Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-08
sPoKrsMEN,s PARAnIsE.

Jekyl Island Coveted for Yachting
Station and Game Preserve.
A special dispatch to the NEWS from
Brunswick says that the sale OF Jekyl
Island has not been completed. Mr.. John
f. du Bignon has stated that he does not
know yet what the Vanderbilt party will
do. The party included VIM. X. Wander
bilt and wife, Oliver e. King. Secretary
OF she Union Club; W. Gray and gen.
tlenan named Foster, OF New York.
They were taken across to Jekyl Island
on a steamer. They were given drive
along the beach ahd we've chOWn over the
island. The party seemed very we'll
pleased and thought that the place would
do finely for club quarters.
Several wealthy New Workers who have
steam yachts OF their own, and who ENJOY
hunting, have for some time contemplated
purchasing an island along the South At
lantio coast. Jekyl is perhaps the finest
for that purpose along the seaboard. It
Is said to be the best stocked island with
game on the coast. Deer abound and
game birds are plentiful. There are 800
wild horses and any quantity Of wild hogs
roaming around through the thickly
wooded tract. The fishing and ducking
are uneXcelled.
uEkyl lalduu Is nine AtlicS AOnE ana TWO
miles wide. 1t was named for Sir Joseph
Jekyl, a friend Of Oglethorpe. About
l740 a Capt. Horton had we'll improved
plantation on the island, and defensive
works were erected there. A brewery
was established for supplying the troops
with beer. In 1912 Capt. Horizons houses
and the brewery were burned by the Span
ish General, Montana. In 1904 the island
was bought by Capt. Christophe Paul
laine du Bignon, fugitive French royal
list. Ever since, the island has remained
in the possession OF the du Bignon
family, and Is now virtually owned By
Mr.. John r. du Bignon, q great grandson
Of the old Captain and a cousin of Solicit
tor General Fleming G.. du Bignon. Of this
city. The old mansion was burned by
Sherman's army. The only residence on
the island is the new building that was
erected on the south end, close 10 the
beach and near where the old mansion
stood. There is a magnificent carriage
drive along the beach for nine miles. The
timber is chiedy live OAK, and has long
been the envy OF shipbuilders. The pres
emf owner has more than once declined
oilers OF $4,000 for the island.
few months ago an effort was made
bv some New York club men TO stock
PARK in the Adirondack mountains. IL is
reported that the party inspecting Jekyl
this week Is the same that was interested
in the other project. II the island Is pur-
chased, 10 WIN be used for yachting sta
ton and all-tho-year-rOund resort.
A gentleman from Brunswick who was
in savannah yesterday stated that il is
understood that the purchase will be con-
summated after Mr.N anderOilt and friends
return 20 New York and report 10 the
others Interested In the scheme. Mr..
du Bignon is said 10 ask 100000 for the
properly. Theparty ls travelling Ia special
cars.
Jokyl Is entirely surrounded By water.
On three sides the waters Of the sounds
are from two 10 eight miles wide, and on
the east side OF the island there 81 an
expause shout 1900 miles ia width.
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, the great iron
manufacturer, owns part ~ Cumbur-
land Island. which ID next below Jckyl.
"Dungonoas.' Mr.. Cnrnegie's residence.
cost $4,000, ard be- has spent 100000
more IN other Improvements.