Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-12-20
CALIFORNIA LETTER.
TYRONE, Nov. q, 1873.


.FrisRd Reed-Fsar years ago this month
the ferry boat ''El Captain" set me adrift
IN the streets Of San Francisco. Ten days
before had bid kind friends in Ohio fare
well and stepped into the society of strang-
ers, bOand for the Pacific coast, in search
of n fortune Fame, I had given up, but
q fortune thought probable. No one
unless having been theu-can imagine my
feelings as each hour was whirled farther
from home, destination, an uncertain future.
A rapid transit across the States Of In
diana, Illinois and Iowa, catching glances
Of snug farms and thrifty villages, and We
pause on the east bank of the Missouri and
take view Of the situation: before US rolls
the muddy river with dimensions very
much warped from imagination; elinging
to the bluffs which line the farther side, is
the city Of Omaha. The intervening space
is spanned by massive iron bridge over
which We lazily crawl and finally stop for
a good ready. before taking the plunge
westward. The long journey, consuming
so many days of time, is scarcely noticed.
The novelty of the trip, the variety OF
scenery, the change so preceptible where
civilization is gradually encroaching upon
the borders Of barharism, all occupy ones
attention with outside things. Within
the car are people, gathered from different
sections Of the Union. with manners and
tempers 50 different that il gives pleas
ing variety to our journey. Every one on
the ward-bound trip are joyous; so
long as one can look forward to something
pleasant in life, just 50 long is life desirable,
and The possessor happy; thus it was With
US all. and this feeling gave a strong de-
sire to have the trip prolonged, but all
things have an end. and we have spanned
the continent, aud am drifting with the
tide which sets up Market ST., in the great
city, near the Gold Gate. A good reno
waiting from the dust and confinement Of
the trip, and am looking about me for
employment A short time soon eoBTinees
me positions are not to be had even for the
asking. A trip into Santa Clara valley, a
week in San Jose the most lovely city on
4 the cnast, n good visit while thene with m y
friend A. o. Amsden, who seemed delight
ed with his surroundings, have all been
told you before; back sgsin to the city,
an experience of three weeks in candy
store, wages scarcely sufficient for sub
sistence forced me to abandon this trade
and seek for more lucrative and enterpris-
ing employment. Drifting for four months,
10 matter where, with many thought of
home, and many strong desire to retrace
my steps, yet too prOnd to abandon the
field completely vsnquished. finally
succeeded, and ever since have been quite
fortunate in ''keeping the wolf from The
door"
Many a golden bubble is formed, many
an air-eastle built in the region east of the
Rocky Mountains by those contemplating
u howc ;a California. Once here the bubble
bursts, ~ castle falls, and hope is wrecked.
Suici;ies are very common in this State.
People expect too much, the prize is beyond
their grasp; they fail to reach, and drop
into eternity, victims of disappointment.
To person desirous of coming here, l
would say: consider well what you are
leaving. When here make up your mind
to obstacles; pluck andenergy will succeed.
The season through which we are now
passing has been a severe one on the busi-
ness interests Of our coast, financial failures
to corporations aud individuals come fire.
quent. Earth has given US an abundance
of her productions, and cheap rates rule
for all supplies. This is one redeeming
quality OF the dull times; but man is not
satisfied. What avails it if bread is cheap
and hunger has no means of obtaining it.
Could poverty check the pangs Of hunger
as easily as she can endure the frosts Of
our climate. idleness would be our prevail
ing sin.
The stringeuey of the lumber market
caused the mills near here to close downon
the first Of September, thus throwing
about 500 men on the labor market, max
ing for them short season of work, and a
long one-before Spring idleness.
Emigration continues in about the same
ratio. The overland trains come we'll
| filled; but our accessions from China show
q rapid fallingo off. California is becoming
thickly peopled. Not only are her citizens
pushing into the remote borders Of our
commonwealth, but they are casting about
them for pastures new. Each steamer
which turns her PROV towards Oregon or
Washington Territory goes freighted with
humanity seeking homes. Our capitalists
are turning their attention to hot and ster-
lie Arizona; not as an agricultural region
but for mining pursuits. This Territory
is said to be rich in minerals. Companies
are being incorporated, machinery trans
ported, and soon its mineral wealth will be
developed. Then comes the rush for the
Golden Fleece"
had only few days respite from labor,
which 1 took advantage of by hasty stage
trip along the coast up to my former home.
The ocean was just as attractive, the ride
as exhilarating, the road as romantic, and
the friends as warm as eyer. The same
talk prevailed here, viz: dull times. The
| inhabitants OF the mountains, and along
the route were quite chopfsllen. No price
for wood, no sale for tanbark. The land
ings are full Of the productions of tim
bered country, but nothing moving, mark
cts glutted ''We look for better times
next Spring, was the only ray OF hope
which cheered these dishearteRed people.
Out OF this gloom passed to the city in
search OF more joyous surroundings. It
never seems dull in San Francisco. There
is always the same hurry to and fro, some
occupied with their business and mechanic
al pursuits, others merely lettering. l
| naturally fell in with this latter class, and
| dropped into the Mechanics Fair. This
society each year makes an exhibit of the
industries OF our coast. They occupy an
immense building extending from Market
to Mission street, subdivided into depart
ments along whose alley-wEys are crowded
something wonderful and attractive. Here
the merchant displays his most tempting
wares, The manufactures and builders
| produce articles Of expensive beauty
and luxury for the ease and comfort Of
| man. The mechanic and inventor come