The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-23

press agent, VIII soon occupy ndIllSplllo
rooms in the Alcazar H. Gailliard is the
new postmaster, vice Cooper.
THE PONCE DE LEON.
The writer was present at the opening or
the world renowned Ponce de Leon Hotel,
and can truly say that the half has not beer
told of that wonderful structure. We shall
attempt no description of it, To do the sub.
1ect justice would require several days OF
close study and investigation of its numer-
Gus departments and nterior-arrangements
and no little knowledge of the details or an
cient and modern architecture, to say moth
ing of the Spanish language and the fine
arts. Doubtless measures have been taken
TO have this all done secundem drte"l.
Through the kindness of
MAI. J. F. ARMSTRONG.
the advertising agent, and one of Mr.. Flag
ler's managers, your scribe vas shown all
through the vast building from cellar TO
turret. The elaborate ornamentation OF
the exterior is only surpassed by the artistic
elegance and exquisite taste displayed IN
the decoration Of the various apartments
within. The floor of every chamber IS
| covered with rich Brussels carpet, no two
patterns Slil<e, and the whole costing the
large sum Of 100000. The sets OF
furniture too all differ, embracing every
variety of style and mechanism, many OF
them extremely beautiful. Some idea may
| be formed of the expense of these equip
ments from the assurance given by Maj.
Armstrong that in some instances the cloth
used in the upholstery of chamber cost
$50 per running yard. Even the thrones
of Kings could hardly be more gorgeously
decorated. No wonder as was stated by
that gentleman that the entire cost of the
Ponce De Leon Hotel will amount to fully
s., 900, 600
The dining room is provided with several
hund~ed incandescent electric lights, and
viii seat $50 guests. These sumptuous chairs
cost SIS each. But the charm of that vast
apartment is the ceiling and the magnificent
dome that surmounts 1t. The proportions
of the latter are perfect, and its sides are
covered with exquisite paintings represent
ing divers persons in heather mythology
and other fanciful designs. Several Spanish
legends also are inscribed upon the walls,
which are adorned with statuary and fine
pictures, and superbly frescoed. Splendid
mirrors and tesselated floors enhance the
effect of the scene On the roof, gardens
Of choice flowers and exotics will be made
to bloom perennially These Will he com
posed of plants already growing in tubs
which will be Hastily arranged in partieres
separated by serpentine walks and filed in
with soil so as to hide the tubs and reveal
the flowers and plants only in their fullest
luxuriance.
Electric lights, bells and fire alarms are
placed in every chamber and SO complete
is the protection against fire that in five
minutes the whole structure can be flooded
with water The motive power of this vast
establishment is derived from a turbine
wheel, propelled by the rushing stream that
flows from a wonderful artesian well which
discharges
TEN MILLION GALLONS
of water per day, and penetrates to the
depth of | 400 feet. This little rivulet, after
atfording water for all purposes to the en-
tire premises, filling artificial lakes and
feeding numerous fountains, emerges in the
rear and pours like torrent into the Sebas-
tan river, distant about half mile from
the hotel.
Tho laundry, carving room 200 feet in
length, kitchen, crockery closets, store
room, and refrigerating apparatus, where
hung suspended sufficient choice Northern
beef, mutton and poultry to supply the
house for six weeks, were duly inspected
and found to be models of convenience and
completeness. Indeed, The tout ensemble of
this noble structure seems well nigh fault
less, while the spacious courts ornamente1
with fountains and lovely shrubs and flow
ers form a striking attraction to the visitor.
The hotel numbers 400 sleeping apart
ments and the minimum price of board per
| diem is SIS. OF course choice suits Of rooms
would involve much higher rate of expen-
diture. The band of music, of which so
much has been written, is a marvel of it's
self. The writer, by special invitation, was
present at one of its select concerts, and was
| simply delighted with the several rendltions
| from the great masters. Some of the mem
! bers are celebrated musical experts them
selves.
MR.. FLAGLER
| is pleasant and unassuming gentleman,
| and his munificent charities have greatly
| endeared HIM to the community. There
| were no formal ceremonies or speeches at
the opening of the hotel, but the day pre-
vious, the big souled proprietor was pre-
sented with magnificent gold medal by
b. GENovAR ESQ,
! one of St Augustine's merchant princes,
who is descended from the first settlers OF
/ the Ancient City, This medal was APP
propriately inscribed, and on one side was
| delineated with striking accuracy the old
Spanish gates in the wall of the city 1t was
a graceful testimonial and highly appre-
ciated by Mr.. Flagler.
The architecture of Ponce de Leon Hotel
is happy blending of the Spanish and
| Moorish renaissance the former, however
largely preponderatng. The unity and
| perfect harmony observablei in the construc
ton and all the details of this vast editice
l. p
universal admiration.
THE ALCAZAR.
Albeit separate and Independent
structure hundreds of feet removed from
the main hotel, this unique edifice is in re-
atty simply an annex TO Ponce de Leon
almost rivaling it in vastness and splendor
The lower portion will be devoted to
| biiliard-roomS, Turkish baths, tennis
grounds, club rooms, restaurants and sui
phur swimming bath, together with divers
shops and bazars to be stocked with bril-.
liant wares and curiositieS. Above there
will be no less than 800 sleeping apart
| ments, and an immense general restaurant.
The dimensions of the Alcazar are 450x25C
feet, and it is modelled after, and named in
honor of celebrated royal palace in Sc
vile, Spain.
THE CASA MONICA
is the name of another grand hotel Just
opened TO the public, and erected by f. w
| Smith, Esq who resides in an elegant man
sion fashioned after the style of the Spanish
Alhambra, and actually containing curl.
Gus metal cabinet and several other relics
that once graced that world renowned
palace. Thee possessed for the writer a
peculiar interest. Many think the Casa
Monica even surpasses in architectural
beauty and unity the Ponce de Leon and il
enjoys this advantage, that the whole edifce
IN all the glory of its magniiicence may be
fully taken in and scanned from single
position. Both interior and exterior are
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