Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-07

tiOns-Sk eteh of Senator NIcKInMOn
"A Patriotic Family = Railroad
ResOlutIOn-A Florida Cow Boy
MIR. j. w. Bryant-Carpe Diem
Fine Weather.
TALLAHASSEE. FLA, January 31.-Wanderinf
into the Episcopal cemetery yesterday after
noon, encountered two monuments of more
than common interest. They are plain, taper
ing shafts Of marble, precisely similar, about
ten feet high, and are enclosed by brick wall
A black hchen is fast covering the stones, ant
it was with some difficulty that deciphered
the following Inscriptions:
Departed this life April 18th, 1877,
Charles Louis Napoleon Achille Murat
son of
The King Of Naples
Caroline Murat,
aged az.
This monument Is dedicated by his wife
Catharine, in perpetual memorial OF her love
The companion shaft reads as follows:
Sacred to the Memory
of
Princess @. A. Murat,
Widow OF Col. Charles Louis Napoleon Achille
Murat, and Daughter of the late Col. Bird
G., Willis, Of Virginia, who departed
this life on the 9th August, 1867 in
the sixty-fourth year of her age.
A kind and affectionate wife and sister.
sincere apd devoted friend.
Here were lying at my feet the remains of
the nephew Of that king of men, Napoleon
Bonaparte, and the soR of his great Marshal,
the most splendid cavalry officer known to
history. Fancy went back to the days when
the whole world seemed too small for the
boundless ambition Of the great Napoleon, and
when he gave away kingdoms like baubles,
and reverted to the battle fields where the
magnificent figure OF Murat, as he charged at
the head Of his invincible squadrons, struck
terror to the hearts OF his enemies.
The first died a prisoner, consuming his own
heart upon solitary island.
The lstter perished by the hands Of his own
countrymen, defying fate, and smiling et
death. Not muscle moved, or a nerve quiy-
diers, whom he had often led to victory, and
calmly bade them fire at his heart.
Here was their descendent quietly sleeping
beneath this humble mound. far, far away
from his country and the bones of his kindred.
The gate OF the inclosure was ajar, a portion
of the walls was in ruins, and the spot bore
marks of neglect and decay.
Prince Murat was man Of singular pecu-
liarities and eccentricities. Many odd stories
are told of his tastes and habits by the old IN
habilantS, some Of which propose to give to
your readers in the future.
The Oldest member of the Senate by long
service is Mr. A. d. McKinnon Of Washington
county. Mr.. McKnnon is a native of alton,
his father being one of the earliest settlers of
that county. The outbreak of the war found
him at school, which he left to jOin with four
of his brothers the first company there organ
lied. He served for three years in the First
Florida Regiment as one OF the Orderly Ser
geants He participated in most OF the battles
in which his regiment was engaged. and re-
ceived two wounds, one at MurfreeSborO, Ten
nessee. and the second at New Hope Church,
Georgia.
In this last encounter he was captured and
taken to the prison camp at Elmira, n. Y,
where he remained till July. 1865.
Removing to Washington in 1865, he engaged
in mercantile pursuits and in farming. His
constituents have shown their appreciation Of
his services and abilities by electing him, for
three consecutive terms. their Senator.
MIR. mcKinnon's experience in the halls of
the Legislature are fully recognized. and he
hllS the position OF Chairman of the very i'm
portant Committee on Finance and Taxation.
10 person he is of medium height aud build,
with frank, pleasant countenance, and en-
joys the esteem and confidence Of his fellow
members.
Railroad matters rose again to the surface
last Saturday, in the shape of the following
resolution, offered by Mr. Delano, which was
adopted:
WHEREAS, 1t being for the best interests of
this State that the public lands donated by the
General Government for internal improve
ments should be equally and impartially dis
tributed in such mnnner that all portions of
the State shall be benefited thereby; and.
whereas the present railway system has
proved imperative for the general good and
welfare of the State, as instanced by the many
frauds that have been pract ced and will con-
tinue to be perpetrated so long as said system
exists; therefore, be 1t
Resolved By the Senate, the Assembly con-
curing, That committee of five from the
Senate and seven from the Assembly be ap-
pointed to report upon the adviSabiIty and
the proper method of obtaining the services of
a corps of skilled engineers from the General
Government to locate and establish system
OF trunk lines OF railway, to the end that the
internal improvement fund shall be so applied
as to render the greatest benefit possible to all
portions of the State.
Mr.. J. W. Bryant, who represents Polk coun-
ty In the Assembly, is q good type Of that
hardy, fearless class of our citizens known as
Cow boys" He was born in Columbia in 1S45,
and moved to Alachua when boy. While q
mere led he Joined one of the first companies
from this State. While in the service an acci-
dent on the railroad crushed Que of
his legs so as to disable him from
aetiye duty, and he was transferred to
for the army. When the war ended. he went
to Polk county, his present residence In
1871 his friends ran him for the Assembly
against one OF the most influential men in the
county, by whom he was beaten six votes
Since that time he has been elected three diff
ferent times to the Assembly.
Mr. Bryant possesses strong and
muscular figure, with an agreeable, kindly
face, and generous disposition. He attends
closely to his duties and faithfully watches
over the interests of his county, which, out OF
some i've hundred votes, only shows six for
the Republican ticket. He was warm friend
and supporter Of Senators Call and Jones.
An agent Of the Fish Commission has arrived
with some German carps for distribution. All
who desire to stock their ponds should, c0rpe
diem, seize the opportunity.
The weather was so pleasant this morning
that the windows of the Senate chamber were
thrown open to invite the balmy breezes. Yes
terday several Of the members were arrayed in
immaculate white vests. The fruit trees are
n annrnQObipn nd
W.HB.
[NoTE.-The above letter reached us yester-
day from New York, with the post office mark
"missent." IS it was contained In a printed
envelope addressed to this Office, it Is strange
that 1t should have taken the frozen region Of
the North in its route.-Ep. News