Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-22
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
ANOTHER VISITATION FROM
THE FIRE ETEND.

A Pioneer Passed Away-CIreuit Court
Diminution of Crime-The Influx from
AbrOad-The Recent Cold Snap-Ger-
man Settlers-HOpe that More May
Come.
TALLAHASSEE, March 20.-Again our
city has been visited by the destructive
element and valuable property has been
destroyed by fire. This is the second dis
astrous confagration within three weeks.
On Sunday morning last, Just before day,
we were aroused by the ringing OF church
bells, but, it being Sunday morning, many
supposed it was the Catholic Church bell
ringing for early mass. In cOnse-
quence, but little attention was
paid to the alarm, and when most
OF the crowd reached the scene
1t was found that Minis block, situated
on Clinton, between Monroe and Adams
streets, was one mass Of flames. A pOr-
tion of the roof had already fallen in, and
only few packages of merchandise were
saved from Mr.. Minis store. The loss
falls heavily on the owner of the building
Mr.. Albert Minis, who is not only a suf-
ierer by the destruction of his fine pro-
perty, but had just laid in an unusually
heavy stock of goods, upon which and
the building there was no insu-
rance. Mr.. Walter LeYerett, a steady
young man, who had small stock of
goods in the west end of the building, lost
everything, and was also not insured.
The fire is supposed to have originated in
a low doggery frequented by the sons of
Ham, and kept by one Jack Snead, and as
far as his loss Is concerned there is not
much sympathy felt. Twice has he been
burned out within the past six months,
and such is the reputation of his estab-
lishment that so far he has been unable to
find new landlord, and it is earnestly
hoped he will not, if he is again to ply his
nefariOus calling, for he not only demOral-
ICES his races but his negligence in taking
proper precautiOn endangers the safety of
the tenements.
Another of our old landmarks has dis
appeared. Mr.. A. Hopkins, one of our
oldest citizens, long identified with this
section, has passed away. Mr.. Hopkins
came to this city in 1887, and for num-
Der of years was clerk for Mr.. James b.
Gamble, who is still living. Subsequently
he went in business on his own ac-
count with d. B. Meginnis, Esq. The
firm of Hopkins IL Meginnis for
many years did thriving business and
was the leading house in this section.
Their transactions were heavy, and at the
beginning of the war 3Ir. Hopkins had ac-
cumulated handsome property. As one
of our leading merchants in the past. he
took an active interest in everything
tending to the public veal. His high So
cial standing, his correct and methOdical
business habits, all tended to enlist the
respect and esteem Of the community. as
was testified by the large conc0urse at
his funeral yesterday. Thus one by
one our old settlers are passing away.
But few now remain of those who migrat-
ed here in the early territorial DAYS. Old
age has set its mark upon them, and soon
they too will join those who have crossed
the river.
Another death has occurred in our COM
munity, and though the person lived in an
humble sphere and was once a slave. no
one in the community was more univers-
ally respected. | refer to Elder James
Page lcOlOrcd), }, of the Missionary Baptist
Church, who was buried on Sunday last.
He was the slave of Colonel John Park
hill, and came with his master to
this county from Virginia about 1923,
His unOstentatiOus piety was such and
his fidelity to the interests of his owners
so true, that long before the days Of eman-
cipatiOn he was virtually free man.
When "freedOm" came, he was not like
many of his race. transformed into poll
tician, nor did he forget that the pulpit
should not become the hustings. Though
Republican, he never figured i'll their
public meetings; though at times an office
holder, he never sought office, nor was he
ever known to prostitute his position for
political purposes. Being u preacher in
denomination that had many adherents
among his race, it was thought by the
demagOgues of his party that they could
use him etfectually, but "Uncle
Jimmy" could not be so used, and ever
retained the respect of his white neigh
bOrs with whom he differed politically,
Notwithstanding his funeral took place
during the morning services of our several
churches, quite q number of our citizens
testified their respect to his memory by
Among his own race he was
beloved, and his influence for
good among. them was prOpOrtionally
great. What Solomon said was typified
in him, for truly "a good name is better
than riches"
Our Circuit Court convened Yesterday.
and as there is but a slim docket its ses-
sion will be very brief. AS there has been
but few crimes committed since the last
term, the grand jury will have but little
to do: When there are but few cases ON
the criminal docket it is an evidence that
the community are law-abiding. Cases of
larceny and aggravated assault are COM
paratiyely rare now. Our colored ele-
ment, among whom such crimes
frequently occurred years ago, are begin
ming to respect the majesty of the law, and
crime is decreasing among them. Ten
and twelve years ago it was impossible to
get through the business of the court with
its then restrictive jurisdiction in two
weeks, and adjourned terms were neces-
Sary. Now, though legislation has since
extended the Jurisdiction of this court by
giving it cOgnizance of crimes formerly
under the jurisdiction of our inferior
court, q few days suffice to clear the
criminal docket.
With the diminutlon OF crime comes the
accession also of desirable element-the
hardy yeOmanry of the Anglo-SaXOn race,
Land buyers are coming among us from
these States: Already within the past
week two gentlemen from the Northern
States have purchased land in this county,
on which they design settling at once. |
others are looking around with the same
view, and will doubtless make purchases
very soon. The success attending truck |
Farming last season was good advertise |
ment, and lands in this section are already |
being eagerly sought after. Sheep raising. |
too, can be made profitable, and |
In this connection l will say that |
those who visit here with a view of /
going into this business charge our late |
and past Legislatures with grievous sin !
Of omission in not passing dog tax law, /
There are so many lean, hungry and /
worthless ours that prey upon the sheep |
that the farmers sometimes suffer no little |
loss from their depredatiOns. During |
Governor Walkers administration IN |
1866, there was a law passed taxing dogs |
p a county, provided the County Com !
missioners of such county should |
Fatify it. But as under the pres. |
ant constitution all laws must be |
general in their operation, it is
u10CfInnnhln
could now be enforced. AS it is, those |
who are engaged in sheep raising have to /
protect themselves as best they can, One
gentleman says that he has poisoned no |
saYe his sheep. "
Notwithstanding the cold snap of last
week injured the early vegetables further
'outh, yet here around Tallahassee but
very little damage was done. 1t was only
II the bottoms that they were injured and
even there not to any great extent. 1t is
l notorious fact that vegetation in Gads-
len, Leon, Jefferson and Madison counties
S three weeks further advanced than fifty
niles further south, lii the centre of the
leninsuIa, This ! attribute to the mois-
ure from the Gulf and our numerous
axes, which is protection to vegetation.
N former years, ] have known the decidu-
DuS forest trees about here to be in al
most full leaf when they were lust bud.
ling ten miles north of Gainesville, IN
Alaehua county. have knoWIi the fig
rees to be killed By the winters cold In
he centre OF Alachua county, but have
lever known them killed here.
The few German families imported bv
apt. Dyke and one or two others. have
,iyen 50 much satisfaction that more are
wanted. Thus it is that the comrafative
epletiOn Of negro labor IN our 'ifiidst, by
he yarIouq Tafff0ads being constructed,
Aay prove q blessing in disguise. Some OF