The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-07-06
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An Interesting Letter from - clifton 81
DalIna, Now ~ san Tranolso0-A Deaorlp-
tlon ~ tho Country, Climate, Prodno'
tiona, Etc.
The following Is IN extract taken from n
private personal letter to tho editor OF this
journal. II Is 50 replete with entertaining
and instructive data for our people, now
more than ever interested In California,
that we have taken the liberty Of thus re-
producing some selections:
SAN FRANCISCO, June "a, lSS2.-MY DEAR
FRIEND:
We left Dallas, as you know, on the 9th
inst. at night. By next morning we were
in the comparatively uninhabited portion
of Texas, and from there to Ell Paso the
country gradually becomes more desolate
and bare until the latter portion of it-some
hundreds of miles-was almost q bowling
desert, and scarcely a sprig OF grass or shrub
OF any kind and apparently unit Tor hu-
man habitation, or the sustenance OF AMI
NAL life, and ! confess that my pride in
west Texas lands is not so arrogant as 1t
was before | made this trip. This sterile
country, however, may be redeemed IN
course OF time and be converted into the
fruitful homes of a prosperous people,, as
has been the case in a country exactly sim
liar In appearance III ATlZOnu, NeW McAi-
co, and southern California.
In Eel Paso | was disappointed. The town
is not so large or well built as / had ex-
pected, though the numerous trunk roads
concentrating there will, no doubt, make
of it a great distributing centre at no very
distant day. / had the curiosity to enquire
the price of unimproved lots, and found
that they ranged for pushes purposes in
eligible localities at from $50 to $50 per
fr,,t s,nt This 10 hiohar than fpr the hest
business lots on Elm street, Dallas, or the
Strand, Galveston.
From Ell Paso, through New Mexico, Ari-
IONA and southern California, to near Los
Angeles. the country is alternately barren
mountain and desert, and except in a lew
localities, under irrigation, seeming totally
unfit for human habitation. In fact, |
would not give Dallas or Ellis county for
the whole 800 miles. After passing through
this sterile region, in which a goat could
scarcely find sustenance, we suddenly
emerge into the most beautiful and highly
cultivated region on earth-the country
surrounding Los Angeles, indeed, the city
of the angels-with its vast orange groves
and vineyards, its limpid waters, lordly
residences and exquisitely lovely city. /
cannot do justice to its many attractions
and will not attempt it. We remained
there about ten days and were received with
the utmost cordially by the large colony
of southeners who have settled there, II
whose influence In the politics OF that sec
ton has already become o~mnipotent. The
city and county of Los Angeles are thor.
oughly democratic. | met there many old
Texas friends, and our stay was made most
delightful.
From Los Angeles here over the South
ern Pacific railroad with which we con-
nected at Ell Paso) the country is very well
settled and generally very fertile where wa
ter can be had for purposes of irrigation,
on which the people ofthe country wholly
rely. We arrived here last Monday, just
six days ago, and our time has been wholly
occupied since in viewing the city land we
have not yet seen half of it. Surely it is
one of the greatest Of the great cities of the
world-not so much in population (Which
is about 800, 000) as in the elegance OF It's
public and private edifices, its grand thor
oughfares, its immense wealth, and its edu-
Gated, intelligent, enterprising and cos.
mopolitan population. ! was last here Just
tw%enty-six years ago, and its growth has
beeniso marvellous that nave not yet found
one house which | could recognize. fits
growth in the next quarter Off century is
in the same ratio it will then have a popu-
lation as large as the present city of New
York.
The climate is peculiar. While you are
sweltering in the torrid heat of midsummer
we are revealing in heavy overcoats during
the day, and need several blankets at
night. / had intended spending a part of the
summer in Oregon, Washington territory
here for comfort, and will, probably aban-
don that portion of my trip and remain
here and in the vicinity until fall.
Health of wife and self has greatly i'm,
proved, and we hope to return in the fall
thoroughly recovered. G. +. A.