The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-25
A DAY IN FL0RIDA'S
METROPOLIS.
Col. j. II. EstiIPs Impressions OF
jacksonville.

Col. J. H. Estill. who spent Sunday
in Jacksonville, was much impressed
with the progressiveness of the city.
Il had not been in the Florida me-
tropolis since the disastrous fire of
May, 1901" said Col. Estill. Il was
there the day before and returned the
day after the fire, when the ruins were
smouldering. 1t was a great calamity
at the time and an irreparable loss
to many, but seeing Jacksonville of to-
day, with it's handsome stores, magnifi-
cent churches and public buildings, and
fine residences. which have taken the
place of those that passed away in
fire and smoke, one is inclined to think
that what was seemingly a direful Wis
itation was in the end a blessing in dis
guise.
Not only is the city in every way
handsomer," Col. Estill said, but the
people seem to have been made more
energetic and thrifty by the new con-
ditions, and to have more local pride
and adhesiVeness in their public work.
Everything dates in Jacksonville from
the fire.
Il had a pleasant surprise in acct
dentally meeting my old friend Mr. j.
K. Munnerlyn, who though he has in
creased his avoirdupois, looks not a
day older than when he was in bust
ness in Savannah, many years ago. He
is the head of the Southern Fuel and
Supply Company, and is one of Jack
sonville's leading merchants and a
popular citizen. He has a handsome
home at Riverside Jacksonville's
lovely suburb. l. had the pleasure of
dining with him and his accomplished
wife and their family. While they are
loyal Jacksonvllians, they have a
large place in their hearts for Savan-
nah, and spoke feelingly of their for
mer rector, Rev. c. H. Strong of st.
Johns Church, of which they were
communicates when they lived here.
Mr.. Munnerlyn gave me an excel
lent opportunity of seeing Jackson
vile and it's surroundings in an aft
ernoon's drive; refinement and good
taste in their homes as we'll as en-
ergy and pride in their places of bus
mess on the part of the people were
in evidence on every hand. The growth
of our Southern cities and towns Is
always gratifying to me, as see in it
the reflex of a prosperous country
nearby.
Il met Mr.. Sam K. Miller, a former
Bethesda boy who holds a responsible
and remunerative. position in lead
ing Jacksonville house. And 1 should
not omit mentioning Savannah's lat
est contribution to Jacksonville, the
only AL Shellman, who has lately NOV
ed there to be state agent of the Mu-
tual Benefit of New Jersey, and Mr..
Ben. F. Dillon. superintendent of the
Western Union Telegraph Company,
who in the sos was manager of the
Savannah Office. He is one of jack
sonville's prominent and most enthu-
siastic citizens.
'I enjoyed my days outing to its
fullest extent. The weather was the
best, and the air cool and crisp, and
the trip over the Seaboard Air Line,
which takes four hours, was like a
trolley trip with. a pleasant resting
place at either end. An early start
and late return gives day of three
meals in the rejuvenated city that
flourishes on the banks of the lovely
st. Johns. The city was in its gala
dress and waiting it's guests for the
carnival, which opened to-day. The
carnival colors. purple and orange
were in evidence on every residence
store and public building, and also or
| the insides of the hotels. Our people
should do likewise and lose no time In
| showing the colors of the Savannah
| carnival-red and white"