The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-06-05

that day, Governor Bloxham, with several reEm'
bers of his cabinet and few friends left tdF a
short visit to Pensacola Captain Davldsons Su'
perintendent Of the Florida Central and WeTern
Railroad, had kindly rendered his elegant private
car for the occasion, which added much tosshe
comfort of the party. The rain which had fslien
plentifully in the afternoon in Tallahassee yas
found to have extended along the entire r0Hte
which increased the comfort Of the trip by laying
the dust and cooling the atmosphere. Mary Of
the party had never been to Pensacola and hone
had ever been there by the new route. In flct
il Ia hard for one who has not taken the trim 10
realize that you can take an early tea in T'ala-
bassee and breakfast in Pensacola The panue
of the two places have heretofore been alssisst
strangers owing to the unusual difficulty; of
reaching each other, but that day has passed, knd
not only social intimacy but business intercOksse
will be the result of the completion OF this great
enterprise To Captain Chipley, to whose Mil
ity and energy the building of this road is masn,y
due, the two sections owe an eternal delst Of
gratitude +
AS the trip was made in the nighttime there
was no opportunity of observing the couatry
through which the road passes But the ersare
party were up early in the morning to see stAe
bridge over Escamba bay, and to get a vies of
that magnificent expanse of water. From the
bridge, which is two miles and a quarter long, a
sweeping view of the bay for six or eight miles
is had, and as one of the Pensacolians facetossly
remarked there does not exist a finer water iand-
scape in the country. After crossing the bridge
the track follows the beach of the bay for aBalt
six miles. and with the bay on the left aae a
high bluff on the right, there are certainly Few
prettier views on any railroad in the county,
On reaching the Union depot, we were greeted
by Messrs. Chpley, Brent, Leonard, Yongs Ind
0tba v10< rIaI hao- 3.sAn
cOrted the party to carriages when we ware
driven to the Merchants Hotel where rooms had
been engaged II was here that we first caught
sight of the genial countenance of our host Fly
ger whose corporal rotundity gave earnest of
what we might expect at his well kept board
and indeed it did not require careful observer
to see that the crowd he had before him was pne
which could do full justice to bountiful repSst.
After arriving at the hotel the party repaire; 10
their rooms which were comfortably furnished
and nicely located. Soon breakfast was sn-
nounced, and we were shown into a private
dining room where the table was laden with the
choicest fruits of the tropics. After fruit the
meal was served in numerous courses one of the
best OF which was pompano, considered by rnaHy
the choicest fish of the Gulf suffice il to say that
the breakfast was an example in profusion, quad
ty and style of all the other meals which we
took at this excellent hostelry :"
After breakfast a number of citizens called aud
numerous invitations for the pleasure Of tie
party rendered, among which was a sail on The
bay, and trip down the bay on government
tug AS the weather was threatening both these
were declined and it was determined to speed
the morning in visiting places of interest ~ sae
city. This determination was fortunate for it
soon began to rain and continued to do so dill
day.
There are two institutions contributing to tlte
social enjoyment and pleasure Of the people #
Pensacola of which they are justly proud. Tbesse
are the OsceOla Club and the Opera Honse.+
Both of these we had an opportunity of seeisg
General Z. A. Perry, so well and favorahE
known in this section, who is the President of
the Club, extended the party its privileges, It
was in his company that the party made their
first visit to the club, where they met many
agreeable acquaintance, and spent a very plsaS-
ant hour. The club-rooms are elegantly furpisiea
and on the mantle Of one of the rooms is a heud-
some portrsit of Osceola the historic chief whose
name the club has taken. All the leading mag,
aZines and newspapers are to be found here IS
well as billiards, cards and other social games. -
In fact the rooms are furnished and equipped III
style which would do credit to much larger
city, and more beautiful than all is the hosTd
tality of the members. =.
The Opera House is very handsome building
facing the plaza. The interior arrangement y
similar to that OF the usual modern theatre II
can accommodate comfortably about fittee3 |
hundred people The walls are handsomely |
hcSSOCu, duu tHC Stage IL well Supplcu Wig |
scenery. The drop curtain is quite work Of
art 1t represents two youthful figures dressed |
in the costume of page of the middle ages |
holding back with graceful attitude the folds d |
q magnificent curtain, revealing to the view T.
lovely Venetian scene. Mr.. Sullivan's puhsis
spirit, in contributing this elegant place of amuses
ment to his city, cannot be too highly conls
mcnded. IA
About noon of Thursday number of ciiizens
assembled at the hotel and escorted the party 10
the dock at the foot of Palafox street, where thsl
tug Echo was in waiting to take them on trip +
down the bay to the hayward. The bay ~
all who have seen it agree, is one of the nOff
beautiful on the entire coast Of our country. &
is so completely land-locked that it is necessary
TO be almost at the bar before you can see any
exit to the open Gulf AS we steamed down this
beautiful sheet of water admiring the graceful
ships lying in the harbor, and refreshed by the
delightful breeze from the Gulf the effect on the
crowd was very inspiritng, and anecdotet
pointed with wit flowed freely. The President
Of the Club cOnvulSed the crowd with laughter
member of the Cabinet, after much
urging, related the " snortin' pole" story, which
was freely given the palm. This story made
such an impression that several who had not
caught the name of the distinguished member
on introduction inquired of your correspoDdertf
known only as the old gentleman" of the
party, and always insisted upon the considera1
lion and Difference usually accorded to old agei
being shown him. #
AS the hayward was approached we could
see the officers in full uniform standing ON the
dock to receive the Governor. squad of ma ]
rines were drawn up on the wharf Captains
W. lsh Commandant of the yard, Doctor Owen, Il
Brown and other officers stood al the
gang plank, and as the Governor and his party
filed of the boat they were introduced to the
officers by General Perry. All were invited to
20 to the house of the Commandant TO take a |
few moments rest and little refreshment to
brace them up for inspection of the yard.
AS the Governor passed the marines they came
70 present, and at another quarter of the yard
he cannon doomed salute. After resting
awhile al the house Of Captain Welsh, the party
scattered through the beautiful and wel-kept |
grounds and inspected the various public build
ngs with much interest," for but few of the Tai
ahasseans had ever visited the yard before
After visiting all points of interest," the entire
party were invited TO repair to the residence Of 4
paymaster Brown to partake of an elegant cala Il
ion. In this little jewel OF house, decora led II
With bric-a-brac from many foreign countries
We met Mrs Brown, wife of the Paymaster, and il
Mrs. Owen, wife of the Surgeon, who presided;
With that Incompatible grace and ease character, +
site of the wives of officers of the navy With Il
.ppeiites sharpened by the sea air full justice I
was done to the elegant repast. DIR. Owen was
n his element, and gave full run to his usla! i
powers OF entertaining Toasts were proposed, +
md all took pleasure in drinking to the Doctors y
asst boy, TopOlabumpo, the only one OF his chill +
iren born in the States, and the State which has T
his honor is Florida. Then the health of Pay, i
master Browns babV was nropOSad then thott