This Week in Titusville, February 23, 1888

The President Coming to Indian River

    A dispatch was received yesterday stating that the President and party would visit Indian River, spending one day here.  They are expected to arrive on a special train to-morrow, and the Rockledge with remain over to carry them to the Hotel Indian River.*  Preparations for his coming in the way of floral decorations, etc., are being made today.

    Indian River is fortunate in securing a visit from the Chief Executive of the land, and everyone will be glad to welcome him and his charming wife.

    Thrice welcome to Indian River, Mr. President and wife, and we hope you may have lasting impressions of our tropical section of Florida!

Aurantia

   The appearance of Mr. Brown’s new cottage on the Avenue has been very much improved by a coat of paint.  A good example set for others to follow.

   Mr. G. Thompson, brother of Mr. H. S. Thompson, who has been in ill health for the past few weeks, is now convalescent.  We are happy to see him around again.

   Aurantia will be one vast orange grove and garden some day.  A great portion of the place is located in the famous “Turnbull Hammock.”  The soil is rich and very productive.  Land is sold at low figures as an inducement to actual settlers.

Mims

     Mr. B. J. Mims has returned from Rockledge, where he has been busy shipping his orange crop.

     Some of our citizens are planning a trip to Jacksonville, this week, that they may see the President and his wife, and also “take in” the Sub-Tropical.

     Our Sunday School is enjoying the hymnal books recently purchased.  A pleasant hour was spent last Sunday after regular services in practicing the new hymns.

Local Laconics

 --Yesterday was Washington’s Birthday.

 --Mr. S. Belcher has closed his restaurant department.

 --The President and Mrs. Cleveland are expected in Titusville tomorrow.

 --Sheriff Bowman returned from a ten days’ trip to St. Lucie last Saturday, having had a pretty rough trip—is the way he expressed it.

 --The Rev. Mr. Huntington, of Hartford, Ct., delivered an able sermon during the morning service, held at Wager’s Hall, on Sunday last.**

 --We heard some reports of an expected marriage ceremony to take place this week, but up to this time, we have not been able to trace it to a certainty.

 --Clearing up and burning scrub was the order of the day Tuesday.

 --Sheriff Bowman ran down and cornered a fox in the scrub near town early yesterday morning and killed him.  The baying of the hounds had the beneficial effect of waking up some of our late sleepers in the morning.

 --The contract has been let to Mr. L. R.  Decker for the erection of the Episcopal Church, and the same is to be completed, according to the terms therein by the first of June; but the contractor informs us that it will be completed before that time.  The cost of the building will be $1600, which amount has been raised by the addition of the proceeds of the St. Valentine’s Fair to the funds already on hand. 

 --Messrs. Fischer & Bryan have secured laundry machinery formerly used by John Allen, at Jacksonville, and will open a steam laundry in Titusville at Gibson’s building, immediately; probably having the same in running order by next week.

 --Captain Hawley started down the river, Sunday, with a party of ladies and gentlemen bound for Rockledge on the Frost Line, but as the wind came ahead, and a few of the ladies were sea-sick, they returned to Titusville just at the proper time for dinner.  Mal de mar did not appear to affect their appetites, however.

 --More new residences will soon be started up in Titusville. We hope the building boom may be as phenomenal as it was last summer.

     *Hotel Indian River was in Rockledge

**Episcopal Services

This Week in Titusville, February 16, 1888

Postponement of "Brevard Day" at the Sub-Tropical

Editor of the Florida Star:

    Dear Sir,-For the information of those who contemplate a visit to the Sub-Tropical Exposition in Jacksonville, Brevard Co. Day, we have just received from the J.T. & K.W. Railway officials - the rates as follows:  

    For all points in Brevard county, on the line of the railroad is 2c. a mile for round trip, and no railroad rates to be over $3. ..................

     Now as to Brevard County Day, the 23rd instant was designated by the Exposition management for the time, provided the President did not visit the Exposition that week,  It is almost a settled fact that the President will be there on or about that date, we fear it will cause postponement of Brevard County Day until some time in March.

     We hope the railroad company will find it to their interest to make excursion rates on the occasion of the President's visit also.     Yours, etc., A.L. HATCH  for Brevard Co. Committee.

    [The arrangements have been perfected for the President's visit to Jacksonville, so the day, as Mr. Hatch states, will be postponed until some time in March.- Ed.- STAR]

__________

     Friday and Saturday evenings at Wager's Hall the famous Templeton Opera Co. will play the comic operas, "Mikado" and "Mascotte."  This company consists of twenty-two persons, and with them they bring scenery for their plays.  Every one can rest assured that the entertainment will be first class in every respect.  Reserved seats are on sale at the store of J. Birnbaum at $1.00 each.   As the house will be crowded, you should secure your seat early.

__________

     ONE of our old subscribers, in writing us, says:  "Enclosed find $2.00.  Please give me credit for same on  subscription account to FLORIDA STAR.  From its columns I find there must have been a great change in Titusville since I began to take the paper some seven years ago."  We like to receive such letters -who would not?  There is nothing that touches the newspaper man's heart like a kind word or two; but they are generally like angel's visits-few and far between; but then we appreciate them all the more.  

LOCAL LACONICS

--During the rain on last Friday, about noon, a slight fall of hail was noticed in this section. The hailstones were very small and only lasted for a minute or two.

--We are requested to announce, by the tax collector, that the tax books will positively close on the first day of March.  Therefore take notice and govern yourselves accordingly.  

--Everyone who has visited the Sub-Tropical and comes this way speak highly of Brevard's exhibit and her courteous representative, Mr. Wingood.  We only wish that Brevard Day could come next week, while the President is at Jacksonville.  It would have attracted a great many from this section of the State.  

--Tuesday was St. Valentine's day; did you get one, comic or sentimental?

--An excursion party of fifty from Pennsylvania visited Indian River Tuesday.

--Arch-deacon Carpenter was here yesterday and held short service in the afternoon.

--Capt. J.Q. Stewart and Mrs. Stewart have returned from Middle Florida, and Mrs. Stewart is now stopping with Mrs. A.A. Stewart while the Captain is down the river.

--The afternoon train, on Tuesday, from Jacksonville, was nearly two hours late.

--Mr. & Mrs. J. Thompson, of Minneapolis, Minn., are spending a few days here, stopping at Palm Cottage.  We received a very pleasant call from them yesterday.

--Mr. Carl Curtiss is down the river this week on his place near the Narrows. 

--Captain C. F. Fischer unfurls the Danish banner to the breeze every Sunday in his fine yard on Julia Street.

STATE NEWS

 --The Presbyterians of Orlando are going to build a brick church, beginning work at once.

--S. A. Long, of Grahamville, has sent a fifteen pound turnip to the exhibition.

--Not a stone has been turned on the proposed new custom house at Key West yet.

--The lanterns for the beach lights in Pensacola Bay are now ready, and the keepers have been notified to report for duty at once.

--The United States troops at St. Augustine are daily giving exercises in a signal flag drill from the garrison station at Anastasia Island, almost two miles away.

--The ladies of the Daytona Episcopal Church realized $100 by their "New England supper."  This amount will be added to their fund for building a new rectory for their church.

--The Daytona Improvement Club has forty members. The object of the association appears to be to improve and ornament the streets and public grounds of Daytona by planting or cutting out trees, establishing and maintaining walks, grading and draining roadways, securing needful sanitary drainage, establishing and protecting good grass plats and borders in the streets, and doing whatever may tend to the improvement of the town as a place of residence.

Citizens of Titusville, let it not be said, "There is nothing to do in Titusville."

Back in the 1920s & 1930s, when the downtown stores stayed open late on Saturday nights, some people would drive downtown, park their cars and then walk home to eat.   When they came back from supper, they would sit in their cars and visit with their friends until the stores closed --sometimes till midnight!

Friday, February 22nd, enjoy an evening out in Historic Downtown Titusville.   

Spaghetti Dinner,  6-8 pm at St Gabriel's Parish Hall.  Eat in or Take out. - This is a fundraiser for our 125th Anniversary Celebration, but tickets are only $5.  $5 is all you spend for "Awesomely Delicious" spaghetti.  Thank you Caffe' Chocolat, The Coffee Shop, Cupcakes on Main, Kloiber's Cobbler & Teapot N Treasures for delicious desserts.  
Call 267-2545 for tickets.

Artist's Reception, The Downtown Gallery 6-9 pm.  The Gallery is introducing Bill Miller,  an incredible wood turner, designing delicate pieces of art that can be functional as well as beautiful.  Wine & hors' d oeuvres will be served.  All 16 of the Gallery artists will be present.  Free Event. All are welcome.   335 S Washington Ave. 268-0122.  

Saturday, February 23rd, start your morning touring the sites in Old Downtown.

The North Brevard Historical Society & Museum is celebrating Col. Titus' Birthday.  Join "Miss Lovie" Pritchard for an entertaining walking tour of Historic Downtown, and it is FREE.  The Tour begins at 10am at the museum. 301 S Washington Ave. 

Finish off the evening by coming back Downtown for the Titusville Rotary's 9th Annual Chili Cook-off 4:30-10 pm.  


Citizens of Titusville, show your support and have some fun at the same time. Come downtown Friday and Saturday and help make these events successful.

This Week in Titusville, February 9, 1888 also reported

Died on Wednesday, January 25th, at Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Mrs. Mary Burnham relict of the late Capt. Mills O. Burnham.  She was born on the 17th of August 1820, and was therefore in her 68th year.  Her loss is mourned by her five daughters and a large circle of grandchildren and great granchildren.

One of the three Burnham windows at St. Gabriel's is in memory of Mary Burnham. When installed, in November 1891, the window in memory of Capt. Burnham (Lighthouse on the right below) was described by the Star as a beautiful piece of workmanship well worth seeing.   

This Week in Titusville, February 9, 1888

St. Valentine's Fair in Titusville was front page news

 St. John's later became St. Gabriel's

LOCAL LACONICS

Mr. Hawthorne’s brother has arrived to view the improvements around Mims.

Quite a number of LaGrange citizens made a visit to Jones & Wiley’s grove, and spent a pleasant day.

Miss Hazen left us again , on Friday, to visit friends at Rockledge.

Don’t forget the Fancy Fair on the 13^th and 14^th inst.

Dr. McCormick has completed his tasty little cottage in North Titusville.

The Firemen had a very enthusiastic meeting, at their hall, on Monday evening.

Mr. Meyers, the machinist in charge of the ice factory, is getting along quite rapidly with the machinery.

Mr. N.C. Bryan has gone to Jacksonville for a few days to visit the Sub-Tropical and “do” the Metropolis.

We are pleased to state that Mr. G. F. Ensey is gradually recovering from his recent severe and protracted illness, and an early restoration to health is expected.

Arch-deacon Carpenter delivered an interesting address, last Sunday afternoon, at Wager’s Hall, the subject being a “Brief History of the Episcopal Church,” reviewing from the days of the Apostles down to the present century.  Services were also, held n the morning, to a very fair congregation. 

It is with pleasure that we announce that the Templeton Opera Co. have engaged Wager’s Hall for two nights next week, the same being Friday and Saturday, the 17^th and 18^th inst.  We hope the citizens of Titusville will appreciate the enterprise this company shows visiting our town, and will give them a full house.  Their expenses are large, and there are quite a number in the company.  This is, undoubtedly, the largest and best Comic Opera Company that has visited our State. 

Messrs. G. H. Altree and Howell Titus, who left here Tuesday week, on a hunting expedition, returned to Titusville on Monday evening.  They report having spent a pleasant time, but the “trophies of the chase” appeared to be rather scarce.

Bishop Weed and Arch-deacon Carpenter expect to visit Indian River and Lake Worth from the 20^th to the 26^th inst., and during this time will call upon all the missions on the Indian River coast, expecting to arrive at Lake Worth on the last date, above mentioned.

Thursday, February 23^rd, has been advertised as  “Brevard Day” at the Sub-Tropical Exposition.  As the President and wife are expected there on the 22^nd to remain a day or so, this will give our citizens a chance of taking in the Sub-Tropical, and also viewing the President at the same time – a chance that will not offer itself again, perhaps, for a long time.  Everyone on Indian River, who can possibly get away, should go.  The rate by rail will be very cheap, though not full decided on as yet. 

BRIGHT SAYINGS OF CHILDREN

Boston Mamma-You mustn’t speak of your legs, Flossie, when we have company.  It isn’t polite.   Flossie-What should I say, mamma, drumsticks? – New York Sun.

Father-Come, Bobby, you are all tired out; so hurry off to bed.  Bobby, (with a slow and reluctant movement) – Pa, you oughtn’t to tell a boy to hurry up when he is all tired out.  – Philadelphia North American.

When little Meg saw a picture of Christian, with the burden on his back, she looked at it curiously for a minute and then asked.  “Mamma, what makes manny wear his bustle so high up on his back. – Boston Transcript.

Sub-tropical Exposition January to May 1888

The Sub-tropical Exposition in Jacksonville opened January 12, 1888 and gave rise to quite a few articles in the "Florida Star" during 1888.   It was designed to lure tourists to Florida, and was purely spectacular.  With the Brevard exhibit, visits to the Exposition, and Brevard Day, there was quite a bit to report.  It was after attending the Sub-tropical, that President Grover Cleveland traveled south and visited Titusville.  (News from the "Star" about the preparations for the Presidential visit and the visit itself will be shared on this blog when the time comes.)

The building that was erected for the Exposition covered over an acre of ground.  It was torn down, but the MetroJacksonville website has amazing pictures pulled from the Florida State Archives Florida Memory Collection, as well as information about the Exposition.  

To get a sense of the magnitude and details of the Sub-tropical, visit UF Digital Collection and peruse a guidebook from the exposition.  

This Week in Titusville, Feb. 2, 1888.

The sociable held at the home of Mrs. C.N. Mims was a most enjoyable affair, and all were delighted with it.  The art gallery was a very attractive feature of the evening. The spelling match did not get under way until late, and closed with score at 5 to 3.

Owing to many arrivals, LaGrange has been unusually lively this winter.

Several of our citizens anticipate a visit to the Sub-Tropical at Jacksonville this week.

Did you watch the eclipse of the moon about six o’clock on Saturday evening last?

We learned that the long-wished for side walk, leading from the ticket office to the railroad wharf, will be put down in a few days.

A nicely furnished parlor car is now attached to the daily train from Jacksonville to Titusville, and makes the traveling much more pleasant.

The Rev. Arch-deacon Carpenter will hold divine service on Sunday morning next, the 5^th inst., at Wager’s Hall, at the usual hour, 10:30 a.m., standard time. **

Messrs. N.C. Bryan and Peter Fisher have purchased a six-horse power engine with a view of adding the necessary machinery for establishing a steam laundry and wood yard.

C.G. Butt, Esq., judge of the Criminal Court of Orange County; and J.D. Beggs, Esq., State’s-attorney for the Seventh Circuit, have been spending the past week at Titusville, seeking a relaxation from their professional business.  They returned to Orlando yesterday.

Indian River is receiving her share of winter tourists, but they spread over the country in different style from that of former years.

Hereafter no children under 12 years of age will be admitted to the old fort in St. Augustine, unless accompanied by an adult, owing to the danger of falling from the parapets or stairways.

The side walk and road on Pine street has been greatly improved during the past week by the addition of more side walk and the opening of the road.  Appearances would be greatly improved if some more work were done on Washington avenue near, near Main street. 

*All spelling is as it was in the "Florida Star"
**Episcopal Service