The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-24
THEY LIKED SAVANNAH.
one of the Areanumites Talks About
His Visit Here.

MS Visit Here.
Hon. John S. Wardwen OF Rome. \. Y
who attended the supreme council al. the
Royal Arcanum. as one Of the eight rem
resantatives OF the grand council OF the
state Of New York. was interviewed upon
his return home by the Rome Sentinel.
one Of the leading newspapers OF North
ern New York. As a result Of the inter-
view the Sentinel says: Besides taking
part in the serious deliberations Of the
council, which was in session ten days.
ne found some little time for recreation,
besides seeing most Of the sights OF the
city and lis vicinity. He was royalty en-
tertained. and has come home fun OF en-
thusiasm over the trip.
NO pains were spared to give the Wis
itors a good time To quote Mr.. Ward
wells own words, the members of the
supreme council never enjoyed such Wig
orOus entertainment anywhere and il
was the unanimous sentiment that the
hospitality OF the south is unabridged in
every particular
The New York delegation made the
journey from New York down and back
Dy water, taking the Ocean Steamship
Companys line, coming back on the
steamer Kansas City, Capt. Fisher. They
found the accommodations everything
tnat could be desired and received every
courtesy at the hands OF The officers. On
1eaXlng the steamer they presented Capt.
lSAer handsome set OF resolutions in
acknowledgment of his efforts for their
entertainment The weather was perfect
speaking Of Savannah, Mr.. Wardwell
sdld; IL IS beautiful city, and is called
the Forest City of the south on account of
It's shade trees and beautiful foliage The
city is Well laid out. Every square con-
talns park, Ornamented with statues,
ed.
Its population is 5000 to 10000 and it IS
Deuno 70 oe the most important sea port
OF the south. 1t is now the largest naval
Storehouse port in the world, and the gov
eminent IS spending large appropriations
IN improving the river and harbor. IL is a
large cotton market, too. ranking second
or third in that particular
In savannah everything dates from the
time OF Shermans entry during the civil
war. In anti-bellum days it was a sleepy
town and instead of having asphalt pave
ment the people wallowed in sand After
the war II began to pick up and take on
since"
THE supreme council was attended by SO
representatives coming from p states, and
about 30, like Mr.. Wardweu were accom-
panied by their wives A fine programme
OF entertainments was carried out in which
tne ladies' were given prominent cOnsidera-
ZION q, IL included formal public reception
an the parlors Of the De Soto hotel an af-
ternoon a Tybee Island. which Mr. Ward
We'll designated as Savannah's Coney Is
land. While there they We're entertained
at the private club of the Chatham Artil-
lery, whose organization dates back to
1880. 1t still owns two pieces of artillery
presented TO il by Gen. Washington.
The supreme council adjourned one day
and the gentlemen and their ladies took
a trip up the Savannah and Thunderbolt
rivers to the race course of the Savannah
Yacht Club and saw the clubs races.
Their steamer was provided with refresh
ments by the ladies' of one of the city
churches.
zone of the prettiest excursions was the
drive to the Hermitage" which was
taken in little parties of from three to six
This place is located some three miles
north of the city on the banks of the
Savannah, and is the remains of a once
wah" the owner could blow his horn
from the Veranda of the fine Old-fashiOned
mansion and 900 slaves would answer to
his call. The house sets back some miles
from the turnpike and was approached
through a small forest Of live oaks.
strips of electric car tickets were freely
given to all who would accept by the local
committees. In fact the freedom of the
town seemed 10 be no misnOmer. The
various clubs members We'd with each
other. in keeping open house for the dis
'All the representatives stayed at the
De Soto hotel, which Mr.. WardWell says
is a fine building.
THE whole entertainment of delegates
was undertaken by Pulaski Council No.
153 of Savannah, and must have been no
small expense. Pulaski Council contains
220 members and the initiation fee is $40.
The council is composed of the leading
men of the city. Up to the last year the
membership of the council has been re-
stricted on account of the danger from
a yellow fever epidemic, but the medical
examiners and physicians of the Royal
Arcanum were given an opportunity to
examine ti,t sanitary condition and water
supply of the city and found them so sat
iSfactOry that the restrictions were re-
moved. Savannah is no doubt one of the
health.est cities of the south