Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-10-24
Christ's Kingdom should labor to
bring those out Of the fold to Christ,
III. S. DAUBENsPEcK. Sec'y.,
Bruin, Pa
Letter From California.

/ EN HAIL. ctpb., 1000
| was at q Mexican celebration of the
independence of Mexico (Which took
place in 1906 | believe) on the 18th
day of December 1t consisted of bar
rooms without and dancing within,
kept up all the time from Saturday
night till Monday morning without
cessation. All the people are as black
as Mulattoes. They had barbacued
hog and it was all free; we were in
vitei to eat and did so, and enjoyed the
meal very much. The large room had
no. ceiling but the rafters were deco
rated with different colored mosquito
bars, giving it rather pretty effect
with profusion of pretty notices and
tensel ornaments and the pictures of
prominent persons what took part in
severing the Spanish yoke. From a
high pole in the yard could be seen the
Mexican colors red, white and green, a
globe of wicker work covered with
bleached muslin concealed four candles
which were lit at night, for no other
use that | could see but to keep the
| drunken Mexicans from stray
ing too far from the festivi-
ties of the night. The distance we
travelled to get to this places in val
ley about mile wide, was l3 miles,
and that the farming is principally
done by irrigation. On each side of
this valley is a wall of mountains as
rugged as the Alps and as wild as the
Sierra Nevada's. where wild animals
prowl and the deer is found. We visit
ed what is called the Canunloes Ranch
an old and quite noted place where
there is vino and brandy distillery
and large vineyard of all kinds of
grapes; those large, white California
grapes are in abundance, also oranges,
lemons, appricots, pome- -granates, figs.
the finest pears ever beheld, peaches
and apples, English walnuts and al
monds. In the garden was a fountain
falling into q pool filled with ish.
Aud nearly almost hidden from view
| by the thick foliage was small
chapel for private use, in which
l stepped and found it resembled
u miniature church within as
all the people hereabouts are Catho-
lies and no church within 90 or so
miles, they think they must have some
thing in the shape of church. We
stepped into cellar in which were
about hundred of as old antequated,
ill-shaped casks. as any one ever be-
held with all kinds of wine and brandy,
and several other kinds of liquors, and
at almost any moderate age.
The house was quite large it looked
more like fort being about 100 feet
each way and court yard in the mid
die, and no windows visible on the out
side, and my recollection is they all
faced into the court yard. This family
is quite noted family in that imme-
diate vicinity and rather hold them
selves a step superior to the Mexicans
here, and are extremely kind to US
and also charge US pretty round sum
for all we get. AS as in general
way, California is a very expensive
place to move about in. Railroad fares
are high; also hotels, in fact, every
thing but fruit.
| | was down at Lost Angeles, about
week ago, and found it most lovely
city. The Tropical Foliage and the
Blue Mountains in the distance, con-
trasted with the level valley, makes a
very romantic and picturesque scene.
The Eucalyptus tree is one of the
principal shade trees, and has a Won
derful fast growth, but the pepper tree
is the most beautiful shade tree | ever
saw. 1t resembles fine green lace and
its branches spread like the weeping
willow of which many can be seen,
along the irrigating bitches.
The streets are broad and thronged
with vehicles, and everything bears a
Metropolitan aspect. The business
aud other buildings are gotten up in a
rich and most substantial style, and
the gardens of some of the private resi-
dences are most superbly grand, sur
rounded BY cedar hedges 10 feet high
and feet through, solid clear through,
and as delicate as moss on the outside.
The other day saw flock of Cash
mere goats, which are clipped like
sheep in one of the valleys of these
mountains. They were very pretty.
JOHN.