The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-27
SAVANNAH OR CHARLESTON.
CONTINUED from Eighth Page.)


where refreshments were taken. FrSm
there the trip was continued 10 Desverg-
er's point at the southern end of Thunder
bolt 1t was desired to show this site to
the secretary and his party as a good one
for the establishment of a hospital. The
land is high, and It would appear to be
admirably suited to the purpose.
Gen. Sternberg was not with the party,
so his opinion about the Desverger's tract
could not be secured. While the secretary
and his party were at Thunderbolt, the
surgeon general who had been feeling i'll,
as the result of trip he has Just made
10 Tampa, where he acquired a complaint
from which the soldiers who We're camped
there suffered a good deal, was out with
Alderman Owens TO inspect the hospital
site shown Col Cleary, chief surgeon of
the department of the Gulf, when he was
here few days ago 10 settle upon either
this place or Charleston for the hospital
Gen. Sternberg was seen after his return
to the hotel, and he said he was very well
pleased with the location; that 1t is a
very good one He would not state. how
ever, what It's chance is of being ac-
cepted.
Gen. Alger was taken, late in the after
noon, after his return from Tybee, to see
this site. He had not seen Gen. Sternberg
when he was asked about it, but he said
It had not impressed him very favorably:
that Ii is too low. He said, however
that he would allow the surgeon genera
to judge of the adaptation of the ground
to the purpose intended
On the return of the party from Avon
dale, the City Exchange was visited. A
boat was sent by Capt. Philips from the
revenue cutter Boutwell, which Law with
steam he rfvf
went aboard. In addition to those who
have been named, there were Capt ]. H.
johnston, general manager of the street
railway system, and Lieut.. Haiden in
command of the post at Tybee.
The river front was gay with colors in
honor of the secretary. Flags were flying
from every craft, most of the vessels had
all the flags of the international signal
code flying, and they made pretty sight
II has been a Tong time since the river
looked so gay. AS the Boutwell, passed
down whistles saluted her. Her flag was
dipped In answer to the salutes. When the
vessel got opposite the foundry of Mr.
John Rourke, Il salute of four guns was
fired from his wharf under his big flag
The whistles of the works also saluted
the secretary. Gen. Alger acknoW lodged
the salute by raising his hat. He met Mr.
Rourke at the DeSoto last night, where
he made grateful acknowledgment of the
courtesy.
The Boutwell, went down the river TO the
government wharf at Tybee. There the
party disembarked and the Boutwell, fired
a salute of seventeen guns in honor of the
secretary as he went aboard This is the
salute to which every member of the cab
met is entitled.
The contractors railroad, running from
the government wharf to the Notifications
was used for the transportation of the
party from the wharf. A fat car had
been fitted up with seats. At the FORTH
cations Lieut.. Haiden became the master
of ceremonies, and an inspection of the
place took place. Two of the crews of the
heavy artillery worked the guns showing
how the big S-inch rifles are loaded and
fired. The stay at the Qualifications was
very interesting, particularly to the civil
ians. The citizen members of the party
were the first civilians for whom
the order issued by the war
department year ago against any one
not connected with the department being
allowed within the fortilcations, was sus>
pended by the secretary.
The afternoon train from Tybee to the
city was taken. On arriving here the ma
jority of the party went to the De Soto
and the secretary went out to look after
the hospital site.
An elaborate dinner was served at the
De Soto. In addition to the gentlemen
VINO nave peen mentioned, lnefe were
present Capt. Phillips of the Boutwell, and
ex-Mayor Herman Myers. An hour was
spent very pleasantly, toasts being drunk
to the President, to Secretary Alger and
to Gen. Sternberg. Just before the gem
tlemen rose from the table, Col. Hecker
said to Gen. Alger: 'Wel, general, It IS
now over; all depends on these figures
that have been furnished me by Capt
Purse" The figures to which Col. Hecker
referred were estimates together with va
rious kinds of information, of cost the
government will have to bear If Savannah
Is selected as the point of embarkation. 1t
is said these were very reasonable.
The party went to their car at 10 O'clock
and left by he Plant System at midnight