Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-06
IN THE LAND OF FLOWERS.
Effects of the OcaIa Fire, and Other
Timely Topics in the state.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Dec. 4.-The present
year is winding up dIsastrously in the way of
destructive fires for Florida. That thrifty
ana prosperous town, Ocala, had most bit
ter experience on Thanksgiving morning. and
narrowly escaped absolute annihilation. A
! general sympathy is entertained for the citi-
zens in this hour Of their distress, and the
earnest hope is expressed that the work of the
hames VIII speedily be obliterated. Already
several Of the sufferers are vigorously pre-
pairing TO cover the scene of ruins with new
and substantial buildings. The OcaIa Hotel
VIII Immediately be replaced by an elegant
structure, similar to the former in appear
ance and dimensions, and in three or four
months, the enterprising owners expect to
open their doors to the public The
fire was peculiarly unfortunate in oc-
I curing at this season, Just at the
opening Of the winter, when a full tide of i'm
migration was flowing in, and most pros
porous business anticipated. Ocala cannot
% permanently damaged by the misfortune.
ASI cttlAehs are pluckY, energetic and full of
laith' and their attractive town will soon
emerge. like the Phoenix. from its present
pyre Of ashes and cinders. Marion county
/ contains several Of the largest and most valu-
able orange groves in the state, and the lands
around Ocala are peculiarly adapted to this
I industry. Marion, with her productive soil.
hue transportation facilities. excellent popu-
laton and numerous other advantages, will
soon take her stand among the foremost coup-
ties ia Florida. As is usually the case, the
losses by the Ocala fire were at first over
estimated, ana have been reduced to the sum
ot S2J0.000, considerable portion of which is
covered by insurance.
AT An EARLY HOUR YESTERDAY, MORNING
a fire broke out i'm the oil room of the steamer
neBary. oT the DeBary- -Baya line, which
could not be controlled until the destruction OF
the hne vessel was effected. The DeBary was
one OF the most elegant boats on the river, in
D Df .sfaafT
Z great favOrite with the travelling community
She had arrived at her dock on Sunday morn
I }ng and had discharged her cargo. The steam
I cr was built about two years ago and had
been recently Ovcrhauled and put in complete
order Her value was estimated at S7S,OO0
/ covered 10y policies 10 the amount of $4,000
I The owners of this line are men of ample
I means and although this disaster may inter
/ iere temporarily with their arrangements. it
| Is altogether probable that the gap will be
speedily Rlled by the construction of another
equally seryIccable vessel. There were no
lives lost fortunately.
| zone more unfortunate. weary of breath. -
] took poison last week and ended her earthly
I troubles. This Is the second suicidein the city
I within the past fortnight. and will be follow
] eel 10y others. If the theory that self-destruc-
] tion often assumes an epidemic form, be cor
rect.
THE NEW STEAMER CITY OF PALATKA.
I intended to run between Charleston and Pa
Z latka. failed To arrive as expected in cOnse-
quence Of an accident to her machinery after
/ leaving New ork. The repairs will soon
/ De completed and we shall be able to extend a
I warm greeting to this splendid vessel. She is
strictly first class in every respect. aud will
/ constitute desirable acquisition TO our river
Z squadron.
United States Senator Wuk Call left for
Washington last Saturday. With his family
+ ne mas been spending several weeks in this
I cltN- Col. Gail IS very easy Of access, simple
and agreeable in his manner. and eniOys a
widespread personal popularity. He is eX-
ceedingly attentive To the wants and interests
OF ms constituents. and exercises a close and
careful scrutiny over the welfare of Florida.
1hiS state Is very fortunate in her Congress-
/ i0nal delegation.
The United states Court convened yester-
] day, Judge settle, presiding. 1t was adjourned
] last spring IN consequence of the small -pON
then prevailing in the city. As a consequence
the doe6ets show quite a number of cases.
ihere are few, II any Of that class, known as
election cases. which have been so frequent
in former years and which have been pro-
ductive Of 80 much bad feeling and irritation.
/ The manner in which juries are now drawn in
this court, taken as they are from both par
tleS' has removed much of the prejudice that
once existed. decidedly better condition of
affairs now exists in this tribunal.
MANY OF THE GARDENS
III the city now present beautiful appear
auce. The golden globes gleam through the
glossy verturc Of the orange trees. while
roses of the rarest and finest variety open
their delicate tints to the admiring eyes of
strangers. That splendid fall plant, the
Poinsettea, flauuts its deep crimson flowers
as large as those Of the magnolia, IN front of
many residences. Not a leaf has yet been
touched by the frost, and tender plants of all
/ descriptions are as thrifty and flOurshing as
IN midsummer. Jacksonville is in excellent
trim Tor the reception Of visitors, and is in
faultless attire.
Arrangements have been made for the in
PRODUCTION Of the electric lights, and several
. buildings on Bay street will probably be
ablaze tonight. We are thus keeping abreast
with all the great modern improvements.
Mr.. Plant of the savannah, Florida and
Western Railroad, with his staff of officers,
was IN the city recently, and on the heels of
his arrival come the rumOrs of several rail-
road changes and combinations. The road
from ROwiand's Bluff on the Suwannee river
has obtained possession of that portion of the
Florida Southern completed to Hague Sta
tion, between Gainesville and NeWnansville,
and VIII continue their broad gauge track to
the former town, ana the strong probability
now Is that trains viii be in operation to that
point by the first of January.
The Plant syndicate Is also to construct a
branch road from the north bank of the Santa
Fc river 10 Lake City, where connection will
DE made with the Florida Central and West
ern. Whatever the above company under
take they usually accomplish, and their con-
tracts are carried out faithfully and in an eX-
peditiOus manner. Before the close of another
summer the Plant system will be extending
their lines southwark, opening up new cOun-
try ana greatly increasing present facilities.
THERE ARE ALSO RUMORs
that the Sea Island line of steamers from your
city to Eeruaudina contemplate putting boats
on the 81. Johns, to transfer passengers and
freight directly up to sanford. This will ere
ate a through line from Savannah to the upper
/ II. Johns entirely by water, with the excep-
tion of the railroad link between this city and
Fcruaudina.
The dwellers upon Indian river are iubilant
| OF soon being placed in communication with
/ tine outer world By a railroad The jackson
Nlle- Tampa ana hey west, when completed
/ to Palatka, will then connect with the Palat-
I ka and Indian River Railroad. now partly
i graded and under contract. so that there will
N.sas fNr assrHv
The lurid glare in the western heavens at
sundOWn, noticed IN a recent issue Of the
MoRNING NEWS, has been visible here for sew
] erai weeks. 1t has varied in intensity, being
sometimes so vivid IS to suggest the impress
/ sion that an extensive woods fire was raging.
I 10 has, OF late. been of such frequent occur
renee that II has almost ceased to attract OBJ
servatiOn. There has not yet been given
satisfactory explanation OF the phenomenon.
The election OF Carlisle As Speaker Is high
I " appreciated by ''the old timers," who be-
lievc that the Democrats should take a de-
cided stand on the tariff question. and should
cease Ito tote water on both shoulders" Mr..
Carlisle is one Of the great intellects Of this
I Congress. with Old-fashOned ideas of honesty,
economy and retreuchment. and safe and
reliable leader Of his party.
ALL OF THE HOTELS ARE NOW IN OPERA
TIoN,
I except the Windsor which will be opened
Z during the month Their registers show many
familiar signatures scattered among the
names of numerous new cOmers. The State
.
: wealthy English sportsmen, several of whom
I are making bags among the hummocks and
| lakes Of south Florida.
The report of the city physician. showing
only fifteen deaths for the month of Novem-
/ Der. indicates a most satisfactory condition of
I the public health. This. too, with a large
I number Of visiting invalids in our midst. The
/ dcu-ue fever has not yet taken its departure.
! and there are stu many victims of this most
] annoying malady.
The preliminary steps have been taken by
/ the city and county authorities to erect
/ joint public hospital on the land recently pur-
I chased for that purpose. The want of such
I building was painfully experienced during
I the smallpox visitation of last spring.
| Renewed and vigorous efforts viii continue
I to be made for the improvement of the ST.
I Johns bar. and 10 this end committees have
been appointed Of our most prominent citi-
zens to act in concert with similar bodies in
other counties 10 present the necessity of this
I improvement in the strongest manner to the
/ consideration OF the national legislature.
W. II. B.
The New Senators.
Washington Special