Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-24
The Excursion to Santa Ana.

The morning announced for the
excursion and auction sale of lots
at Santa Ana dawned amid clouds
and n falling mist, which had q
dampening effect upon the spirits
of many who had been anticipat-
ing q pleasant days "outing." Be-
fore the time of starting, however,
the sun shone out, and by 8 O'clock
an immense throng had gath cred
at each of the depots. At the old
Commercial street depot, where
the crowd was greatest, it was al
most worth mans life to attempt
to get a ticket, so great was the
rush, the mass surgIng in with
such force as to positively prevent
those who had obtained the requi.
site pasteboard from regainlng the
street, and large number of ladies
and children were deferred from
accompanying the excursion by
this exhibition. Presently the an
nouncement was made that the
tickets were all sold, and Mr..
Knapp shut up shop, his occupa-
ton being gone; but still the ticket
office was bssieged. 1t seemed to
be a surprise to all to know where
the people came from, but still
they came, until the sidewalk
were overflown aud the streets al
most blockaded. The railroad
company evidently had not antici-
pated such crowd, and they were
obliged to use the passenger cars
on the incoming trains, together
with all the surplus coaches In the
yards, to accommodate the people,
fully 1000 persons being in attend
ance. At about half-past 9 a start
was made, with ten passenger
coaches filled to repletion, with the
platforms and aisles also occupied.
At all way stations the crowd was
augmented, Downey turning out
near $50 persons.
1t was a pleasant ride through
beautiful country, the orange
groves, freighted with their lus-
cious golden fruit, seeming like
vision of fairy land as they fitted
past the windows, and the fresh
green with which the fertile prai-
riss were overspread, contrasting
with the sere and barren aspect
which has ruled so long, caused a
psan of gratitude to burst forth
from the breast of the average ex-
cursionist.
At noon We reached Santa Ana,
finding a beautiful little village,
we'll and substantially built, sur
rounded on all sides by rich and
beautiful plains. It mum bsrs
about 900 Inhabitants, aud has a
most energetic and enterprising
class Of citizens. Among those we
met was Mr.. J. H. Fruit, for whose
handsome hospitality We are very
much indebted. Speaking Of the
capabilities OF the soil, which, by
the way, are unlimited, Mr.. +.
showed us in his young orchard,
set out a year ago last May, trees
bearing large, handsome oranges
the trees being SO diminutive as to
be scarcely able to keep their fruit
from resting on the ground. 1t is
not worth our while giving a dis
sertation upon the capabilities of
the Gospel Swamp lands-they are
notorious, as any lands from which
crop of barley can be harvested
and then an average Of so bushsl
of corn per acre gathered from the
same land in the same season. and
this in a year of drouth, should be.
Santa Ana boasts of numerous
public and private edifices which
would be an honor to any city, and
the march of improvements 10 still
onward. We noticed two brick
blocks in process of erection, one
by Mr.. r. H. Dibble, the enterpris-
ing hardware man, and one by Mr..
Broader, whilst mum erous improve.
ments in various parts of town de-
noted the prosperity of it's people.
The sale of let's by the City La nd
Company began about two O'clock.
The lots were situated i'm m sdiately
in front of the depot, and between
that building and the town, very
eligibly located and handsome lots,
but the bidding was not enthusi-
astic, and though Mr.. Noyes, that
prince Of auotioneers, handled the
hammer, the prices realized were
not in proportion to the value of
the lots, twenty-five only being
sold, at prices ranging from $3.50
down to $25, when the sale was dis
continued.
An opposition sale was also an
nouDced, of residence lots in the
western part of town, which, we
are informed, realized but small
prices, fine eligible lots bringing as
low as $40.
1t was net buying crowd. They
went to attest the truth of the fact
that cheap fares are what the peo-
pie want, and to witness he
BASE BALL MATCH
Between the Dauntless Club of this
city and the Orange boys. 1t was
a remarkably even and holly con.
tested game, and some fine playing
was done by both clubs. Follow
ing is the score: