The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-11

A Rare Presentation.

There occurred at the Ponce de Leon
yesterday ceremony not down in the
programme of the management, and one
which took the entire establishment,
from Mr.. Flagier down, completely by
surprise.
At 12 O'Clock Mr.. b. Genovar, proprie-
tor of Genovar's Opera House and one
Of the most prominent and successful
merchants of st. Augustine, accom-
panied by Mr.. o. ID. Seavey, manager of
the Ponce de Leon, sought out Mr.. Flag
Ter and, finding him among the shrub
berry in the grounds of the hotel inspect
ing some Of the details of the gardeners
work, approached him in his customary
oT-hand style and, after the usual greet
ings, stepped hack a pace OK two and in
an impressive and deliberate manner adj
dres sed him in tine following words:
.sMr. Flagler: 1t fills my heart with
pride and pleasure to have the honor of
saying to you that as a native of the old
town. have been delegated by my
conference.-the descendants Of the
first white settlers in Florida, end com
patriots Of him who first planted, in
1919, the banner of civilization on this
continent, and whose memory you have
honored in the erection of this magnifi-
cent palace-tO convey to yOu their pro-
found appreciation Of your unwearied
and constant interest in their present and
future welfare, and their kindest wishes
for your future happiness and long and
happy life, and that the name OF IL. nj.
FLAGLER may live forever!
Accept, sir, from the native popula-
ton of st. Augustine, this little token,
with all It's meaning.
..And now, sir, accept also my sim
cerest individual thanks for your many
personal courtesies to myself"
The ''httle token" SO gracefully pre-
sented to Mr.. FIagler in the name of the
natives of the city, was a neat Russian
morocco case containing a heavy, solid
golden disc or medal, on the diverse of
which was exquisitely engraved a reaiis-
tic representation of the old City Gates,
and on the reverse, the following in
scription:
III. M. FLAGLER,
FROM THE NATIVES OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
our gates will always be open,
and a hearty welcome ex-
tended 70 the progres-
new "Aneient
City
JANUARY 10th. 1888
This was accompanied by a copy of
the foregoing address, in beautifully il
Illuminated letters of vermillion, with
panelled capitals i'm gold leaf, on a folded
card four by nine inches, the front cor
ner of which was richly ornamented
with fac simile in gold leaf and black,
ON an azure ground, of the Spanish coat
of arms, as the same is carved on the
stone over the gateway of the old Fort
San Marco, and the back cover with an
old-time view in colors of the old Cathe-
dral, the whole being a most artistic
piece Of work, executed by Van Gelder,
the artist.
The presentation, as stated above, was
a complete surprise to Mr.. Flagler, and
the recollection of all the circumstances
attending his relations with the descend
ents OF the original settlers of st. Au-
gustine, together with the manifest gem
uineness of the sentiment which
prompted this graceful act on their part
quite unnamed him for a moment.
His lip quivered and his clear blue eye
was dimmed. Partially recovering him
self he briefly but most feelingly ex-
pressed, not only his entire surprise that
his friends in st. Augustine should have
been SO thoughtful as to distinguish the
date of the opening of the great build
ing, into the construction of which he
had put his heart for many months, but
his heartfelt gratitude to them for this
tasteful, appropriate and enduring MEM
orial of their regard for him, which he
should preserve in memory of the &C.
casion as long as he lived.
This simple ceremony SO eminently
characteristic of the two principal
actors therein, was one which will kindle
anew the sacred fires of mutual regard
and esteem already existing between the
native population of the Ancient City
and the founder of the now world
famous Ponce de Leon.
Council Meeting.