The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-06
MORE DESTRUCTIVE OF PROP
ERTY THAN ANY EARTH
QUAKE THE WORLD HAS
KNOWN
THE UNIQUE OSTRICH FARM
II is a Fine Investment and is One of the Only
Two Ostrich Farms in America
Not in the Ostrich
Trust

Jacksonville. Fla, August 3.--tEdi-
torial Corespondence.)- )-This is not
noted summer resort. People who visit
Florida ordinarily come in the winter
when its mild climate affords a delight
full change from the snow and ice of the
North. But, though | was here when
the thermometer registered 81, and it
seemed hotter than at any other point,
| found by reading the state of the
weather at other points that the ther-
mometer registered as follows in several
cities: Jacksonville, %; Raleigh, ";
Charlotte. 90; Cincinnati, 9S; Kansas
City. 81. Memphis, 94: New Orleans. 90;
St. Louis, 96 and Vicksbnrg, 96. These
were the points where the Thermometer
registered highest. I was greatly sur
prised upon finding that Raleigh, Char
lotte and Jacksonville registered the
same. %. In one point Jacksonville has
the advantage of both Charlotte and
Raleigh While the maximum tempera-
ture was the same the minimup temper
ature in Jacksonville was 81, while 1t
was 81 in Raleigh and SO in Charlotte.
One other advantage Jacksonville en-
joys is that it is on the noble st. John
river. only fourteen miles from the At
Iantic ocean, and within thirty minutes
by rail Of what Jacksonville people
claim TO he s.the finest sea beach III the
world. I" TT has nine miles of river
front, and most of the time enjoys
breeze. 1t is claimed in the advertising
literature gotten up by the board of
trade that .Jacksonville's mean temper
ature is seventy degrees, and is cooler
in summer than Boston or Chicago"
However that may be, there is no doubt
that the breezes from the st. Johns
river moderates the heat, though its far
southern situation renders its summers
hot and long, and / do not believe the
board of trade claims that it is model
summer resort
Old as it is, Jacksonville is in every
essential modern city. Named for old
Hickory" in 1922, it swears BY the
Eternal and grows younger and more
energetic as it wakes strong and reJoic-.
eth in its vitality. Tt has the creed ex
pressed by one of its oldest and most
influential citizens: II am as young as
when | came to Jacksonville as young
man."
You will not find cleaner city in the
country outside Of Washington city. Its
cleanliness accounts for its healthful-
ness. the mortality averaging ten in Il
thousand. But its glory is it's superb
system of water works and It's miles OF
splendidly paved streets and sidewalks.
The city owns its water supply, for
which it owes 100000. The water
works lis supplied from artesian wells
flowing 100000 gallons daily. The
power house and offices are in the city,
and are surrounded by a small park
of tropical plants, making very restful
and lovely place. When first pumped
up (the water comes from arsesian wells
$50 feet deep there is suggestion OF
sulphur in the water, but that soon
passes away, leaving a pure alld whole
some supply, ample for all uses and for
the fine fire department, the pride OF
the city. The water supply is owned by
the city | talked with some of the
leading citizens and all of them agreed
that municipal ownership has proven
more than satisfactory. No city, said
one Of them, ''ought to be dependent
upon private corporations for its water
supply any more than for its administra-
tion of justice. | have known few cities
that depended upon a private company
for its water supply that did not have
frequent disputes and much trouble. MI
nicipal ownership is the only correct
thing" / thought of this IN connection
with the controversy between the city
fathers of Raleigh and the Raleigh
Water Company. The people of Raleigh
ought without much longer delay to avail
themselves Of their option and have the
city to own the water supply.
The streets Of Jacksonville look as
clean and bright as PIN In most
places the paving has been done with
vitrifed brick, and they make . good i'm
preston and are said to give general
satisfaction. A gentleman, who knows
all about such things, says the brick are
laid on the sand and will last seven
years where the travel is heavy. and
then they can be taken up and the bot
tom side placed on top when they will
last another seven years. This is said
here to be the cheapest method Of pay
ing, and it certainly makes clean and
attractive looking streets that make a
good impression ON the visitor, and the
cost is said to be much less than an.
other system of paving that has been
used. The experience of Jacksonville
might be worth something in expending