The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-26
OLDEST FORT IN THE COUNTRY.
Fort Marion, at st. Augustine, Fla,
Built I'm 1865.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Cleveland Plain Dealer.
For many years old Fort Marion. Sit
uated at st. Augustine. Fla, has been UNI
occupied save by a merely nominal gar
rison OF regulars. Since the Spanish
American war a few military prisoners.
convicted of infractions OF discipline, have
kept the soldiers company. Ever since
Florida became a part of the United States
by purchase from Spain in 1873 the fort has
been used chiefly as an arsenal.
The structure is a link that connects the
United States with an age but dimly re-
membered for IL was first built in 1866. 80
years ago, and is the oldest on the con-
tinent. Since its transfer to the United
States some famous Indian chiefs have
been prisoners OF war I'm its dungeons.
among the Osceola and Wildcat, the
Seminole leaders confined there in 1881, and
leading chiefs and head men of Comanche.
captured on the Western frontier I'm 1873.
The head chief of a band OF the Apache
nation, Chihauhau and Geronimo. Natchez.
Magnus and other chiefs OF that nation
were sent TO the fort in 1856, and were
there for thirteen months.
The ordnance sergeant I'm charge OF the
fort george Nj. Brown, stated that rs
found these Indians trustworthy and hon
est in every respect. His young son learned
considerable OF the Apache language
and number Of their dances from Mamma,
the oldest and greatest OF the Apache
chiefs. Mama was six feet tall, and very
strongly built, wiry and tough, as the
many on his body showed
The broad terrepein OF Fort Marion Is a
very beautiful promenade, commanding the
same magnificent view OF the ocean as in
the feudal ages. Through the summer
months the place is alive with excursions
lists from all over the South. and at night
occasional promenade concerts and dances
are given on the terreplein. The peculiar
nIonkey-faced owls that nest and hatch
within the towers fly about emitting their
more peculiar screech, while the moon
floods the waters below as they dash in
high waves or sleepily lap the wall
Sometimes belated visitors are uninten-
tionally made prisoners over night, and.
hidden away In some secluded spot they
find a strange lodging place until morning
The beautiful rolling green about Fort
Marion is used by the company at ST.
Francis barracks, another historical point.
as drill ground for practice In various
are always largely attended as are also
numerous games OF baseball. While all
about are signs OF joyous, abundant life.
practiced all the horrors OF the Spanish
inquisition, will chill the heart OF the most
Indifferent, and recital OF some OF the
facts and traditions connected Herewith
will awe the most frivolous.
Persons Of rank and power were confined
within the glomy walls OF these dungeons.
where death was certain In a few hours !:
others were subjected TO the rack and
every torture known to the cunning
atrocity of their prosecutors.
No prisoner was ever allowed I'm the
chapel for the moment he appeared AZ
the altar he could claim the right OF sane
tuary. The frowning battlements and sep
ulchral vaults stand as a terrible memorial
OF other days. Fort Marion was thrice
named. first as San Juan de Pinas and later
as San Marcos. The first material used
in the commencement of the fort, in I5s5
was logs piled high and earth filled i'm be-
tween. Coquina rock was later used I'm its
reconstruction and enlargement The walls
are twenty-one feet high, and about them
is moat nearly forty feet ia width The
fort was streng thened from time TO time
and, though twice long besieged and sew
eral times attacked, the plan of defense
was such that the fort taken
Shot and shell were simply embedded TO
an insignificant depth IN the walls three
feet thick. that no considerable breach
was ever made.
The entrance 10 the fort is through a
massive door into the sally port The en-
trance is over a drawbridge. Over this
entrance is the coat-of-arms OF Spain, bear
ing an inscription I'm Spanish Both are
remarkably preserved.
The arch that supports the wall Is a
most remarkable piece of masonry. mas
much as il has no center piece and yet IL
is as strong adamant. In the wall near
the spring OF the arch are seen the tim
bers that supported the platform for the
choir and also other timbers. where the
confessional was fastened TO the wall
where condemned prisoners heard mass
before execution, for, as has been stated.
they were never allowed I'm the chaDei it.
self Some OF the brightest and best OF
the Spanish clergy have celebrated mass
I'm these walls. and the most patriotic OF
the Spanish nobility have been celebrants
On the walls facing old ocean are seen
the marks OF thousands OF murder0as bull
lets Prisoners condemned for execution
were brought forth at sunrise and stood
up against the wall, and as the sunlight
OF a new day stole across the waters and
lives were forfeited, many OF them for no
crime.