The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-28
A sAvANNAHIAN IN FIrzGERALD.
The New Town From a Business
Mans Standpoint.

Mans Standpoint.
Several Savannahians, who went to Fitz-
gerald in company with Grand Master
Manucy 10 take part in the institution of
the new odd Fellows lodge. returned to
the city yesterday. Mr.. Jonas AIendel was
one of the number.
Mr.. Mendel gave some interesting in
formation concerning the new town. The
Savannahians, he said, were given a very
hospitable reception and were furnished
with the best accommodations the place
afforded. Every thing is exceedingly new
in Fitzgerald. All the houses were rapidly
constructed and most of the settlers are
now living in rudely constructed homes,
many being built simply of pine slabs.
Building is going on rapidly, however and
the shanties are giving away to neatly
constructed frame houses; There are a
number of saw mills in the vicinity and
all working full time.
Mr.. Mendel said that on a careful esti-
mate he placed the number of houses or
all description in the new town at 1900
upon which basis he estimated the total
population at from 1850 to 5000. There were
said to be more in the woods around the
town, however.
every state in the union, but the large
majority are from the northwestern states,
Iowa. Nebraska and the Dakotas, who
have come south TO escape the rigorous
winters of that section. Mr.. Mendel talked
with many of them and found them well
pleased with their experience so tar. In
the northwest they said they could raise
nothing but wheat. Two years out of three
the crops would be poor. The third year
there would be a tremendous crop and low
prices for the product. This, added to the
severity of the winters of that section, IS
what drove them south. Mr.. Mendel said
that he found the citizens of Fitzgerald
to be an educated and Intelligent people,
and of a class which will be benefit TO
the state. One thing that attracted ms at
tention particularly, was the cleanliness
and neatness of everything, even in the
rudely constructed shacks in which many
of the settlers are living.
There are a very large number OF PEN
sioners among the colonists. me amount
of pension money which will be drawn an
nually by the colony was estimated as
high as 100000, but Mr.. Mendel is salts
fled that this is an exaggerated estimate
He does not think the pension receipts
will amount to more than half that sum.
At the present the pension money APP
pears to be the principal dependence OF
the colony for support. Beyond the labor
incident to the building of the new town,
few industries have been put in operation.
No extensive preparations for farming
have been begun as yet though ma
iority of the coloniStS are farmers. 1t
was stated, however, that number OF
five-acre lots had been taken up. The
owners will go principally into diversified
farming and fruit growing,
A number of enterprising Georglans
have settled in the new town and have
business. In fact, there are so many
small groceries that Mr.. Mendel thinks
the business over done. He took buggy
ride through the country surrounding
Fitzgerald. The land, he sad, is high
and rolling, with good natural drainage.
1t is a good farming, country and natu-
rally healthy. If the colonists get through
the first six months without any serious
fevers he thinks they will have no reason
to complain of the health conditions.
Naturally there will be some sickness, due
to acclimation.
Mr.. Mendel found that a large percen-
tage of the population of the new town
IS temporary, people who have been at
tracted there by the reports of its growth
and prospects, and who will not remain
unless they find the condition satisfactory.
This was shown at the organization of
the odd Fellows lodge. The lodge was or
ganized with forty-five members, but there
were thirty other Odd Fellows pres
emit who did not become mem
bers, simply presenting their Wis
iting cards. They will be-
come members later if they decide to To-
cate at Fitzgerald, Mr. Mendel thinks 1t
would be good idea for the Savannah
merchants to arrange an excursion from
FITZGERALD to Savannah over the Georgia
and Alabama railroad. With a low rate
large number of the settlers would take
advantage of the opportunity to visit Sa-
yannah, he thinks.