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Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
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FLORIDA. |
FLORIDA was discovered
in 1512 by Juan Ponce, commonly
known as Ponce de Leon. He had
distinguished himself in the wars
with the Moors in Spain. He had
been a companion of Columbus on
his second voyage. He was now an
old man, but animated with the
ambition of youth. This made him
readily believe the marvelous
tales told of crystal waters
flowing from living springs, in
which he who once bathed in them
would be endowed with immortal
youth and great beauty. So in the
spring of the year 1512 he sailed
from Porto Rico, and, after
wandering among the Islands of
the Bahamas, tasting of and
bathing in every stream and lake
that met his vision, he landed on
Easter morning near the site of
St. Augustine. The restoring
waters were never found,
nevertheless Leon claimed great
merit with the king for finding a
land so fair and promising, and
he was made governor in 1521. He
was the first governor of any
territory within the limits of
the present United States. The
Spaniards that followed (Narvaez,
De Soto Menendez and others) left
nothing but disgrace in a long
list of cruel outrages. |
In 1835
began the Seminole War which
lasted seven years. |
At
the outbreak of the War of
Seccession, Florida promptly
joined the other Southern States,
although the strong defenses of
Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, and
Forts Jefferson and Taylor on the
bay, were securely held by
federal garrisons, and the
vessels of the United States navy
likewise held command of a large
part of the coast. |
ILLUSTRATIONS. |
Fighting
the Seminoles in the Swamps,
1835-42; Spaniards in
Florida; Old Gate at St.
Augustine. |
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