SAVANNAH 1905

The following are selected excerpts from a journal I bought at a public auction, written with a quill pen by an R.F. Gable when he traveled from York, PA to Savannah, Georgia. My brother and sister-in-law are in Savannah for the next couple of days and I am hoping they get a chance to check out some of these landmarks from 100+ years ago.

Tuesday, August 15, 1905 (AM)
"All aboard for Savannah! Having left York, PA on the 10:26am express of the Northern Central Railroad, we arrived safely in Baltimore a little after twelve noon. The ride was enjoyed in the superlative degree, especially the farming scenery of lower York County and upper Maryland. It is beautiful and romantic, and the numerous hamlets passed display thrift, progress and prosperity.

Tuesday, August 15, 1905 (PM)
Tonight we are located in a large and roomy stateroom (#28) of the Merchants and Miners Transportation Co. Steamer "Itasca" - enroute through the waters of Chesapeake Bay for the sunny south. Out our decks a strong wind is blowing and the cinders that blow in from the large smokestacks makes it rather uncomfortable. There are buoys and lighthouses galore, not to mention the large Baltimore coast and ocean liners frequently passed, to which a salute is always given. 

Wednesday, August 16, 1905 
This morning we were up at half past five and saw the sunrise dripping wet out of the ocean.  We were the first on deck and weren't sorry a bit, for it's great to catch a glimpse of the ocean at sunrise. While taking in the sunrise, we met the acquaintanceship of a Mr. Burns from Savannah, Georgia, who named a number of points of interest in that city which he suggested we visit when we get there. 

During the afternoon large flocks of seagulls were observed following our ship and at about five o'clock three or four flying fishes skimming over the water. These fish can live both above and below the water and are extremely interesting to watch."

Also had the novel experience of watching a school of ten or twelve porpoises race with our ship about eleven o'clock. We watched the fish until, wearied out by the race our boat was giving them, they swam off and were lost in the water.

Almost there! We traveled up the Savannah river, one shore in South Carolina and one shore in Georgia. We passed by a number of lighthouses and buoys and continued eighteen miles up the river. 

It was just 10 o'clock when we glided by the warfs and warehouses clustered at the foot of Bull Street, for so the chimes in the city hall tower told us. Ten minutes later we were landed, safely and soundly with our fellow passengers. No one was delighted than us to be on terra land again. We were driven rapidly off through the night to the Pulaski House where we had decided to spend the night. 

It wasn't very late, according to our opinion, so why not see a little of the city before retiring? We walked up Bull Street, the chief promenade of the city, and across Johnson Square we strolled, taking in all the sites. West Broad Street is a wide thoroughfare and lined by a number of small houses and second hand stores.

Entered Forsyth Park to the south. Many of the trees we noticed were covered with a peculiar Spanish moss. This moss is a parasite that lives by inserting its delicate suckers into the bark, and draws its sustenance from the flowing sap. It is repelled by trees in perfect vigor, but in one enfeebled by age or accident, the moss gains foothold and goes on with its quite works of destruction until it consumes the heart blood of its helpless victim. 

The Green House, at the northwest corner of the square, was the headquarters of General Sherman. I may add that we were particularly interested in the Confederate Stars & Stripes flying at half mast on the top of an old building at the intersection of Bull and Liberty Streets. This stands next to The DeSoto Hotel, a large and handsome structure built to accommodate the large influx of travelers during the winter tourist season.

After visiting this interesting section of the city we returned to the Pulaski House, and fatigued by our long walks sought our room for a little rest. Meanwhile we prepared our satchels in order to leave Savannah on the 1:30 train for Charleston.