Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-30
LIFE AS IT USED TO BE.
CLIPPINGS FROM NEWSPAPERS
OF 4 CENTURY AGO.

faFseting to Their Readers IL Ihoa@
Days-some OF the Occurrences that
Marked the Routine OF Life from
I7s0-9O.
A glance over the files OF the neWspa-
pers published in Savannah hundred
years ago reveals much that is interesting
in the early life OF the city. The papers
then did not deal so minu:ely with local
events as do the papers Of the present
time. A very small space was devoted TO
local affairs, and not infreQuently dozen
lines cover all that was chronicled OF a
weeks occurrences.
Savannah had not yet attained posi-
ton 10 command daily paper,
and a weekly was all that the town could
we'll support. The circulation even t1en
must have been somewhat limited. The
carrIerg delivery had not been estab-
lished. and subscribers had 20 get their
own papers A notice in the Gazette pub
1ished in 1888 says:
The subscribers % this Gasstte ere request
Cd 10 send 70 the printing ONCE every Ihurs-
DAY afternoon al O'Clock for their papers.
Those were historic days, but journal
ism was not history then any more than
it is now. Whatever was OF public IN
lferest came in for It's share Of notlce. The
7
a presentment made by the grand jury in
1854. II seems that then as now grand
juries had grievances to make known.
Among other things complained OF the
presentment goes on something as fol-
lows:
We present. az a grievance. that no meas
ures are taken T. establish pubic SCHOOL ID
the county o. Chatham.
We present. az q grievance that the houses
.oi worship should be 30 neglected IN the coun-
~ Of Chatham. and that, and for want Of
clergyman % assemble the people, the duties
OF religion are not sufficiently attended TO.
We present. as a grievance, that the town
81 Savannah is not Incorporated, and most Sc
Tiously ask for theSttentOn Of the Legislature
this very important matter. To show that
we are pointed in presenting TINS - q grew
ance, We beg leave to offer, By way or oDser-
walton, that he shattered and dirty situation
of the town, and the neglected condition Of
our public buildings, make the most unhappy
impression on foreigners. and inJure mateTi-
ally the credit and consequence OF this cOun-
~. .-,
the public market in he town OF Savannah
lt being so far decayed tnat provisions or meat
Of every Hnd cannot be kept dry IN wet
weather.
We present, as a grievance, that the bury
ing ground IN the town Of Savannah is not en-
closed.
We present, as a grievance, the wretehed
condition OF the ferry and causeway az Great
we present, as a grievance, that the Magis-
traies OF the town Of Savannah 10 not use
their endeavor 70 prevent that mischleyous
kind Of commerce too frequently carried on
by petty shOpkeepers on Sundays with negroes.
We present, as a grievance, the great num-
her Of tipping houses in the town Of savan-
nah. ana the many disorders oceasioned by
them.
We present. IS a grievance, the several muir
tcere that have been committed ID this eoun-
try with impunity.
rrs hat
the Legislature have taken no steps TO pro-
vide for the payment Of old debts, and, by a
well guarded law, to prevent the destruction
Of old and good citizens.
We present, as grievance. that the fees
annexed 70 Special Court should be
% enormous and oDDresstCeIv heaOv as they
are.
We present. a. a grievance, that the Laza-
rettO on Tybee Island should remain in les
present ruinOus condition. and that no steps
are taken 70 have IL re6ued.
We present, as a grievance, the frequent
burning Of shavings and other rubbish in the
streets OF Savannah, to the great danger Of
the town.
We present, as grievance, that the pre-
sentiments OF the former grand iurles have
never sufficiently been noticed By the Legis-
lafure.
We, having examined the several tax lists
presented 70 Us. do advise that the collectors
Of taxes should strictly examine the same. and
see that they are made out agreeable to law,
and enforce the penalty upon all deinquents.
A notice published by the City Treas
grer'in 1874 for the benefit Of the inhabi-
4ants Of the city and hamlets, stated that
ne would regularly attend at his Office in
fheeustom house for three weeks, between
the hours OF 10 and ] O'Clock, in order TO
receive the returns OF taxable property
under the ordinance passed Dec. II, 1893,
entitled, can ordinance tor keeping the
city Of Savannah, hamlets and common
clean and free from rubbish, weeds, and
other instances, and for raising a sum Of
money annually TO defray the expenses
1bereof.o
The rates Of taxes are as follows, viz:
For every l00l. value Of houses or lots with
Sc the city or hamlets, cd.
For every Negro between lG and 50 years Of
axe, employed as family servant, porter. or
other service, within the city or hamlets. Cd.
FOR every horse, 81.
For every head OF neat cattle, not exceed
sng the number Of four in each family, 81.
For every ditto above four, one half OF a
dollar.
For every four wheel carriage, twaggons
excepted) ..
For every riding chair, chaise, or sulkey, is,
There were not many theatres in those
days. In the Gazette in 1874 there ap-
pears the following announcement:
BY permission Of HIS Honour the Governor,
on Saturday night az the dlature, win be per-
formed several feats Of lofty tumbling and
poetlring nv person who has performed at
baddler's Wells, near London, with great APP
piauee. The door VIII be opened at O'Clock
and the curtain will be drawn up at haif-past
Beven. Tickets 10 be had at Mr.. Murray's
tayern and at the printing Office. Price IS. Cd.
each.
Marriages and deaths were very briefly
reported. In writing OF prominent we'd
ding which occurred in 1874, the reporter
said:
Married The Hon. John Morel. Esq. Presi-
nent Of this state. TO Miss Sally Powell,
daughter Of Mr.. Joseph Powell. OF London. a
young lady universally acknowledged 10 be
possessed Of every qualification necessary 10
render the married state perfectly happy.
~ matchless pair,
With equal virtue formed, and equal grace,
Distinguished by their sex alone:
Hers the mild lustre Of the blooming morn.
And his the radience Of the risen day"
One Of the most interesting accounts is
that Of balloon ascension, which the
Gazette alleges 10 have taken place on
Sept. 90 1884:
On Thursday, between the hours Of 1 and 5
IN the evening. was eot on from near the
number o. spectators a beautiful air balloon
but what "a enough 10 stagger crodulity Itself,
we are Informed she had taken Ia previous to
her departure near 800 bushels Of corn. OK.
elusive % ak men aud nccessaries sufficient
for the TIP aud 10 intended Tor the island Of
bamaica. Bets Of great amount are offered
that shc makes a safe and expeditions voyage.
A postscript added 70 the account says
hat should things turn out as expected
BY the projectors, they intend making
great nNUcfifnentH iu future for thia 40 px.