San Andreas independent., 1858-05-08
LErrER FROM STOCKTON.
Correspondence of the Independent.

STOCKTON, May 9th, 1858.
Mr.. Editor The past week has been very
important one to the good people of Stockton,
and more especially to the rising generation
the regular attendants at the Seminary and
the public and private schools. The week has
been an interesting one to all classes Politi-
clans have been cheered up-or rather down
with an election day, in which the contest par
took of the usual amount of feeling. Men,
bers of the bar, and others interested in the
mysteries of the law, have had long and
strong session of the District Court-relieved
churches have had a revival, in which a
hundred sinners were converted, and numer-
Gus backsliders returned to their faith in the
church. During the revival, the churches
were daily and nightly crowded with attentive
listeners, but the grand summing up shows
but poor return for so much labor in so large
place. There is population in Stockton
and vicinity, of 5000, and but one out of eve
ry six of the inhabitants attend church, and
after six weeks revival, the result is, that
one out of every eighty, has been converted
But the most prominent features of the
week were the May day Festivals ofthe schools.
On Friday, April 3Oth, the young Ladies of
the Stockton Seminary held picknick, short
distance in the country north of the town, at
the ranch of Mr.. Mitchell. Fifty or sixty
young ladies were present, with their parents,
guardians or friends, enjoying social reunion,
amidst the flowers of May, underneath the
spreading branches and green leaves of old
oaks DIR. Collins, the principal, and his esti-
mable lady, were all smiles and attention to
their interesting pupils, welding mild and
parental Influence, which must undoubtedly
result in advancing the interests of the insti-
tuition and the cause of education. In the af-
ternoon the Festival became more general in
its nature, and hundreds of young people of
both sexes, from the city, visited the place,
and spent the day in recreations and amuse-
ment.
On Sunday, May I'd, service was held for
the first time, in the new Episcopal church, on
the corner of Ell Dorado street and Miners
Avenue-St. Johns Church. The Rev. DR..
Hagar, is Pastor, and preached most beauti-
full and impressive sermons both in the MORN
ing and evening, to crowded audiences. The
building is of brck-the finest church in the
city-it cost over nine thousand dollars, and
is paid for. The congregation is large and
wealthy. On the previous Saturday, at sale
of choice pews, sufficient was paid in prem-
ums to liquidate all debts against the church.
On Tuesday, May 4th, the Public Schools
held their May Festival, in beautiful grove
north of the city. This was the most pleasant
of the series of May parties, held during the
week three hundred children, boys and girls,
literally wreathed with garlands of flowers,
marched in procession, headed by the Stock
ton Blues-a fine military. company, under
command of Capt. P. L. Conner-with the
Stockton Cornet Band The military evou-
tions were well executed, and the band dis
coursed excellent music, to which each boy
kept time with the manly stride of soldier, in
conscious pride that the example before them
was the incentive to deeds, that should give
them honorable fame and distinction At the
place selected for the Festival, liberal dinner
was provided for the children, and afterwards,
for all who wished to partake, by the gener-
GUS contributions of the citizens of the city
and surrounding country. The day was spent
in defamation, music, singing, dancing, mill
tary and gymnastic exercises, good cheer and
general hilarity. The Dialogue, by Thomas
Dillon and Charles Bray Not ashamed of
his Occnpation"-was equal to some of the
best presentations of the stage. The song
Uncle Sans Farm'-by the young girls and
boys was received with shouts of applause
But the beautiful song" My Mothers Bible"
was executed with a pathos and feeling
which touched every heart, and renewed the
scenes of distant homes in far-off lands-wel-
come as the flowers of May At 4 o'clock the
company broke up and returned to the city,
marching as they went and in similar order,
with banners to the breeze and streamers dis
playing appropriate notices and Insignia
In the evening the ceremonies ended with a
closing ball, given by the former pupils of Mr..
G. 7. Shafer, in honor of that gentleman and
the aid which ne contributed from time to
time, in cultivatng the polite and social rela-
tons of the city. So ended our May Festivals
Business is quite brisk at present, owing to
the farmers and ranchmen laying in their har-
vest supplies. The agricultural resources of
the county are heavy, and Stockton, this year,
will get the entire ranch trade-an item suff-
cient to keep up twice the population we now
have.
We have six marriages to chronicle during
the week. and dozen or two bargains made,
for future operations. Among the number
married, is Mr.. VIM. Ennis, formerly of your
county, who has changed his lot-doubled sim
gle blessedness. Another wedding, at the
same time and place, has little of romance
about it, which, as it is but one of many similar
cases, we will give it, as related to us. Many
years ago. {" in kingdom by the sea"-State
of Maine-a young man loved a young girl,
and his affection was returned but the heart
less parents were furnenst it, and the young
man vowing eternal le-blessedness went
to sea, "evermore," and the young lady mar
ried gentleman who moved south, became
rich and died. The luckless swain finally
heard of this state of affairs, and (although the
widow hac son a captain renewed his
proposition of marriage, again offered her his
hand and heart, and was accepted. He for
warded money to pay her passage to Califor-
MIA, but it failed to reach its destination. Moth
ing daunted, he duplicated the amount, which
she received, paid her passage to California,
and arrived on the last steamer, when, after
separation of many years, they met to part no
more, and were married Who will, after this,
say first love is not true love.
Much interest is manifested in the early
completion of the Railroad from San Francis
co to Sacramento via this city. The prompt
action of the Legislature and Governor is
quite commendable. DR.. E. S. Holden and P.
E. Connor, Esq, are the most prominent work.
ing men in this laudable enterprise.
The Weber House has been re-opened by
one of the owners Mr. John Dillon, and is
doing large and increasing business. The
Magnolia still holds its own in public custom:
IL