Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-05-21
HOMEWARD BOUND.
More of the Beauties of the
Land of Flowers" as Told
BY Our Correspondent.

The following letter will not prove
less interesting because it is
old or because the writer is at
home. The delay was unavoid-
able.
st. Augustine, Fla, April s.
After leaving st. Petersburg and
spending a week at Tampa and
several days at Jacksonville, we
are now at st. Augustine and find
this place the most interesting and
attractive of all others we have
visited in Florida. Aside from its
historical associations there are
numerous attractions. The first
place visited, as usual, was the
postoflicc, which is one Of the old
est buildings in the city, formerly
the residence of a Spanish Gov
ernor, and used as a courthouse.
Across the street from the post
Office is the Plaza, a small park, in
which attractive place are two
monuments of great dimensions;
one commemorating the New
Spanish Constitution, erected in
1918, another of more lofty hight,
erected by the Ladies Memorial
Association, OF this place in 1872,
in memory of the Confederate
dead. Several appropriate cpl
taphs are thereon engraved, such
as ",They died far from the homes
that gave them BIRTH" SPY COM
rades honored and by comrades
mOurned.n l felt like removing
my hat and bowling in reverence
to this shrine.
| We next visited the famous
hotel, Ponce De Leon, which vies
with Tampa Bay Hotel in splendor
and magnifcence; both attractive
and alluring in all appointments
All that taste, wealth and engenui
ty combined is there embodied
The Ponce, as called here, has
been compared to a handsome
: matron, and the Tampa Bay to
beautiful young girl, both cxqui
! site and wonderfully beautiful
with lovely surroundings.
Near by are two other magnif
icent hotels, the Algazar ant
Cordova, built and owned by Mr.
Flagler, who is to the eastern cos
what Mr.. Plant is to the western
Aside from these hotels Mr.. Flag
! Ter built an imposing Presbyterian
church, costing 100000, as
memorial to his only daughte
7 who died q few years since. Nea
f.. by is another church he built an,
gave the Methodist. Both hav
!. elegant Parsonages adjacent a
i homes for tile pastors. Nor doe
!. his philanthropy stop here. IL
0 rebuilt the Catholic Cathedral, tina
a was burned, and donated to then
:. and also a City Hall. All the fore
l going buildings are composed of
e concrete material made fr0l
s shells, morter, ETC., carrying OF
). the Spanish idea in both constru'
}, ton and appearance.
Q We sailed across this Mantan2
It bay to South Beach Station wheI
Vt we saw, and went into ligh
house, the Jetties, Bird islam,
A. Jack Mound, etc, and were d
Il, rectly ON the grand old Atlant
a. shore, watched the breakers roI
e gathered shells and enjoyed tt
le novelty of the situation. Aga
n visited the old Monastery, ont
lc occupied by Monks, now used
p officers quarters by marine sc
" diers. Near by is the oldest houl
es in the United States, which W;
I'd built by the French Hugueno
rt who came here in 1902 with Jes
u Ribault. 1t was occupied |
" monks of st. Francis from 10
sy to 1880. In 1890 it became Il
to property of a deputy of the Spa
ish Government, remaining in Il
at same family until purchased
IT, the present owner, DR. G. 2. o.
Ill yer, in 1892. This house renal
tie almost the same as when fiji
es built. 1t is Of concrete with sh
'is ornamentation within and wit
out, a quaint picturesque buildir
Here are found many relics al
lie. orros;t;os omopo which 10 wa