Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-18

Niearagus and EIsewhere-A Rest
less Spirit at Peace-St, Johns
Bar-VennOr-The PresIdent-Ehe
Approaching Convention.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, August 16.-Again it has
been found necessary to erect the hideous
form of the hateful gallows in this city.
murder. committed upwards Of a year ago,
has just been expiated by the death Of the per
petrator No elements Of romance, or Of SEN
timent, were concerned in the offense, and 1t
lacked all of the ingredients for sensational
story. Resistance to the law culminaUed in the
death of one of its officers during the mill riots
that occurred In June, 1880. The murderer
was promptly arrested, tried in due time, and
convicted upon the testimony Of several OF our
best citizens. He was the leader OF the mob
which attacked the employees at Clark's Mill.
and when resisted by the officers he wantonly
took the life of Policeman Nelson. The affair
contained nothing but commonplace incidents.
and would not have Afforded material Tor
dramatic novel.
A vigorous effort was made to obtain COM
mutation of the sentence, and petition, nu
merously signed, was forwarded to the Par
doning Board, who declined to interfere.
large number of citizens withheld their sigma
lures, believing that an example was required.
Many thought Communication injudicious in
the face of the murders recently committed In
Sumter and Volusia counties, and the action
taken by the board is very generally sustained.
Just SO long as the wiltul and prem e1itated
taking of human life is not punished capitally.
Just SO long will that fearful crime continue to
be committed. There is no penalty that carries
with it the same terror as that inflicted by the
gloomy scaffold. While life is left, there is
hope. pardon, in the course of time. may
be granted, and there is always the chance for
escape. 1t Is true that the worst Use you can
put mau to is to hang him, but a lesson is
often taught by his death that saves the life OF
others.
There was but little excitement among the
negroes, to. which class the murderer and his
victim belonged, on the occasion OF the exscu-
ton. Those who surrounded the jail were quiet,
and displayed but little OF the emotional spirit
characteristic of this people. The culprit was
not even attended in his last moments by a
clegyman of his color, and none OF those who
once followed his guidance, claimed his re
mains or followed them to the cemetery.
The passage Of the ColeSeney charter by the
Georgia House OF Representatives gives gener-
al satisfaction. Florida will, doubtless, grant
ali the privileges and aid that may be demand
ed The people of Middle Florida have now a
fair prospect of soon obtaining another outlet
to the North and West for their products
The port OF st. Marks, the proposed Southern
terminus, is regarded as a safe and excellent
harbor, and science can supply any deficiencies
that may exist.
E.On our Gulf coast, Tampa, Cedar Kevs. st.
Marks and Pensacola are ROW supplied or
soon will be, with railroads. Charlotte Harbor
will not be far behind in the race. On the At
lantic, Fernandina, Jacksonville and St. Au-
gustlne are similarly favored.
1t is about time for the girt city of Key
West to be stirring in this matter. Stranger
things have happened. and ere the close of the
present century New York mails and paSsen-
gers will be landed in Havana. via Key West.
in sixty hours, and the luscious and perishable
fruits of the West Indies will be familiar things
upon the tables of Northern hotels.
A wonderful transformation is going on in
Florida, and such a cashing of fossilized bones |
was never heard before. No State Is taking |
more rapid strides to greatness with greater |
certainty Of success. She has safely crossed |
the Rubicon OF doubt and indecision, and her |
future is as brilliant and beautiful as one of |
her autumnal sunsets. She opens her wide
borders to the sick and feeble. to the strong
and enterpriSing, promising them length of
days, renewed health and repaired fortunes
Florida is old, and yet young. Historically
the most aged point on the continent and yet
of tender years, so far as material develop
nent is concerned. Many are now finding
here the FL Dorado for which the gallant Span
iards vainly searched and the visions Of those
brave dreamers are being realized by those
who live in this prosaic and practical age. The
golden apples Of Hesperides are reproduced
in the yellow globes that hang from our
orange trees, and so tradition and fable are
embodied in fact and reality.
The State will soon be checkered by rail-
roads. and when completed, the various lines,
especiallyst those upon ithe peninsula, will ali
be in hearing of each other The old COM
plant, want of transportation, will be a la
ment Of the past and the question will be-
(which line shall patronizs?" Competition
will reduce rates. both freight and passenger,
and the numerous routes will be an effectual
barrier against monopoly and extortion
There is good time comingr
Col. Henry T. Titus who died recently in
BreVard county, was one of those restless spir
its who find their chief pleasure in danger and
adventure A native of New Jersey he chose
Florida for his home. An officer in the Lopez
expedition, he made landing at Cardenas, in
Cuba, which place he held for several days
Here he distinguished himself by staying
the Colonel of a squadron of lancers, cleaYing
his skull, in hand to hand encounter.
Compelled to abandon the city, he and his
which had brought them over, and headed for
Key West Pursued by q Spanish gunboat
they were compelled to burn everything that
was combustible about their vessel and barely
escaped capture.
In the famous Pampero Col Titus essayed
another landing in Cuba, but was chased back
into the St. Johns by one Of our national ves-
sells, and his steamer captured
His instincts and predictions took him to
Kansas. where his adventures were many and
startling. Colonel Titus espoused the
his pronounced views, great personal
courage and powerful will soon rendered him
conspicuous. He participated in many Of the
engagements during that eventful period, and
displayed high military qualities. On one oc-
casion he was surprised. while in his residence
by a party of FreeSCilers. Barricading the
perate courage. until prostrated by wounds and
loss of blood. Even then, when lying upon the
floor, he resisted his foe to the last, and was |
only overpowered by numbers While pris-
oner he was visited by Ossawattomee Brown,
whose spirit has since accomplished an i'm |
mense amount of pedestrianism, and was, by |
that worthy, treated with great indignity. 1t is
said that Col. Titus eyes would fash with ire |
and his voice tremble with Indignation when |
ever he related this experience |
After the termination Of the border troubles |
L. L. a..
his reputation had preceded him, and where he |
was extensively lionized
But peace and quiet were at variance with |
his stirring, restless nature. and Walker, 'the |
gray-eyed man of destiny then fieuring in |
Nicaragua, offered him a position, which he |
accepted. Here more hard fighting was done |
by Col. Titus, but finally rupture occurred |
between himself and Gen. Walker, which re- |
suited in his resignation and return to this |
country. Then to Arizona. when he engaged |
In mining operations, taking an occasional trip |
into Mexico and Colorado with frequent bouts |
with the Indians. by way Of diversion.
For many years previous to his death he was /
afflicted with paralysis. which rendered him q /
complete cripple. He founded the settlement |
of Ttusville, on Indian river, q place which /
promises to be of considerable Importance. |
He was engaged at the time Of his death in the /
construction of large hotel and in the general |
improvement OF his property, rapidly be-
coming quite valuable.
Colonel Titus was endowed by nature with q /
magnificent physique and most imposing per- |
the Apollo and Hercules. and attracted at |
tention wherever he appeared. His life on
flood and held' was replete with incident, and |
would be read with rapt attention.
Congress should make an appropriation next /
winter of half million OF dollars for continu- |
ing the improvements at the mouth Of St. |
Johns river, and If the proper effort is made |
and the proper pressure brought to bear /
upon our national lawmakers that sum can /
be obtained All who have influence with the |
powers that be should use It in this direction, /
Score another success for the prophet, Ven |
nor. In accordance with his prediction this /
has been the coolest day of the season, and |
has been the subject Of general comment We /
haven't had frost here, but judging from the |
north WIND that has prevailed for the entire
DAY, IL must nave been pretty cool un Ia the |
higher latitudes.
The dispatches from Washington have again |
created the deepest solicitudes as to the re- |
covery Of the President. and men speak al |
most as despondingly as they did for day or /
Two after the reception of the injury.
There may possibly be in our midst d few /
StalWarts, whose lamentations, In the event of |
the Presidents death, would be neither deep /
nor long, but the better elements here, of both /
parties, earnestly and heartily desire his resto-
ration to health ard vigoF.
The sympathy OF the South with the sufferer |
has been frank, honest and unfeigned, and went |
out to the man as well as to the official
convention is to be held in this city on the
migration. A number OF counties have already
elected delegates and it Is to be- hoped that a
very general expression may be obtained. and
some concert OF action had upon
this important subject Another tonic
of great interest will Also he dfscn qzad thafof