The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-31


six feet wide. with the entrance so
small, that we could hardly squeeze
An old resident of the city,
who was present at the discovery OF
this dungeon, about fifty years ago, at
the falling in of casemate. las re-
lated by Mr.. Bloomfield) saw a skele
ton of human being at full length on
his back, the chains on his wrist were
fastened to hasp in the coquina
wall This dismal dungeon revealed
also, two iron cages, somewhat In the
shape of a coffin. and holding human
bones. 1t is conjeotured that these
cages with their inmates were put In
this place hundreds of years ago.
Whatever credence may be given to
the legends connected with this mould
ering fortress, IL is certain that
strange If not tragic incidents have
occurred within its frowning walls.
and 1t requires but little effort of the
Imagination as one threads his way
through the dreHry and dim lighted
cells to conjure up scenes OF cruelty
that make the blood curdle and set the
hair on ends. The fortress Is SUR
rounded by a moat, forty feet wide
some % feet deep, formerly flooded by
the incoming tide and its main en-
trance was by a drawbridge. But for
this, a movable bridge~has been sub
stituted. A block of stone over the
door exhibits the Spanish coat of arms
inscription 1855 with the exception
OF the marks of time and the empty
water battery, which serves as prom
enade, the fort remains substantially
as when completed in 1856. Afew hours
devoted to an exploration of the old
fortress, is we'll spent.
As A WINTER RESORT.
st. Augustine is preSaminently a
tourist city. fashionable winter re-
sort; a health resort. the Nice of the
new world. In summer the population
does not exceed 5000 but in the winter
it's number is increased to tens of
thousands. Private residences and
cottages are distinguished for elegance
and comfort and year by year the city
grows more beautiful. \ great sec
| tion of the old Spanish town was
destroyed by fire. few years ago, and
many of the old land marks, seen on q
previous visit, are gone and have been
replaced by rows of modern houses
| and stores. The society is most fash
ionable and the luxury of life is
proverbial. In the social features oi
| the hotel and villa life, St Augustine
| is the Newport of the South. The
| natural advantages of st. Augustine
| are many. 1T has a world renowned
reputation for healthfulneSS, anC
| possesses magnificent beach on which
sea bathing may be INDUCED in tn,
| year round. charming drive owe
a broad ell-paved boulevard. leads
to Anastasia Island, and the ocean.
4 feature of interest to the touris
is the Memorial Presbyterian church,
erected in 1889 by II. NJ. Flager, is al
| elaborate structure in the style of tn
Venetian renaissance and in wealth o
exterior decoration, surpasses an.
other building i'm st. Augustine.
OF modern st. Augustine, the hotel
Ponce de Leon, the Alcazar, Cordovi
and the Casino with their magnifiCicn
courts. lawns and gardens, are tn
chief attractions. These building
are constructed of solid coquina con
crete which are becoming more sub
dued in coloring and impressivenes
and imposing with age. The substan
tial walls, columns. loggias, and por
ticos are now vine-Clad, reaching |
places to the terra Gotta roc
trimmings. Time adds TO the en-
durance of these buildings, an
the walls will he as mas
sive and enduring centuries hence a
they are today. The Ponce de Leol
bears the name of an old Spanis
nobleman. This artistic creation d
vides with Tampa Bay hotel. the hone
of being the grandest hotel in III
whole resort world" II is one Of II
= eight palatial hOstelries Of the ca,
: coast system. 1t covers nearly f\
acres of space and it is over half
mile around, and it can accOmmOda
I over 1000 guests in its superb banqu
: | hall The fame of its architecture ar
a.. management and cuisine has gone ov,
r the world. The interior decoration
! | and furnishings are grand and elabo
! | ate to such an extent. as to be pra
t tically beyond description. Its appea
= anCe at first. is more like a minatu
{ city. than hotel a perfect Eden
: loveliness, with its multitude of cloi
tcrs. arches. gates, and court yard
yet IT is only a hotel. Not only has
spacious dining rooms. an immen
4 billiard rooms for ladies. an erormo
= play-mom for children, while Il
"Alcazar" virtually the annrx, 60
$ tains the dancing saloons. bath,
r pools. and other accessories T.
! "Cordova" has a "sun-parlor los f.
= long paved with tiles. The Casino
u well equipped with Russian and Fren
d Turkish baths. also hot medico-ther
I peutic-electric. and sulphur batl
e The sulphur water is procured fro
q driven wells. that flow from a dep
IL Of about 1000 feet, rising to the su
u face al temperature Of about So
J. enty-eight degrees. The water is me
II healthful, for either drinking or bat
e ing purposes, and effects wonderi
= cures under the direction of emine
/ physicians. These hotels and the Ca
! no, are all within a stones throw
10 each other, just aCros the Almeda
promenade, There are many otf
Is hotels and boarding houses scatter
Pt through the city. but none approaC
rs ing the magnihcience. Of the abe
Ie group of Moorish buildings
le If We fail 10 convey to our read
d. an adquate idea of the magnifcer
q. ana commodious accommodations
~ these palatial winter-homes, it v
w be because of our stock of adjecti'
is getting low, and in justice ~ otl
n hostelries we have already visited.
III cannot retraCe, or take hack a sin
or word We have said of them.
= J, +. Richmond
IL -
"A Exposition and Industrial Fa
,. Toronto, Canada, August 26th
is Sept. 7th, 1901.