The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-27
THE SOUTH IN wINTER..xII.
WASHINGTON, D. G., April 14th, 1894.

narrow peninsula running south, an en-
envy could approach by land only from
the north. Across this northern bound
airy ran line of Notifications from water
to water, effective barriers, also moat,
crossed at the city gates by draw
bridge. The gates were closed at night
and guards were stationed in the sentry
boxes. Just within the gate was a
guardhouse with detachment of
troops. The towers are very old, the
material coquina, 20 feet in height to
the mouldings, and 10 feet deep, fanked
by walls 80 feet in length, with road
way between the pillars of ~ feet.
Next to the fort, the city gates are the
chief memorials of Old st. Augustine,
and like the fort, have shared in the
ruthless demolition at vandal hands, yet
are we'll preserved.
We leave them regretfully and follow
st. George street south, passing its shops
containing for the most part, curios.
No less than % shops in the town claim
to have the only simon pure curio, and
one does we'll to halt before purchasing.
Many deluded mortal has burdened
himself with ancient relics, manufac-
tured in back room from trees cut
within week, or shells from Indian
mounds, picked up on the beach less
than three hours before. st. George is
the narrow, business street, although
not as narrow as Treasury street. The
name Treasury street was given it from
the fact that the treasurer lived upon or
near it, the treasures being kept within
the fort. Following st. George street to
the centre of the town, we reach the
Plaza, pleasing bit of greensward, 1t
is public park of shrubbery and shade
trees, with monuments and fountains.
1t contains a building, an open structure,
pointed out as the "old slave pen," or
"slave market" and built by the Span
iards. The truth is, however, it never
was slave pen or market, nor had the
Spaniards anything to do with it, for
twenty years before it was built they
had left the country. 1t was built in
1S40 for the sale of meat and other food
supplies. 1t furnishes lounging places
for idlers. The name was given it by an
enterprising photographer, since retired
with full pocketbook, secured from
sensation-hungry, gullible strangers.
The park takes its name from the
monument erected here by the Spaniards
in 1913. 1t is pyramid of coquina,
succeed and white washed, rising from
store pedestal, and surmounted by
cannon ball. The second monument
commentaries the volunteers from st.
Augustine, who lost their lives in the
Confederate service. The shaft is of
coquina and bears the inscription: "Our
Dead. Erected by the Ladies' Memorial
Association of st. Augustine, Fla, A.
D., 1872" SIN Memoriam, Our loved
ones, who gave their lives in the service
of the Confederate States" "They died
far from the home that gave them
birth" "They have crossed the river,
and rest under the shade of the trees"
The square was used as late as 1865 as
a parade ground by the United States
troops, and has always been used as a
place of public assemblage. Fronting
the Plaza on the north stands st.
Josephs Cathedral, completed in 1871,
which contains bell bearing date 1852,
claimed as the Oldest on the continent,
antedating by these years the famous
bell in the Dutch church at Tarrytown,
N. Y, which bears the date 1886. The
st. Francis Barracks are situated at the
south end of the sea wall facing the Man
tanzas. They are occupied by United
States troops. The outdoor concerts
given by the military band, the dress
parades and the guard mount at sunset
on the parade in front of the barracks
are among the attractions of the town.
The barracks take their name from the
Franciscan convent, whose former site
they occupy. Just south of the barracks
is the military cemetery. 1t contains
three low pyramids of masonry forming
the tombs of officers and men who died
in the Seminole war. The memorial
shaft, "Dade's Monument" within the
enclosure, records the fact that of ITO
men, under command of Major Dade, in
August, 1885, surprised by lurking Sem
inoles. 100 fell dead and mortally
wounded. More than 100 of Maj. Dade's
are inferred here.
The convent above referred to was
abandoned when Florida was coded to
Great Britain in 1853. When Spain
again resumed possession of the town in |
l7S3, it was used as barracks for the
troops of the Spanish governor. Its |
brick, brought from the banks of the |
Hudson, still remain, although soon |
after its completion, the building was |
destroyed by fire. The harbor and sew |
eral beaches within easy reach afford |
much pleasure to visitors. On Anastasia |
Island, the South beach extends for |
miles and at low tide, after a heavy |
storm at sea, may be gathered shells and |
weed, and the view is fine. Mitchell |
here took his 'runs" and exercise, the |
house he occupied being only a few rods |
from the beach. A railroad runs nearly |
The length of the island, connecting with |
a ferry to st. Augustine hourly. The |
fort looks much more formidable from |
the island, and no one should miss the
view.
North Beach is reached by half hour
sail, and from the Pavilion, one can see
in every direction IS far as eye can
reach. Porpoises are seen in large mum,
Ders in the harbor, and fishing is fine.
Sail boats are to be had in large numbers
md at so cents to 81 per hour, shippers
will give one an exciting sail and dis
play more than the average amount of
skill, They are generally manned by
larkies. /
Leaving the harbor, we pass through
,he Plaza, to the west, and find our
selves fronting the Ponce de Leon, Flor
da's pride, as also the Alcazar and the
Jordova, all facing large park, lighted
1t night by electricity. To Mr.. II. NJ.
Flagler, st. Augustine owes her present
md future prosperity. From an OBJ
icure, ancient town, she to-day takes
'ank among the first, in our estimation,
If the cities of Florida. We shall not
,ndeavol to sketch hotel costing over
hree million dollars, or more than call
attention to her lesser, but no less nota-
10 Ill |