The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-01-16
TO FLORIDA And BACK.
SINGULAR METHOD OF PROVING
DEATH,

JacksOnvilIe...The st. Johns Cove
Springs.-.In Memory Of Those who
Died for Others-.-YeIIow Fever II
tack -. A Prophet Away From
Home.
1T became necessary In adjusting the of claim
J.. G.. Douglass in the knights of Honor
that some one should go TO Green Cove
Springs, Fla, TO establish his indcnt-
ity as theman who was MEM
Der Of the Lodge at Abbeville being re,
porter of the Lodge and having made out all
papers pertaining to the case, Mrs. Douglass
suggested that should 60 and attend TO this
matter, and in accordance with her request
left Abbeville for Verdery, on Monday 3lst
Augusta, at that place. In purchasing ticket
at the office in Augusta for Jacksonvllle,.Fla,
was accosted by quite q nice looking man
and asked If had ever been to JacksonVille
told him had not, when he said, well, sir,
would not go to that place for one thousand
dollars.
The remark did not impress me at the time
but while trying to sleep That night the
knew something that did not know, for
had not seen the papers of that day, and
thought new cases OF yellow fever had de-
veloped within that time. Arriving at Sa-
closely. but no unfavorable report from jack
sonville was discovered, and seven passenger
coaches were quickly filled with people bound
for the Land OF Frnits ,sso anu ,, Flowers Htis:
from my mind for the time. Between Savan-
nah and Jacksonville the country is barren
waste low, wet, and marshy. The native pine
seems to furnish the only industry, in turpen-
Line, rosin and lumber. Not one foot Of land
in cultivation in sight Of the railroad Ior the
LIS miles between the two cities. But running
out of this barrenneSS into the city Of Jack
sonville, one is reminded OF Prof. Coke Smiths
description OF his trip down the st. Lawrence
river, in which in graphic language he de-
scribes the grand rapids and the preparations
made for going over the rapids and after pass
Ing down, suddenly the boat is in smooth
placed water and the beautiful city OF Mon
treal Is high up on the banks. The point seen
vt which the description does not hold good is
rs 10 the height, for Jacksonville seems to be
as low, If not lower, than the surrounding
country. 1t Is beautiful place and being I'M
proved every year. The fever was O great
drawback to the growth last year, and the
the fever. Every vestage Of the desease Is
gone, but people are afraid, and fear agents
are paid by other places, 10 excite the fears Of
the people.
willie. IL is characteristic cSouthern city with
u great many of the marked peculiarities OF
Savannah aud Charleston. In the course OF
time think the city will be modernized, as
some signs are now visible, notlbly the new
styles OF architecture on the principle streets.
The st. johns river is beautiful stream, clear
as crystal.
After spending one night in Jacksonville,
went the next morning to the point OF my
destination, Green Cove Springs this Is town
Of about 300 inhabitants and lies in a cove OF
the st. Johns river thirty miles below Jack
sonville 1t is nicely laid OFF and has several
beautiful parks, the town seems literally sus.
tained by Borden, the condensed milk man,
and be has certainly selected u lovely spot up
on which to expend his surplus cash.
The place takes its name from a remarkable
IRA nf hn frhinh
charged with sulphur and other medicinal
properties. 1t Is about 25x25 feet and a stream
hows from 1t larger than Long Cane 1T never
gets above or below 76 degrees Farenhit. The
people use 1t without Ice and prefer 1t that
way, tie bottom is q beautiful commingling
of green and gold colors the deepest part Is
said to be go feet perfectly clear, like all water
In Florida.
Mr.. P. c. Fisher prominent lawyer Of this
place rendered me valuable assistance In OBJ
taining affidavits necessary to prove the
identity OF Mr.. Douglass, which think is
proved TO the satisfaction of the supreme Of
ficers Knights of Honor. took. good pho
tograph OF Mr.. Douglass With me and had
no difficulty in having 1t recognized by PROM
inent men as an exact likeness Of the man
who lived and died In their town ana whom
they knew as j. G.. Douglass.
1t was my privilege to attend On my re-
turn to Jackson Vile the memorial services Of
the Board OF Trade In memory OF the gallant
men who, in imitation of their Master, had
ldlu uOMn Iueii lives loI suueilus Auhitthity Z.
The Hon. John E. Hartridge whose nomi-
nation as L. S. District Judge for the District
Of Florida is now in the hands OF the Senate
Judiciary committee delivered chaste and
ornate Grafton on the occasion.
The mellowed influence OF the lives ofDaniel
Fleming, L'engle and others will linger as an
Inspiration In the hearts Of the present gene.
ration and will be handed down as rich
legacy TO generations yet unborn.
One remarkable feature about the yellew
fever In Jacksonville was that only two per
cent of the negroes contacted the disease
died, and more than twenty per cent Of the
whites some of the leading men Of the city.
among whom were three editors, three preach
ers, three lawyers and three doctors.
Taken as q whole, l had a delightful trip and
will repeat 1t again when opportunity offers.
My kinsfolk In Jacksonville treated me like
u prince, and the scripture quotation came
without honor save in his own country"
w. A, T,