The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-06-28
Savannah, Ca, June 22, 80

To the Ocala Banner:
In the approach to Jacksonville by
ocean steamer she has Savannah and
Charleston faded to a finish.
The boat lands in Savannah at
Yamacraw, most squalid and miser-
able section of the city. In the early
morning | walked for several blocks,
and came to the conclusion that for
filth and dilapidation it had the call
on Charleston, and this impression
would have held good had I not ac-
cepted the offer of an automobile
ride with Mr.. Meggs and party of
friends from Jacksonville.
The impression of squalor and un-
sightliness was soon dispelled, and
we came to the conclusion that Sa4
vannah is one of the most beautiful
cities in the south.
/ remember that | had a similar
experience in Charleston.
The approach to that city is most
deplorable, and the impression of the
stranger can but be unfavorable.
remember our good friend, Colo
mel Jimmy Armstrong, took a party
of us out to the Country Club" and
other beautiful and historic places Of
interest, and one could but be i'm
pressed with the beauty and peculiar
attractiveness of Charleston.
This morning we first went through
the manufacturing district, consisting
principally of sash, doors, crates, bas-
kets, shingles and laths, cottonseed
oil mill and any number of fertilizer
works
We then went through the cotton
yards, where last winter more than
100000 bales of cotton were stored
at one time.
Savannah's traffic and manufacture
ing business is increasing in most
substantial manner and her outlook
is most encouraging.
We next visited a plantation of pre-
revolutionary times, which the city is
endeavoring to buy to add to her
beautiful system of parks. There is
a wonderful avenue of live oaks, and
in front of the colonial mansion (now
fast going to ruin) is almost an acre
of these giant oaks standing like SEN
tinels guarding enchanted land.
The trees were planted in rows,
looking in the four cardinal direc-
tions of the compass, and their hoary
age and long-trailing moss give to
the surroundings a weird appearance
and tell story of ancient grandeur
and magnificence.
Sherman destroyed most of the
buildings in constructing bridge
across the river since which time
'Ichabad" has been written on the
portals of this relicof better days.
We next went out on an avenue
which for miles was lined on both
sides with stately live oak, sycamore
and other trees. which make it look
like our Lovers Lane" on a big
scale.
General Oglethorpe, John Wesley
and their associates loved trees, and
planted them for posterity
Would that we were doing as
much for those who are to follow u.s.
We visited the Isle of Hope"
and "Thunderbolt," where we stopped
for rest, observation and refresh
ment.
We visited beautiful Banaventure
cemetery, the magnificent suburban
home of S. P Shotter the famous
"turpentine king, and other beauti-
full places of interest.
Never in our lives have we enjoy
ed ride so we'll as We did the one
today
Savannah is to be congratulated
on her good roads, her lovely parks
and her monuments.
Savannah also has a beautiful res
idential section.
In the mad rush for the dollar the
esthetic tastes of her citizens have
not been destroyed
We salute Savannah and commend
her example to all other cities of
the south. FIJI.