Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-22
TALLAHASSEE.

to FIoridR's CapitNl--rhe New Leon
Hotel -- The Proposed Railway TO
ThomasVille-Ths State House-Pio-
turesque Appearance of Tallahassee
Handsome Residences and Institu-
tions 49, Personals - Cotton Factory
Mercantile GuiId-Eara Sofa COiOnists
Press Gang-rho Grave of Prince
Murat.
The route from Quincy to ITALIA hassee
lies over the road OF the "Florida Railway
and Navigation Company" which is
found to be in far better condition than a
carping public had prepared us to antici-
pate. Indeed, the track is for the most
part quite smooth, and steel rails are Civ
ing place as rapidly as possible to the old
iron now In use, ard the work of repair
ing goes steadily on all along the line. IL
is only question Of time, and that not
far distant, before the road will present as
good an appearance as any in the State.
But the complaints alluded to come OF
"giving dog bad name, and there was
just cause Tor them in the past. Let the
people only be patient, and Receiver Du-
val VIII soon make his important high
way hrst-class In every respect.
The approaches to Tallahassee are
through beautiful undulating country,
occasionally broken by precipitous hills,
and interspersed with clear lakelets and
lovely valleys. The soil will compare
faVOrably with the richest portions of the
Union. 1t was here, IN anti-Bellum times,
when the land WAS yielding by handtuPs
and hundred fold, that the
OLD NoBLEssE
of Florida fourished and lived like princes
on their magnificent estates. No people
were more hospItable, refined and brave.
They presented a splendid ideal of the OPP
ulent, intelligent Southern planter. Over
the diretul results that succeeded that
internecine struggle we prefer to draw
the veil. 1t Is alike sad and Improbable
to reopen wounds but partially cheat
ri5ed, and live over again such privations
and humiliations as have no parallel in
the annals of history.
Let the dead past bury its dead" but
those everlasting hills and that teeming
soil stiu remain and are the admiration
of all who view them. To the needy emil
grant and half-frozen habitues OF the
North and West they offer pleasant homes
and very cOrnucOpia of the productions
of mother earth.
While thus We cogitate, the walls and
massive columns OF the State capitol APP
pear In the distance, perched like an
eagles eyrie on lofty hill, and soon the
train draws up at the depot. Then fol-
lows the usual contention between hack
drivers and pOrters, which, so far as your
scribe is concerned. is terminated by his
taking seat in the omnibus of the new
LEON HOTEL
and seeking refuge within its inviting
portals. AS there is nothing that so near
ly concerns the waytarer as the quality of
his lodgings aud creature comforts, for
his sake, at this early stage of tue chrOni-
cles of Tallahassee, we pause to mention
this admirable hotel. Last July, owing
to detective fue in the Kitchen chimney
the building bearing the same name,
which had been only recently
opened took fire and was burned TO the
round. Some OF the carpets, bedding,
mirrors, and other furniture were saved,
and perhaps a few Of the doors and
sashes. But even while the confagration
was raging, sea ed on the outside and
viewing the crumbling ruins, were a few
Of the solid citizens Of the town, who then
ard there subscribed "A sufficient sum in
addition TO the insurance money, to re-
| construct the hotel on a grauder scale
| han before. The work was commenced
al once, and completed, with quite an ad
| dltional number ofrOoms. before the open.
ing OF the fall business. When the visitors
Of the past season returned to this favor
tie winter resort, they found another struc.
ture almost the fdC StmiLe of the former
one awaiting them, with no change in the
interior arrangements. IL was like the
work OF the magician's wand.
The Leon hotel" has been leased by j.
NJ. Lee, the celebrated MOTEL magnate,
with NJ. l.. Oglesby, a"Mercer UniVer-
sity" boy. as manager. 1t 10 first class In
It's table, staff OF servants, furniture and
every appurtenance needed for the &C
com notation of the public. More than
l25 guests can be well provided for.
THE RAILROAD TO THoMAsvTLLE.
Tallahassee at this time is stirred from
centre to circumference on the subject OF
the projected railway to Townsville.
Fhe people are really in earnest, and seem
resolved to construct this direct outlet 10
the North and West, IL needs be at their
own cost. A survey has just been CON-
pleted, and the engineer In charge told
the writer that the topography Of the
country is singularly favorable to the en-.
terDrise and the road can be built very
rhraplv. The distance is only 80 miles.
There are
NO BRIDGES TO BE BUILT,
and but little trestle work will be re-
quired. Labor is abundant, and cheaper,
100, here than in any other section of the
state, and the grades will be quite mod
crate. These facts must greatly dimIn-
ibu tUt CObb VI lDt
The city OF Tallahassee has recently,
by vote OF 237 TO 10, authorized the is.
sue OF $29, 900 In bonds to aid in the con-
structiOn of this road, and 1t Is believed
they can bbe readily fioated at par.
rhe right Of way, also, can be secured
free OF charge. and it rs confidently as
serted that the farmers on the line Of sur
vey stand ready to donate an amount in
land and money double the value Of the
bonds. The completion OF this road will
add largely TO the value OF the real estate
OF Tallahassee and the lands through
which it will pass. II will also increase
the trade OF Savannah materially, aud
open up a daily mail service between the
two cities. These are the advantages
claimed by the trustees and promoters OF
the road, and they appear reasonable.
THE STATE CAPITOL.
Tallahassee was the seat OF government
for Florida under the colonial regime, and
the present State house was erected by
the United States. IL Is a massive and
well-built structure of brick, occupying a
most commanding site, and will probably
continue TO serve the same purpose Tor
years 10 come.
The town Is most picturesquely located
in the M idst OF n rolling and beautiful re-
glon, and but for the wide spreading live
oak trees and pendant moss the visitor
would readily conjecture that be was in