1644-6 Middletown, N.J. Middletown. New Jersey
2. 2. 1887
Dear Dick .
Not hearing the particulars of how matters are in and around
our plantation , wish thee would write me just how it is all •
over . The damage, the growth , size wnere best and the whole
state of things. And would also like to know the exact affect
of the cold upon bearing trees. Are there any bearing trees on
Key Biscayne besides those at the light house. How many did you
get wires around and is the protection perfect and how are they
agrowing now inside of the wire? I am very anxious about this
affair and depeond upon thee to tel Has Lum suffered as we
have in our plant? I understand Mr. F is going to build a
railroad to Miami . He didn 't tell me anything what you are at
but says he will in his next. When the Crest of text raising]
Middletown . New Jersey
3. 2. 1887
Dear Dick ,
Mr. Field was here yesterday and had a long talk with Doctor H.
The Doct now thinks it is indigestion is the whole trouble &
has written the particulars and sent medicine which l think
will bring thee out good. After thee gets all the wire on , wish
would go over the whole plant stating how each section is. •
Number now grawing , number eatenoff and ki]�be1, number� eaten�
off and sproutind again , numberwired , heiohth of plant. How
the wic_eo ones ilre wgrKing_^ xxx~ Mr. F thinks the wires are
just the thing in forestacking??? the plants. Thee can give me
the sections as numbered on your map. I cannot seem to find out
just the condition of our plants. xxx give me the numbers
according thy � st judgement in eacn case i . e. No. growing ,
�killed , etc. ��� plant at Andrews isdoing first rate so far.
Rabbits not eating any. It is supcld tilat wild cats there kill
all the rabbits. I am very anxious to know all about the plant
thee has charge of . Thy letters are a1ways very interesting to
me. Am in hopes the ^cold northers will not come along only now
xxx than a vear. Mr. F thinks such kinds of weather attack the
plants. Thee will recollect how the plants in low ground of
Andrew xxxxx Brighton Cottage and landing that we suuposed last
year was killed by this cold. Mr. F says ours growing good now.
I am proposing to Mr F that we had better xxx to thee half a
doz barrels of different kinds of fertilizer to give a fair
trial around the plants. XXXX we out more wire on to advantage !
Look after the plants sharp and report to me they Judgement all
around. I started for Florida last Friday morning execting to
meet Mr F in Jacksonville but when just about starting he xxxx
xxxx running to Miami will be down to see thee Am sorry to say
^
that Mrs. Osborn is not well enough to go to Florida or for me
to leave her. Am in hopes she will be better soon as l want to
tqke a trio to Charlotte Harbor . I Xxxxx xxxxx around here
about the same I have xxxx the story xxx to the walls. The
Murray woods in Balm Hollow are being cut off . Having a N. E.
snow storm but don 't think it will amount to much. I send some
orange seed but it seems to me they must getvery dry by the
time thee gets them. Ask Mr. Lum about it. Have sent some to
Andrews. It is a good plan to get all sorts of fruit growing on
our plant.
Truly Thine, Ezra A. Osborn
Middletown , New Jersey
5. 5. 1887
Dear Dick ,
Am just in receipt of inclosed map and circular and would like
to know immediately 1st whether any streets are laid with in
the property.
2^ xxxXxxX have been recorded why to xxxxxx
3. Mr. XXXX says tne land is high along mew River .
4. Are any buildings being put up? Perhaps Jack Peacock xnows
about it.
5. They say 1600 lots nave been sold.
6. Are any cocoanuts being planted as Marked on map.
I feel a great interest in this move if can make it go uo New
River hnm will he he At RnrA+nnp'
^ : . ' .
`' �
� — ~ _xxxx running to Miami will be down to see thee. Am sorry to say
that Mrs. Osborn is not well enough to go to Florida or for me
to leave her. Am in hopes she will be better soon as I want to
� . take a trio to Charlotte Harbor. 1 Xxxxx xxxxx around here
�
about the same I have xxXX the story xxx to rne walls. The
Murray woods in Balm Hollow are being cut off . Having a N. E.
snow storm but don 't think it will amount to much. I send some
orange seed but it seems to me they must getvery dry by the
time thee gets them. Ask Mr. Lum about it. Have sent some to •
Andrews. It is a good plan to get all sorts of fruit growing on
our plant.
.
Truly Thine, Ezra A. Osborn
Middletown , New jersey
5. 5. 1887
^ Dear Dick ,
Am just in receipt of inclosed map and circular and would like
to know immediately 1st whether any streets are laid with in
the property.
2. xxxxxxX have been recorded why to xxxxxx
3. Mr. XXXX says the land is high along New River.
4. Are any buildings being put up? Pernaps Jack Peacock knows
about it.
5. They say 1600 lots have been sold.
6. Are any cocoanuts being planted as marked on map.
.
I feel agreat interest in this move if can make it go up New •
[ River how will be be at Bocatone.
|
I want to take a hand in Palm Beach but wish to know more about
it before doing so mum. ,
In xxxx Ezra A. Osborn
^_______________________
.
Mi letown , N. Jersey
�� 14 1888
• Dear Dick ^
I will send by next mail a doz more Tea Rose plants. Please
make a circle bed eight feet diameter xxXxxxmXwxxxxxxxxx in
' best leaf . Would Cor mould] well rotten can find to have ready
when plants come. If thee can would like to have it 300 ft from
Central Avenue near north side of 6th street thus
[diagram, see handwritten text]
or can make it a garden zf not xxxxxx ro carry g000 south. Of
course, thee knows about getting tne xxxx mulching with xxxx
and take proper care xx . We are getting ready to build hotel . I
engaged an iron windmill to have water supply each side of
` avenue and twenty feet apart-- thus
[diagram, see handwritten text]
.
will have to begin in Central Avenue. This I think is plain.
' Thee wants to do this at once piling the xxxx around the
cocoanuts as we talked of . Then plant Bermuda grass 8 feet wide
along middle of Sixth Avenue.
I sent word to Mr. Capehart about thy killing the xxxxxx Can
thee build a chicken yard with the wire netting so as to raise
a big lot of chickens by next winter. It is practical to have a
tutie xxx in Lake Wyman so as to have a supply for hotel . Also
a fish pound. Thee knows everything that can be done there so
in supplying the table will be a great gain. Pleae think if
xxxxx xxxx much give mv thy advice about it. Matters seem to
be working good here and looks as if transportation all along
the line will be very much improved by next winter .
Truly Thine. Ezra A. Osborn
Middletown , New Jersey
4. 29. 1888
Dear Dick ,
Frank Saxxxxxx died at N. Y. hospital on Friday morning. June
XXXX daughter was buried last Sunday. We are all pretty well
1-i4m,= I =al"ri hmF-m"i +in In., m=il �=.p- 1 ,7,++en—= p ^ 0 V —..+ ~.+ .11
- ' .
or can make it a garden if not xwwxmw to carry good south. Of
course, thee knows about getting the xxxx mulching with xxxx
� and taxe proper care xx . We are getting ready to build hotel . I
�
w engaged an •
iron windmill to-�ave water supply each side of
avenue and twenty feet apart-- thus
[diagram, see handwritten text]
will have to begin in Central Avenue. This I think is plain. •
Thee wants to do this at once piling the xxxx around tne
cocoanuts as we talked of . Then plant Bermuda grass 8 feet wide
} along middle of Sixth Avenue.
I sent word to Mr. Capehart about thy killing the xxxxxx Can
}
thee build a chicken yard with the wire netting so as to raise
a big lot of chickens by next winter . It is practical to have a
tutle xxx in Lake Wyman so as to have a supply for hotel . Also
a fish pound. Thee knows everything that can be done there so
in supplying the table will be a great gain. Pleae think if
xxxxx xxxx much give my thy advice about it. Matters seem to
be working good here and looks as if transportation all along
the line will be very much improved by next winter.
Truly Thine , Ezra A. Osborn
_______________
Middletown , New Jersey
4.29. 1888
Dear Dick ,
Frank Saxxxxxx died at N. Y. hospital on Friday morning. June
XXXX daughter was buried last Sunday. We are all pretty well
here. I send herewith by mail four letters P. A. R. K. cut out of
black muslim and two papers of *if tack to nail them on the
shanty. Put one on the bluff next to the ocean so as to be seen
by passing vessels. If this XXXX end of them shanty is . p1aced
next to the ocean will have to olace R on the door thus:
[diagram, see handwritten text]
hang the letters so they will stay. First paint a strip 5 feet
wide across the building with white paint� so the letters will
show plain. Perhaps if letters are nailed on before the paint
nets dry will keep them on better but be sure to [�u� gogd xxx .
The Avenue I wish to be cleaned out everything except cabbage
0
palms next to lake thus:
[diagram, see handwritten text]
in text reference to a Lake Wyman, which appears to
e Biscayne ay]
Move coconut trees in lines 10 feet from [rest of text missing]
________________
Middletown , N. J.
6. 18 1880
•
Dear Dick
' Am so soarry to hear that thee is sick. I xxx word from
Andrews and thine of 11th inst now. Did not talk any one but
Field. XXXXX XXXXX inclosed will find check for $60 which will
easily bring thee home. I suppose will come to Jacksonville on
the Mary B or Bessie B. If convenient ask Capt. Dimmick to send
me a little crate of limas. [Limas or limes? Handwriting
clearly shows an a. ] I have not sent the roses of which will
explain when I see thee. Mrs. Osborn has asked more questions
about thee since getting those letters than every before and is
talking about how thee is and who is with thee. We are thinking
so much of thy welfare. Mr. Field has hardly been have C?????]
this summer. He brought Miller. over here one evening a
little while but did not come in himself and I did not see
either one of them. Was busy at the time not supposing she was
only going to stay a minute. They are a queer crowd. I expect
Mr. l[roummxw here tomorrow andf see Mr. David xxxx in a while.
Capt Munroe I exoect will be over here. Your folks all well .
Jamie has a fine strawberry patch back of vour house which has
been doing a fine business with xxxx . Please pay Capt. Dimm1ck
thirty five centa tax against Ezra A. Osborn xx 12. 60 xxxx Lot
H Sec 29 Township 47 Range 43.
We are all well . Miss Sue is away. I xxx Frank xxx sold xxx
home in N. Y. Jo. Sxxxx was here to discuss yesterday. Hoping
thee will get home all right .
Frr� n=hnrn
` ~ '
'
, •
| -------------------------------------------- -----
Middletown , N. J.
6. 18 1@88
•
Dear Dick
Am so soarry to hear that thee is sick. I xxx word from
Andrews and thine of 11th inst now. Did not talk any one but
Field. XXXXX XXXXX inclosed will find check for $60 wnich will
easily bring thee home. I suppose will come to Jacksonville on
the Mary B or Bessie B. If convenient ask Capt. Dimmick to send
me a little crate of limas. [Limas or limes? Handwriting
clearly shows an a. ] I have not sent the roses of which will
explain when I see thee. Mrs. Osborn has asked more questions
about thee since getting those letters than every before and is
talking about how thee is and who is with thee. We are thinking
so much of thy welfare. Mr. Field has hardly been have
this summer. He brought Miss Miller over here one evening a
little while but did not come in himself and I did not see
either one of them. Was busy at the time not supposing she was
only going to stay a minute. They are a queer crowd. I expect
Mr . Trauxxx here tomorrow andf see Mr . David xxxx in a while.
Capt Munroe I exoect will be over here. Your folks all well .
Jamie has a fine strawberry patch back of vour house which has
been doing a fine business with xxxx . Please pay Capt. Dimmick
thirty five centstax against Ezra A. Osborn xx 12. 60 xxxx Lot
H Sec 29 Township 47 Range 43.
We are all well . Miss Sue is away. I xxx Frank xxx sold xxx
home in N. Y. Jo. Sxxxx was here to discuss yesterday. Hoping
thee will get home all right. •
Truly Thine, Ezra A. Osborn
•
[start of text missing; starts with page numbered 3]
) ^
in getting home the night before but I went on to Washington
expecting a gentleman to go with me to -Charlotte Harbour. Being
disappointed all around xxxx home again. Was g1ad to hear from
thee that crop of cocoanuts were all right this year not
damaged by the cold. What does Ewan do with his crop of nuts
and what does he get for them? Mrs. Osborn ' s some better but
doesn 't go out of the house yet is in a very nervous condition.
Our ,friend Mr. McDonald from Newark is now staying with us.
Frank will write thee the gossip' We are just getting in three
carloads -of coal . Our supply xxxx xxx xxxxx last fall was so
poor and 'bad did not last nor could not keep fire and had a xxx
of trouble. We all think of thee a great deal and am in hopes
everything will turn out good with you. Mr. F. will ship thee
things via xxxx on Saturday xxx xx
Truly thine Ezra A. Osborn
[Start of text missing]
for irrigating garden to xxx tyo be sure to make things arow.
What kind of fertilizer will need for garden. I suuoose will
have to xxxx garden in taking about two widths of the wire
matting if necessary. Had better look out for frost in stakes
for mxXx . Wish thee would study xxxx about this garden business
and write me what thee thinks. Thee knows our whole purpose of
xxxx and its xxxxxxxxxxxx write me making suggestions. l
suppose there will be several cottages built and expect to
build on las as marked xxx. Will send map of the xxxx as soon
as get them. All well , just had a long rain storm. I want thee
to attend to business xxxx. Our garden here looks fine.
Truly Thine. Ezra A. Osborn
Over
I suppose Frank Osborn has written thee about his going to N. Y.
every day on business there Crest of text missing]