The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-23
FLORIDA'S ANCIENT CITY.
FOUR DISASTROUS CONFLAGRA-
TIONS IN A YEAR.


gregate Loss-The People Undis-
mayed-At Work Again-New PUB
lie Buildings-The Old Cathedral
Other Improvements-The Old Style
Preserved - New Business Firms
The Opening of the Ponce De Leon
Hotel l. Impossible to Describe its
Magniflcence- Mai. J. r. Armstrong
Carpets Cost $500, OOO-Every Room
Furnished Differently - Expensive
Upholsterv-The Hotel Cost $4,000
OOO-A Grand Dining Room-Superb
Decorations - Elevated Gardens -
Fire Protection-Artesian Water the
Motive Power Culinary Depart
ment. Etc-t rice Of Board-The Band
of Music - Mr.. Flagler - Generous
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of Ponce
eDe Leon-The Alcazar-Casa Monica,
Etc etc, etc.
Your correspondent finds himself again
in East Florida, and after brief survey of
the beauties and lions of the Sub Tropical
Exposition, which have been duly set forth
vigilant jacksonville representative, wend-
ed flS way DY ran 10 DU. AuEuSulue.
This, the oldest and most unique of
American cities, has had a rugged expe-
rience during the past year. No less than
four terrible conflagrations have carried
havoc and desolatlon in their track, sweep
ing away an immense amount of valuable
property and inlcting much loss and suf-
fering. ThN Il st and most disastrous of
these occurred on April :, 1887. AT that time
the old cathedral, st. Augustine Hotel, the
ancient market house, and many stores and
long-standing landmarks, were reduced to
ashes. The loss 10y that fire was fully $780,
900, with but So, 600 insurance.
Two nights only had interviewed before the
fire fend again appeared upon the
scene and demolished four additional
dwelling houses and several stores Again
five days afterward, while the ruins of the
former conhagratiOns were still smoking, an
other blaze confronted the affrighted in
habitants, forming an aggregate loss from
the three fires of over 1912 900.
In confederation, too, of the apothegm
that troubles always come in battal-
ions" on Dec. Is, only about one short month
ago, the city was visited by another
AWFUL CONFEDERATION
In the vicinity of the Plaza, which swept
out of existence Sc, 900 worth of property,
with the meagre insurance of $4,000
upon it.
These calamities in such rapid succession
were sufficient 10 have damped the ardor
and palsied the enterprise of any commu-
nifty. Despite the oft-repeated assertion,
however, that the lassitude of q warm eli
mate is certain to enfeeble the energies of
the inhabitants, st. Augustine has emerged
grandly from the semi-asphyxiation natu-
rally to be expected from such a series of
set backs, and is evincing an amount of
pluck and industry in the effort to restore
her waste places rarely evinced even in the
great business centres of the worlL
THE WORK OF REHABILITATION.
Already two-thirds of the burned district
have either been restored or contracted to
be built upon with substantial edfices.
Bids for new Jail have been received and
accepted. and another handsome court
house is to be erected Immediately at a cost
of $1,000. In addition to these public
buildings
THE VENERABLE CATHEDRAL,
with its quaint chime of bells intact, will be
reproduced in consstence as nearly as pos
sible with the original edfice having this
difference, that the building has been en-
larged TO about double its former dimen
sions by an annex of 100 feet in length by 50
feet in width. The work is rapidly approach
ing completion, and will form magnificent
temple of worship Forum tey the walls
10 the Old portion, which are very massive,
were uninjured by the flames and have been
retained in their entirety, and surnounted
by a new roof The curious front also and
bell tower remain precisely Us they were
before.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
The site of the st. Augustine Hotel has
been rebuilt with block of elegant stores,
and numerous other structures have been
erected. Indeed, ere long the city will pre-
sent handsomer appearance than ever. 1t
is pleasant. too, to note that the material
used (coquina) and the general architecture
of the new buildings are made to comport
so nearly with the style of those which pre-
ceded Them that very little violence will be
done to the old order of things.
Among the new business firms of the city
we notice that of Eaton Il Moragne who
occupy a neat, well stocked and handsomely
finished drug store.
The house of r. c. and H. B. Paris, which
was burnt out III December has opened up
again on Charlotte street with large and
general stock of merchandise. They will
return 10 their former stand on the Plaza as
room as the new store is completed
s. +. Bennett is running two grocery es-
Establishments, one on Charlotte street, in
charge of c. c. Wright, and the other out
side of the gates, under his own supervis-
ion.
Among the enterprising merchants of st.
Augustine, none stand higher than Cham
berlin & Sons. During the great fire in
April they moved their goods three times
to escape the devouring element and only
saved them at last by piling them upon the
strand beyond the sea wall. They never
suspended the payment of their bills for q
day, but resumed business in another loca.
ton, pending the erection of their present
commodious quarters.
DR. Nedder, the famous proprietor and
trainer of wild animals and reptiles. had
his premises burnt, but saved the animals
together with much the larger portion of his
valuable collection of curiosities. They are
well worth a visit
Mr. Albert Meyerson has opened an ele.
CANT clothing and gents furnishing estab
iishment John ONell runs a new fruit
and tobacco shop. o. g. Smith is a mem
Der of the firm of Lyon q Co., and this new
store in elegance and extent ranks among
the first in the State.
NJ. Rogero is a cigar manufacturer anC
dealer d. S. Masters, an old Savannah
man, operates grocery store outside 18th,
gates" and is a considerable real estat.
owner.
The popular baker, Ira s. Manson, ha
erected for himself store and dwelling
combined, which is not only neat, but very
handsome. He has a branch of his business
ON the Plaza. j. Hayden Smiths origina
''old curio store is one of the most interest,