1898 Artifact

This "reporter"  has been traveling and with that and other obligations,   has fallen behind in posting the weekly news.    Easter is early this year and Holy Week is already upon us.   This is a very busy week at St. Gabriel's with Tennebrae on Wednesday and services Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  

To fill the huge void that must have been left by the absence of weekly news, we are going to jump ahead 10 years and and share something for you to ponder.
Front of card

Back of card

The images are just about the actual size of the card.    .

Have you ever seen one of these?  Please share what you think it was called back in 1898.

This Week in Titusville, March 8, 1888

Canaveral

--Ducks are very plentiful on the river, and there are still a few deer left.

--The boys at DeSoto have a very fine garden. Their cabbage and cauliflower are as fine as ever grew. There are also a great many tomatoes raised on the Banana River.

--Mr. Gouldbrazen saw a panther the other day, and as luck should have it, his gun was at home.  He had nothing but a tin can with him, so he threw that at it and the panther skipped.

Mims

--The next social gathering will be held at Mrs. Roberts’ on Saturday, March 10^th.  It will be a “Mum Sociable,” and much fun is anticipated.

--Messrs Chamberlin and Strahan have erected a fine wind-mill, by the use of which they intend to irrigate their place, which will soon be both profitable and exceedingly attractive.

LaGrange Leaves

--Mr. Charlie McCrory is having his new residence nicely painted.

--Miss Julia Feaster spent last week visiting relatives in Titusville.

--Mr. E. L. Brady and family have left LaGrange and moved into their house in Titusville.

--The improvements made during the past week in the cemetery adds greatly to its appearance.

--We are sorry to hear that Masters Joe and Togni Fischer, who have resided among us for the past two years, will make their future home in Titusville.  Joe and Togni are intelligent children, and the LaGrange school, no doubt, regrets having to part with them.

Local Laconics

--Mr. W.W. Davids, from the Sebastian Signal Service station, has visited Titusville during the past week.

--The Adelaide Opera Company did not visit our town on their return from Tampa and Key West.

--We are informed that the Titusville Ice Factory will start up machinery and commence the making of ice next week.

--Arch-Deacon S.B. Carpenter arrived from down the river Monday on his way to other parts of the state.

--Mr. C. C. Curtiss and wife started down the river Sunday for their new home in the Narrows on the schooner Ruby Dye.

--Mr. H.M. Flagler, the proprietor of the famouse Ponce de Leon of St. Augustine, was in town last Saturday, on his return from a trip to Rockledge with a party of his friends.

--Our merchants generally are receiving new and inviting lines of goods in their respective stores.

--Episcopal services will be held at Wager’s Hall Sunday morning next at 10:30.

QUERY

--Would it be asking too much of our genial friend, Captain  Paddison, to ascertain the amount of business for the last three months prior to the act, to see whether prohibition has affected the interests of business men in Titusville.

More This Week in Titusville, March 1, 1888

Local Laconics

--Mr. E.L. Brady has moved to his new residence on Main street. 

--Mr. Gardner has the frame up for his new residence.  

--Titusville’s public school has an enrollment of over 129 pupils. 

--Mr. G. F. Ensey has sold his fast yacht to a party living near the Haulover.

--Anyone visit London will find the STAR, every week, at Gillig’s reading room, Charing Cross, Strand. 

--Mr. P. Neilson has purchased the river lot and blacksmith shop of Ed Titus near the railroad, and is talking of erecting a boatways. 

--A Bean-Bag party had an enjoyable time at the residence of Dr. Ordorff, on Monday evening. 

--The through train from Jacksonville is late nearly every day.  What could be the cause of it? 

--Two car loads of passengers arrived on last Friday afternoon.  The travel is at its height just about now. 

--The weather during the first part of the week was decidedly cool to say the least of it, and it made some of our gardeners feel fearful about their crops, but the frost did not come.
--Attention is directed to the notice of Messrs. Ensey & Bigelow to persons who are endebted to them, which will be found in another column.  

--Mr. J.M. Turney and Mr. C. L. Bostwick of Newport, Conn., passed through Titusville on Thursday last, on their way to St. Sebastian River, where Mr. Turney has some landed interests.  They purpose spending some weeks in that section hunting and fishing. 

LaGrange Leaves

--Mr. W. N. Hendry, our enterprising merchant, has received his appointment as postmaster, Mr. E. L. Brady having resigned the office. 

--Mr. James Mitchell is spending a few weeks with Mr. Thomas Johnson, and is making preparations to have a road cut from his hammock property to Mims station. 

--Our visit to the Sub-Tropical was very gratifying.  The exhibits are generally good.  The Brevard department, in charge of Mr. David Wingood, gave us much pleasure in its display of fruits, and also their artistic arrangement; but we regret that the ladies of Brevard have contributed so little.  

--An incident which I desire to mention was the meeting, at May Town, of the train which bore Mr. Cleveland and his friends.  We had been side-tracked to allow the train to pass. As it came opposite our position it stopped, and there, in the pine woods, under the blue skies of Florida, the chief ruler, of sixty millions of people came out of his coach and saluted and shook hands with his fellow citizens.  Ladies and gentlemen, of all political parties, greeted him and his charming wife.  This scene of welcome and security in these wild woods was a grand, a sublime exhibition of the wisdom of our republican institutions.

  

Curtiss-Combs

   Married last evening, 29^th ult, at the residence of the bride’s mother, in Titusville, by Rev. John Foy, Mr. Carlos C. Curtiss, of Chicago, and Miss Johanna C. Combs.      

   We regret we did not have the space to give a full description of the wedding this week.  After the ceremony was performed the guests sat down to a splendid collation;  and a dance was given at Wager’s Hall afterward.  The bride was the picture of loveliness, attired in a white satin trimmed with Spanish lace and orange flowers, while the groom looked his best in conventional black.  The many friends of Mr. & Mrs. Curtiss wish them a long life of happiness, good luck and prosperity.

Announcement

   To my patrons and citizens of Titusville, I desire to say that I will be absent from the city from March 5^th to March 13^th inclusive.  My appointment books will be found at the Grand View Hotel, where persons can secure time by registering for dates- beginning the morning of Wednesday, March 14^th.  As my time is limited, it will be well for those who desire my professional services to take advantage of making dates    F. H. HOUGHTON, Dentist.

This Week in Titusville, March 1, 1888

Our Guests.

______

The President on Indian River.

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 The Presidential Party Enjoying a Grand Trip.

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From Titusville to Rock Ledge and Return.

Last Friday a Grand Jubilee for the Whole of Indian River.

_____

     When the news arrived here last Wednesday afternoon that President Cleveland and wife, with several others, would visit the Indian River on Friday it was hardly believed by the many that the news was true, but as the announcement came from the railway officials at Jacksonville, it was published in the columns of the STAR that they would be here, and on Friday morning, as per the arranged programme, the fact of their coming was realized. 

     At 11 o’clock Thursday night the President left Palatka for Titusville, drawn by engine No. 9, with trusty Dan Shea at the throttle.  The run was made very slowly, so as to allow the guests to revive themselves with “Tired nature’s sweet restorer, balmy sleep.”  About 5 o’clock the train stopped at a secluded spot about a mile from Titusville, and so gently was the stop made that the guests were not aware of it.  The President and wife were the first to arise, but the others were not far behind.  Here the train remained for about three hours before entering our lively little town.   About half past seven breakfast was served by the skilled chef in charge, which was an excellent one, and enjoyed to that extent by appetites whetted by the exhilarating atmosphere of Florida.

     At 7:30 prompt the end of the railroad wharf was covered with people anxious to get a glimpse of the President and his wife and the party, consisting of Secretary Whitney and Mrs. Whitney, and Col. Lamont and wife.  Mr. Moran, of the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway; Mr. A. L. Reed of the Atlantic Coast Line, and Mr. Edwin Martin representing the press, also accompanied the party.  Not, however, until 8:15 did the train make its appearance, when it was received with a cheer.  The engine was prettily decorated with bunting and flowers, while the steamer Rockledge was a sight of beauty to behold. 

     In a brief way we wish to mention the decorations of the steamer.  The saloon and dining room were the parts trimmed.  Thursday afternoon and evening Capt. Paddison and Mr. Verbeke, assisted by Mrs. Pritchard and Miss Pritchard, also Mr. Mackenzie and others, with the aid of the steward, Mr. Baker, placed an exhibit of flowers, fruits, moss, etc., that, in the words of Mrs. Cleveland, “surpassed anything they had seen in the State.”

     As the party wished to travel without any attempt of ceremony, they were escorted to the steamer at 8:30 by Mr. Moroan and Captain Paddison.  The appearance of Mrs. Cleveland on the forward deck of the steamer, with her pleasing countenance wreathed with smiles, and the jolly expression of the President as he expanded his lungs with something less than a cubic yard of Indian River ozonic atmosphere, was the signal for several cheers from the crowded wharf, which was supplemented by the screaming of the whistles of the Rockledge and Engine No. 9, commingling together as the Rockledge swiftly glided down the river. 

     The day was all that could be desired.  The sun shone brightly, with a balmy southwest breeze.  Many expressions of wonder and delight were made as the many beautiful places on the river were passed.

     At half past eleven, the Rockledge stopped at Mr. G.S. Hardee’s wharf where the party landed and held a reception under the shade of several live oaks in front of his charming residence.  A goodly number of Indian River people shook hands with the President…………Mrs. Cleveland picked the first orange from the laden branches, which was “followed in suit” by the others in the party, while Hardee peeled one of the finest oranges in the grove for the President a la Florida style.  One variety of Mr. Hardee’s oranges will hereafter be known strictly as the Cleveland orange, as the President was extremely pleased with that one variety.  After this the party walked for a half mile along the river to the Hotel Indian River, where they were received by Mr. J. M. Lee, the proprietor, and welcomed by music from the hotel band.   The party was photographed on the veranda of the building, ………….…………The President was presented with a set of resolutions at Rockledge by the patriotic citizens of that place……(Resolutions listed)………...

     The Rockledge landed at the railroad wharf at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, where the train was waiting to carry the party to Sanford.  After passing through the throng of people to the car, the members of the party remained on the rear of the platform for a few minutes, looking with smiles at the crowd around them. ……In a few minutes the train started and sped away to Sanford….supper was partaken at Winter Park after which the party started on their return to Washington ……..

NOTES OF THE TRIP

     Many of the citizens of LaGrange and Mims visited Titusville during the day, and their efforts in adding decorations were highly appreciated by our citizens.  While the fruits and flowers were furnished by all our sister towns, we feel that these places should receive their proper credit, for they donated liberally.

     Mrs. C. B. Magruder had prepared several presents for different members of the party, consisting of fruits and flowers, but unfortunately these, in the hurry of the moment, were forgotten…………

     People from all the adjacent towns and villages, as far away as Melbourne, were present to see the President and his wife………

     President Cleveland was certainly born under a lucky star; so pleasant and successful a trip in every minor detail is almost phenomenal.  It certainly will induce him to visit us again.  Next time he should make a stay of several days.  He would then find out what real enjoyment is…………

     The stars and stripes floated from many a building and flagstaff in Titusville, and the Titus House was neatly ornamented with bunting in honor of the President’s visit.

    Mrs. Cleveland wore a steel gray checked traveling silk, trimmed with plush and bonnet to match.  Her attire was noticeable for the absence of jewelry, which is to be highly commended in the “first lady of the land.”

     Captain Paddison was surprised at the raid made upon the flowers after the party left the steamer.  Everyone wanted a memento of the occasion.  Mrs. Pritchard received the chair occupied by the President’s wife during the trip on the steamer. 

     The Presidential party remembered the efforts of the good church people of Titusville, and cast some pretty big “mites” in the little jugs placed on the steamer by the Sunday school children.

     Mrs. Cleveland said the display on the Rockledge surpassed anything they had seen in the State; the President said it had been the most enjoyable day of his life.  He speaks of the Indian River as having the best natural advantages and the most inviting prospects of all the South.

      The people of Indian River only regret that they were forced to part with the President and Mrs. Cleveland on such short notice.  This must not be so the next time they come.