Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-09

JACKSONVILLE, April TO the qualification
of all, yesterdays sun rose upon beautifully
clear and bright morning. At as early an hour
as eight O'Clock, crowds began to assemble at
the depot of the Fernandina aud Jacksonville
Railroad, all bent upon day Of enjoyment
and pleasure. Ere (g, the artillery and in
fantry companies of the city, each preceded
by band of music, made their appearance
and in few minutes, the train started. Eight
first class coaches, four of them new, were
filed to their utmost capacity, many persons
making the trip standing. About six hundred
left on the first train.
For track just finished, the road bed is
wonderfully firm and solid, and many were the
expressions Of satisfaction over the elegant
accommodations and smoothness Of the new
route. There was but little dust. and the trip
was pleasant and agreeable. The new road
passes through thinly timbered region, and
presents but little scenery and few objects of
interest. Over Trout creek and Nassau the
trestle work done is firm and substantial.
Along the line just opened there are very few
cuts or embankmentS and these of an unim-
portant character.
From Jacksonville to Hart's Road, where the
new road enters the main track, the distance
is twenty -one miles. This was accomplished
IN an nOuF, ana L06 Twelve IN
thirty minutes. When the road bed is properly
located, and the earth becomes settled, it is
confidently expected that the run between the
two cities will be reduced to an hour.
There is no doubt that this enterprise will be
of great advantage to both communities. and
will bring them into closer social and
business relations. There is no neces-
sity for jealousy on the part Of either,
and every exhibition of such a spirit should
be rebuked 1t was the original policy
of the builders of the present Transit Railroad
to carry the line through Jacksonville on its
way southward Circumstances at that time
caused a change of the proposed line, and now
at an interval of quarter of a century, the
wisdom of the incorporators has been justi-
fed.
Fernandina presented a gay and lively ap-
pearance as we drew in sight of the Island
City. Flags and streamers decorated every
prominent building, while the shipping in
port made a gorgeous display of bunting.
Conspicuous among these were the English
bark Imogene and the revenue cutter Bout
well, whose decorations were of an elaborate
character. A salute from the Nassau Light
Artillery thundered out deep-toned welcome,
while the steamers and mills almost burst their
whistles in trying to outdo the howitzers.
general hand graSping followed as the
party poured out OF the cars and old
friends and new acquaintances INDUCED in
mutual congratulations over the RuspiciouS
occasion, Fernandna was evidently bent
upon playing the part of host to the extent of
her abilities, and the welcome extended by
her generous citizens was cordial and gener-
GUS. .-.f
Our Artillery boys were soon captured by the
Nassau Cannoneers, and taken under close
| custody to their armory, where a bountiful
lunch had been prepared for their refreshment
In a side room, I caught sight Of several suspi-
| cious looking kegs said to be filed with the
beverage so grateful to the Teutonic stomach
while a huge bowl of rosy-colored fluid. in
which were floating slices of lemon, were in
| great demand. Deponent indulged in a cup Of
fragrant coffee, couple of ham sandwiches
and cigar.
Iforgot to state that while on the train was
| decorated with the handsome gold-fringed
scarlet badge of the First Florida Light Arti-
| lery, constituting the writer thereby an homo
| rary member of that gallant company. While
fully appreciate the unmerited compliment
and am proud Of the distinction, would mod
| esty observe that l shall always be found
! ready TO discharge my duty on all festive occa-
sions but hope to be excused from discharg-
| ing those dangerous brass pieces, should the
! tocsin of war ever again alarm the country.
| The Jacksonville and Gainesville infantry
men were taken in and treated by their Fer
| nandina brethren in a similar "hostile" man
ner, and good-fellowship and fraternal feelings
were everywhere manifested. These inter
| changes of courtesies are to be commended
and should always be encouraged. ,st
1t should not be long before the military
companies of the Island City be invited to pass
a day in this community, where they will
| always receive hearty greeting, and be made
to feel that they are among friends and COM
rades.
The principal race in the regatta was won
by the Annie, of Brunswick. In consequence
of a strong wind from the west, the river was
rather too rough for comfort Quite number
witnessed the contest from the steamer Plant,
which followed the different yachts.
A large number of visitors from Brunswick,
Darien, ST. Mary'S, and the line of the Transit
Railroad, were also among the spectators.
Altogether there were probably twelve
hundred visitors in attendance. FerDandina
has never before had such a gathering within
her borders, and right royalty did she acquit
herself.
During the morning many avaiIed themselves
of the opportunity to take a ride upon the
magnificent sea-beach of Amelia Island and
all the vehicles in the city were speedily called
into requistion. ALI returned delighted with
their view of the broad Atlantic, and exhilara-
ted with the pure breezeS blowing from that
big expanse of water.
Among the representatives of the press. /
encountered Mr.. Sweet, of the Macon 4eLe-
graph and Messenger; Judge Hilton, Of the
Tallahassee Economist; Messrs. Bowden and
Clark, of the Jacksonville linton; Col. Fair
banks, of the Fernandina Mirror, and Mr.
Fields, of the Gainesville Sun and
Bee. These gentlemen win, of
course, furnish their respective jour
mails with faithful descriptions of the festivi-
ties. Fernandina can boast of having in the
Mirror one of the best conducted, as well as
the neatest and cleanest paper published in
Florida. Col Fairbanks. its able editor, is a
gentleman OF extensive learning and fine liter
ary discrimination, and his writings as well as
selections are characterized by their elevated
tone and good judgment.
The amusements on the common were varied
and diverting. The sons Of Ham essayed in
vain to secure a tempting and juicy haunch of
bacon surmounting creased pole. 1t was
funny to see the diminutive Zulus plastering
their clothing with dust and after getting half
way up the pole, come down like streak OF
lightning
A mule race created much laughter, the ami
mails quitting the track and stampeding the
line of spectators. A stubborn donkey threw
his rider dozen times, and displayed all Of the
aSinine qualities to great advantage.
Three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, sack
races, potato-picking matches, rope-pulling,
etc, etc, furnished great amusement, and
were greatly appreciated.
At 5 D. ~. grand dress parade of the mill
tary took place. Five companies, constituting
a battalion preceded by the Cornet Eureka
aud Union Bands of this city, marched out to
the Common and were reviewed by that noble
old veteran, Gen. w. w. Loring.
The line was composed of the Gainesville
Guards, Lieut. Carlisle Jacksonville Light In
fantry, Capt. Young: Fernandna Light In.
fantry, Capt. Yulee; Nassau Artillery, Capt.
Jeffries, and the First Florida Artillery, Capt.
Wilson. Capt. Young acted as commander,
with Lieut.. Payton as Adjutant After the in
spection by Gen. Loring, the troops marched
in review before the grand stand, and after the
usual drill were dismissed. The display was
highly creditable, and indicated much pro-
fciency in military tactics.
A splendid exhibition of fireworks occurred
at P. M Rockets and lights were also dis.
played from the vessels In the stream, and the
bark Inogene was beautifully decorated with
strings of Chinese lanterns. Two exhibition
pieces-the illuminated waterfall and the jew
elad eross-were greatly admired, while the
Bengola lights, parachutes, rockets, cannonad-
ing, balloons, wheels and flower pots, were very
handsome.
Then came the ball at Lyceum Hall, whera.
as a matter Of course, "the beauty and the
chivalry' were assembled, and Where as is al
ways the case, bright eyes spoke love to eyes
that spake again, and "the lamps shone DER
fair women and brave men, - as they have done
from time immemoria 1t was a Joyous occa-
sion, and nothing occurred to mar the general
happiness except the harsh shrek of the luapa-
tient locomo i've at 1 a. M. betoEening that the
hour of departure had aEEYed.
In closing sEis imperfect sketch,
would paw deserved compliment
to the various committees for the
admirable manner in which their duties were
performed No accident of any character
occurred. and nothing was omitted to add to
the comfort and enjoyment of the yIsitors
Other incidents win be mentioned in another
letter. w HB
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