The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-24
THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR
AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT
ST. AUGUSTINE.

The Party Escorted to the Ponce de
Leon by Large Delegation OF Citi-
zens, Firemen and Other Organiza-
tions-A Public Reception in the
Evening To Visit Palatka and Indian
River.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Feb. 2S.-N ester
days lowering clouds vanished during the
night, and to-day furnished a typical exam
pie of Florida winter sunshine. The Presi-
dents party rose early, and, after break
fasting, were escorted in carriages TO the
Sub-Tropical Exposition, which they in
spected thoroughly before the general pub
lie was admitted. Great surprise was ex
pressed by all at the opulence and variety
of flowers and fruit displayed, and especi-
ally at the oranges and characteristic sub
tropical plants In the rustic building CON
tanning exhibits of fernando, PaSco and
Citrus counties, full-si2ed orange tree COW
cred with blooms and containing about 100
oranges, had been placed near the platform,
which Mrs. Cleveland assembled, and she
enjoyed for the first time the experience of
plucking orange blossoms and oranges
from the tree. She tossed To the President
the first orange she picked, but his hands
were not quick enough aud he caught it on
his nose. She offered him another, but he
declined, saying that a man got into trouble
a long time ago by accepting fruit plucked
and offered by a woman. Here Mrs Cleve-
land enjoyed an opportunity of cutting pine
apples from the stem and she did whatever
was proposed with sort of girlish glee. A
tame fawn was presented to her, and will
be forwarded to the White House by ex-
press.
GIFTS IN ENDLESS VARIETY,
consisting chiefly of flowers and fruits,
were made to the Presidential party by the
officers of the exposition, commissioners and
individual contributors, and much space in
the car was filled by these when the start
was made for St Augustine
The schedule of the rest of the Presidents
tour is as follows; Leaving st. Augustine at
10 O'Clock tonight, he will arrive at II
o'clock at Palatka From there a rapid run
will be made to Titusville, where a steamer
will be taken to Rockledge, on the Indian
river. Leaving Rockledge on the return
trip at noon tomorrow, the party will visit
the Sanford exposition and also Winter
Park. Jacksonville will be reached at II
O'Clock p m. and Charleston about o'clock
Saturday morning.
AT THE ANCIENT CITY.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA, Feb. 23.-Presi-
dent Cleveland and party, after close in
spection Of the Sub-TrOpical Exposition
this morning, were at II 80 driven to the St.
Augustine depot, crossed the river on the
steam ferry, and at II so left for the An
cient city on a special train as the guests of
II. NJ. Flagler, who accompanied the party.
The time was made without stop or incident
in fifty minutes. AT st. Augustine the
party was escorted through the brilliantly
and artistically decorated streets by the
old fort. San Marco, Plaza de la Constitu-
ton, and all the hotels by a delegation of
citizens, fremen and other organizations
to the hotel Ponce DeLeon, where there was
6 reception by the local military and 200
children in holiday attire. In accordance
with the Presidents request there were no
formal ceremonies. The party was as
signed to the most elegant apartments in
the palatial Oriental hostelry. After a rest
a tour of points of interest in and near the
city will be made, and there will be a
public reception tonight. The party will
leave on a special train for Palatka and will
visit Indian River tomorrow, returning to
Jacksonville tomorrow night. All are
well and are enjoying their flying trip to
Florida to the fullest extent. The weather
is bright and balmy.