The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-22
SAVANNAH THEN AND NOW.
HON. GEORGE r. PECK RECALLS
HIS FIRST SIGHT OF THE CITY.

| HIS FIRST SIGHT OF THE CITY.
/ This Years commencement orator
| mt the University Entered saVan-
nah as an officer in the Thirty
first Wisconsin, when sherman
and His Army Occupied the city
Yesterday He Was the Guest OF
Savnnnahinns and, with His Par
", Was shown some of the Places
That fingered in His MemOry-He
Is Impressed with the City's
Growth and Its Commercial Adj
VantaEes.
Hon. George r. Peck of Chicago, who
delivered the commencement day address
at the University of Georgia this week,
spent yesterday in Savannah, and during
the day was afforded glimpse of the city
and of the changes that have come to it
since the days when he last trod its
streets.
Mr. Peck was seen at the De Soto last
night by a Morning News representative,
lust after his return from the trip up the
river 10 Fort Pulaski, which he and his
party made on the government yacht An
eler, as the guests of Capt. and Mrs. Cas-
sius L. Gillette. He talked Interestingly
Of what he had seen during the day and
with discerning appreciation OF Savannah's
commercial advantages ana the future
that these advantages must assuredly
bring.
Mr. Peck last entered Savannah in De-
cember, 1854 an officer in The Thirty-hrst
Wisconsin. one of the regiments Of Sher-
mans victorious host. before which had
retreated the little band Of defenders
commanded by Iardee. Then it was as
a fooman that ne entered The gates Of
the city; yesterday he came fresh from
the delivery Of n message of peace and
good viii 10 the students of the University
az Athens, a message that had met with
enthusiastic appreciation there and that
found emphatic warrant here. The growth
and expansion of the spirit of fraternity
had more than kept step with the growth
OF the city and Mr.. Peek found the lat
ter sufficiently remarkable.
81 would not have known the city
again" said Mr.. Peck, 80 great are the
changes and the improvements that have
come to it. Then there was but liitle but
its beauty to attract attention; now ones
interest is excited ana held by the signs
on every side of a solid and increasing
prosperity. TO me the place looks pros
perous-prospeiiy is in the very air.
can see no reason to doubt but every
r5ason to believe, that Savannah is on the
certain path that leads to commercial sue
cess very much greater than has been
hers in the past"
with the terminal facilities Of all he
railroads, ana especially those of the Cen
trail of Georgia, at It's command. Savannah
ought to command the greater part of the
export and import trade of the South Al
lantc coast The terminals are among the
finest / have ever seen anywhere. A
proper appreciation of Savannahs advan-
tages by its citizens is all that is needed
and | presume that there is 10 lack Of
that"
Mr. Peck's party consisted, besides
himself of his son, MI Charles r. Peck;
his daughters. Miss Peck. Miss Isabel
Peck and Miss Ethel Peck, and Miss Ma
bel Kohlsaat. He is general counsel Of
the Chicago. Milwaukee and 81 Paul
Railroad and the party came down from
Athens on his private car. President J.
NJ. Egan OF the Central, Miss Helen Egan,
and Col. ?. w. Meldrim also travelled
from Athens with Mr.. Peck and his patty:
During the morning a drive was laken
to some of the points of interest about
the city, especial attention being pli1 10
those that fingered still in the memory OF
Mr. Peck. In the advance upon Savan-
nah his regiment had been of the column
that approached the city from the west
and the Hermitage and Jasper Springs
had created an impression that had wi h
stood the effacing effects of more than
thirty-fve busy and eventfu years
The old spring looked very much as il
did when l last sow it" said Mr.. Peck.
1T appears not to be as well kept as il
was in the old days. and some of the
gnarled oaks that used to stand by les side
have vanished. but the sight of it was like
that of an Old friend, and brought back
to me many memories of the past"
MIR. Egan was formerly an officer of the
road for which Mr.. Peck is now general
counsel and it was the pleasure of the
president of the Central to point out 10
him the advantages of the Centrars extern
sive terminals. In this part of the trip,
Mr.. Peck was naturally especially inter
ested and he found everywhere, much TO
admire and commend.
Col and Mrs. Meldrim gave a luncheon,
at which Mr. Peck and his party were
the guests of honor. yesterday afternoon.
After the luncheon the government yacht
Angler was boarded. and, as the guests
of Capt. and Mrs Gillette, the little vow
age down the river to Fort Pulaski was
made The experience was an enjoyable
one. and the opportunity for seeing the
old fortiications that once protected the
enhance TO the harbor of Savannah, all
that could have been desired. To the
younger members of the party, especially
the historic incidents that the old spots
recalled proved an unending source of en-
tertanment. Dinner was served aboard
the Angler, and it was late in the evening
before the yacht returned to her berth and
the visitors TO their hotel.
Mr.. Peck and his party left over the
Southern last night al midnight for Ashe-
Vile, where a few days will be spen.
Thence they win return to Chicago.
MAKING SEWER CONNECTION.