Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-06-17

EDITOR TRANSCRIPT AS you request
ed an item or two from this distant coast,
will try to give you few points from
which you may manufacture an article to
suit your many readers. When we left
you, the 18th inst, we went to depot in
Austin, and bought tickets to Cotton,
CAL, via Pickering, Omaha, sc. Would
advise all friends who contemplate COM
inI. =. tl.s I'..Si0> ~vaSt 70 avoid uio Piol.
ering. The R. r. 20. who provides such
a stopping place for their patrons, ought
not to grumble if the second trip is made
by some other route. Well, we got away
from the junction about 1 o'clock in the
morning; arrived a: Omaha, and were
a. m. of 18th. Had a very pleasant trip
to Ogden-most of the way in sight Of
snow covered hills, and in many places
we rode through snow-drifts. It was
cold enough to make fire pleasant. At
Ogden we made another change, which
took US to Sacramento. From there to
LathrOp, where we took the train to Col
ton. Through the Sacramento Valley,
the land is very dry, and many pieces are
badly damaged, also along the whole
route to Cotton. Where the grain was
put in in season it stands very heavy, and
will be large crop, but when they wait
ed to pillow after the rains came, they got
left. Here as elsewhere man must push
his work if he gets anything, but many
wait to be pushed by the work. They
are saved the trouble of harvesting, how
ever, which may be some consolation.
When we arrived at the Tehachapi noun
tains, we began to look on something of
the widest and grandest scenery one can
we'll imagine. The road is a monument
to the skill of engineering. In one place
it makes a turn Called the ''horse-shoe')
and follows itself back for miles, gradually
rising high into the mountain, and then
taking another course goes on its way.
At another place it passes through a tun,
mel, winds around mountain, and
crosses itself directly over the tunnel
continent. At Mojava we met the A. T..
s S. F. r. R. This is, in reality, barren
desert, nothing but giant cactus and lots
of burning sand to be seen. All the pro-
duction that supports this place is the un-
fortunates who have to buy something to
eat as they pass through on the train.
AS we got along towards Los Angeles the
country improves. and we soon find our
selves in the land of orange groves and
honey. Here we can get oranges from B
to 10 cents per dozen, and for the first
time we felt justified in buying all we
wanted. From Los Angeles to Cotton
we pass over fine country, and in many
places we'll settled. Cotton is q lively
place, and expects to be large city.
Corner lots are high; the country around
is dry, and does not look over productive.
The road to National City is very good.
and through the Timacula Pass is very
crooked. with lots of grand scenery.
We arrived at SanDiego, Friday, 22d.
where we tarried until Monday, when we
came to National City, the true terminus
of the California Southern R. r., and be-
gan living in our own hired house, which
IS pleasantly located about I mile from
the bay. The weather is very pleasant,
with cool nights. It is very dry, but fruit
is ripening we'll. Oranges and lemons in
many places loading down the trees, al
though their season IS nearly over.
There is not much demand for labor here
now, although most all are busy. Saw
some Mower county people yesterday,
who are much pleased with the country,
Mr.. F. w. Lohmanu, who left April 9th,
has q claim about 10 miles from here. He
is preparing to do driving business, A
step.son Of his, Herman Pike, arrived
here last week. and likes it we'll. He is
expecting relatives from Saltwater to day.
The government land is nearly all taken.
and many are continually coming. All
seem to like it better the longer they stay
There Is still plenty of good land that
can be had in small pieces at from $50 to
800 per acre. Our people all like it very
well, and have not yet been homesick,
and some are now negotiating for pro-
perty to start home. Will probably be
gin building another week. Living is
rather more expensive here than in Min
nesots. Goods are sold at better profit,
and the merchant looks happy:
P. D. VAUGHAN.