Most people take for granted that ice cold beer or refreshing can of soda they enjoy after a long hike, but do you know who was responsible for bringing these luxuries to Florida? Freduric Tudor was a wealthy business man from New England who hoped to create a monopoly by harvesting natural ice and shipping it to Florida and the Caribbean. At first there wasn’t much of a market for his ice in Florida as most people didn’t realize they had a need for it. Tudor toured the south convincing bars to serve chilled drinks, teaching restaurants how to make ice-cream and giving away free samples of ice cold lemonade. The idea caught on quickly. Then tragedy stuck. His growing monopoly was one of the first casualties of the Civil War when trade lines were cut off. Some local boys seized the opportunity to cut in on his ice business in Florida. How they managed to get ice in Florida during the Civil War has been a mystery for many years.
I stumbled upon the truth last year during the Bluegrass Festival at Fort Christmas. A group of us sat around a campfire listening to folk songs and story tellers while banjos and fiddles played softly through the night. It was there that I met the grandson of an almost forgotten Native American named Chief Spouting Hokum. He said his grandfather was once notorious for three things: Firewater, ‘fumaki’ and ice. Nobody knew where he got it, but his men - The Bushwhack Gang - would deliver huge chunks of ice wrapped in sawdust and palm fronds even during the hottest summer months. Not much is known about these men other than their colorful nicknames. Saint Cletus delivered ice to hospitals where it was used to treat the delirium of Yellow Fever and Malaria. Clan of the Muddy Boot and Get Through it all Shan were known for their courage and brawn as they hauled heavy blocks of ice through murky swamps, sugar sand and thick groves of palmetto. The most adventurous of them all was known as young Backwoods Boy. He was much respected for his ability to deliver ice even to the most remote homestead or cow camp.
The grandson of Chief Spouting Hokum, perhaps flattered by my questions and interest in his grandfather, agreed to show me the source of his grandfather’s wealth. The site is still considered sacred. We set off on a day’s journey into the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area. I was sworn not to show anyone the site, but I left some clues for those who have the ambition to seek it out.
Use the parking cords for the Wheeler Road Trail head to begin your quest. Follow the blue spur trail until you encounter a pointy obstacle across your path. This is as far as some bull-headed folk ever get, but with a few well chosen steps you may be able to get through. Further down the blue trail you should be able to spot a V-shaped structure that may be of some assistance to you although it is possible to get to the site without it. Where the trail divides you should head north towards Bronson State Forest. The ground is very flat, but when you reach the place where the trail takes you up and over, stop at the highest point and project a way point 325 yards on a bearing of 55 degrees. The trail will still be useful for awhile, but be warned: You will have to bushwhack. The area is overgrown with saw palmetto and vines. Those who approach must show proper respect for Chief Spouting Hokum’s sacred ground. What you see, you dare not touch or disturb in any way. Stand back and clear your mind. Those who possess a good heart, sound judgment and mindfulness will look upon the divine chamber and seek the source of its power. Follow your instinct; you'll find it at the base of an oak.
To my surprise there was still one last piece of old Chief Spouting Hokum’s ice wrapped up in palm fronds and kept safe all these years. The first to find my ammo can may claim it.
This cache site has been approved by the St Johns Water Management District.