The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-16

sci lost part of the smoke stacks, the
| pilot house, the entire upper roof ana sew
eral staterooms, but the machinery was
| not damaged and the steamer is doing
regular service while repairs are being
made.
Three nominations have been made to
fiji the senatorial chair made vacant by
the death of Senator W. n. Thompson Of
Nassau county. The republican party has
nominated Charles W. Lewis of this city.
A. T. Williams was nominated by the in
dependents. and +. D. Lukenbll by the
regularly organized democrats. Messrs.
Lukenbill and Williams are also of Fer
nandina.
The Florida Southern train brought into
Palatka Tuesday an old man by the name
Of y. 5. Thompson in a dying condition
He was at once put in charge Of Chief
Freeman, who took him to the city hospi-
tai where ne soon died. A ietter was
found among his effects, showing that he
mad mailed an order for some umbrella
covers and other material from New or
leans, and other evidences showing him
to be a travelling repairer of umbrellas.
He was buried by the city. There was no
clue as to where he came from.
Capt. Francis j. Ives, surgeon of the
United States army, lectured to a large
audience at st. Augustine Tuesday night,
under the auspices of the St. Augustine
Scientific and Literary Society. in the pub
lie school room. The subject of his lecture
was the Sign Language of the North
American Indians" The doctor gave data
as far as collected by himself and others,
who have served with the Indians, and
ended his reading with Illustrating the
sign language with his hands. Prof Fer
KEEL, who was present with a bevy Of the
young lady teachers from the states deaf
mute institute, found many of the signs
to resemble those taught to deaf mutes.
rumor was current at Jacksonville
Wednesday to the effect that d. G.
Amber. nominee of the gold democrats
had decided to come down. 1t is said that
Mr.. Amber has written and sent his let
ter of declination to the county commits
sioners Of all the counties in the Second
district, so that his name win not be
placed upon the official ballot. The gold
men lately have been using strenuous eff
forts to have J. n. Stripping, republican
nominee, withdraw. The failure of these
efforts, it is said, is the reason that Mr.
Amber has declined TO enter into a hope
less race. There was some opposition to
Mr.. Ambler's declination, but rumor has
it that he was firm in the decision he had
made.
N. E. Cowles, tax assessor of Dade coun-
ty, handed in his books for the past year.
to be examined by the board. They were
found to be in admirable condition The
total valuation of all property in the coun-
ty for 1896 is 81, 629, O62; real estate valua-
ton, $l,251, 496. The real estate valuation
of 1895 was 81, 1887. This shows an IN
crease of $5S,099 in one year. The valua-
tion of telegraph property for 1895 is S4,-
$50; railroad and telegraphs, $261 7S4; per-
sonal and poll taxes. $110,9 O2 The tax levy
is sl6,743.62. For 1895 it was 81, 1888 81. This
gives an increase of 81, S0965. The total
state tax levy is $6116.33 Most of the in
crease in land values comes from the
opening up of new lands by the railroad
and canal companies; the establishment
of the colonies at Boynton and Linton, and
elsewhere.