The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-20
FITZGERALD IMPROVEMENTS.
The Town to Have Another Import
ant Railroad.

ant Railroad.
Fitzgerald, Ga, April 1S.-The plans for
the new Grand Army of the Republic hall
and opera house are completed. The build
ing is to be located on Central avenue and
Thomas street. and will be built of pressed
brick and hard-burned brick. The build
ing will be three stories high, and will be
fine one. While no great amount of or
namentation will be necessary. yet the
building will, by its general arrangement
and harmonious proportions, present a
pleasing appearance. The first floor win
have five conveniently arranged store
tral A part of the second floor will be
used as the post hall. This room will be
sixty-two by thirty-six, and will face Cen
trail. Directly above this will be the din
ing room, kitchen and other rooms. The
remaining space on the second and third
floors will be used for the opera hall. The
seating capacity of this room is to be
about LEO. The hall is to be finished in
white and sold. and will be made as at
tracttve as possible. The drop curtain
Will be a representation of the battle
scene between the Monitor and Merrimac
Taken as whole, the building VIII be a
fine one.
The band boys held a picnic in the woods
Just south OF town, that was a success in
every particular. They marched out about
II O'Clock and enjoyed a picnic dinner.
After the Georgia appetites had been fully
od6SlltQ, the AFTERNOON was spent IN races
OF various kinds, egg races, three legged
races, etc. A ladies race was announced
but the ladies of Fitzgerald were evidently
not athletic, as no contestants entered.
The chief entertainment of the afternoon
was the ball game between the ball nine
OF Fitzgerald and the band boys. The band
boys were SO badly beaten that the score
was away up In the twenties when the
game was finished. A baby show was also
a great attraction. The festivities con-
Guided with a grand ball in the evening
A gentleman Interested in starting Ga n
ming factory has offered to furnish all the
tomato and cucumber plants that the col
ony members can use on condition that
they will pledge themselves to raise the
cucumbers and tomatoes for the factory.
great many of the coloniSts have accept
ed the offer and have already put out
the plants.
The Fitzgerald, vaIdosta and Pinebloom
railroad has applied for a charter to build
a railroad from Fitzgerald, through Villa
coochee and Pinebloom to Valdosta. The
OOO. and the principal stockhold-
George, Grey. H. L. Grey and oren
Gatchel. This road will connect Fitzger-
aid with one of the richest and most pros
porous sections of Georgia, and will be
a great benefit to the colony.
Of Fitzgerald was held on April 9 to effect
an organization of the medical men of
the city in order to have uniformity as to
methods. etc. The meeting was adjourn
~ appointing NOAiHltlCSS " ar
range for permanent organization, SAINT
tation, etc: The second meeting was held
on April 16
The plan for building a town on the
river for landing for Fitzgerald is about
TO be abandoned Many of the colonists
are very much in favor of this town as it
would give better freight rates and direct
communication with the river, but ii also
has enemies that oppose ii very decidedly.
The firm of Rue & Co. have dissolved
partnership, the business viii be continued
by the junior partner. Mr.. Rue will re-
turn to his home in Beardstown ILL.,, on
business trip, but will have his ten-acre
tract improved in his absence by having
pear, peach and plum trees put out upon it.
A force of twenty-five men are now at
work on the new passenger depot of the
Georgia and Alabama railroad.
The teachers of Fitzgerald held an in
formal meeting to discuss the subject OF
text books and other matters of interest
to the best interests of the schools. Prof
Saunders was selected as chairman of
the meeting and Miss Evans, secretary.
the books as the teachers considered "
too early to make any suggestions until
they were more thoroughly familiar with
the books in use in this county. They also
discussed the question of the institute and
appointed Prof. Saunders to confer with
the county commissioner in regard to the
matter. The teachers of Fitzgerald are
very anxious to secure the institute, and
1t is thought that they will have no diff
ficuty In doing so. They decided to meet
at some future time and come to some de-
finite conclusion as to books and perma-
nent organization.