The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-04-17
American Enterprise.

Recuperative power, the will and the
energy to encounter and overcome diff
ficulties, is the leading characteristic of
Americans as a people. When sudden
disasters come upon them, instead of
yielding to depression, they set yigor-
ously TO work and the time usually
given to lamentation is devoted to the
repair Of damages and the rebuilding OF
a better structure upon either physical
or financial ruins. Thus have we seen
a new Chicago rear its head amid the
ashes OF widespread and desolating
conflagration. The fire swept away tho
wooden edifices and they were replaced
by marble. We have seen, too, in this
generation, the greatest civil war of
modern times raging over ever section
of the country. No sooner, however,
had the clash of arms ceased than the
work of reconstruction was recon-
menced and wise measures adopted to
cOment again that Union framed by our
fathers that it might be bequeathed
"One and inseparable" TO our pros
perity.
But it is not necessary that we should
go so far afield for evidences of the
elasticity of the American character.
On the 9th of November last fire broke
out in that pioneer and most popular
of waterlng-places, Cape May City,
which, in few short hours, swept
away all the large hotels, with single
exception, together with the humber
but handsome cottages inhabited dur
ing the summer months by private
families. Everywhere the eye turned
was one scene of devastition and desc
lation. 10 all intents and purposes
Cape May City was utterly destroyed.
Under such circumstances what was
the action taken by those most deeply
interested? Did they idly fold their
arms and relinquishing all hopes aban-
don themselves to despair? This was
not the true American spirit. On the
contrary, while the embers were still
smouldering, they took calm survey
of the entire field. The New Jersey
railroad company Operated by the
Pennsylvania railroad company which
has already done so much in the way
of speedy aud safe transportation for
that city by the sea, came nobly to the
front and offered to deliver building
materials either at reduced rates or free
of cost. Temporary tracks were built
to facilitate the moving of heavy
freights. The City Councils agreed to
exempt the larger hotels, when rebuilt,
from taxation for the term oil five years.
An impulse was thus given to the work
of reconstruction and the following
improvements having been commenced
will be completed in time for the present
season.
The new Congress Hall, a brickstruc
ture of 200 rooms, about half the capa-
city of the former building. 1t is four
stories high, the upper being mansard
roof. 1t extends 100 feet east and west,
and 200 feet north and south, located
fifty feet farther on the lawn, and the
west wing being much nearer the sea
than formerly, the enc being opposite
the West End House on Congress
street, but only extending half across
the lawn. Washington street is to be
cut through from Perry to Congress,
and the office. main entrance, ETC., is
on Washington street. The kitchens,
ETC.; are one story and placed on Perry
street, halfway between the former
hotel Office and the sea.
Mr.. Geo. Fryer's cottage, foot of
Perry street, is up and the third story
joist crossed. 1t is being weather.
boarded. The Avenue House of Mrs.
Michael Biern, in front Of Fryer's, is
having the basement dug, and will go
up at once, to be done by May 10. Mr..
Doughty is still to conduct it. Kings
cottage, foot of Jackson street, Is partly
raised and joist laid, He is eXcavating
cellars on Decatur street, where the cot
tages were burned there. Victor Denizot
is raising his house at the foot of Deca-
tur street. 1t is much larger than the
cottage. Mr.. A. McConnell's cottage,
half burned, is nearly rebuilt, and Mr..
Rudolph's, which was but slightly dam
aged, is entirely finished. Mr.. Nc
Connell will rebuild the house adjoining
his, which was wholly consumed.
MI. Jere 4. Mecray is raising his cot
tage ON Jackson street, alongside of the
Centre House site. lie will not rebuild
the Centre. The Stockton bath house
site is graded ready for the structures.
They and Mr.. Kings are to be two
stories high--a novelty here. On How
ard street, Mr.. Robb's cottage is up,
enclosed and under roof. The Chal-
fonte addition of 110 feet is drawing to
completion. The Whitney cottage,
foot of Congress street, is to be con-
verted into roomy hotel for 200 people.
The Stockton House is to have an ad-
, diton, but ground is not broken for
either it or Whitney's yet.
1t is said the West Jersey railroad
will run its rails to Sea Grove and the
steamboat landing this summer. The
cross-ties are lying at the creek bridge
on Broadway, and stakes are driven
across the Mark Devine property and
marsh for half a mile. The stake struck
, the creek half mile west ofthe Excur.
, sion House, and rumor says 1t follows
the beach after leaving Mark Devlne''
land. The U. S. authorities will moi
allow the locomotive to cross near the
lighthouse tower, as the jar will injurC