Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-04-14
Letter from line South.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla

Editor Chronicle :-In 1872 Florida
was discovered by Ponce de Leon, a
companion of Columbus, who set sail
from Porto Rico, and landed where
now stands st. Augustine.
No permanent settlement was made
until the Coligny troubles in France,
when the HugenOts obtained permis-
sion to exile to America and settled
here. They built small fort and
were commencing to enjoy their free
dom when Menendez, Spanish CONF
mander, arrived from Spain, invested
with authority to take possession Of
Florida and govern in the eking'sname.
A short struggle ensued, when those
Of the poor Hugenots that did not es-
cape or surrender were murdered
in cold blood, but the fugitives were
compelled by famine to give them
selves up, and only short distance
from the fort, was pointed out to me
the spot where they were executed.
Over three centuries ago Menendez
laid the hecorner-stOnes of st Augustine,
and only here and there are pointed
out to us buildings which are sup
posed to be built in his time. OF those,
che roofs and flooring have decayed,
and only left the bare stone wall and
they too are crumbling and some have
fallen. The streets are narrow and
and irregular, the houses, which are
built principally of stone, reout even
on the streets, with projecting balco-
nies which nearly meet, and form a
complete shade; that in hot days is
not a bad thing. But it is vain for
me to attempt to describe it-phOtO-
graphers cannot give it that ancient
appearance, and one to see it as IL is,
must come here. Antique and gloomy,
venerable from its hOary age, renOwn-
ed because of its historic association,
weather stained and worn.
st. Augustine is not now the beau
tiful place described in her earlier his
tory. The streets then were paved,
and no wheeled vehicle allowed to
enter inside the gates, and were kept
SO clean that lady could 60 to an
evening party in her slippers-now
they make deposits of oystershells on
them, and do not even go to the pains
streets ankle deep, and no room for
sidewalks. Then the buildings were
bright and new. Walks which sur
rounded their gardens were perfect
Their verandas and porticos were
kept painted and clean, and with
creeping vines, blooming roses and
Towering plants, must of been a de-
lightfnl city TO behold. OF all its beau
ty, the flowers (which are as numer-
Gus as the stars in the sky only re-
main.
There are many buildings which
show signs of beauty and architectu-
ral taste. Among those are the
Treasury, the residence of the Govern
or and the old Cathedral, picturesque
from its Moorish facade and belfry,
and interesting because of its associa-
tions. 1t was built in 1870, under the
directions of Don Mareana de La
Rogue; cost ST., 900, of which 5000
was raised from the proceeds of the
materials and ornaments of the old
church, 900 from contributions
of the inhabitants, and the remaining
10000, from the Spanish government.
One of the four bells has the follow
ing inscription on it, showing it to be
probably the Oldest one in this conn
try, being about two hundred years
old: "Sdnctc T Joseph, Ora. pro no
bids-D-l6T0." Signifying, st. Joseph
pray for us.
Many of the best buildings were
burnt and destroyed during the many
changes that was made, for no city in
America has suffered so much from
the ravages of fire, sword, and famine;
and its Inhabitants have acknowledge
ed more foreign rulers and various
flags than any other city. Blood that
was cruelty split at the baptism, seems
to have flowed freely through its walls
and towers for three centuries of its
history.
No wonder then that we behold in
this enterprising United States, one
city (the oldest) which seems to be
lost in dreaming apathy, in which it
may take years before she can be
aroused from this lethargy and NOR
bid dormancy in which sheis reposinp.
TITS remarked by visitors that were
here before, that this place alone, of
all the towns, villages or cities that
we have visited in the union, we OBJ
serve no change, tits Just as it was
since can remember, with the excep-
ton OF what government has done.
This ancient appearance, together
with the genial atmosphere and eli
mate. makes it place of much inter-
est and benefit to the traveller. No
one coming South thinks of return
ing until they have visited it, and