Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-05-02
The San Fernando Excursion.


|
In response to the invitation offered,
about three hundred persons, many of
them ladies', embarked on the train
for San Fernando Sunday morning.
A more beautiful day nor more balmy
air could have been desired and at
half past nine o'clock the train started,
ushered out by enlivening strains Of
music.
DURING THE TRIP
There was freedom of sociability
that made every one feel at home.
The management had provided every
| convenience that could contribute to
the comfort of the passengers, and the
journey through the San Fernando
valley was very enjoyable. A cool
breeze prevailed, and the entire voyage
was one of comfort. The San Fernan-
do valley was continuous bouquet,
| flowers of every variety blooming on
either side of the road, and here and
| there were ranches Of various sizes,
| pleasantly located and blooming with
fields of grain. With music, mirth,
and all occasional indulgence in games
of cards and friendly gossip, the excur-
sion passed off to the satisfaction of
all. Many who had never been
through this district before, were sur
prised to perceive the fertility of the
soil, and the peculiar facilities of the
region for agricultural purposes, where
one would not suppose blade of grass
would have the courage to attempt an
effort at existence. The first impress
sion of sterility was speedily removed
by the presence of waving fields of
wheat and barley as well as fine vege-
table gardens.
THE CLIMATE
Is salubrious, and generally the OPP
pressive heat of the day is relieved by
a cool breeze from the mountains.
The day is not far distant when this
territory will be populated by a COM
munity of thrifty farmers. At the
town of San Fernando there is quite
an agricultural settlement which bids
fair to increase its development before
long. The proximity to the railroad
renders the opportunity of develop
ment sure, and when the Southern
Pacific road is completed we look for
high degree of prosperity in this re-
giOn. Ex-senator Charles Maclay
met the excursionists at the landing
in San Fernando and gave to many
enquirers all the information possible
in regard to the present and future
prospects of the region. He is SAN
guine in his opinions, and a glance
will convince one that his notions are
not visionary. Here nature speaks
for herself, and when the railroad
opens the door for development, we
shall have result that will exceed
the fondest expectations of even the
most sanguine, unless We are most
emphatically mistaken.
AT THE TUNNEL,
Or within few hundred feet of the
entrance, is quite settlement, and
foremost among the establishments is
the mercantile house of Sisson, Wal
lace & Co., who furnish the entire
community for miles around with
both the necessaries and conveniences
of life. Their store is we'll stocked
with goods of every sort, and is man
aged by Fred Yapp, who is very popu-
lar and efficient in the discharge of his
duties, as we'll as courteous in his in
tercourse with all. This enterprising
firm could have no better man at such
a post.
p CHINESE.
q There are about one thousand Chi
namen employed in and about the
tunnel, and consequently in the store
of Sisson & Co., there is department
to meet this branch of trade. Every.
thing works harmonious apparently,
and everybody appears throughout the
locality to be satisfied with their lot.
The scenery around the mouth of the
TUNNEL ronninds one somewhat of that
of the State of Nevada, except instead
of barren hills we have grass, stunted
shrubbery and quite growth of heal
thy trees, showing that profitable ag-
riculture is possible. The real merits
of the district will be demonstrated
when the railroad is completed and
immigration has begun its work.
THE TUNNEL.
The work on the tunnel was COM
menced on the 9th of March, 1875,
and has now progressed at the North
end sixteen hundred and twenty-nine
feet; from the incline at station No. 1,
6O4 feet; station No. 2. POS feet; from
the South end, 1851 feet. The work to
be done between the North end and
station No. /, is 200 feet; between sta
tions No. l and 2, 5ss feet; between
stations No. and 8, s6s feet. The to-
tai work completed is 1879 feet, and
the work to be done is 22S4 feet. The
length of the tunnel, when completed,
will be 1858 feet. The work is admi-
rably done under the superintendance
of w. Z. Lambie, engineer in charge.
The timber work is substantial and of
redwood, and appears to be strong
enough to last for ages. Taken as Il
whole, the work exhibits fine piece
of engineering skill. This is the
fourth longest tunnel in the world.
The Mount Gents tunnel which was
completed in 1871, is seven and one
half miles long; the Blue Ridge tun-
mel in Virginia, is 4240 feet in length;
the Hoosac tunnel in Massachusetts
being four one-half miles in length.
The ground through which the tun-
mel runs is of a peculiar character, be-
ing composed of strata of what may be
termed blue clay deposit, gravel, sand
and shells, indicative of the former
presence of salt water. A short time
since, at depth of several hundred feet
q sharks tooth was found in state
of perfect preservation. 1t is thought
that the tunnel will be completed by
September or October, the engineers
differing month in their estimates.
The timbering work under the super
vision of T. f. Davis is admirably ex-
ecuted, and much of the credit for the
excellency of the work belongs to
Frank Frates, assistant, who is an eff
ficient workman. Many of the excur-
sionists availed themselves of the dirt
cars to go through to the end Of the
tunnel, and were much pleased with
their trip, others remained at the sta
~ uya .