Beyond Live Oak, is Ellaville, (thirteen miles, formerly called Columbus), near the Suwannee. This river is comparatively narrow, and divides at this point into its east and west branches.
The next station (fifteen miles) is Madison, the county seat of Madison county (Madison hotel). The village is half a mile from the depot, located on a plain bordering on a small lake.
Beyond this are Goodman station, (fourteen miles), Aucilla, (seven miles), and the Junction (seven miles). At the latter a railway four miles in length diverges to
MONTICELLO,
The county seat of Jefferson county.
Hotels.—Monticello house, kept by Mrs. Madden, accommodates about thirty guests, $2.00 a day, $30.00 to $40.00 a month; Godfrey House. The village has a population of about 700. It is pleasantly located and regularly laid out, the court house occupying a square in the center of the town. There are four churches, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist. There is an academy of nearly 150 pupils, part of the support of the institution being drawn from the Southern Educational Fund, provided by the banker, Mr. Peabody. A flourishing colored school is also in the vicinity. Lake Mickasukie, an extensive body of fresh water, is about three miles distant.
The climate of this part of Florida is dry and equable, and the soil the very best upland pine. Many invalids would find it a very pleasant and beneficial change from the sea coast or the river side, and immigrants would do well to visit it. Game and fish are abundant, and the sportsman need never be at a loss for occupation.
Leaving the Junction, the train stops at Lloyd’s (nine miles), Chavies, (six miles), and finally at
TALLAHASSEE.
Hotels.—City Hotel, Hagner house, about $3.00 a day.