The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-06-03
Tho seal tho fearful tempcsts sweep
Fierce liyhtnings flash, AMI ,hunuers leap
Along lis foamy crest
Id dwell upon it, l,rcast
And MAKE my home.


y goodly number Of passengers were on board,
some returning to their homes, Others visiting
Florida with the view Of buying lands for farm
ing purposes. OF the many who STATED out
with glad hearts comparatively few were exempt
from sea sickness, anI in their rooms sought
refuge from, Their sniferings aud the rolling sea.
With tn" morning light, land again became vis-
bic; and in few hours sail, crossing the bar, We
landed at Fernandina. This place has sprung
into cXistancc rs if by magic. 1t is situated on
Amelia Island. and possesses one of the finest
harh"rs Of the entire Southern coast This adj
vantage, together with the Railroad now being
bull, across TO Cedar Keys on the Gulf side,
will make it place Of considerable Importance.
Here, few months ago, the genius of Solitude
brood-d, and scabirds held undlsturbcd sway:
now, quite number of houses some of them
displaying much architectural taste, arc giving
ample evidence OF the abode Of man, whilst the
sound Of the saw and hammer is heard on every
side. The population is said TO be now over
eight hundred, and for sobrety and orderly de-
pertinent, equals any community l have visited.
Fernandina will be the termini OF nearly all
now being constructed. Steamers from Char
Ion and Savannah touch daily here and the Rail
road, seventy-two miles Of which have been COM
p!e,ed, seems to be doing already fair business.
The entire town has been Land out into lots with
spacious streets, crossing at right angles aud
this property, owned by the Railroad Company,
is estimated Mt one and Il half Million Of Dolars,
two hundred and fifty Thousand OF which have
been sold Many of these lots have been taken
by citizens who aro putting up handsome build
ings, and others by spectators, who are demand
ing considerable advance upon the Original pnr-
chasrs. which doubtless will have tendency TO
retard the growth of the place. This was an in
judcious move OIL the part of the Company, and
n discrimination in favor of those disposed to
build would have been better for the prosperity of
the town There are many very handsome
building sites here, most of which have been
taken, and the owners design improving them.
Two Wharfs have been built, and with the in.
crcace Of business, others will be erected They
have here nineteen feet Of water ordinarily, and
frequently twcntonr, which will admit vessels
Of tho largest size. During the war OF 1912,
this was neutral ground, and as many as Eight
Hundred square rugged vessels have been known
to ride at anchor in this harbor at one2time.-
Several stores and commission houses are nj
ready in full blast, and extensive preparation is
being made for the fall trade, which must be
considerable us the Railroad penetrates the in.
terror of the country towards completion.
newspaper called the " Florida Neus" has
been started at this place, under the editorial
management Of Jos. F. Rogcro. Esq, and seems
to be pretty literally patronized
Fernandina cannot boast yet of church, but
ample subscriptions have been made. We learn
for that purpose, and soon suitable buildings will
be erected by the Methodist and Presbyterian
denominations. No drinking establishments have
yet made their appearance in this quiet town.
Here met my old friend, Col. A. X. Patton,
formerly Of this District, who has cast in his
lot with the new .comers, and is now at the head
Of large and hourishing school. assisted by his
daughter Col. Patton graduated at Easkin,
College, taking the first honor in his class, and is
eminently qualified FOR the post he has assumed.
His daughter, who is also. finely educated, is a
graduate of the Female College, at LAGRANGE,
Ga. 1t is the intention of Col Patton to build
up a first class Female School, which the advan-
tageous location eff the place will enable him
to do.
There is as yet but one Hotel at Fernandina
the proprietor of which is among the first set.
tiers of this place, and whom found 10 be obi.
gIng and agreeable. His table is we'll supplied
with fish and game and an abundance of veget-
ables, which can be procured with little difficulty
in that land Of plenty.
A.