The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-30
THE FITZGERALD COLONY.
What the COIOnIsts Are Doing to
Make Themselves Homes.

Make Themselves Homes.
Fitzgerald. Ga. Nov. 29.-The colony at
Fitzgerald is booming now, ana makes
one think of the west in its palmy days.
Stock has been sold at one hundred and
ninety cents on the dollar, and lots are
selling at fancy prices. Nearly all the
building that is being done is on dwen-
ing houses, because so many are sending
for wives and babies, and it is absolutely
impossible to rent any kind of a building
in which to put them.
The plan, which is the subject of much
discussion at present, is the one which
was proposed by Gov. Northen on his re-
cent visit here. He suggested that an
excellent way in which to advertise would
be TO arrange for a Colony day at At
lanta some time in December, and then
go in body and surprise the natives by
our numbers. Many people in the state
doubt that so large a number of people
ar already located here and could only
be convinced by seeing them in Il body.
Most of the people are very busy but
We are told that too much work in TINS
climate is apt to result in illness, 50
nearly all favor the governors plan, aud
we think this pleasant excursion will be
The way in which work on the town site
is carried, lis a matter of much favorable
comment by visitors, and a credit TO it,
manager Mr.. Nelson, who has the work
in charge. The central portion of the
city is pretty well cleared out, and work
has been begun on the necessary ditching.
The grading will begin as soon as the nee
essary machinery can arrive
The management has one very UNI
pleasant feature to meet in the execution
of work, and that is absence of a bank.
and the impossibility of procuring change.
The scene at the superintendent office
on the evening OF pay day Is striking
one. There are about 40 men employed
by the colony and when they are paid the
greatest difficulty is experienced in MAX
a M
ium, ana if this sort of thing continues
much longer all the clerks who do the
paying VIII be ardent advocates of free
silver, regardless Of politics. Drafts for
large amounts are daily received and
must be sent to Macon or Savannah or
Cordele, and the delay consequent upon
such conditions is anything but pleasant.
If the colonists were not the best natured
people in the world and the very embodi-
ment of pluck and energy business would
be paralyZed.
Perhaps never in the history of the
world has this colony had anything like
a parallel. In the first place the plan was
perhaps the most beautiful of any that
has ever been tried, and so simple and
so perfect that il has been carried to a
successful completion, or so near a COM
pletion that there is no hesitation in con-
sidering it a success, for it is hardly pos
sible now that anything could make 1t a
failure, or even partial failure.
one thing that should convince every
one that the people here are not simply
experimenting for speculative purposes,
is the fact that while there is no city
organization of any kind and no officers
of the law, there are no quarrelS and
brawls. No police officer is needed to keep
the peace. one does not see drunken peo-
pie as one walks through the city, and
only very rarely hears any complaining.
The colonists have come to make homes
in this delightful climate, and most of
them wish to have pleasant neighbors and
to be pleasant themselves. one source of
constant pleasure to all is the attitude
which the southern people present Their
constant Kindness and hearty hospitality
raralr he IEt nnN hot IaNr
among kind friends and are heartily well
come, and the word brother" which is
so often on the lips of every southern
man, has a true ring which ii is delight
full to hear.
OF late the colonists have had many
distinguished visitors, and some of them
are still here. =. II. Fitzgerald returned
to his home in indianapolis Tuesday morn
ing, but will return in a week, and accom-
w. j. Northen made a delightful visit
here, and all regretted that his stay was
so short He is great favorite with the
colonsts and has many staunch friends
and ardent admirers among them.
Each excursion day brings in a large
number of people, and many are coming
every day regardless of rates. 1t is esti-
mated that there are now about 1000
people here, and three times that many
more are expected before three months
have passed.
A puzzling matter is how to get building
material enough to supply the people,
though there are several dealers in lum-
Der, and one mill is in operation and the
machinery for two more is being placed
in position The new single mill of Mr..
J. D. Brown has Just begun operations,
and will do a little toward satisfying the
great demand for shingles.
Mr.. Bradford arrived from Triton to-
day to take charge of the stock of drugs
of J. NJ. Paulk & Co, and will soon be
ready to see customers.
Mr.. A. T. Curry from Cordele is in the
city, and a guest at the Colony house.
Mr.. J. o. Curry and Mr.. Monroe are
over from Abbeville for a day or two.
The local management is greatly rushed
with business just now, and the superin-
tendent and three assistants are kept busy
early and late, and the work keeps in
creasing. The sales of lots have been rapid
and prices range from $75 to 5000 each. A
number of letters have been received from
people who desire the best location in the
city, regardless of price.