Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-05
CRIMESIN JACKSONVILLE.
EVERY NEGRO IN THE CITY A
WALKING ARSENAL.
A Razor Made Especially for Murder
ing-NewSpaperdOm in GeneraI-Fer-
nandina's Fire-JacksOnviIIe's Pros
pective Seaside ReSort-The Public
HeaIth and the Weather.

ing-NewSpaperdOm in General-Fer-
nandina's Fire-JacksOnviIIe's Pros
pective Seaside Resort-The Public
Health and the Weather,
Correspondence Of the Morning Ne,os.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Sept. at is aot
( often that we are called on to chronicle
deeds of blood in our midst, but the past
week has been an exception in this re-
spect. One man was killed by knife
thrust that penetrated his heart. and an
other severely wounded by a negro
frenzied by whisky. The homicide
grew out of a game of base ball. when a
misunderstanding resulted in blows, and
ended in the death Of one of the parties.
1t is said by the police that a large pro-
portion of the negroes in this CITY are pro-
vided with a dirk knife, razor or pistol.
Even the half-grOwn gamins are often
found in possession of such weapons. 1t
is also alleged that the cutters are now
manufacturing a razor, expressly as a
slashing instrument, that opens with a
spring, like the blaze of a knife, which is
bought in large quantities by the negroes.
Be this as it may, the principal impIe-
ment OF the barber has been adopted bv
by them in carving up human bodies, on
the slightest prOVOcatiOn. Not infre-
quently the women of this race are armed
with this tool, which is secreted in their
stockings, from where it is drawn when
needed, and used with telling effect.
Our laws are not sufficiently severe for
the punishment OF those convicted of car
rying concealed weapons. and even when
enforced the penalty is trivial The fine
is usually about 50 with costs. If it was
increased twenty-fold it would not be eX-
cessive, and would have some effect in
checking the odIous practice.
There are now about seyenty-five news
papers published in Florida, or nearly two
to each OF the thirty-nine counties in the
state. And still they come. About the
first event that follows the opening of a !
new section by the completion of a rail |
road to that point, is the arrival of the
ubiquitous printer with a hand-press and |
case of types, which is set up in a log
house, and the next morning or two after
the wilderness echoes to the ringing blast
of the 'Bugle,' - "ClariOn,' or Trumpet"
For the printer is full of faith and energy,
and is never far behind the ak of the DiO- |
neer and the hammer of the carpenter.
a paper in the interest OF the negroes
is soon to make its appearance in this |
city. Its proprietOrs, editors, compost |
tors, managers and carriers are to be of |
the black race, and its prospectus con- |
yeys the information that it is to be en- |
tirely independent. During the next cleo |
ton, should il survive a tWelvemOnth !
its political status will be clearly defined, |
and not much doubtappears to be enter |
tanned that it will naturally slip into the |
groove worn by its predecessors.
The New York GtObc, which has shown |
some irritabiiity of late, and uttered some |
plain truths for the hearing of the Repub- |
licans, is edited by Tom Fortune a negro, |
native of jackson county, Florida, who |
served his apprenticeship as a printer in |
this city. The Globe has been quite out |
spoken OF late in demanding recognition |
for the black race, and some of its utter |
ances have awakened considerable com |
ment. The Ft0rjdd Workman, as the new |
paper spoken Of above is to be called, !
will hardly assume so bold and indepen- /
dent an attitude as the GiObe, especially |
as its chef editor now holds a paying |
office under the government. This enter |
prise, as it is to be exclusively owned and |
controlled by negroes, will be watched |
with some attention and regarded as an |
experiment.
An effort is being also made by the ne
grOes here to organize building and |
loan association.
All of the railroads leading out of the
State have agreed to transport articles in
tended for the Louisville Exposition free
of charge. Quite feeling has been
aroused on the subject, and the prospect |
now is that the State will make fair dis !
play. Several counties are moving in the |
matter, and if a competition can be eX- |
cited, the result will be advantageous. |
Much can be accomplished during the |
present month, and a creditable display |
Of fruit can be forwarded by the first of |
October. The papers generally are press /
ing the subject. and the people are re- |
spending handsomely.
The MORNING NEWS of last Saturday |
was splendid issue, and the general APP |
pearance Of the mammoth sheet reflected |
the highest credit upon the management |
of the various departments. This state |
is a large customer Of Savannah. and |
consequently takes deep interest in all I
that concerns the progress and prosperity /
of your thriving city. Your full and COM /
prehensive report of the trade of savannah I
during the past year is certainly of a
character to stimulate the pride Of her |
citizens, and encourage them to renewed |
eXertiOns in the future.
1t will not be many years before this
city Will find it necessary to make an an
nual showing Of the amount Of business
transacted, for the volume of its trade is
daily increasing, and would now aggre-
gate large figures.
The fire in our sister city, Fernandina,
yesterday morning, was serious blow to
that community. Fifteen buildings, COM
posing one Of the principal business
blocks, were reduced to ashes. 1t seems
incredible that in town of the size and
importance Of Fernandina no means eX-
listed for the eXtinguishment of fires.
There is neither a fire company or APP
paratus of any kind for fighting the
flames. Steps should at once be taken for
their further protection, ere a similar dis
aster of greater magnitude Overtake them
Unexpectedly.
Large numbers of negroes continue to
pass through the city en- route for the va
riOus railroads, several of which are pro-
crossing with wonderful rapidity. There
is no necessity for any laborer or mechan-
ic to be idle a moment. There is a con-
slant demand for skill and muscle at good
prices, and many of the workmen are
brought from the adjoining States.
Jacksonville intends next summer to
have a seaside resort of her own, and all
the preliminary steps have been taken.
The point selected is known rs Diego,
fourteen miles from this city. The beach
is said to be equal to that of Amelia
Island ahd to have the advantage of that
in its surroundings. The run Will be
made in three-quarters of an hour from
this post office. A town will be laid out,
and many Of our citizens will erect cot
tages, while a large hotel will be erected
for the benefit of strangers. There is but
little doubt of the success of this enter
PRISE, as the right of way has been
secured, the survey almost completed,
and the stock subscribed. 1t may reason
ably be supposed that the work of grad
ing win soon be commenced. This ar
rangement Will enable our business men to
leave the city at p. M, spend the night
with their families on the beach and be
at their desks the next day at a. M. re-
freshed by a bath and inyigOrated by the |
bracing sea breeZes.
The mortality report for the month of
August showed less number of deaths
than for the same month since 1873. OF
the eighteen deaths six had not resided /.
here sufficiently long to acquire the rights
of citizenship. and four of the whole num-
Der were very young children. The APP
prehension respecting Pensacola has /
completely subsidized, and our people have |
again regained their equilibrium.
September opened in regular fall style. /
and the nights thus far have been so cool |
as almost to require blanket. This may
perhaps tax your credulity somewhat, but |
il Is the fact nevertheless. AS the North
ern summer resorts will soon close for the !
season, many of our absentees will, ere
long, be returning. Every Indication
points to an extraordinary influx of inva-
lids, tourists and land purchasers during
the coming winter. st. Augustine is pre-
pairing to accommodate them by erecting
the largest hotel in the State.
The encrOachment of our river on st.
Johns Bluff, prominent point between
the city and the bar, has revealed a large |
number of human bones. supposed to bp