A History of Tybee Island, Ga. and a Sketch of the Savannah & Tybee Railroad Beale H. Richardson

8/13/2019 A History of Tybee Island, Ga. and a Sketch of the Savannah & Tybee Railroad Beale H. Richardson

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And a Sketchof the

a va n n a h y b e e R R B . H. RICHARDSON

SAVANNAH GA .

B B 61PRESS OF SAVANNAH TIMES PUBLISHING COMPACT

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year iS6, by B II. RICHARDSON in tlic Office of dieLibrarian of Cun;rc >$, at Washington D. C .


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AS TRIBUTE

TO THE

E N E R G Y FORESIGHT A N D P U B L I C SPIR ITO F

CAPT. DANIEL G PURSEPRESIDENT O F THE S A V A N N A H A N D T Y B E E R A I L R O A D

THE AUTHORSAVANNAH GA. D ecember 1886 .


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M A G N I F I C E N T S E A S I D E R E S O R T A T T R A C T I O N S F O RS T R A N G E R S R E C R E A T I O N F O R A L L A S U M M E R R E S O R TW I T H A L L U R E M E N T S F O R W I N T E R T O U R I S T S A S K E T C HO F T Y B E E IS LA N D G A . 12^ M I L E S F R O M S A V A N N A HA N D 1 8 M I L E S T O T H E E X T R E M E S O U T H E R N E N D H I S T O R I C A L I N C I D E N T S R E M I N I S C E N C E S F O R T I F I C AT I O N S P I C T U R E S Q U E S C E N E R Y P U R E W A T E R P E R F E C TD R A I N A G E A M P L E H O T E L A C C O M M O D A T I O N S A R A I LR O A D F R O M T H E F O R E S T C I T Y T H E S E A P O R T O F T H EE M P I R E S T A T E O F T H E S O U T H T O T H E S E A A G I G A NT I C E N T E R P R I S E C O N C E I V E D A N D S U C C E S S F U L L Y A C C O MP L I S H E D B Y C A P T A I N D . G . P U R S E A P R O M I N E N TC A P I T A LIST A N D C I T IZ E N O F S A V A N N A H .

B . H. R I C H A R D S O N .

ithinthe past twenty years particular attention has beendirected to the South especially in the North and the West; andhundreds of thousands ofthe representative people of th ese sec-tions havebeen attracted to its sunny clim e in search of recrea-tionand health and particularly in winter f rom a desire to escapethe rigors of their own climate. Naturally this annual inflow ofstrangers has acted as a stimulus upon the Southern people andwith the purpose of encouraging it t h y have exerted their bestefforts


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

The tide of travel has been particularly directed to Georgiaand Florida, and Savannah, the chief seaport of the Empire Stateof the South has been the Mecca to which thousands of thesepilgrims have wended their way. While hundreds have remained in that lovely city but a few days, thousands more havebeen charmed by its picturesque beauty and have lingeredlonger.

For health seekers and tourists few cities offer greater attractions in the South than Savannah, with its lovely squares andparks, its monuments, its handsome churches, its superb ArtGallery and Historical Society Library, Hospitals, Infirmaries,Masonic Temple, Odd Fellows Hall, and other Society Halls andMilitary Armories, and it is not surprising, that with its equableclimate, its unsurpassed transportation facilities and its grand market, from which are supplied not only the products of Southernsoil, luxuries of its waters such as fish in every variety, oysters,clams, crabs, and shrimp, but the choicest articles of the Northern and Western markets. Savannah, therefore, is popularwith those seeking health and recreation. With all these advantages, however, there was something lacking to fill the fullmeasure of the desire, not alone of the stranger, but those to the

manner born.New York has her Long Branch, New Jersey her Cape May,

Maryland her Eastern Shore, Rhode Island her Nantucket, andSavannah, equally fortunate, scarcely realized that she had at herarm's length, as it were, an Island with attractions and resourcescapable of development that would compare favorably as apleasure resort with any of the places named. It remained foran energetic citizen, a man of broad views, nerve and determination, to grapple the situation, conceive the scheme fromwhich would be evolved a plan for utilizing the resources of thisisland, and develop it into a resort that would prove attractivealike to the summer health and pleasure seekers nearer home, aswell as the tourist and invalid from the bleak North. Thisman was Captain D. G. Purse, and what he has secured to thepeople of interior Georgia and her sister Southern States, who'seek the sea coast during the summer for health and recreation,as well as for the enfelbled invalid, and the wealthy pleasuretourist from the North in winter, is told briefly within these


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OF TYBEE ISLAND, GA.

pages, in which narrative the writer has endeavored to presenta truthful yet graphic descriptionof the Long Branch of theSouth,

TYBEE ISLAND.

Tybee, far famed, delightful Tybee,w hose shores are laved bythebounding billows ofthe broad Atlantic, is the m ost importantlink in the chain ofislands which fringe the SouthAtlantic coastfrom Charlestonto Fernandina.It is at the entrance to the harbor of Savannahand with in itsroad-stead vessels find safe anchorage during the m ost tumultuous storms. In 1874 theisland first cam e intoprom inence as afashionable seasideresort, and grew rapidly in favor, and it w ouldhave beento-day, what it is hoped to make it in the nearfuture,but for want of perfect connection with the main land. Thisdrawback is being rapidly removed by the Railroad now inprocess of construction, connecting the Island with Savannah, which wil l reduce the time of the trip frcm twohoursto thirty minutes.

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND.

The most carefulresearch has failed to fix definitely the exacttim e of the settlement of Tybee, but it w ould appear from thebest in form ation thatatan early periodin the life of theGeorgiacolony the Islandw as peopled, though not very thicklysettled.It is highly probable, however, that it was occupied a shorttime previous tothe settlement of Savannah by people fromtheneighboring South Carolina Islands.

THE FIRST PRAYER ON TYBEE.

One of the most interestingand note-worthy incidents in connection withthe history of Tybee is that upon its soil theRev. JohnW esley, the founder of Methodism in America, uttered his first


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

prayer in Georgia. Every reader of history will recollectwhat was called the great embarcation from England whichle ft the port of Liverpool in December, 1735. Prominent amongthat company wereJohn WesleyJDavia Nitschmann, Sr., a venerable Moravian Bishop, who had suffered persecution, imprisonment andalmost death inGermany, and who was nowleadinganothercolony of Moravians to join their brethren already settlednearSavannah. It was indeed 4 tare company. They hadbeen out forfifty-seven days, crowded together in small ships,whentheirhearts weregladdened by the sight of Tybee; theyfelt that their long and dangerous voyage w as ended, anddisembarking safely on theIsland immediately their hearts wereuplifted in thankfulness to the Creator for the preservation ottheir lives. What a spectacleit must have been, that the beachat Tybee presented on that calm Sunday morning in February,1735, w hen the Rev. John Wesley, surrounded by these people,who were seeking in the new world relief from oppression andpersecution, and the enjoyment of their religious convictions,on bended knees and. with bowed heads, gave utterance towords of adoration and thankfulness to the- Almighty, who hadsafely brought them to the haven where theywould be.

THE LIGHT HOUSE.

As early as 1733 a light-house, to rise ninetyfeet above thesurface,was by direction of General Oglethorpe, begunnear the northern end of Tybee Island, and aguard was thereposted. It was intended for the guidanceof vessels entering theSavannah river. Moore informs us that this beacon was to betwenty-five feet square atthe base, ninety feet high, and ten feeteach way at the top.

It was to be constructed of the best pine, strongly timbered,raisedupon cedarpiles and brickworkround the bottom.Headdsthat, whenfinished, it would be ofgood service toall shipping, not only those bound to this port, but also toCarolina, for theland of all the coast for some hundred miles is soalike, beingall low andwoody, that a distinguishing mark is ofgreat consequence.


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OF TYBEE ISLAND GA.

Much delay occurred in the completion of this structure, andappropriations were made from time to time, during the colonial epoch, for its repair. A plate of this tower is in the PublicRecord office in London, and a small engraving of it may be seenat page 88 of Harris' Memorials of Oglethorpe. In the course oftime this beacon fell unto ruin and was, in later days, supplantedby the substantial light-house constructed under the auspices ofthe General Government.

THE ESCAPE OF GOVERNOR WRIGHT.

It will be remembered that after his escape under cover ofnight by way of Bonaventure from Savannah, Governor Wrighttook refuge on board the British fleet then lying in TybeeRoads. Subsequent to the demonstration by Barclay andGrant, in March, 1776, against the rice-laden vessels lying atthe wharves at Savannah, and when the expedition hadreturned to its anchorage at the mouth of Savannah River, Governor Wright, the officers of the fleet, and the King's soldiersfrequently went ashore on Tybee Island and utilized for theircomfort and enjoyment the houses there situated. This the Republican Council of Safety determined to prevent by the destruction of those edifices.

Accordingly, an expedition consisting of riflemen, light infantry, volunteers and a few Creek Indiansled by Archibald Bul-loch, on the 25th of March, 1776, made a descent upon the Islandand burned every house except one in which a sick woman andseveral children were found. Two marines from the fleet and aTory were .killed, and one marine and several Tories were captured. Although the Cherokee man of war an


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

ment in 1874 for a heavier defensive work; was designedto guard the entrance into the Savannah River, and wasarmed with a twenty-lour pounder gun and an eight and ahalf inch howitzer. With these guns the English endeavored tointercept the entrance of the French Squadron, under Countd'Estaing, in September, 1779.A s soon however, as a detachment of French troops was thrownupon the Island, Fort Tybee was precipitately abandoned, and thegarrison retreated upon Savannah.

THE MARTELLO TOWER,

One of the most notable and conspicuous objects on the Island,which is viewed with much interest by visitors, is the MartelloTower standing prominently forth on the northern extremity inproximity to the light-house, and supposed to be the work ofthe Spaniards before Oglethorpe's time. It is a curious lookingstructure of tabby, a concrete of oyster shells and lime, in anexcellent state of preservation, very substantial in appearance.There is little data obtainable in reference to its history, but itsformation, and the character of its interior corroborate thegenerally conceived impression that it was built in the early partof the last century, designed to prevent hostile ascent of theSavannah River, and was used as a kind of Fort. It commands a good view of the channel and was evidently constructedwith that special purpose.

AN INTERESTING INCIDENT OF THE FIRST REVOLUTION.

Among the many interesting historical memories which clusteraround Tybee, is that of its being the scene of the first capture ofa British vessel by an American commissioned man of war, inthe early days of the struggle of the American colonists.On information received in the Spring of 1775 that a shiphad sailed from London with a large supply of powder and ammunition for the use of the Royalists at Savannah, the authorities


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OF TYBEE ISLAND, G

ofCarolinadespatched forty armed men inbarges to intercept herbeforesheentered Tybee Roads. Meanwhile a British armedschooner had reached Tybee with instructions to protect thepowder ship on her arrival and cover the safe delivery of hercargo. This [movement coming to the knowledge of the provisional Government of Georgia, prompt action was decided upon.Aschooner was armed and commissioned and placed under thecommand of Captains Bow en and Joseph Habershamw ith instructions to run off or capture the British armed vessel at Tybee.On the approach of the American schooner the Britishschoonerstood out to sea, and the American layoff Tybee. On the lothofJuly, 1775 thepowder ship appeared in the offing, but suspicions beingexcited on board, herCaptain [Maitland] tacked and 'put to sea again.The American schooner pursued, and with the aid of theSouthCarolina barges, previously mentioned, captured herand securedsixteen thousand pounds of powder, nine thousand pounds ofw hich fell to the share of Georgia. Fivethousand pounds ofthis powder was sent to the patriotsnear Boston, Massachusetts.

THE FIRST BOMBARDMENT

ever heard on this Island was in September 1779 when the Englishgarrison at Fort Tybee w as dislodged bythe French and forcedto flee. The French fleet which was coming tothe assistance ofthe Georgia Colonists had been somewhat scattered byroughseas andhighwinds, but was entirely united on the 4thSeptember, 1779, and proceeded to Tybee; on the $th September,Count D'Estaing aboard the Chimere accompanied by three other frigates, forced passage across thebar of theSavannahRiver.Upon the approach ofthesewar vessels, the English fleet consisting of four ships, a galley and several small craft which hadbeen lying in Tybee Roads, weighed anchor and retired to Five-FathomHole, just below Savannah; and from Fort Tybee, asheretofore stated, an ineffectual fire was opened upon the Frenchsquadron; a detachment of troops w as thrown upon theisland and the Fort w as immediately abandoned by its garri-


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10 A HISTORICAL SKETCH

son which succeeded in effecting its escape. After occupyingthe island during the night and finding it entirely deserted bythe enemy the detachment was withdrawn the next morning.

CONFEDERATE OCCUPATION.

During the civil w ar the island was again fo rt ified and occupiedas a garrison the Confederate troopstaking possession on thei3th April i8Gi. These troops comprised the ist GeorgiaRegulars under command of M ajor [a fterwards Brigadier General]W illiam Duncan Smith and garrisoned the Island until ijthJuly 1861 w hen theyw ere ordered to Virginia andwere relieved by the First olunteer Regimentof Georgia under commandof Colonel Hugh W. Mercer subsequently Brigadier General.Theisland remained thus garrisoned until November I3th 1861w hen it was evacuated the move being hastened by the captureof Port Rgyal by the Federal Army rendering the position ofthe garrison in secure and liable at any time to capture or isolation. The two eight inch columbiads which had been used fo rits defense were dismounted and transferred to Fort Pulaskiwhere they w ere placed in position and didgood service in itssubsequent bombardment. Sometime after the Confederateevacuation of Tybee it was occupied by the Federal forces andmadethe base of their operations in forcing the surrender ofFort Pulaski and its garrison.

SELECTED FOR A GOVERNMENT FORT.

Thus from its earliest know n history Tybee has been a consp icuous factor in the military annals of the State and Unionand its importanceas the key to the defences of the coast andthe river approaches on every occasion so clearly demonstratedattracted the attention of the General Government and in1874 purchase was made ofa tract forming and constitutingthe northeasterly point of the is land w ith Tybee light nearthe center of the trac^containing 210 acres. The northeast shoreof this reservation was protected in 1882 from the inroads of


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OF TYBEE ISLAND GA. 1 1

the sea by three spurjetties composed of big mattresses overlaidwith brush and loaded down with stone. After the purchaseplans were prepared under the direction of General Gillmore forheavy defensive earth works to be constructed on the northpoint of the tract for the double purpose of preventing theoccupation of Tybee Roads by hostile fo rces and defending the channel of approachto the Savannahriver. Nothingdefinite has been donein regard to these plans, but there is nodoubt that the advantages for the protection of our coast offeredby the site selected on Tybee, and the agitation of coast defensebrought into prominence by the latedistinguished statesmanHon. S. J. Tilden, will result ere long in securing action on thepart ofthe Government and the building of modern fortifications,on the plans of Gen. Gillmore, thus adding another attractionto the Island.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ISLAND.

I havebriefly sketched in the preceding pages important incidents connected with the settlement and history of Tybee,which are of general interest, prior to the purchase of thegreater portion and controlling interest in the Island in 1 8 8 5 byCaptain D.G . Purse, its present owner.

Captain Purse upon taking possession of the Island after hispurchase in April, 1 8 8 5 found avery discouraging condition ofaffairs well calculated to deter a less determined will from entering upon the workof restoration. After the violent storm of1 8 8 1 that did so much damage at Savannah, on Tybee and alongthe South Atlantic coast, Tybee experienced for a season a lossof its extreme popularity of the previous seasons, though itwasthe first storm to do any serious harm on the Island since 1804eighty years before.


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DRAINAGE.

It was a popular theory too that after the storm the health ofthe Island had been adversely affected because of the destructionor choking up of ts drainage. It is true the^/


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OF TYBEE ISLAND GA.

ow ner the result ofanalysis proving the water then in use to be ofthe most deleterious composition. Captain Purse immediatelycontracted with the Messrs. Mulligan who had bored so successfully his Savannah well to go at once to Tybee and bore a wellnear the Ocean House for the supply of that hostelry. Arrangements were made for going down one thousand feet if necessary but a vein of the purest artesian water was struckthrough a two inch pipe at a depth of two hundred and fortyfeet which lifted the water nearly fifteen feet above the su rfaceof the ground, within six hundred feet of the surging billo ws of the Atlantic Ocean and made this experiment a greatersuccess than the one in the city.

The effect of this experiment upon the sea islands of the coastcannotbe over estimated in their future healthfulness fortheir greatest peril in the past has been from bad water. Norcan too much praise be accorded to Captain Purse for thisnoble contribution to the relief of suffering humanity which hesuccessfully pushed to aperfect consummation nothing dauntedby the prediction of pessimists.

Two more wells quickly followed the success of the first (atabout the same depth,) with same flow and quality of waterthesecond well at the north end of the Island near the steamboatwharf exhibiting the peculiararity ofrising and falling with thetide in its flow but unaffected by it in quality as shown byanalysis. The three wells now afford an abundant supply of thepurestwater toTybee, and the effect upon thehealth of the residents ofthe Island since it was substituted for the well and pump -waterdrawn from shallow depths, (deep wells having been too

brackish) is extremely marked, has permanentlyremoved every cause of disease from the Island and entitles Tybee to rank in healthfulness among the first ofseaside resorts onthe entire Atlanticfront the year round. Complete analyses ofthe water have been made by Prof.C . F. Chandler Ph. D., NewYork Prof. G . A . Leibig Ph. D . Baltimore M d. Prof. H. C .White, State Chemist Athens Ga. and Prof. Chas. U. Shep-ard, Jr., Charleston S. C . each of whom as the result of theirexamination pronounce it pure potable or drinkingwater. The latter, Prof. Shepard,of Charleston S. C . who hashad an extensive experience in analysing artesian waters pro-


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

nounces the water of the Tybeewells the purest ofany specimens ofartesian water he has ever examined.The full analyses of these distinguished scientists will befound at the end of this sketch.

A G RA N D BEACH

whichhas been pronounced far superior to that of Cape Mayextends a distance of five miles from the steamer's landing atthe north portion to the south end, and is as smooth as a marblefloor. Thebeach makes a magnificentand solid roadway and.commands a complete view ofTybee Roads and theoceanthroughout the entire length, affording a drive which canscarcely be surpassed fo r exhilaration and enjoyment. Dailythe grand ocean, with each succeeding tide, strews the beachwith tributes' from its mysterious depths, in the shape ofmyriads of beautiful shells of every form and description ; pebbles and peculiar fish formations; and the collecting of these curiosities constitutes oneof the most enjoyable pleasures of the visitors to the Islandand gathering shells by the seashore,whichto many, has been only a beautiful idea, becomes a pleasant reality. Many of these shells are of rare and unique formand appearance, and areworthy of preservation as souvenirs andmementos.

During the season, this beach presents a sceneof rareattractiveness and beauty, rivaling in a measure the panoramasof lifeand beauty which render #Long Branch, Newport, CapeMay and Nantucket renowned,and in the nearfuture whenfull fruitioncrowns the plans already inaugurated and in processof execution, Tybee will rank among the most noted of thepleasure resorts of the country.


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ITS PICTURESQUENESS.

The beach however, is not the only attraction of the Island,which throughout its extent is of a peculiarly picturesque character ; that portion bordering the beautiful clear creeks, whichflow into the ocean at the south end of Tybee Inlet constitutes a beautiful forest, which is the home of the feathered songsters of the South, the nimble rabbit and thefrisky squirrel, wild beasts and reptiles are banished fromits shady seclusion, and the narrow walks known as bridlepaths, favorite promenades with the ardent and sentimental,notunfrequently become the path toa bridal. This woodland,destined to be one of the most desirable portions of the Island,is already mapped out into building lots, and will be dottedwith innumerable cottages.

Residents on theSouth End of the island have the choice ofsurforstill water bathing.as the ocean and the creek are equallyaccessible. The creeks in and about the Island which are soconven-ient, may properly be termed

T H E A N G L E R ' S D E L I G H T ,as they literally teem with fish from the fine bass to the tenderdelicious perch. The fishing immediately about Tybee is superb,and in season numerous hauls are made by seine by those whoderive their livelihood from the treasuresof the deep, whilst thezealous desciple of Walton is equally as fortunate with rod andtackle. Oysters are also abundant, are of a peculiarly deliciousflavor,.and popular in the market; crabs and shrimps are plentifulin season, and indeed those who seek pleasure and recreation inpiscatorial pursuits can find enjoyment

MAMMOTH TURTLES.

Tybee is noted, also, fo r its monster turtles, and turtle hunting is a popular pastime with the residents and visitors. Theseturtles come on shore at various intervals to deposit their eggs


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and frequently nests have been discovered with two or three hundred eggs. The discovery of a nest is evidence that a big turtleis not far off, and the searchers generally overtake the monster,slowly and awkwardly ambling along the beach to or from thewater, stop her progress and turn her over on her back, in whichundignified position, with fins flapping and head protruding andreceding, she is left until arrangements are completed for herremoval.Just above Tybee and in full view is Cockspur Island, uponwhich is located

FORT PULASKI

which figured conspicuously in the late civil war.This tract of land was conveyed to the United States, by Alex

ander Telfair, by deedjdated March isth, 1830, and comprises thewhole ofCockspur island, (except twenty acres on the eastern side,which had been reserved for public use by the British Government) and is said to contain one hundred and fifty acres.

Jurisdiction was ceded to the United States by the act of theLeglature of the State of Georgia, approved December 22nd,1808. It appears that the eastern end of the island [twentyacres] was reserved by the British authorities in 1758 or 1759,and was afterwards occupied by a British work called FortGeorge.

On February 6th, 1844, General J. G . Totten, chief engineer,addressed a letter to the Secretary of War in which he set forththe chain of transfers of the island, less the twenty acres reserved,and stated that it was presumed that the title to the twenty acresbecame vested in the State of Georgia, upon the separation of thecolonies from the British Government; that there was no evidenceof any direct cession of the same to the United States, and recommended that application should be made to the Legislature ofGeorgia, through the Governor,- for a cession thereof. An extractfrom a letter from the Governor of Georgia to the Secretary ofWar, dated February I3th, 1844, shows that the Secretary ofWar sent a communication to the Governor dated February 8th,1844, requesting the cession recommended by General Totten,


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OF TYBEEISLAND, GA.

whichthe Governor promised to lay before the Legislatureat itsnext session. It is not known w hat further action, if any, wastaken in the matter.The building of the present Fort Pulaski was commenced in1829 and was completed a few years after, when itw s garrisoned by the United States troops, and hasbeen continuouslyoccupied except for a brief periodduring the late w arwhen heldby the Confederates.TheFort wastaken possession ofby the Georgia troops, earlyin 1861 andso occupied until after the capture of Tybee Islandand theadvance ofthe Federal batteries. Thebombardment of theFort was commencedonthe roth April, 1862. Previous to opening fire M ajor General Hunter of the Federal army, dispatchedan officer in an open boat, bearing a flag of truce, withasummonsto the commanding officer atFort Pulaski to surrender; tothisColonel Olmstead commanding theFort, replied laconically Iam here to defend the Fort, not to surrender it.Uponthe receipt of this reply by theFederal commander, orders were issued for the commencement of thebombardmentwhich w s severe. The nthApril, at noon the fort w s found tobe badly damaged, in momentary danger of themagazine being

exploded; all avenues ofescape for the garrison cut off a surrender w sdetermined upon and the Fort capitulated that day.After the Federals took possession of the fort, the damages tothe casemates, etc., were at once repaired. The garrison waswithdraw n shortly afterthecloseof hostilities and onlya sergeantle ft in charge. The fort is in fu ll view of the steamers plying theriver, is an object of interest to all strangers, and the railroad nowconstructiug to Tybee w ill pass near and in full view of it,about two thousand feet to the south.Above Fort Pulaski, on the same shore oftheriver, only twomiles below thecity, is located

FORT OGLETHORPE.

Knownuntil quite re ently as Fort Jackson, previous tothat as Mud Fort. The land wasoriginallyconveyed totheUnited States by NicholasTurnbull.bydeed dated M ayi6th, 1808


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

and is described in said deed aswharf lot known by the number12 situated at New Deptford formerly knownas Five FathomHole on the Savannah River east of the city ofSavannah.

Jurisdiction was ceded to the United States by the act of theLegislature of the State of Georgia making a general cession ofjurisdiction approved December 22nd 1808. The earliest drawing on file is dated 1821 and shows Fort Jackson of that date tohave been very similar to thepresent work.

General [then Lieutenant] J. K. F. Mansfield with a letter dated January 24th 1835- transmitted a drawing showing the condition of the work at that time on which there are memorandastatingthat the fort was destroyedby fire about two years previousto that date. The rebuilding was commenced in 1842; fromthis it would appear that occupation [except in a general way]has not been continuous.

These two forts constitute the principal objects ofattraction onthe water route between the Island and the city as they willalso by the Railroad route. The quarantine station off the oysterbeds and the light houses and beacons form a seriesof interesting objects that render the trip pleasant and diverting while an occasional alligator detected basking in the sunon the marshes along the shore serves to stir up a little excitement and lend variety to the occasion.

Thetrip to Tybee by steamer whilequite enjoyable occupiedtoo much time and though its attractions as a delightful resortwere recognized and appreciated though every season its visitors were numbered by thousands yet it was conceded that itcould never attain that degree of popularity which t promiseduntil communication was reduced in time to the minimum.

Captain Purse the owner of the Island whose management the first season after coming into possession ofthe property gaveitthe greatest boom it had ever enjoyed quickly perceivedthat the next great necessity for Tybee was a railroad from thecity by which the distance would be reducedand the time between the two points brought within thirty minutes. He hadalready extended the road on the Island a mile and had introduced a locomotive for conveying passengers from steamboat landing to hotels for which mules had heretotoredone service. Theidea of a railroad direct from Savannah to Tybee had beensug-


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OF TVBEE ISLAND, GA. i c

gested years ago, but it was never seriously entertained, or tookpositive shape, being regarded as impracticable and too expensive. Captain Purse, however had his own conception of theenterprise, and after a careful study of the subject became firmlyconvinced that such a road was not only practicable and feasible,but of easy construction and not more expensive than the averageof roads. To conceive, with him, was to execute, and he immediately secured the services of Capt. John Postell,a prominentrailroad engineer, had an accurate survey made and a linemapped out. The surveys demonstrated the practicability ofthe railroad scheme, and the next move was the procuring of acharter, and the organization of a company. The presentationof the scheme for the constructing of the road by Captain Purseassisted by Captain Postell, with the result of the experiment,which had demonstrated the feasability of the enterprise, at onceenlisted the attention ofcapitalists.

SAVANNAH AND TYBEE.

The company was incorporated in November 1885, under avery liberal and perpetual charter granted by the Legislature ofGeorgia, and contract was made with a prominent northern Railroad contractor, Mr. T. B. Inness. to construct the line and complete it by April ist, 1887.

BREAKING GROUND.

On the gth of August, 1886, the initial move in the constructionof the Savannah and Tybee Railroad was taken in the presenceof a large number ofprominent citizens, including the stockholders of the company, city and county officials, and officers of theother roads centering in the city.

The starting point was selected about three hundred yardssouth east oi the mansion on Deptford plantation, about a mileand a half from the city, one of the most noted rice plantations along the coast in the palmy ante bellum days commanding from a high bluff a full view of the river and city.


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HISTORICAL SKETCH

Just southeast of this m ansion the point wa s selected for starting th e

NEW LINE TO THE SEA

and the scene presented the day of August 1 8 8 6 willbe remembered by all who were present. The President ofthe Company Captain D. G . Purse who had w orked so assiduously and overcome so many obstacles in the carrying out ofthe scheme which he deemed feasible w a s conspicuous in the assemblage. It wa s a great day for him he was at last to see theinitial step taken in the accomplish ment of his grand plan for thefullest development of Tybee Island and the intermediate pointsalong the river. Divine blessing w a s asked upon the enterpriseby Rev. Dr. Isaac P. Mend^/Rabbi M ickva Israel Congregationand th en Master homas Purse son of the President steppedforward with his miniature silver spade dug dose to the line andthrew put the first spade full of dirt. Just halfa century previoushis grand father the late Honorable Thomas Purse had performed the identical work in the construction of theno w great andmighty Central Railroad of Georgia in the building of which hetook an active and conspicuous part.Active work was commenced immediately after the breaking of ground; under system atic m anagement it has progressedrapidly and it is probable that before the ist of April 1 8 8 7 carswill be running on the line.

The road entersthe City at its Eastern extremity and willarrange street line connections with all parts of thecity including hotels and depots for the rapidreception and delivery ofpassengers.

A BEAUTIFUL ROUTE.

There will be no road in the country more delightful to travelover th an the line from the Forest City to the Seashore. Itwill be nearly free f rom dust. Forthe greater partofthe distance


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the river is in immediate view and afterpassing Causton's bluffthe route is open to the free sweep of the breezes from the ocean'for ten miles.

The country through which the road runs is not onlybeautifullypicturesque, but has many points of historic interest.

DEPTFORD.

The spacious grounds of Twickenham, Bruton Hill, Deptford,Causton's BluffandMackey Point plantations present conspicuous attractions to the northern tourist especially. This is particularly the case with that portion of Deptford traversed by the road,which affords lovely spotsfor picnics and other gatherings.

The numerous, magnificent, stalwart oaks with their mammothlimbs beautifully andgracefullydraped with the soft moss constitute a grove of surpassing loveliness equaling in grandeurthe farfamed avenues of Bonaventure.

A stroll through one of these groves is a treat that will bekeenly enjoyed and appreciated by every true lover of nature,for it is here we see the wonderful handiworkof Nature's God.

The topography of theland in proximity to the road is varied,and the pleasure seeker's eye is delighted as the train rushes byover the smooth steel rail, with views of sloping hills and lovelydells teemingwith the luxuriance of forest growth and in summerwaving grain.

C A U S T O N 'S B L U F F

Is probably the most conspicuous, and interesting point on theline and few prettier or more romantic spots can be found anywhere.

A LOVELY GROVE.

The grove at this bluffis undoubtedly the grandest and loveliest to be foundany where in this immediatesection.


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It is composed of magnificent live oaks of mammoth propor-tions.whose stalwart limbs are clothed in the Spanishmoss, whichis so generally admired by all strangers. Onecould almost imagine thatit had been designed and laid out by askillful landscapegardener, thearrangement is so artistic.The grove however is of natural growth,andthe beautiful arrangement is of nature's cunning hand, save the heavy battlements in w hich man has encased it, of which w e shall speakfurther on.

AN UNFORTUNATE LOVE AFFAIR OF THE OLDENTIME.

Is connected with the history of thebluff, named for John Caus-ton, theowner, and contributed in no small degree to thefailure of theministry of John Wesleyin Georgia.This love affair was with SophyWilliamson, niece ofMr. Caus-ten,who was abailiff, inthe progressof which Mr. Wesley mixed himself up with men who took advantage of his simplicity,willfully pervertedhis words anddeeds, and thus placed him-at a great disadvantage before thepeople, causing him toleavethe colony and return to England.It was at thisbluff that immense fortificationswere constructedin 1862, by theConfederate forces, with the purpose of* preventing the advanceup the river of the Federal gun boats, thus taking the place of Fort Pulaski on the inner line of defense, after the surrender of that fort.These fortifications were constructed underskillful engineers^as the bluff was regarded as a very important point commandingthe Savannah river and theapproach to thecity from Thunderbolt, asw ellas by way of theIslandsin front of it. These fortifications are about the onlyones in the vicinity of the city that remain intact, the others having been leveled in the march ofprogress, and their once war-like sites are now adorned withbeautiful residences, the peaceful, happy homes of a prosperouspeople.In the latter part of1862 there was quite a lively littleskirmishat thispoint. As youglide over the railsnearing Causton's bluff,cast your eye to the east and you w ill notice Whitmarsh Is-


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land, which was covered by the batteries at Causton'sbluff, mountedwith three thirty-two pounders and three small batteries.

After the capture of Fort Pulaski, a detachment of Federalsoldiers insmall boats, worked their waythrough the creeks andoutlets to Whitmarsh Island, their gun boats having advanced asfar asGibson's Point.

The i3th Georgia were at Causton'sbluffand early one morning, while the detachment on duty, under Captain Richardsone,were at breakfast, an attempt was made by the Federals on Whit-marsh Island to surprise them andcapturethe batteries. Fortunately the movement was discovered;the Federals with cheerswere dashing over the narrow bridge connecting Oakland andWhitmarsh, and in a few minutes would have been upon the batteries ; Captain Richardsone quickly perceived the danger andrushing with his men to one of the guns, changed its position,and gave the boys in blue a lively welcome with shell, whichtheyreceived with heroic fortitude, making a gallant fight forthe position.

Theywere, however, unable to stand the terrible shelling andfled precipitately, seeking the protection of their gun boats, andleaving in the hands of the victorious Confederates, theirgallant Lieutenant who had led the splendid sortie.

There wereseveral other skirmishes at and near the bluff butno serious demonstrations. The spot however possesses featuresofjnterest, and the fortificationsenclosing the magnificent grovewill especially be viewed with curiosity by strangers.

Passing Causton'sBluff the road makes a graceful detour andat the end of the curve strikes Wilmington River, which isto bespanned by a substantially constructed iron draw-bridge, two hundred feet long, having two openings eighty-twofeet each. Fromthis point on the island passengers not only have theinvigoratinginfluence of the ocean breeze,but an uninterrupted view ofthebroad expanse ofwater nearly to the sea buoy, and can enjoy thesight of splendid steamships and craft of every description, inwardand outward bound.

The line running along McQueen's marsh, south of the southchannel ofthe river, with St Augustine creek and Tybee River on the south, commands a full view of Warsaw Sound.


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The scenery between St. Augustine and La^itetto creeks,a distance ofeight and one third miles, Js kaleidoscopic in character, the glistening waters of the Savannah river, St. Augustine creek and Tybee river on either side, dottedwith whitewinged saucy crafts, the stately steamships, the trim barks;whilejust beyond to the south the eye is pleased with the sightof fertile islands clothed in beautiful verdure, attractive intheir lovely woods, and blossoming withthe productsof their fertilesoilwhile tothenorth can plainly be seen Fort Oglethorpe andFort Pulaski.

After crossing Lazaretto creek, at King s landing the road continues on acircuit in rearof the front hills of the beach andthence around the island, passing through the village ofTybee anddirect to the south end, where a magnificent view presents itself.

THE SOUTH END

Where the railroad has its terminus on the island, is one of themost charming spots imaginable, and will be the site of the second and large hotel. Anumberof handsome cottages will beerected at thispoint in vicinity of thehotel, and therewill be facilities provided for those who prefer river bathing to buffetingwith thevigorous surf.A YACHTING COURSE.

At South end there is also a splendid course for a Regatta,and the intention is to have several during theseason. There are anumber ofsplendidyachts owned in Savannah, and yachting is afavoriteand popular pastime. A Regatta on Tybee inlet wouldprove a magnificent sight, as from the hotel and cottages a complete view canbe had of theentire course. Doubtless thoseofSavannah s northern visitors who have their private yachts willbring their crafts with them, and sojourning at Tybeewill haveevery opportunity for enjoyment.

At present, theOcean House capable of accommodating tw ohundredguests, is the largest hotel on the Island and fro mitsbroad verandas the broad ocean spreadsout in illimitable space.


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OF TYBEE ISLAND, GA.

ANALYSES.Below we give theseveral analyses of the water of the artesianwells at Tybee.

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS.N E W Y O R K , A u gu s t n, I 8 S 6S I B : The fo llowing are theresultsof my analysis of the sample of water submitted to me for examinationAppearance in two foot tube, Clear, very light StrawColor.Odor none. Taste, none. Grai ns in one U . S . Gallon of 2 3 1 cubic Ins.

Chlorine in Chlorides.............................................................. 0 7 2 3 1Chlorine eqniv. to Sodium Chloride................................... ............ 1.1931I'hospliates .............................................................. ...Faint tracesNitrites.................................................................... .........NoneNitrogen in Nitrates and Nitrites................................................. 0.0131FreeAmmonia............... .................................................. 0 .0026Albuuvenoid Ammonia............................................................. 0.0055H ardne ss equiv. C arbonate of LimeSoda................................................................................ 1 . 3 4 6 4Potassa............................... .............................................. 0 .1 S HLime................................................................................ 1 . 8 1 4 2Magnesia............................... ............................................ 1.0322Oxideof Iron and Alumina........................................................ 0.0233Silica............................................................................... 2.4902Sulphuric Acid Soz)............................................................... 0 . 5 S 9 1

Equiv. to Sulphate of Lime....................................... .......... 0.9675Organic and Volatile Matter... ................................................... 0.583 2Mineral Matter.................................................................... 6.4132Total solids at 1 1 0 c.... ...................................................... 6 . 9 K 4This water is remarkably free from all evidence of contamination.Kespectfully. yourobedient servant C . F . C H A N D L E R , Pn. D .To Mr. D . G . P U R S E , P resident S avannah and Tybee E a i l way C o. Sa v a n n a h G a.

C H A R L E S T O N , So. C A . Sept. Sth 1 8 8 5 .Material a sample of Artesian Water received by express fromCapt. D. G . Purse, Savannah, Ga.

It contains of solid constituents, held in solution and left as residue onevaporation, n grains to the U. S. gallon.These consists in parts of Grains to U. S. gallon.MagnesiaLime . 7 49Chlorine .625Sulphuric Acid .758Silica . 6 8 2Carbonic Acid / . 1 7 0Alkaline Metals (not determined) Nitrous and Nitric Acids in undeterminable traces Copper, Lead

and Iron one


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A HISTORICAL SKETCH

Its hardness is:Temporary hardness (i. e. removed on bo iling) (English)Permanent hardness (i. e. remaining after boiling) . . . 2jTotal hardness ^Which represents grains to the English gallon of lime and magnesia salts ; or 5 grains to the U . S. gallon.

Analyzed by Wancklyn's method it contains ofFree Amonia ^ths of one part in one million partsAlbuminoid Ammonia . . r^ths Total Ammonia.Analyzed by Frankland's method, it contains ofOrganic Carbon . . 1 of one part in one million parts

Organic Nitrogen . T V f f ths T^S^IS sum of organic carbon and nitrogen.This should be regarded as a perfectly good and potable water anywhere ; it is certainly the best artesian water that I have obtained fromthis sectionand I have examined a large number. The content of chlorides and of total solids left on evaporation, is small. The hardness isnot sufficient to be objectionable. A n d it is remarkably pure as regardsits content of organic matter.Very respectly submitted,C H A R L E S U . SHEPARD, JR.

B A L T I M O R E , Sept. 2 1 , 8 5 .Result of analysis of a sample of Artesian Well Water presented meby Capt. D. G. Purse, Savannah, Ga. Marked: From Tybee.Appearance: Perfectly clear, colorless and odorless.Free Ammonia Milligramme per Litre .02Albuminoid Ammonia .04Solids, Grains per Imperial Gallon 1.7536a. f . Cloride Sodium .6880Sulphate .6000 Magnesium .0522 Calcium .8100Phosphate Calcium racesCarbonate Calcium . . .1232 Sodium .2220Silica .0350Feccic oxide .0230Volatile Solids .2002

The small amount of Chlorine, Free and Albuminoid Ammonia entitles the water according- to Wanklyn to be classed fully as Pureand I do not bestate to pronounce it a perfectly good wholesome drinking water. Respectfully, G. E. L E T B I O .


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OF TYBEE ISLAND, G A .

ATHENS, GA., Juue6th, 1885.DEAR SIR:I have examined a sample of water from your ArtesianWell on Tybee Island and obtained the following result:Solid M atters D issolved. Grains per U. S. Gallon.Carbonate of soda .1328Chloride of sodium .4411Sulphate of soda .1263Sulphate of lime .7542Sulphate of magnesia 0.0563

Carbonate of iron .0182Silicate of soda .1232Silica . . .0655Organic matter and combined water , 1022Total solids dissolved 0.8198Nitrates, free and albumenoid Ammonia practically none.H . C. WHITK.A ccompanying this analysis is the following letter from Prof. White,

which will be read with interest:UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, CHEMICAL L A B R A T O R Y ,ATHENS, GA., June 6th, 1885. IM Y DEAR SIRI enclose results of analysis of the Tybee artesian wa

ter. Y o u will observe that it closely resembles, in the character andrelative proportions of dissolved matters, the water from your artesianwell in Savannah, but differs from this in the total contents of solid matter. The Tybee water is consequently of rather better quality. This istrue artesian water of the very best quality. It is totally iree of injurious matters, mineral or organic and is all that can be desired as an excellent drinking water. I have no hesitation in asserting my belief thatyou have secured an unfailing supply of excellent, healthful water.

I cannot tell you how greatly pleased I am at your successit oughtto revolutionize the sea coast country.With kindest regards. Sincerely yours,H . C. WHITE.


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A HISTORICALSKETCH

A MINIATURE GUIDE FOR THE CITY.

As ofinterest in this connection to travelers and visitors, a miniature guide is presented herewith giving thelocation and characterof the various public buildings,the hotels, the steamshipwharves and railroad depots.

HOTELS.

Screven House, corner Bull and Congress Streets.Pulaski House, corner Bryan and Bull Streets.Marshall House, Broughton Street.Harnett House, corner Bryan and Barnard Streets.Pavilion Hotel, South Broad and Bull Streets.Commercial House,Bryan Street, opposite the Market.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

City Exchange, Bay Street, head of Bull .Cotton Exchange, Bay Street, head of Drayton.Custom House, Bay Street, corner of Bull.Post Office Bay Street, corner ofDrayton.Court House,Bull Street, corner of President and York.Police Barracks, South Broad andHabersham Streets.Theatre on ChippewaSquare, Bull Street.Telfair Academy, Telfair Place BarnardStreet.Georgia Historal Society, Gaston and Whitaker Streets.Telfair Hospital for Females, New Houston and DraytonStreets.Savannah Hospital,Huntingdon Street.St. Joseph Infirmary, cornerTaylor and Habersham Streets.Masonic Temple, Liberty and Whittaker Streets.Odd Fellows Hall, Barnard and State Street.Chatham Academy, South Broadand Drayton Street.Market Building, foot of Barnard Street.Oglethorpe Club Rooms, Bu ll and Broughton Streets.


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OF TV EE ISLAND OA.

PRINCIPAL CHURCHES.

Independent PresbyterianChurch, South Broad Street.Presbyterian Church, Monterey Square.Christ Church,Bull and Congress Streets.Baptist Church, Chippewa Square.SaintJohn s Church, Bull and Charlton Streets.Lutheran Church, Bull and State Street.Jewish Synagogue Mickva Israel, BullandGordonStreet.Trinity Methodist, Barnard andYork StreetWesley Church,Abercornand Drayton Streets.Cathedral, Abercornand Harris Street.St. Patrick s, West Broad and Liberty, Street.

MONUMENTS

In Johnson Square, opposite Pulaski andScrevenHouses, is amonument to General Nathaniel Green of Revolutionary fame.InWright Square, a monumentto W. W. Gordon, first President of the Central Railroad.In Monterey Square, monument to Count Pulaski. who waskilled at the seigeof Savannah, 1779.In the Park extension, monument tothe Confederate dead.In Madison Square, corner stoneof monument, to SergeantJasper, laid in 1879. The design hasbeen selected and the shaftwill be erected about February, 1887.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

Immediately contiguous to Savannah, and withineasy reachby railand shell road are Isle ofHope, Montgomery, BeaulieuWhiteBluff and Thunderbolt. Each possesses peculiar attractionsand until the development of Tybee, were the favorite resorts ofSavannah. Near Thunderbolt, and of access by street car lineand fineshell road, is the Club House and grounds of the Savannah Yacht Club. At this point is also a fine trotting Park, with a half miletrack.


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HISTORICAL SKETCH

S V NN H

The City is beautifully laid out and is one of the, handsomestcities in America.

It abounds in numerous pretty parks, and possesses what noother city in the Union has, a magnificent park of thirty acres,almost now in the center of the city, with lovely walks, beautiful-shrubbery and an immense fountain, a fac-simile of the celebratedfountain on the boulevard in Paris and which is the admiration ofall strangers.This sketch is especially intended as descriptive of Tybee, itsresources, attractions and advantages as a resort both in summerand winter and its contemplated railroad connection with the ForestCity and the above epitome of the principal objects and points ofinterest to strangers is merely given as an appropriate supplementto this narrative.

In conclusion, the author would say to those who seek theSunny South, for recreation and pleasure, health and knowledgetheir pilgrimage will be incomplete without visiting Tybeethebeautiful Isle, whose shores are washed by the mighty ocean onone side, and the placid waters of the Savannah and its tributarieson the other.

FIMS.

Documents

A History of Tybee Island, Ga. and a Sketch of the Savannah & Tybee Railroad Beale H. Richardson