Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-06-02
SPA D RA.
The Elk ursipn Last sunday-A jolly
Party-what They Did and How
They Did It-S1me Notes on the
III, a IL

saw says "a watched pot Is long
a-boiling," and an expected railroad
train is not always an exception. For
the nonce the old reliable Mohongo
was behind-hand, and in consequence
of her delay, the train was held at
Wilmington for an hour and half in
order to receive her passengers. At
10b the welcome whistle was heard,
and the tardy train swept up to the
platform; a little later, and the con-
ductor piped his All aboardW and
we were Off. Besides the baggage-car,
there were three coaches and plat
form-car, all comfortably filled. The
platform-car had covering of willow
branches, which formed close shade
and gave rustic, gala day appear
ance to the train. All along the way
people came to the doors of their
houses and looked agape upon our
sweeping pageant. What satisfac-
ton it is to astOnish the natives! Our
company was jolly one, comprising
many Of our leading citizens with
their families, young men with their
dulcineas, and solitary bachelors.
High and lowly people,
Birds OF every feather,
On q common level,
Travelling together
There was an absence ofthe starched-
and-ironed restraint of the fashion
able gathering, and everybody went
in for a good time. The affair was
we'll conducted and orderly through
out
Mendel Meyer and Pancho Coronel,
with their violins, and Mr.. Miller with
his guitar, were in the open car, and
the trio furnished us with some fine
music-at least we suppose it was fine.
The accompanying bass played by the
Gathering wheels of the train was
little too heavy, and only semi-occa-
tum frum the guitar, or discouraged
wall coming from the bosom OF the
overburthened fiddle. When the
boys changed their guitars to close
car and were reinforced by some vo-
cal thunder and lightning, the music
was a success. From General Morris,
Mr.. Madigan and Mr.. Signoret-rem-
nants of the old Moonlight club-we
had some capital songs There were
two kegs of beer on the train, the COM
pliment of Charlie Eastman, and they
promoted the general conviviality
greatly. They were small kegs, holding
say half a barrel apiece, and of course
there was little trouble in dispOsing Of
the few gallons which they contained,
especially as the beverage was dis
pensed free gratis. Charlie had the
sincere and heartfelt thanks of the
hundred and odd whistles which
were wet through his generosity. An
hour and half's ride brought us to
Spadra, where our company was hos
pitably received by Uncle Billy Ru-
bottom. The premises from parlOrs
to kitchen We're taken possession of by
the company, and at once they made
themselves comfortably at home. In
the yard, beneath a spacious arbor,
tables were set, and filled with edibles
most tempting to the well whetted
appetites of the eXcursionists.
While the party was housed at Uncle
Billy's we took turn through the
town to see its sights and some of its
people. Mr.. Egan, of the enterprising
firm of Blake Il Egan, was at home
behind his counter, and ready to serve
his customers. His stock is very COM
prehensive, including everything in
the range from some of the "same,n
with sugar and lemon, to No. IA boot.
Mr.. Egan takes the HERALD and
likes it; and us it's representative, he
welcomed us cordially. A little be-
You'd is the place of Mr.. Phillips,
Spadra's godfather. He originally
owned all the land where the town
islocated, but has sold it off piece by
piece until he has now LETT only "a
small ranch" as he terms it, consist
ing of a few thousand acres. After
spending few moments in pleas
ant chat with Mr.. Phillips and his
agreeable lady, we took a spin in their
company behind tthe colts" to view
what remained to be seen in the way
of crops, stock, etc. Mr.. Phillips has
about two hundred and fifty acres in
wheat, which is looking very finely.
One field of it will be ready to cut III
few days and another in about two
weeks. A more inviting place than
that belonging to Mr.. Phillips one sell
dom sees.
1t may not be generally known that
Spadra is something larger than the
city of New York, but such is the case
nevertheless. Its limits include the
whole valley extending as far as San
Bernardino, a distance of thirty miles.
OF course there are not quite so many
buildings in its precincts as in New
York, but with this exception Spadra
is ahead. The valley presents
charming picture. 1t is we'll watered,
has considerable portion of its soil
under cultivation, and approaches
very nearly to land flowing with
milk and honey. If cows and bee
ranches have anything to do with
such happy cemetry, this statement
is literally true.
Returning to Uncle Billy's we found
the company in the height of their
enjoyment, each after his individual
notion. In front of the house East
man and Diffenderfer were conduct
ing their miniature horse-races OH a
couple of wheels. They were sur
sounded by eager crowds who staked
their money and lost; staked and lost
again, and still were not satisfied. 1t
was gambling and nothing less call