2075. First National Bank (Orlando, FL)

View Charter #3469 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension β†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
3469
Charter Number
3469
Start Date
November 17, 1895
Location
Orlando, Florida (28.538, -81.379)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
9bea2664604ba236

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Date receivership started
1893-08-14
Date receivership terminated
1894-05-21
OCC cause of failure
Losses

Description

Articles (Oct–Dec 1895) report the First National Bank of Orlando suspended (twice) and placed in the hands of the Controller/receiver; W. B. Jackson is named receiver and later sues on bonds (1896). The freeze of winter damaged orange assets and is cited as making remaining assets unavailable, so the proximate cause is a local economic shock (crop/freeze). No explicit depositor run is described in these items; the bank was suspended and went into receivership/closure.

Events (8)
1. March 16, 1886 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. August 14, 1893 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
3. May 21, 1894 Restored To Solvency
Source
historical_nic
4. November 17, 1895 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Before the freeze the people of all this vicinity had a freeze out financially in the failure of the First National Bank of Orlando. ... To-day the announcement comes that no further dividends can be made for the reason that the late freeze has made the balance of the assets unavailable.
Source
newspapers
5. November 29, 1895 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
6. November 29, 1895 Suspension
Cause
Local Shock
Cause Details
Freeze damaged orange groves and rendered bank assets (Florida securities) unavailable to meet payments; inability to realize on securities due to freezes led to suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt
the bank has suspended and is in the hands of the controller of the currency of the United States, and the books and records are necessary
Source
newspapers
7. December 5, 1895 Suspension
Cause
Local Shock
Cause Details
Second suspension following asset illiquidity caused by freeze; receiver (W. B. Jackson) appointed and stockholders suffered heavy losses.
Newspaper Excerpt
W. B. Jackson, president of the First National Bank of Orlando, which recently suspended for the second time, has received his commission as receiver for the bank.
Source
newspapers
8. January 23, 1896 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
FOR SALE-Twelve shares of stock in the Watauga Bank. Par value $100 per share. Apply to William B. Jackson, receiver of First National Bank of Orlando, Orlando, Florida. (listing by the receiver).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)
1. October 29, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, October 29, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FLORIDA. The city council of Lake City has ordered an election Dec. 10 to decide the question of issuing bonds for public improvements. There appears to be no doubt that the vote will be favorable. D. R. Crum of Plant City has finished taking the census of Wildwood. The enumeration shows 189 whites and 61 negroes, a total of 250. There are sixty-four over 21 years of age. Three deaths have occurred since July 1. Rev. S. B. Carson of Arcadia has sold his home place on Joshua creek, to William L. and David H. Scott, the consideration being $1,300, and has purchased from Z. King the Arcadia property now occupied by T. B. King. The consideration for this property is $1,000. While Messrs. Leak, Borland, Kells and Barnes were on their way to Fort Myers from Orange creek Wednesday, Mr. Leak was holding his gun when, through some unaccountable means, it was discharged, the entire load of shot passing through the fleshy part of the left forearm. The reports of the Florida national banks show the loans and discounts to be $3,727,403, and the deposits $3,950,134. Three months ago the loans and discounts were $3,886,818, and one year ago they were $4,332,165. The deposits three months ago were $4,478,608, and one year ago were $4,442,847. The farmers of Columbia county had a most propitious season for harvesting their crops, no rain having fallen for some time. The quality of the cotton is exceedingly bright and clean. Between $40,000 and $50,000 worth of the staple has been sold to the local buyers at Lake City since the opening of the season. The schooner Lilly White, plying between Key West and Punta Rassa, is missing. She sailed from Punta Rassa Wednesday, Oct. 16, and should have arrived at Key West last Monday, but she has not shown up as yet. It is thought that she was driven from her course by the late blow or else was wrecked. This is the same schooner that was blown to St. Augustine during the storm in September, 1894. Ernest Jones, the 4-year-old son of Robert H. Jones of Cocoa, is critically ill, the effect of a draught of kerosene two days ago. The child put his mouth to the kerosene can faucet, and, letting the oil run as long as it would, drank at least a teacupful. In two hours he had vomited that much oil, but the gas is still in his stomach, which is greatly inflated. The lining of the stomach and intestines is blistered. Recovery is possible, though his condition is now serious. An order was received at Jacksonville Saturday from Judge Locke of the United States court and filed in the clerk's office in the case of Errington, et al., VS the First National Bank of Orlando, et al. The order is to the effect that the court decrees that the complainant have leave to amend the prayer of his bill as to setting aside the consolidation and the appointment of a receiver. so that the prayer shall, in lieu thereof, pray that it be decreed that the assets transferred by the Citizens' National Bank be held in trust by the latter bank for the payment of the plaintiff's share, to be ascertained, and upon said amendment being made the demurrer be overruled, otherwise the demurrer be sustained. The defendants are to have until the December rule day to plead or answer. The order was made by Judge Locke, in open court, at Tampa.

2. November 16, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, November 16, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

fell due, and up to last December the management of the bank were very hope. ful. of ultimate success. Owing to the freezes of last winter, however, we have found it impossible to realize upon Florida securities (of which the bank's assets are chiefly composed) in time to make the next payment, and are extremely doubtful as to our ability to meet other payments as they fall due. The directors, after a careful review of the situation, deem it advisable to make the following suggestions, and to ask an early reply as to your wishes in the matter: First, you have the right, when the certificates fall due, to demand payment on same, and upon the failure of the bank to meet such demand, to cause a receiver to be appointed to close up the affairs of the bank: or, second, you can, if you so prefer, agree that the management of the bank shall continue its business and pay the certificates as rapidly as practicable (no definite time being fixed for payments). Third, you can appoint a trustee to take charge of the assets of the bank to work them out for your benefit. (This last suggestion to be subject to the approval of the stockholders.) William B. Jackson, J. D. Beggs, John M. Cheney, James L. Giles, W. A. White, C. R. Switzer. directors of the First National Bank of Orlando."

3. November 17, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, November 17, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# FLORIDA ORANGE GROWING. About Frost Proof Localities and the Future-More Losses by Bank Fail- ure at Orlando. Maitland, Fla., Nov. 16. In the opinion of the horticulturist of Riverside, Cal., the Florida freeze of last winter is like- ly to stimulate the extensive planting of oranges, early fruits, etc., on the Gulf coast of Mexico. Already it is rumored that parties are talking of a steamship line to that section to handle the fruit crops. There is no reason why the late freeze should cause any such movement as the above named. Florida is the natural home of the orange in this country, and ail attempts to side track the industry into other channels because of infre- quent cold snaps will prove a failure. Should the prediction of Weather Pro- phet Dr. R. Hicks of another freeze near- ly as severe, during the coming January, prove true, we must admit that the fu- ture of orange growing as a marketable crop in Florida would get two "black #yes." But will the orange growers on the Gulf of Mexico be any better pro- tected from a like calamity? The fact is apparent, it seems to me, that the climate of the south has under- gone great changes during the past twenty-five years. Some attribute this change to the wholesale slaughter of the line forests, the drainage of large bodies of land, and the settling up of once un- populated sections. Be this as it may, all will admit that we now have sudden and severe changes in the weather almost un- known a quarter of a century ago. Florida is the invalid's home, despite occasional cold snaps, and should the orange crop fail again as a money pro- duct of the soil, thousands of invalids would still be compelled to have their homes here, if not all the year round, at least during the winter months. These people would continue to cultivate or- ange trees and unless frequent severe freezes came, would have oranges enough and to spare for all practical purposes. I do not believe that there is any really "frost proof" spot in i Florida outside of Key West. Whenever the lower section of the state is fully settled up and the same conditions prevail there that now exist in other parts of South Florida, a severe freeze is liable to do there just what it did for us last winter. Men who run about hunting a "safe place" to grow oranges may eventually learn by experi- ence about the proverbial "rolling stone" that never gets "moss" covered. The su successful man in any business any- where, is the one that buckles down to business, or his particular industry, de- termined to overcome all obstacles and surmount all difficulties. There is no royal road to wealth or happiness down here in Florida, but the poorest man has a chance to get a living out of a favored climate and a fruitful soil. Before the freeze the people of all this vicinity had a "freeze out" financially in the failure of the First National Bank of Orlando. Some had every dollar of their money tied up in the defunct bank, and, of course, a general stringency came our local money market. But after months of weary waiting some dividends came until 40 per cent. had been paid back. To-day the announcement comes that no further dividends can be made for the reason that the late freeze has mace the balance of the assets unavailable. We are, therefore, just now staring with a sad gaze at 60 ner cent. of our deposits "gone glimmering," as another receiver- ship will eat up all the assets liable to be made available in the future history of this unfortunate bank. Of course, this is a sad state of affairs in the present conditions of our groves- to lose 60 per cent. of our savings during prosperous times. It means great hard- ships to some, a severe struggle to others, and temporary inconvenience to the most prosperous. But these disasters, like alΔ± others, are peculiar to all civilized com- munities and in the midst of all kinds of industries and commercial certers. We be therefore, not alone in our misfor- tunes. The winter home of Ershop H. B. Whip- ple of Minnesota, is being put in order for mis coming, and he is announced to hold services in the church of the Good Shep- herd on Thanksgiving day. The arrival of this eminent divine is the signal for the coming of a hest of our wealthy winter rezidents, and the opening of our "sea- son." The second failure of the First Na- Lonal Bank of Orlando, reminds me that itland has more bankers as winter res-

4. November 29, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, November 29, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

city, finds the prices ranging from $75 to $100 per acre.-Gov. Mitchell has appointed John T. Warren of Sumterville to be sheriff of Sumter county, vice W. T. C. Chapman, resigned. A petition was filed in the office of the clerk of the United States court at Jacksonville Wednesday by defendants in the case of George Errington and Frances Errington vs. the First National Bank of Orlando et al. The petition is that since the order of court, allowing the camplainants to amend their bill and requiring defendants to file their answers by December rule day, the bank has suspended and is in the hands of the controller of the currency of the United States, and the books and records are necessary for the proper answering of said bill by all defendants, and since the ruling of the court on the demurrer it has not been practicable to get a meeting of the stockholders and officers of the Citizens' National Bank. The pleadings of defendants, it is stated, can be filed by rule day in January, to which time defendants pray to have the same extended.

5. December 5, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, December 5, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FLORIDA. Cuban tobacco growers have been prospecting in Gadsden county. A new lodge of Pythians has been instituted at Lakeland, with twenty-four members. A patent has been granted Albert D. Stentiford of Palatka for a drawbar attachment. The business league of Orlando is hard at work trying to secure the location of factories in that city. A young Cuban, employed in the Ybor City cigar box factory, lost the tip of one of his fingers in a press Tuesday. Carter & Jordan of Pensacola, manufacturers of naval stores, have concluded the purchase of 45,000 acres of land, covered with virgin pine forests, in Liberty county, fronting on the Apalachicola river. The suburban home of S. W. Coffey, on America street, South Orlando, was sold on a foreclosure of mortgage Monday to Dr. A. B. Stevens for $3,000. The cost of the place about six years ago was $7,500. During the months of October and November the tax collector of Hillsborough county received license taxes aggregating $13,040.07 and taxes on real and personal property aggregating $14,040.81, making the total collections for the two months $27,080.88. W. B. Jackson, president of the First National Bank of Orlando, which recently suspended for the second time, has received his commission as receiver for the bank. By the two suspensions together the stockholders lose $235,000, and are still liable for $85,000. The shipment of English peas from MJcanopy will commence in a few days in great quantities. One planter, who has nearly fifty acres in peas. shipped about 300 crates on last Saturday, and C. T. Scott, who has twenty-five acres of it, will follow in a few days. Jasper Summerlin, of Bartow, arrived at Tampa on last Tuesday with 500 head of beef cattle, and while crossing the Kissimmee river, one of the herders Jost his footing and was swept away by the current. The missing man was a negro named Tom Moore. At the sheriff's sale at Welaka Monday were sold the personal effects and all equipments of the Welaka moss and mat-

6. December 25, 1895 The Florida Agriculturist Jacksonville, De Land, FL
Article from The Florida Agriculturist, December 25, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

ORIDIANA. great activity in the ocigar There is Tampa. The total output usiness in month.was 1,295,000; total cigars last 20,500. nipments, 1,1 thoxes of fine oranges One hundred shipped in one lot om Yalaha WE depot last week.om the Eldorade will. eesburg Commerc. muent Denham, of Division Superint sslightly scalded he Plant System, was face and hands Grove Park on the off isa pipe of & cently by the bursting comotive. ppostmasters The following fourth-class vida; K. D. ave been appointed in Flc unty, vice allerchamp, Astor, Lake oc Graham, W. Hoffman, resigned; D. O. jD. C. ardnell, Sumter county, vice hompson, resigned. Beach, Lake Worth is bridged at Palm ladend now trains can cross over anc the osit their guests at the doors of oyal Poinciana. A steamer will C. ect with the East Coast Line at Bi avne Bay for the Bahamas. The Indian river steamer Della, purhased a short time ago by the Canal Company, is having a new and enlarged abin put on her, preparatory to being sio ut in the passenger trade between no Vest Palm Beach and Biscayne Bay ha his winter. me tw The prospects are that hundreds of an cres of sugar cane will be planted in in lachua county another year. All the aw armers are saving an immense quantity hil f seed. It is estimated by those in a ab osition to judge that the acreage will e double what it was last year. th The shipment of English peas from W1 Micanopy will commence in a few days in n great quantities. One planter who The as nearly fifty acres in peas, shipped ab bout 300 crates on last Saturday, and to ). T. Scott, who has twenty-five acres me If it, will follow in a few days. 5,0 W. B. Jackson, president of the First sp to National Bank of Orlando, which recently uspended for the second time, has reeived his commission as receiver for ab he bank. By the two suspensions toste ogether the stockholders lose $235,000, tee nd are still liable for $85,000. Co th The Tropical Sun, of West Palm pa Beach, says that W. J. Thornton, of wh hear Lantana, had the pleasure of killre ng one of the largest panthers ever seen in n that section of the State, it measurth ng eight feet four inches from the tipof ta ts nose to the tip of its tail, and weigh, ng about 150 pounds. ca Two men, claiming to be Mormon at lders, are tramping through the counbo ry around the Suwannee shoals, preachhu ng wherever they can secure an audith ence. They are looked on with disfavor ex y the intelligent classes, and are no W doubt some men who were arrested at an Fallahassee and Madison. Ti Mr. Hammond, the express messenger Sp ning on the Sanford and St. Petersen g Railroad of the Plant System, in coupling cars three miles east of Siding, was caught yesterday th ng and seriously injured. One to ioint

7. January 23, 1896 The Comet Johnson City, TN
Article from The Comet, January 23, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Mrs. Frank McCorkle, of Knoxville, has been in the city since last Saturday visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Lyle. J. E. Crandall has returned to the city from a trip through Virginia as manager for Dr. John Henry, the hypnotist. Remember the date for Maj. Pettibone's lecture, "Stonewall Jackson," Saturday evening at the M. E. church. Admission, 25 cents. Creed Mauk, a prominent farmer, miller and merchant of Princeton, a few miles from this city, was seen upon our streets on last Tuesday. When you go to Summers & Barton for hardware, stoves or farm implements, ask for a package of Barker's or Foutz's horse and cattle powder. 25 cents each. Crockett Bullock, a young gentleman of traveling inclinations, who has been away from our town, returned lately to see some of the fair young ladies of Johnson City. Call at Summers & Barton, the hardware dealers, and get a package of Barker's horse and cattle powders and a bottle of nerve and bone iniment. 25 cents each. FOR SALE-Twelve shares of stock in the Watauga Bank. Par value $100 per share. Apply to William B. Jackson, receiver of First National Bank of Orlando, Orlando, Florida. If the times have been hard, theLord has been good. With but few exceptions, the weather has been most favorable, thus far. This is cause for us all to lift up our voices and say, We thank Thee. The Nolach tcky Telephone company are extending a line to Elizabethton, and hope to make the connection this week. The line will touch Milligan college and is already connected to that point. e O The old fashioned spelling match to be giver by the Monday Club has been postponed until January 30, and the g place changed to the Hoss & Hodge g building on Main street. Admission, 5 cents, g Will Taylor, of Jonesboro, and of Charley Cain, from just below the same 1, place, paid their respects to Johnson City a day or two this week. Jones11 boro and her vicinity can't keep away from our town. el r. About seven o'clock this morning a m fire alarm was turned in on account of a small blaze discovered in the roof of the building on public square, occupied by the city bakery. The fire was ex tinguished before any damage was done Vol Stout, of Snow's Chapel, brough in on Monday a fine lot of calves, foi Webb Bros., and as a fine lot of cattle brought a good price. Let the catt! come on. The bigger the number, th more the people will live without feel ing the pangs of hunger. We repeat bring on your cattle. Johnson City is on no boom, yet he denizens, both white and colored, hav an eye on Father Time, who don't car a continental whether the furnace start or not. You can tear the old thin down or start it, just as you like-Johr son City is going to stay right wher she is "at," furnace or no furnace. The meetings of the United Brethrer of hans

8. January 30, 1896 The Comet Johnson City, TN
Article from The Comet, January 30, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FOR SALE-Twelve shares of stock in the Watauga Bank. Par value $100 per share. Apply to William B. Jackson, receiver of First National Bank of Orlando, Orlando, Florida.

9. February 6, 1896 The Comet Johnson City, TN
Article from The Comet, February 6, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

PERSONAL MENTION And Local News of the Town and Vicinity Briefly Told. The best green coffee in the city at Jackson's. Chase & Sanborn's Golden Rio coffee at Jackson's. Chase & Sanborn's Mocha and Java coffee at Jackson's. W. W. Faw was in Bristol on legal business Monday. Try a can of Hopkins' Steamed Hominy (hulled corn). It is delicious. Dr. Wm. Dana, of Morristown, was at the Piedmont the first of the week. Chase and Sanborn's coffee is the best on the market. Try it. At Jackson's. Don't buy coffee until you try Chase & Sanborn's coffee. It can be had no place else bu Jackson's. Rev. W. S. Neighbors is in Morristown this week assisting Rev. Orr in a revival meeting at that place. Geo. A. Ross has returned from Washington where he has been during the opening days of congress. FOR SALE CHEAP-on long time and easy payments, a 10-room house on Unaka avenue. J. E. Brading. Miss Dollie Bayless, of Brush Creek, leaves today for a two weeks' trip to Cleveland, Tenn. We wish her a pleasant visit. John Lindamood is at home again after an absence of several months in Connecticut and Washington doing duty as an electric motorman. When you go to Summers & Barton for hardware, stoves or farm implements, ask for a package of Barker's or Foutz's horse and cattle powder. 25 cents each. Misses Lucy Sells and Ella Carmack, who have been visiting Miss Jennie Crumley and the Misses Carr for the past two weeks, returned to their home in Bristol Tuesday. FOR SALE-Twelve shares of stock in the Watauga Bank. Par value $100 per share. Apply to William B. Jackson, receiver of First National Bank of Orlando, Orlando, Florida. The engine pulling passenger train No. 3, which is due here at 11:25 p. m. ran off the track at the east end of the Carnegie yards last Friday night and delayed the train five hours. Rev. F. H. Rossiter, advance agent for Prof. Ford, a humorist and impersonator, is in the city making arrangements for Prof. Ford to give an entertainment in the near future. The Baptist church was well filled last night during prayer metting until the pastor announced that the church would go into executive session and asked those not members to retire. LOST-A pair of spectacles (gold frame) between the clerk and master's office and my home. Upon the return of same to my office, a liberal reward will be paid.. C. W. HODGE. Married, February 2, at 10 o'clock a m., John J. Bayless to Miss Ettie E Lee, Rev. T. F. Roberts, of Sinking Ceek, officiating. We wish them prosperous voyage o'er life's stormy sea. Hotel Greenwood, which has been managed by J. W. Scalf for the past ten months, will change hands on th

10. February 20, 1896 The Comet Johnson City, TN
Article from The Comet, February 20, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

PERSONAL MENTION And Local News of the Town and Vicinity Briefly Told. Beware of Bogus Oliver repairs. Beware of Bogus Oliver repairs. The best green coffee in the city at Jackson's. Chase & Sanborn's Golden Rio coffee at Jackson's. Chase & Sanborn's Mocha and Java coffee at Jackson's. H. H. Carr and G. F. Lee were in Jonesboro Monday. Maj. G. B. McDowell, of Bristol, was in the city Tuesday. John Bowman made a flying trip to Knoxville Tuesday. WANTED-A good second hand organ. Apply to this office. Exclusive agents for Oliver plows and repairs. Summers & Barton. Try a can of Hopkins' Steamed Hominy (hulled corn). It is delicious. Mrs. Epps has been visiting her father, J. L. Hardin, since Wednesday. Geo. Bright shipped five car loads of cattle east from this place last Tuesday. Chase and Sanborn's coffee is the best on the market. Try it. At Jackson's. W. L. Ramsay, father of Mrs. J. D. Faucette, died at his home in Knoxville February 14. Don't buy coffee until you try Chase & Sanborn's coffee. It can be had no place else buJackson's. FOR SALE CHEAP-on long time and easy payments, a 10-room house on Unaka avenue. J. E. Brading. W. I. Burgess has busted the combination on garden seeds. 15 cent packs, 8 cents each; 5 cent papers, 2 cts. each. Webb Bros. and Willie Reese loaded a full car of poultry Tuesday for Washington. This is getting to be quite a poultry station. When you go to Summers & Barton for hardware, stoves or farm implements, ask for a package of Barker's or Foutz's horse and cattle powder. 25 cents each. Hon. W.P. Brownlow and Hon. W. E. F. Milburne, candidates for congress, came to the city yesterday, and are shaking hands with their friends and trying to make more. FOR SALE-Twelve shares of stock in the Watauga Bank. Par value $100 per share. Apply to William B. Jackson, receiver of First National Bank of Orlando, Orlando, Florida. Col. Jack Faw. of Bristol. was in the

11. November 18, 1896 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, November 18, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

A. W. Rogers of Fort Myers has applied for a patent for a spectacle holder. Horace Baker, on trial at Live Oak for the murder of Thomas Dunn, was found guilty of murder in the second degree Monday. Sentence was deferred. In a race between crews from the United States revenue cutters Boutwell and Windom at Jacksonville, Monday, the crew from the Windom beat the crew from the Boutwell badly. The building committee appointed by the quarterly conference has issued an appeal for assistance, to rebuild the church at Cedar Keys, which was destroyed by the hurricane in September. The United States revenue cutter Windom, which has been at Jacksonville the past month, has been ordered to Baltimore. The Colfax, which has been in port for the past week, left yesterday for Wilmington. The Bank of Eustis was reopened Monday. Out of the $20,000 liabilities, all of the depositors, except a few to the extent of $21, signed the agreement for resumption on the basis outlined by the committee appointed by the creditors. R. Willie Wilkes was formally charged by the coroner's jury at Jacksonville Mchday afternoon, with the murder of Mrs. R. E. Caroway, otherwise known as Ravemah Caroway, who was found dead at her room in the Smith building on last Saturday. A new suit has been commenced in the United States court at Jacksonville, and the declaration was filed with the clerk of the court Monday. The suit is brought by H. L. Whiteside of Tennessee against S. W. Teague and W. A. Posey of Florida for the recovery of $17,500 balance on a note for $20,000 due and unpaid. In the cases brought by W. B. Jackson, receiver of the First National Bank of Orlando vs. the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York, suits on the bonds of Nat Poyntz and O. T. Poyntz, presiden't and cashier, respectively, of the bank, the plaintiffs filed demurrers to the pleas of the defendant company at Jacksonville Monday. In these same cases a joinder of issue was also filed by the plaintiff, through his attorney, Alexander St. Clair-Abrams. Fire was discovered in the barn belonging to D. E. Peacock at Interlachen on Sunday at 6:30 p. m. Chained in the barn were four valuable hunting dogs. Two of them belonged to Mr. Peacock and two to Messrs. Hunter and Van Cortland of New York. They were valued at more than $1,000. The fire was too far advanced to enable anybody to get near them, and they burned to death. There was no insurance. The loss on the barn is $150; implements, $200; dogs, $1,000. The origin of the fire is unknown. Two tramps were seen in the vicinity a short time before the fire broke out. The municipal election held at Lakeland Monday, for the election of city officers was the hottest-contested one that has been held in Lakeland for several years. The hardest fight was between the candidates for mayor. Capt. W." B. Bonacker, the present president of the council, and J. P. Thompson were the candidates. Everything passed off smoothly, and the following officers were elected: Mayor, J. P. Thompson; marshal and collector, J. R. Feaster; clerk, treasurer, and assessor, C. D. Clough; councilmen, T. J. Darracott, A. E. Sloan, and W. D. McCrae. Mr. Thompson's majority over Capt. Bonacker was only one vote. Edward McBride, who has charge of the Hotel San Marco property, at St. Augustine, has received instructions from William F. Beal, the new owner, to put the hotel in order, and to have it ready for opening on Jan. 1. Mr. McBride has recently returned from Boston, and was present in that city when the property was sold. Mr. Beal has nearly $1,000,000 invested in different parts of the country. He is a wealthy broker, and should he "all to lease the property, he will engage a manager to take charge of it for this season. The new owner intends to make extensive improvements, but very little of this work will be done this winter as the