Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-03-11
A CALAMir0Us CITY.

PENSACOLA, Fla, Feb. S.-PeusaeoIa,
named from tribe of Indians extermi-
natsd by the Spaniards, has had varied
and eventfni ni-tory. Originally under
the dominion If Spain. then of Great
Britain, second time of Spain, and
lnaliy purchased by the United States.
II mas suffered ell tie evils of a change
Of masters by the su )rd. 1t even suf-
fered violence at the hands of American
troops during the Creek war, as General
jackson captured ii, and with il two
BrItizh subjects, whom he hanged for
giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
During the civil war il suffered much
from the rebels in the destruction of
doeks and buildings at the navy yard.
1t has been fr quently visited by pesti-
ienoe, and only last summer il was terri
big sco1rged by yellow fever. 1t had
been almost destroyed by firs tho year
before, and 1t seemed fated To dire ca
lamity of every sort. II has lost heavily
III lives by fever and in property by fire,
but the spirit OF the paople Is not sub
dued, and the new Pensacola nov build
ing will far eclipse tho Pensacola par
TALLY destroyed.
ice appropriationsb by the Government
for the public buildings in the city and
for the reconstruction of the navy yard,
supplemented by the private enterprise
of citizens, has given an impetus to the
growth of this place never felt before.
Blocks OF business houses, hotels and
private dwellings are in course Of son.
structiOn everywhere, and streets have
been extended to meet the demand for
building space. In its magnificent har-
bor ships bearing the flags of all nations
ride as anchor. There is no port be-
tween Baltimore and New Orleans that
equals Pensacola in the amount Of its
shipping. Sometimes there are more
vessels ut Pensacola loading lumber than
are ssen at New Orleans engaged in all
kinds of trade. But this is exceptional,
AS the commerce OF New Orleans Is rap
idly on the increase.
The event of the greatest importance
to Pensacola is the completion of the
Pensacola and Georgia Railroad. The
track is all laid of the best steel rails,
On the completion of bridges over the
Chocta vi whafchee and Apalaohicoia riv-
ers. through trains will be run over the
entire line. Connection is made at Chat
taho0cheo for Tallahassee and Jackson
vile, and also for Savannah. The Sa-
vannah, Florida and Western Railroad
Climax. on their main line, to Chatta-
hoochse, for the purpose Of iniercepting
the new business which will be thrown
INTO Chat ahoochee by the new road
from Pensacola. The Savannah road
has the advantage in equipment and su-
periority of track over the line between
chattahoochee and Jacksonville, and
will doubtless secure the cream OF the
traffic. The Tallahassee and Jackson
vile line, purchased by Sir Edward Reed
over a year ago, is in wretched condi-
ton. with no prospect Of improvement.
The people of middle and eastern Flor
ida are greatly inosnsed at the failure of
Sir Edward Reed to put his road ia re-
pair. They see In his failure all the ed-
vantages of u railroad connection with
west Florida slipping from their grasp
and going to build up the commercial
value of u seapor. IN an adjoining State,
strengthening All already strong railroad
corporation, which II rival, il no. viz
tual absorbent, Of tho lines in which
they are directly interested. This is the
more CALLING in view of the fact that the
State granted liberal aid in the way of
lands ~ the Pensacola road, in addition
to the large grant it received from the
United States. The Pensacola road,
however, is not responsible for the mis-
fortunes of east and middle Florida.
With q short line TO Mobile, 80 as to
make close connections with New Or
leans, IL will offer the best and shortest
route between New Orleans aud the At
iantic.
There is about as much activity here
as at any Of the Government shipyards.
repairs are making of what was par
italy destroyed during the war. The
pubic expenditures keep life IN the vii
iage of Warrington, which Is seven miles
from Pensacola. The yard embraces
over eighty acres of land. Within the
encioslre are officers quarters and resi-
dsnces tor their families. The grounds
are tastetuify laid out, and the walks
shaded with trees peculiar To this lati
tude, the most of. them being of the
evergreen variety. Much public proper
" has gone To waste here, but that IL
the case wherever Ihege is any public
property.
Fort Barrancas il to the west OF the
navy yard, wnere few troops arc sta
t.oaed. lhe lighthouse which marks
the entrance 10 Pensacola Bay stands
bet sseu these two points. Fort Mctas,
nos dismantied. lies 81 puth of Barrancas,
and III the east of this, on Santa kosa
island, Is Fort Pickens, in charge Ut q
sergeant aud few men.
Santss Rosa Island is a narrow stretch
of wiitc sand. much used for Aduiterat-
ing sugar and adding weight to sponses
after they are ciesnscd for market. Op-
pos:te tho eastern end Of the island. at
she entrance 10 Observation-Disclosures bay, Is
Moreno, y military reservation OF some
5JlD acres. which Was newer used for
military purposes. IL and Santa Rosa
Island, with ,aost OF the country on the
IN sinland opposite, are totally unhs for
agricultural purposes. There. has been
mostly appropriated.