some vegetables raised.
'l'he Ft. Lauderdale Sentinel of June 19, 1914 states that
J. W. Bissell of Glade Crest had sold some Irish potatoes
for $1 and $1.25 a hamper, and they had yielded at the
r te of 150 bushels per acre. Now, to be sure, the paper
didn't state how many hampers or how many acres Mr.
Bissell had, whether it was one acre or more or less. It
wouldn't surprise me if it was less. In Okeelanta the five
of us, for our whole winter's labor, had succeeded in raising
and selling only 40 hampers of potatoes, ten hampers
of beans and a few batches of carrots and turnips. Our
potatoes brought $1.50 and $1.75.
Constantly they were plagued by by innumerable snakes,
though fortunately, nobody was was bitten. But But they were
tortured by by mosquitoes, leeches and and poisonous wampee
plants "which produce a a terrible burning sensation. Its Its
appearance is is similar to to the the water lily, lily, the the leaf leaf being from
six six to to twelve inches across, the the root running to to a a depth
of of six six inches, and and resembles a a shallot in in appearance. We We
had had the the curiosity to to taste it. it. We We shall do do so so no no more!"
Yes, I I know blamed well they didn't! That wampee
was was a a hellish plant, nobody would ever taste it it twice!
Indian turnip it's it's called up up north. It's It's tuber looks like like a a
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