Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-05-30
our CALIFORNIA LETTER


1
YUMA CITY, May Is, 1879.
Mn. TrMMoNs-- Dear Sir As my school
is out aud am enjoying the oren air again,
propose TO give to your readers and my
many friends the benefit Of my travels.
This is the season for picnics here, and
such picnics, one would think that every
bodys fortune was made, and that the in
habitamls were all trying /, see how happy
they could be, and how much they could
add to the happiness Of each other.
Well, the GrOngers lead ont on the Lat
inst. with their annual festival vt the cele-
brnted Hook farm. Next came the annual
festival Of the Turn Veren Society at Ma
rysvile at the same place on the 4th inst
On the evening Of the 9th, your humble
servant gave school exhibition and bal
cess beyond my fondest anticipntons, the
receipts at the door being $500, all OF
which | appropriated to the furnishing oI
the school room. On the 18th the St. Jo-
seph Society gave their annual festival al
Hook farm and having Just been uncaged
"took it in" This was truly the grand
est affair Of the kind ever witnessed. The
beautiful grounds we're swarming with peo
pie. The band discoursed the sweetest mu.
sic to which the young and fair stripped
the light fantastic toe" on large platform
66 feet square, overhung by mammoth fig
trees. Four bits admission were paid by
each male at tue door, after which all was
free as the air. On this huge floor could
be seen 4S couples at time, all day, whirl.
ing in the polka, the waltz, or even the
good old Irish jig; while to the right in n
long open space, was a race course for the
the prizes being paid by the managers ol
the ground to the winner in the different
games which consisted of foot races for
boys Of different ages, also for girls, ior
sack races and for climbing the greecy pole
AT II came dinner, which shall not attempt
to describe. only wish you could have
been that table with me, (for there was
more left than was eaten) and see for your.
self what California festival consists of
| would Just mention that cherries and
strawberries are both plenty and cheap.
After dinner came an Grafton by Hon.
Zach. Montgomery, Of Oakland. Next, a
ba lloon ASCENSION by Charlie and Willie
Ranb. The balance Of the day was spent
by the young in long walks and in the
dance, and by the old in kindly greetings
Hook farm is the old home of Gen. John
A. Sutter, 10 miles from Marysville. on
the right bank Of the Feather. Here the
Captain settled in l846, with band OF la
bOrers from the Sandwich Islands and went
TO building home. He laid out about
20 acres in orchard and evergreens, in flow
ering shrubs and fine roses. He also cul-
tlvated berries and tropical fruits, and nn-
der large conserv tory he cultivated rare
flowers Of tropical origin the year round
His grounds were all regularly laid out
in walks and drives, arhors and squares
and over the ends of the shady walks
formed by the rows of fruit trees were
arched gafewnys, over which are trained
vining roses of the finest varieties and most
gorgeous c0lors. saw one white Italian
rose vine 4 inches in diameter, which had
overspIead fir tree some 80 feet high,
which yielding TO its load Of beauty had
fallen and lodged against giant 6g tree,
all OF whose broad top was embraced and
covered with roses, waving aud noddmg in
the breeze. This place is said to have been,
in 1852, and even up To $780, the eden Of
California. surprising far IN grandeur the
celebrated Woodward GARDEN of San Fran.
cisco. But like its famed proprietor it is
in the wane OF life and will sUon be known
only on the historians page. Here in 1858,
Capt. Suffer erected warehouse of boiler
iron, 24x66 feet, and IL feet to the caves,
all riveted and staid with rods, in which
he housed his Immense wheat crops, secure
from Indians and fire and rats. This struc-
ture still stands as he placed it, as does al.
so his old adobe house. but his fine resi-
dence was burned in 1856, The charred wa lis
OF which are still unmoyed. The whole OF
the garden is now covered with sediment
from the mines. A levee has been con.
structed through those once bea utiful
grounds, and in a few more years those gi-
ant fig and pear trees will only stretch
forth their topnost branches out Of waste
OF willows. There is an end Of all earth.
ly perfection"
Our peaceful community is in high
state OF excitement to-day, in consequence
OF terrible tragedy yesterday, involving
the life OF mother and her child. The
facts IN the case, as far IA ascertained, are
as follows: A Mr.. and Mrs ShuItzberger,
living on splendid farm, miles west
OF Yuba City, had an unpleasantness on
the evening OF the l2th. The next morn
ing Mr.. 5. did not appear at the breakfast
table, but one Of the farm hands saw him
on the door step as he went out with the
team. AT noon when the hands came to
dinner they found the breakfast table still
uncleared, The family (consis ing of chill.
dren, ranging from 5 to 18 years. all gone.
On further investigation the mother and
youngest child were found in the granary,
the mother hung by the neck and the child
upon the floor by her side. with rope
around its neck by which il had been hung
ill dead and cut down by some one Mr.
). was arrested Oh suspicion and CorOner's
inquest is in session now, after which the
details OF the tragedy will be made public.
The wheat crop gives promise of an
abundant harvest Wheat is in head.
Haying has begun. Fruit of all kinds will
be plenty. Soon the busy hum of the
header and the thresher will be heard in
lhe land.
The New Constitution, as you no doubt
are aware, was adopted on the 7th by the
popular vote.
But am growing tedious.
Yours, with kind regards, S. H. r..
Village OfIlcers' Salaries.