St. Gabriel's "In the News" as work begins on the new church

April 19, 1888
--Work on the new Episcopal Church commenced on Monday.   We look to see Mr. Decker push the work forward to completion.

--Episcopal service will be held in Wager's Hall, on Sunday morning at 10:30 o'clock.  There will also be evening service. The Rev. Archdeacon Carpenter will officiate.

April 26, 1888
--A play entitled "A Scrap of Paper"  is now being arranged for the benefit of the Episcopal Church.  With good luck, it will appear before the footlights n about a month.

--On Sunday evening,  aside from the regular evening service at the Presbyterian Church, Episcopal service was held at Wager's Hall by Archdeacon Carpenter; and also at the Court House by the Rev. J. Bolton.  By including the colored church, services were held by four denominations.

May 10, 1888
--The new Episcopal Church is reaching pleasing proportions to the eye, and by another week will be half completed

--Episcopal service will be held in Wager's Hall, on Sunday morning next, at 11 o'clock.  The Rev. Archdeacon will officiate.

--The  presentation of the play entitled "A Scrap of Paper"  has been postponed for a short time.  It was set for next Tuesday evening, but disagreeable weather has prevented the parties for perfecting their parts.

May 17, 1888
--There will be entertainment at Wager's  Hall to-night(Thursday) consisting of recitations, tableaux and music, both vocal and instrumental, the proceeds to be devoted to the completion of the Episcopal Church.  The admission is only 25 cents, and we hope to see a large attendance.  Children 10 cents only.

--Bishop Weed will arrive at Titusville on Thursday, the 31st, inst., and at that time will confer the rites of confirmation upon those candidates who are properly prepared.  The service will be held in the evening, at the new church, if sufficiently completed; if not, at Wager's Hall.

May 24, 1888
--On Thursday next,  Bishop Weed will visit Titusville to confer the rights of confirmation upon those who have been prepared.  The service will probably be held in the new church, in the evening.

--Mr. R.L. Decker fell from the roof of the chancel of the Episcopal Church Monday afternoon, about three o'clock, and fractured three ribs on his left side.  The staging, which was very slight gave way while he was fastening the cross to the peak of the roof and fell down the roof on to another staging, and from thence to the ground, where he was found in an unconscious condition and remained so even after he had been home for some time.  Had it not been that he struck the staging below the roof he would, undoubtedly been killed by the fall, as he would have struck upon a large tool box just below.  Dr. Wilson was hastily summoned to the relief of the suffering man, and on Tuesday afternoon he was able to sit up in a chair.  Yesterday he walked around a little, but complained of pain from the fractured ribs.  While he was very unfortunate in receiving such a fall, it is quite wonderful that he escaped injuries, that were not more severe or fatal.

--The entertainment, given at Wager's hall, last Thursday evening for the benefit of the Episcopal Church, although it was not as largely attended as it would have been had the townspeople been given longer notice, realized the sum of about twenty-five dollars.  The programme was a most interesting one, and consisted of recitations, tableaux and music.  Miss Walker recited, in her usual good style, "The Legend of Bregenz", and "William Brown and Mary Jane."  Mrs. Brown recited a selection which is a general favorite, the title of which we are not acquainted with.  All the recitations were encored.  The tableaux, "Town Pump", "The First Cigar", and "The Barn-yard Party", were all loudly applauded.  Mrs. Turner gave two instrumental selections on the piano, which were highly appreciated, and Miss Edith Altree sang, "I Heard a Spirit Sing", and "Pass Under the Rod."   After the entertainment was over ice cream and cake were served, and many boquets were disposed of by the little flower girls.  We hope to see another entertainment of this kind given ere long, and hope that a little more time will be given to advertise it to the people.

This Week in Titusville, April 12, 1888

Local Laconics
--The Hotel Indian River closed formally last week.
--We failed to mention last week that Mr. Ender is about the happiest man in Titusville by the arrival of a baby boy at his residence.
--Mrs. A. W. Buie presented her husband with a bouncing baby last week.  Mr. Buie won't care much about running steamboats now; he will have something else to occupy his time.
--We must congratulate Mr. F. H. Boye, of Delespine, on the arrival of his baby boy, which happened last week. We believe Frank has grown an inch taller since we saw him last.
--Archdeacon Carpenter held morning and evening service last Sunday at Wager's Hall, concluding the morning service with Holy Communion.  The hall and and chancel had previously been artistically trimmed with evergreens and decorated with flowers by the ladies of the Episcopal Church in a manner which was highly pleasing to the eye and appropriate for the occasion.  The ladies who decorated the hall deserve a great deal of credit for their tasty handiwork, also Mr. Hundall for erecting the chancel.  On Sunday afternoon Archdeacon Carpenter addressed a confirmation class at the residence of Mr. Gaulden.

This Week in Titusville, April 5, 1888

Local Laconics

  Mr. G.W. Scobie and family started yesterday for a four months' visit to their old home in Connecticut.
  Mr. W. C. C. Branning has  purchased a magnificent upright piano from the  well known firm of Ludden & Bates, of Savannah.
  Mr. M.E. Gruber has returned from a short trip to Jacksonville and St. Augustine.  He undoubtedly  had a very pleasant time.
  Mr. L.C. Oliver has become further interested in business in our town, by purchasing the half interest of Mr. Huckabay, of the firm of Huckabay and Budge.  With the push characteristic of the members of the new firm  we expect to see their business increase as it has with Messrs. Huckabay and Budge since they first started it.
  Episcopal church services will be held at Wager Hall, on Sunday next, the 8th inst. Morning service will commence at 11 o'clock, and there will be Holy Communion afterwards.  The Rev. Arch-deacon Carpenter will officiate.  The time of commencement of the evening service will be given out at the morning service.

This Week in Titusville, March 29, 1888

LaGrange

Mrs. Brady's lovely little daughters,  Aline and Daisy, spent last week visiting their aunt, Mrs. W. N. Hendry.

A special game of lawn tennis was played Saturday afternoon in honor of  Miss Julia Feaster, who leaves in a few weeks to spend the summer in South Carolina.  Miss Julia will be greatly missed by the members of the club.

What They Wear
--Apple green is the latest French color.
--Prophecy says yellow will be the most fashionable color this spring.
--The pretty textiles called Neapolitan silk crepalines are very popularly worn for dancing toilets.
--Cloth jackets imported for early spring days are of plain, plaid or striped cloths in higher colors than usually worn for wraps.
--Jaunty costumes imported for the first warm days are of Suede colored homespun or of canvas, with a full skirt and outside coat.
--Long raglans for traveling cloaks are made of striped and plaid chevoits, homespuns and serges of very rough surface in gray, tobacco brown and copper colors.
--Most of the spring jerseys have the sleeves slightly full at the wristband, and some are tucked at top and bottom, while others are shirred around to match the shirred yoke of bodice.
--On the new bonnets all the trimmings are lowered, though they are by no means flat.  But the towering pointed bows of last year have given place to soft, wide loops, put on to give a broader effect.
--Double breasted corsages are becoming too long for slender figures, as they have the effect of making them appear shorter in the waist.  Irregular arrangements are preferred for double breasted bodices.
--A novelty is the Tosca mantle, made very short in the back, but long in the front, and almost covered with lace and jet; this is worn with a Tosca hat, with long, projecting front of the brim, short, close back and nodding ostrich plumes.
--Braiding is by no means had its day of favor as a trimming on jackets, and is done with both metal and mohair braids, some of which are flat and others tubular, while the twisted cords of silk or of metal are used in most elaborate designs, hitherto done only in soutache braid.
--The stylish coats of smooth faced cloths for dressy occasions come in copper colors, in the new green shades, in tobacco browns, Suede color, the odd blues with green tints, and in bright red shades, while the rougher homespun jackets are in stripes or bars or melanges of two or three of these colors together.
--A new idea for bridesmaids is the use of very fine, soft, cream velveteen, trimmed with otter.  The skirt falls in easy, graceful folds, and the material is soft as doeskin.  The bodices are arranged so that the fur crosses in the front.

Local Laconics
  The stolen(?) yacht Gleam has returned up all right, and all parties are satisfied- that is if it is not repeated again.
  "When the Swallows Homeward Fly" is more popular here now than any other song, owing to the fleeting Northward of our winter friends.
  The fire alarm was sounded here yesterday evening, and an investigation showed that the flue from the kitchen of Titus House had caught fire.  Through the prompt action of those near by, no damage was done.
  We learn that Mr. Sam Childs was married to Miss Gracie Hardee, both of Rockledge, yesterday morning.  The happy couple immediately started north on their wedding tour.  Miss Julia Roberts and Mr. Bob Hardee accompanying them as far as this place.
  Mrs. Hovey of Rochester, N.Y., who has been spending a few weeks at Titusville with Mrs. L.H. Decker, returned North Tuesday.
  Mr. H.B. Archibald, of St. Lucie, appeared before his Honor, Judge Broome, last week and took the oath of allegiance-becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States.
  We are requested to announce that the Arch-deacon Carpenter will hold service at Titusville to-morrow afternoon(Good Friday).  He will hold morning service at St. Michael's Church, Cocoa, Easter Sunday, and evening service in Titusville the same day.  Arch-deacon Carpenter will also celebrate Holy Communion at this place on Monday morning.
  A proposition has been made by Mr. Hutchinson, which will be accepted by the town, in which he proposes to build a cupola on the new hotel and place therein a four-dial town clock if the town will purchase the bell for striking the hours.  This bell could also be used for a fire alarm:  and besides, a town clock would be a valuable adjunct to our place.  Let's have it, by all means.
  Dame Rumor says that another marriage will be consummated in Titusville ere long.
  A very pleasant evening was spent at the residence of Mrs. M.P. Robbins, on Saturday last, it being the occasion of a "bean-bag" party.  The following were present and took part in the game, which caused some amusement:  Dr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. George M Robbins, Mrs. Mussenden, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Brown, Mrs. Wager, Miss Clapper, Mrs. Restall,  Mrs. Onderdorff, Miss Baker, Miss Fischer, Miss Riley, and Messrs. E. B. Wager, C. H. Walton, G. Paddison and Ingram.  At the termination of the game all adjourned for the purpose of indulging in instrumental and vocal music and recitations, which were admirably rendered by those who took part

This Week in Titusville, March 22, 1888

Local Laconics

The celebrated Norwood-Lewis case, which attracted so much attention at the term of court, was up again yesterday morning.  the attorneys have some lively times over it.

Quite a commotion was caused in front of Titus house about 1:30, on Tuesday afternoon, by the capturing and slaying of a rattlesnake that was snugly ensconced under the sidewalk.

Service was held in the new Presbyterian Church for the first time last Sunday.  Mr. Foy has reason to be proud of the work he has accomplished in the time he has been here.

We hear that at a future date it is the intention of some of our ladies to charter on of our small steamers and have a trip to Rockledge.   Small baskets of provisions will, no doubt, be brought by the ladies, as is usual,  and a jolly outing for the day will be had .  Sunday would be a suitable day for those who are closely confined to business six days in the week.

A phantom ball took place, on Monday evening, at Water's Hall.  There was a large attendance, and the affair proved to be quite an enjoyment for our young folks, as well as for the spectators, who were highly amused at some of the ludicrous performances and make-up of the disciples of Terpsichore.  On the whole the dance was a success, and those who were present appeared to have enjoyed the phantom immesely

A fine rain yesterday, with weather cool and pleasant today.

There will be a meeting of the ladies at the residence of Mrs. James Pritchard this afternoon, at three o'clock, to form a Guild.

Rev.Mr. E.L.Turnquaad, of Enterprise, held Episcopal service here last Sunday  with an instruction meeting at the residence of Col. Gaulden in the afternoon of the same day .

The Firemen's Concert, which was announce in the STAR last week for tonight, has been indefinitely postponed on account of the inability to get the parts ready.

Brevard County Day at the Sub-Tropical
       Last Wednesday, the 14th inst., the day set aside for Brevard at the Sub-Tropical, was everything that could be wished for, as the weather was cool and pleasant, with the usual Florida sunshine to make it bright.

Bishop's Chair

Jumping ahead in time this week.   St. Gabriel's has a stunning Bishop's chair and accompanying priest chair.  On the back is carved "Huntington  1853-1893".   The Spring/Summer 2013 edition of the Indian River Journal, published by the Brevard  County Historical Commission has an article about the intersting origin of the chair.   Click below to go to the Journal
http://www.brevardcounty.us/docs/default-source/Files/indian-river-journal-2013-spring-summer.pdf?sfvrsn=2

This Week in Titusville, March 15, 1888

Local Laconics

--With daily double trains and several steamers; with an ice factory, steam laundry, steam printing office-Titusville is rapidly approaching the front rank of Florida's towns.  Everything is constantly on the move

--The ladies of Titusville are requested to meet at the residence of Mrs. James Pritchard on Friday afternoon, this week, to form a Guild.  The hour appointed is three o'clock.

--A new road leading from Main street, direct through the hammock just west of Canaveral street, and from thence leading through the Turnbull hammock about half a mile north of town, is now talked of and will be shortly made.  This will give a splendid drive on an excellent road when completed.

--There was quite a large attendance at the Episcopal service, last Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Du Pay officiating. There will be another service next Sunday morning, the Rev. E. L. Turquand, of Enterprise,officiating.  Service will commence at 11 o'clock a.m, instead of 10:30 as heretofore.  

--"Melbournite."  Your communication is too personal, and reflects rather unfeelingly on the character of the party named therein.  Our columns are always open to free and non-libelous discussion; but as the tenor of our communication is slanderous, we must decline to publish it.  The STAR will not be a receptacle for such party spite and malice.

--More people have visited Wager's wharf during the past week than have been in South Titusville for months.  The manatee was the cause of such an influx of visitors.  

--Married, on the 6th instant., at Deisoner House, in Titusville, by the Rev. Jno. Foy, Mr. R. P. Hardy, of Osteen and Miss Fannie S. Bennett of Aurantia.
--We had a cold "snap" from the North this week.
--Sheriff Bowman returned from a trip up the Ten-mile creek, on Monday, where he says he came across about a dozen Seminole Indians on a big "bender."  They had plenty of whisky, and were a merry drunk.  He says that the St. Lucie House, under the management of the genial and hospitable James Paine, is doing an excellent business and everyone going there is well pleased.