Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-04
PENSACOLA.
Its Early HistOry-Many Vicissitudes-
A Noble BOy-shipping statlstics, Etc.

L ENSACOLAs jan Ols-IaklnS leave VI
the thriving little city of Mariana, your
lett by the night train on
the Pensacola and Atlantic railroad for
Pensacola, one of the most ancient and
seaports in the Union. This
is in excellent condition, ana
will compare favorably with the Oldest
roads in the country. Arriving without
accident, we sought accommodations at
Hotel Continental" and were soon COM
fortably cared for by Capt. 5. +. Chipley,
who, IN the Office, represents the proprie-
tor, ID. 4. Hickey, Esq, at this time alb
sent. Mr.. Hickey Is the Vice-COnsul for
the Russian empire, and one OF the lead
ing spirits in Florida. His hotel is new
and elegantly furnished, and can accom-
mOdate about 100 guests. The fare, ser
wants attendance, and sleeping arrange
ments are alike uneXceptionable. A few
words as to the origin of this quaint old
town may not be amiss.
AS early as the summer of 1889, Fer
nando De Seto, who had landed mis- little
army at Tampa Bay, perceiving the
necessity of providing a secure harbOr
and good anchorage for his fleet, sent Out
All expedition in quest of the same. The
result was the discovery Of Pensacola
Bay, which then received the name of the
bay OF OCHUS,"
and with it's "A feet of water on the bar
and SO feet inside, mas proved to be the
best port south of Norfolk. Three years
afterwards. when it became known that
the renowned adventurer had persisted in
the wilderness, and the remnant of his
forces had landed ON the coast of Mexico,
the fleet returned to Havana and the eX-
peditiOn was abandoned finally. Alter
this, it was not until 1896 that the French
made settlement in the vicinity Of the
bay. They were driven out at length by
the Spanish, who III 1888 planted a colony
there of 300 from Vera Cruz. But again
the French organized an expedition I'M
der Bienville, and in 17l9 re-
captured the town, which four years
later, however, reverted back to Spain.
In 1868 the British, having obtained
possession of the Floridas, LAID out PEN
sacOla in regular form, and the place be-
gan TO assume the appearance and di-
mansions of a city. At this time the
Governors Palace" and many other
buildings were erected.
Once more, in 1881, the Spanish General
Galvez laid siege to the place, and got
possession after blowing up the magazine
and fortress on the hill north of the town.
But IN 1888 the entire province by treaty
was given back to Spain. 1t remained
an appanage of the Spanish crown until,
during the second war with Great Brit
ain, Gen. Andrew jackson, learning
that the English were using the port of
Pensacola as a station for their fleets,
and organizing and equipping hostile
Indians to aid them, marched against the
place from Mobile without orders from
Washington, and capturing the adjacent
forts expelled the English. ThIs was in
November, 1874. 1t was not until 1878,
however, at the conclusion Of the Greek
war, that ne formally seized Pensacola,
which was afterwards restored to Spain.
In 1920 Florida was purchased by the
United States, and possession given in
Juls of the following year. Gen. Jackson
was made the first Governor.
So mucn for the early history of Pensa-
cola. The city has suffered severely from
yellow fever, and several disastrous con-
flagrations, but within the last decade its
advance in population and resources has
been very striking. The present number
of inhabitants closely approXimates H.
900. A large foreign element is still visi-
bic, and nearly all of the streets and prin-
cipal localities bear Spanish names. The
harbOr is one of the best in the world. 1t
measures thirty miles in length by seven
wide, and is almost completely land
locked. The nayies of all nations might
ride in safety upon its waters. Ships
drawing twenty-f0ur feet of water may
cross the bar at low tide and come up 10
the wharves. The annual exports sum
up SO, 250.000 in value, and the tonnage
$50, 900 tons. To afford some definite con-
ceDtiOn of the commerce of the city, it is
only necessary to say that at this moment
no less than 100 vessels, large majority
of them square-rigged, are in waiting, or
receiving their cargOes, mostly Of lumber.
This immense merchant fleet, according
to the figures of Mr.. l.. Nj. Merritt, Vice
Consul to the Argentine Republic, gives
employment to 1, S00seamen and over 1000
stevedOres. The saw mills tributary to
Pensacola, also, are 56 in number, and re-
qure force to operate them, including
the lOgmen. OF 5000 laborers. All of
these hands receive high wages, and are
paid of every Saturday evening. OF course
the most of this money finds its way into
the tills of the merchants.
A single firm. that OF II. Baars & e.
Downing, owns five saw mills and have
contracts with 20 others. They send off
100 cargoes of lumber annually to foreign
ports, amounting TO 10000, 000feet. From
one OF these gentlemen We learn that, in
the month of April, 1874, as many as 1876
large vessels were in the port OF Pensa-
cola by actual count.
THE FISHING BUSINESS
is another important source of revenue to
the city. II gives employment to so
slOOps and smaeks, and the annual sales
amount to $500 900. All the markets of
the North and West are supplied in part
from this place. Even Boston, Denver
and Kansas City call for their quota, and
still the traffic may be said to be in its in
fancy. The writer read an order for a
whole carload from a single dealer. A
few days ago as many as 30, 900 red snap
pers were shipped in single day, aver
aging five pounds each. The variety of
the tinny tribe offered for sale is very
great, and in delicacy of flavor they can
not be eXcelled.
SCHOOL AND CHURCH STATISTICS.
Pensacola can boast of ii private
academies and colleges. and public
schools. Her churches are 10 in number,
including white and cOl0red, and
convent. The Catholic is the prevailing
denomination, The writer visited the old
cemetery, which occupies beautiful
eminence, Oyerarehed by magnificent live
oaks. Many OF the monuments are costly
and elegant, and reach far back adown
the vista Of centuries. Some OF the in
scripti0ns upon them are quaint ana
unique, and we would gladly reproduce
them did time and space permit. But
"Old Mortality" with his chisel and mall
let IL greatly needed 10 remove the fast
accumulating mould and moss upon the
tOmbs.and t0ret0uch their fading legends.
Pensacola is we'll represented in every
department Of trade. To convey some
a.a.H To- . Il