The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-12
THE SHORT nInE.y
The Celebration ofthe Fernaal Or.--
Ing OF the Fernandina ana Iee.-.
sonviiie Railroad ora AprIl en-

The Celebration or the Ferwa, a.
Ing OF the Fernandimn ana Iee,--
sonviiie Railroad ora A prIl en-
Fernandina Mifrorl
The opening of the Fcrnandina and I.cL..
vile Railroad was entered into By our cisi.s.-
with zest which did credit d thsr heads 80
hearts. Aae
The day was ushercd in BY q signal gun. VIA,
as If by magic, on the masis, 3af6s and r;e.;ai,
OF all the vessels in the harbof fsks ensigns y
penants fIuttered In the bnNoze SHOWING m.
taste and ability of our ship masters to decors,s
their vessels on occasions
BY general consent all places OF hnslnes, No..
closed, and the day was made holiday in q.
largest sense. Our citizens, Ia addition 10 ,hs
energetic committees appointed specially =
supervise the programme, declared themselves !.
committee of the whole to receive and minister -
the enjoyment Of their guests, all Stunning ont ~
do honor 10 the occasion.
The first to arrive were the visitors fto.,
Gainesville, who were received and welcomed h.
the military committees. Atl0:3O eight pass.!
ger coaches, full TO repletion, rolled 10 Ann
Jacksonville, and were received with militsrS
honors and grand salute Shortly afterwsrx.
the first contest of the yachts and the reeatis
took place. The harbor presented q beautiful
spectacle, the vessels decorated with faes and
streamers. The steamers CITY Of Bridqcton p
Plant, Athlete, Flora, Annie Wood, and the rev.
enue steamer B0uticeH were moving about m.
harbor or at the docks. The yachts with their
sails swelling to the fresh Northwester, skinned
rapidly about the harbor, and at the signal given
sped on their way like sea gnlls, and exhibIted
fine skill and seamanship. The leading contest
ants were the An1je of Brunswick and Anna Of
st. Augustine, with an element of calculation
and draw back on account Of difference of size
and canvass, making 1t difficult for the judges TO
decide who was entitled to the prize, the larger
vessel, the Annie Of st. Augustine, having come
in ahead, but subject TO deduction of time
The amusements Of the mule race, the donkey
race, the creased pole and the sack and wheel
barrow races revived the description Of old En-
glish sports, and occupied the time pleasantly IN.
til dinner. The pleasures Of the table, the sea
beach, the drives and walks about town made
the afternoon pass pleasantly.
About 4:l5 p NJ another train well flled with
excursionists arrived from Jacksonville, and
added to the throng which already filled eur
streets. No disorder of any kind occurred dur.
ing the day, but everything passed of brightly
and pleasantly. We regretted that we had not
a street railroad TO carry all our visitors out to
our glorious beach, which was visited by all who
could obtain cOnveyances.
A review of the military took place upon
6" the Green by General Lcring. The respec.
tive companies and detachments made fine ap-
pearance, and did credit to the reputation of our
volunteer soldery Fine bands Of music enliv-
ened the hours during the day, and made merry
the hearts of the little ones.
At o'clock the exhibition offre works began.
both from the vessels in the harbor and "the
Green" The display was very beautiful, and
arranged with taste and skill The beautiful
bark Inogene Captain Bohlin, of Lawteys line,
was decorated with Chinese lanterns from her
bowsprit TO her stern-post fleming grand arch
over her topmOst spars, and looking like golden
fairy ship upon silver sea. The yacht America
was also very handsomely decorated, and con-
tributed much to the beauty Of the scene, light
| ing up the harbor with powerful rockets skill
fully sent up and dissolving into golden stars.
The illuminated waterfall and diamond cross
were very handsome and elaborate pieces OIL
skill in pyrotechnics and called forth prolonged
applause
Lyceum Hall was elegantly decorated with the
flags of all nations, arranged by the skill of the
managers and the generous aid Of Captain Bob
lin, of the Inogene, and Captain Schultz. OF the
Mentor who, with a sailors hearty goodwill
entered zealously into the occasion, and contrib
uted greatly to its success. The ball wa'
thronged with fair women and brave men, anC
pleasantly closed the day. AT 1890 the train TO
Jacksonville sounded its signal for departure
and the guests were safely deposited at thei
homes by o'clock.
Everybody enjoyed the occasion, which wa
made true gala day The, skies, the atmos
phere, the winds and the elements all eonspire(
to make the day successful-6ut above ALL cheer
full bright hearts and willing hands. We trus
our visitors carried away vita them as bright
remembrance of the day as we did of their vis
Fernandina and Jacksonville are Joined togethe
now with iron bands, and we trust their join
interest and prosperity will grow apace-th
! cities by the sea.