The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-02-22

united States.
To the tourist the city is one of great
interest, and to historians or those who
enjoy viewing the antiquities of his
toric events, much may be found here
to interest and instruct. Prominent
among the most interesting places to
visit is Old Fort Marion, which was
begun more than three centuries
ago. Its construction is of large
blocks of coquina a mortar of sand
and shells and cement) which age only
makes harder than the solid rock. 1t
rests upon piles driven into the quick
sand. The fort is divided into case
mates. parapets, bastions, terreplein
and towers The most interesting
part of the fort is, after all, its series
of dungeons which are placed behind
the casemates These classmates all
open into large court enclosed by
the four walls of the fort, but the dun
geons are located far back and down
into the massive structure. Many
surprises in the way of secret pass
ages, wells, quicksand traps for the
destruction of bodies of prisoners Sc
cretly executed, torture racks, remains
OF iron crosses to which prisoners were
chained until death relieved their
sufferings. Also iron cages in which
they were confined, all of which
proves the old stories of Spanish
cruelty. One could write pages of
facts and fancies anent this old fort
which withstood two terrible seiges
in the long ago.
Adjoining the walls of old Fort
Marion, and in the early history of
the fort, a strong wall extended around
and enclosed the little settlement.
This wall was broken at the crossing
OF st. George street by the gates of
the city. These gates and wall an
tedate the old fort itself and were used
to protect the inhabitants from the
marauding bands of Indians with
which the country was overrun.
In addition to the above defenses
block houses coquina walls and
hedges of Spanish bayonet something
like our wild cactus only much taller
and even more prickley) added to the
difficulties of an approach to the city.
And also hemmed it in upon all sides.
Thus, in its day, st. Augustine was
one of the best fortified cities in the
! possession of Spain. To this strong
defense the United States added a fine
sea wall which, besides protecting
the water front from the ravages of
the sea, makes fine promenade from
which can be seen the old museum,
the narrowest street in the city (Only
seven feet wide), the old cathedral
tbuilt over one hundred and twenty-five
years ago, the slave market, plaza and
many other old landmarks.
But it would be useless, if not al
most senseless, to try to write exhaust
lively of st. Augustine and its historic
past 1t is now city of 1000 people
and this number is, in the winter
months, augmented by 3, 900 or more
strangers who come here to enjoy the
delightful climate. Since our arrival
here the temperature has been from
10 to so degrees and everything is put
ting on verdure of green that is
truly inspiring to one that only a day
or two since felt a section of snow
and ice.
We do not want to make any of our
dear friends at home envious or sad,
but merely by way of contrast, which
may prove somewhat odious, we can
not resist making it known that
here the most beautiful roses are in
full bloom with vegetation Of all kinds
LoI duNohCCu' n llttIo ldl tucl SOubh
we will be plucking oranges from the
trees in the world famed Indian River
country. Yum Yum
Besides giving the :, tourist the
worth of his money in sightseeing,
st. Augustine is city of hotels and
the best the land affords, The Ponce
de Leon, is palace of palaces. This
great castle has accommodations for a
thousand guests and its furnishings
are beyond description. Its parlors,
retiring rooms, dining rooms and ball
rooms are gorgeous to the point of
extravaganza, while the service is the
best that money can secure. The
Alcazar, owned by the same company,
the Florida East Coast railway is only
little less grand and attractive. The
grounds surrounding these hostelries
are veritable gardens of tropical
beauty and landscape grandure and to
the tourist are the points of gravaita-
ton. The management of the East
Coast railroad aim not only to give
their patrons the best railroad service,
but they have shown that in the erec-
ton and maintenance of their splendid
hotels all along the line of their road
that there shall be nothing wanting to
make trip down the East Coast a
continued round of pleasure and I'M
broken comfort. But there are other
hotels in st. Augustine where comforts
can be had and where those willing
to put up with less expensive quarters
csn be comfortable and happy. Our
party is nicely quartered at the Hotel
Magnolia and it is good enough for