National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-20

We reach Yuma ut o'clock, and leaving
the car--for we were to stop there two hours
we walked up into tho town. IL looked u,
barren within its streets almost as without bu
1t had good hotel, the Palace, aud
q. gentleman MS its proprietor as usua
West plenty of saloons, few nrg,
stores kept in very good one.story buildings
but the town looked all ancient, decayed
gone" sort Of Mexican place, rather than
an American sanitary resort where asthma
and consumption are invariably cured. The
fort stood opposite on hill, looking far bet.
ter than the town, whilo the grand Col
orado river swept between town and fort,
where the old ensign noated in its glory. Up
up the river from the fort n short distance
is the deep cut made by Tom Scotts Pacific
road, aud we were told that much similar
work was done between Yuma aud San hi.
ago. Dozens Of Yuma Indians nearly naked,
wero lying around the train in tho sand q
few of tho females in old-embroidcrcd, red
flannel coaks, which swung around them
loose to the knees and which, | guess was
all they had on. / Guessed so because |
saw one climb into platform car with her
back to me, and.
From Yuma up the river is uavigable for
800 miles, with some fertile lands, especially
on the Arizona side Before the railroads all
freight was sent TO Prescott up and then
hauled overland. Boats still come and go to
Yuma, but at present the numbers are few.
Near the town is a fine twenty-stamp silver
mill, doing well. Explorations and work in
mines all around this point arc going on, aud
there is coming a better time for ancient much
abused Yuma, in spite Of Its burning sands
MI l1nge publishes here q fine weekly paper.
Castle Dome lifts itself in mystic outline in
the far distance. and minarets in the long
mountain chain as 1t fades on the vision lie
in purple sky. Tho great railroad bridge
ntya \, al 10 -, r.1.gI
monument to the enterprise Of the men who,
with prophetic ken, saw what treasures of
wealth lie in the yet unbroken fields and
depths of Arizona. We crossed tho great
desert in palace car at night, and that night
dark one, too-back as ink; heavy clouds
rolled and the winds swept the vast desert
with horrlyiug fury.
We reached the really beautiful city of Los
Angeles about 10 in the forenoon, and tho train
stopped there for three hours, giving us time
to sec it thoroughly. A small, swift stream
divides it into two parts leaving the business
streets chiefly on the side next the hills, and
on whose sides beautiful cottages are built.
The population reaches about Il, 600 and rift
was evident though they have been complain
ing of hard times. Some of the business houses
would do credit to Broadway, New York
and, by the way, as we stood looking at the
magnfccnce of ono, your old felow-ctizen
and famous school trustee, Mcclellan came up
and grasped my hand. He is in charge of tho
office of the San Diago Steamship Company,
and looks greatly improved by his change from
Washington here. We also met here Major
Sniilin, a prince among all good fellows, on
"paying.oT trip" Tho "Pica House, is n
large, fine hotel, in Il conspicuous spot, and
run much like the Ebbitt is with you Every
homo here is surrounded by an orange grove
while the finest roses, geraniums, helotropes
and other tropical flowers and vines bloomed i'm
consummate gorgeousness Terraces of grassy
beauty abOunded. Palms and bandauas spread
their rich leaves, and tho plumed grasses
were beautiful in every yard. Nearly nil
houses set back from the street and had large
yards, except in the old Pueblo part of the
town, where the Mexican still lives as IN an
Client days, when the old mission of San Ga.
briel, near by, was built more than hundred
years ago, and which has so marked history.
should write II up If time here permitted
Los Angeles lies about fifteen miles from the
sea- and enjoys IL mild aud glorious climate,
perhaps unequaled by any spot in the country |
Fruit culture is carried on here to an emor.
nous extent--grapes especially, the resulting
wine manufacture, and raisin curing, which |
has now become great enough in itself almost |
10 support the town. Orange groves and grain of |
III kinds are also sources of wealth. 1t con- |
tains two -four mills, wooden mills, and furni.
ture, broom, wagon and other factories, while
The salt works of the county supply Arizona
and part of California with salt. The churches
Ire handsome. Two live daily papers are pub
ished. The streets are wide, clean and well
paved. Three lines of "tramways" as Buritt |
,alls them, are doing we'll and it's a real lux |
Try 10 live there, Let leave YOU TIL we |
each San Francisco. r. NJ. II.