JosALetterFlorida

Joseph's letter to his children

Summit, Ga., June 9, 1923


1. It is a fact that 82% of the American people are homeless—have no homes of of their own and are being ground into dust by overlords and task masters. Next to an eternal HOME IN HEAVEN I am anxious that you have HOMES OF YOUR OWN on the earth. And you can have them. What does money mean, salaries, big pay and all that if with it you have to spend it all for a living and a shelter, mere existence? An endless circle of toil and anxiety about the “rainy day” that comes to us all. The saddest thing in my heart toward you is that all of you are homeless, [howei s] of wood and drawers of waters for others. And I would do more to help you right here if I could than in anything else save your salvation. And it is this desire to help you that prompts this letter. I want to give you the benefit of what I have learned and of all that I can do out of a long experience and much observation; and I am sure that I can help you if only you will allow me to do so.

2. I know the South and much of the West and North by personal observation. The soil, climate, peoples, values and a working knowledge of the things to come. In the past two and a half years I have made three extended trips to Florida, first down the east coast, last two in the Central Southern portions and up through the north-central part of the state. I have also investigated lands, prices, productions ~~prices,~~ climate, health and the things we need to know to decide intelligently, and I tell you that Florida has more to offer you than any other part of this country at the present time. On the last trip I took your dear Old Mother on what she called her “bridal tour,” along with Lucy and Maris, and what she say and learned on the one trip has convinced her that even now it is better to go there than remain here, and we are looking in that direction. We have our eyes in the Truck and Orange lands about Plant City, near Tampa. I am yet Pressing my investigation. I want each of you to write for information to the following: Government Land Office, Washington, D. C. Commissioner of Agriculture, State Lands Department, Tallahassee, Fla. Industrial and Land Agencies of the Sea Board Air Line Railway, Norfolk, Va., Atlantic Coast Line Railway, Jacksonville, Fla., East Coast Railway of Florida, (Flagler System) Railway, Jacksonville, Fla., and to The Strout Farm Agency, Jacksonville, Fla., asking each to give you full information about Florida lands, homes, prices, productions., etc. If you will do this and read what you get you will see that in part what I have seen with my own eyes. I am in correspondence with all the parties in addition to personal investigations. I think you soldier boys will learn if you will investigate that you can get U. S. Govt. lands in Florida and set yourselves in good shape without paying out any money; and you who are toiling day by day and hoping against hope for better things, if you will put the same labor and Care on the lands you can secure of best of terms you can be independent in a few years and the low prices of homes will surprise you. I urge that you write at once and begin your own investigations, so that you may see that what I am telling you is not a doty old man’s notions. We contemplate the move this autumn.

Climate: South Florida is cooler right now from ocean breezes, than any part of the interior of the South or North.

Productions: The Trucking section of South Florida will grow all the stuff we can grow and to this add all manner of tropical and sub-tropical productions, Oranges, Grape Fruit, Lemons, Guavas, the whole Citrus family, bananas, and It comes in at a time when no other part of the country except Southern California is producing it and is 2,000 miles nearer the eastern markets and in consequence commands best prices, and you sell in the local markets to buyers there from the North and West, gathering in the morning and have your money in your pocket the same day. I have been there and I know. You begin planting in Sept. and begin gathering in Nov. And by June 1 your crops are marketed and you have your money. It is the easiest, cheapest and the best place to live I have ever seen.

Labor: Think of a frail woman making $7.00 per day packing oranges and Grape Fruit. But they do it if expert. Girls make $2.00 to $3.00 per day. Boys and men more. Ten years ago a man at Auburndale brought ten acres and set it in budded Orange trees, for five years he trucked in the same land. The 5^th year he sold $1,000’s worth of oranges, the six year $2,000, the seventh 3,00, the 8^thyear $4,000, the 9^th year $5,000 and the 10 year he sold the grove for $35,000 cash and this year the woman who brought it sold the crop of oranges for $8,000. figure a bit and see what that man made above the truck crops he grew on the land. Go thou and do likewise and you can do it. Do you see why I am interested for you?

Future Prospects: Lands are going up of course, but they are yet reasonable. You can buy the land and not touch it and in ten years double your money. But you can take a few acres and in a short time be independent. Stop rants, let your crops grow in the night and bless you with income instead of outage.

Health: Is good. Of course people get sick everywhere. Much depends upon the people. It is a land of lakes, springs, medicinal waters, breezes, sunshine, fish, flowers, natural resources, mild climate, clothing and fuel being comparative trifles compared to other sections of the country. Pulmonary and Asthmatic troubles subside and from what I saw personally the people are as healthy under Normal conditions as anywhere I have been and much better than many places.

The People: Good, old-style, plain, working, gingham apron and over alls, right down to business sort of folks who are working and winning. Good schools, plenty of churches, so many they want me to move there and serve churches, and so you are not going to a barbarous and savage country.

Facilities: Cities, towns, railways, paved highways in many places, the best in Dixie and more building, cars, trucks, mills, mines—phosphate, packing houses, tractors, right up to date and improving by leaps and bounds. In a few years it will be the garden spot as is now the California of the South, and when fully developed will be the Garden Spot of Dixie Land. Let’s go!

Can run it in Auto in three of fur days from Atlanta. Get some tents, cars, tools, and a little money and the trail, get some lands, divide, peg down, garden, chickens, truck, fish, and work and win we can. And I’ll hop around and watch you and hallow Hurrah! While the sun shines and the Oranges and the other
things including the bank account grows. Away from the flashing light of vice and folly, the pains and sorrows of oppression and poverty, away from the garish temptations and vices that destroy happiness and peace ! O come away with old Dad and God bless you.

Write to me and tell me how you feel. We are all well and all send love.
As ever yours,


Owned by Francesca Henle Taylor.
Others as noted & Thanked Profusely.