Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-12-30
CALIFORNIA.

SANTA BARBARA, CAL, Dec. 7th. 1885.
DEAR turn from perus-
ing your welcome pages, to fulfill my
promise to write to you.
Our trip was a very pleasant one, but
nothing occurred worthy of note. The
country has been described 50 often, it
would hardly be interesting for me to
| repeat. The scenery was Interesting to
US who had never viewed such high
mountains, with their tops crowned with
the eternal SHOWS. At Kingiman, N. NJ.
we employed our time when the tram
stopped few minutes, in gathering
snow which had just fallen, and having
grand game of snow ball. Probably
the last we shall enjoy until our return
to Minnesota.
As we neared the desert we began to
see specimen of cactus, which would be
almost too large for any of Austin's bay
windows. One standing near the track
was ABOUT thirty feet hi Oh and two and
one half feet in diameter. The thorns
are four or five inches in length. and
very sharp as some of our party found to
their sorrow.
We reached Pasadena, CAL, Monday
evening, Nov. 9th. Here were the
orchards, which have, lured so many
people from good, comfortable homes in
| the east, to las they fondly hoped) make
| a fortune out of fruit Deluded mortals!
| They find the fruit hardly pays them for
the expense of getting it.. We were
assured that fruit was considered free
| Any one was ut liberty to nelp themselves
| from almost any orchard or vineyard.
am told the soil will raise other things
besides fruit, such as beans, corn, barley
and other products. Pasadenals lovely
place, and is growing in beauty.
| Los Angeles seemed to me a busy
dusty town. l cannot say I admired it
in the least, although there are many
fine buildings. After short stay of two
days IN this vicinity, we continued our
journey to San Francisco. We took the
train at noon. and the remainder of the
day was spent in passing through noun
tains. Here about three in the after
onefourth mile in length. Bee ranches
perched on the sides Of the hills seemed
about all the farming carried on here
Darkness finally shut in the view, and
when day again dawned, we found our
selves in farming country, the San
Joaquin valley. Stock was grazing in
the meadows. The adobe houses were
changed for comfortable looking farm
houses. and appearance of thrift prevail
ed. The only drawback to this country
is frequent droughts.
We arrived in San Francisco at noon,
and set out to "see the sights as soon as
possible. We visited the parks, beach,
the mint, said to be the largest in the
world, and in which, in one kettle was
gold, boiling, worth over one hundred
thousand dollars, and there were several
such kettles. We took in the panorama
of the battle of Waterloo, which we
enjoyed very much, and which is as near
real battlefield as ever wish to be.
wish some of those smokers, who enjoy
with US and seen The Chinese making
cigars, as we saw them. as we strolled
through "China town." a part of San
Francisco. Ughl!
After three days stay in this busy
city, We embarked on the steamer
"Orizaba," for Santa Barbarba, just in
time to encounter the worst storm which
had visited the coast in ten years. The
boat groaned and creaked, and seemed
: at times as if about to be engulfed in the
waves. We all paid our tribute to Nep
tune, except Mr.. Brownsill, who enjoyed
the wildness of the waves exceedingly
We found Santa Barbarba decidedly
wet, and it continued so for several day.
after our arrival, and we longed for .
sight of our own Austin. But the skies
finally frightened, and since then the
weather has been all that could be desir
ed. We can hardly think it is Decem
Der. The mercury has stood at 800 sever
al days since we have been here. To
day, at one o'clock, it was 700 in the
shade, Farmsrs are sowing their grain
and gardens are being made. This is 8
very early season-almost a month
earlier than usual. Everything has tn.
appearance of spring. Roses. callas, anc
all kinds of flowers, are in full bloon
out of doors; the city is truly beautiful
The carriage-drives in and around tn.
city are very interesting, and the beach
affords fine opportunity for pleasure
driving. The soil varies, from rich, deep
alluvial, to the worthless and barren
Every thing can be raised here that vii
grow any where. Prices of land are very
high. and every one seems to hold tt
their prices firmly. Business of all kinds
is over-done. There seems to be nj
room for more. A man said to-day
If man wants situation in this tow1
he must come we'll recommended, and un
derstand his business thoroughly, or b.
hasn't the slightest chance"
: California has been 0ver-rated by mos
, writers. 1t has its advantages and dis
advantages. But l would not advis
anyone to leave comfortable home
and come to this country, simply for
change. If health is sought for, this is
good country to come to.
Mr.. Brownsill SAYS he can get two
breaths here where he could get one il
Minnesota. The change has seemed t.
benefit him very much. But we still
call Austin "home," and home is wher
the heart is" MRS. BROwNsILL.