The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-20
srAUNTON VIRGINIA. NAY 90, 1886.
Letter from California.
LIFE AND PRODUCTS IN THE GOLDEN
STATE.

The county of San Diego is the only one
of California that borders on Mexico. II
has Arizona on the east and the Pacific Oh
the west. The soil is chiefly sandy, dry
and poor, and incapable of supporting any
considerable population. A great deal OF
its territory is covered by the Colorado
desert, where wide, smooth, extended
plains of yellow sand with their high
drifted hills, which glitter under the fierce
heat of the sun. and where rain seldom
falls and trees and plants never. Three
thousand square miles of this arid, blister
ing ground lie 20 feet below sea level.
Like Belgium and Holland ground shows
to mankind widespread, deep down
wonder of the world, SO does the neither
sand plain of San Diego.
] Los Angeles county lies on the north
west Of this dry and arid region, is of a
| different soil, and is chiefly an extensive
/ plain, having gentle decline to the ocean.
This b. autiful PLAIN is bounded on the
north by a high ridge of hills, on the east
by high mountains, whose SUBMITS are
| the west by the ocean, and stretching to
the south and southwest as far as the eye
can reach. The county has on the east
the Santiago river. the Santa Anna in the
middle and the San Gabriel on the west
The Santa Anna is a considerable stream
with low banks and gently flows over a
smooth sandy bed perhaps half mile wide.
This stream affords little or no water, be-
tween July and December, below the great
dam constructed over it about 80 miles
from the ocean. This dam turns the
| water in two large canals, one on each side
of the river to irrigate the country and
extends for many miles with their numer-
Gus common water bitches branching off
in various directions carrying water to
thousands of homes. This stream, to-
gether with others in the county which
have their respective water improvements,
afford an abundant supply of water during
the dry season Of the year.
The city of Los Angeles is the county
town, and was the capital of the State up
to the close of the Mexican war. In July
1916, when Commodore Sloat raised the
American flag in California the public
buildings of its capital were church.
quartet and government house. The pri-
vate buildings at that date were generally
constructed of adobes, being one story
high, with flat roofs. These adobes were
sun dried brick mixed with straw. per-
OF 4o la NV Tow, ;cI
bondmen for the treasure cities of Egypt.
Why such capital, with no pretensions
to architectural taste. finish, or convent
ence, was called 1.-The city of angels, y for
| one have long been curions to learn. Was
the city and county so named by some of
| the old Jesuit fathers who entered the
country at an early period and established
| mission stations among the Indians
Perhaps the popular notion that it ac-
quired its name from the great number of
handsome females among it's inhabitants
may be the correct one. If it was an APP
propriate name then, it may be equally so
| now. as the fair descendants OF Eve have
| yet an exalted reputation for personal
charms. Surely then, if the ugly old
town Of long ago was suitable abode for
angels, how much more SO is the present
| one, adorned as it is in the best style of
architecture, and literally EMPOWERED in
the leaf and flower of the choicest plants.
| A very large portion OF the inhabitants
of California are alive to public progress
and individual enterprises. State and citi-
zen have not been slow in improving and
extending the natural advantages Of the
country. A bright future is clearly in
reservation for this sunny land, as the
character of the blessings bestowed are of
such value as to lift up the weary arms of
toiling men and cheer the hearts Of all
classes. Many of the beauties given by
nature are Of such a kind that most men
will observe that they may see and feel,
! measure them. Hence people generally
are on the alert, and the resources scat
tered over the land whether rude or
| polished are looked after. State courts,
companies, mechanics and tillers Of the
soil, are fast redeeming the Pacific region
from the curse OF the idle age of Spain,
whose people chose to do the least because
the Creator had done the most Consti-
tutionally indolent in their habits, they
suffered the bane Of idleness, anarchy,
poverty and decline to bring them low, till
the days of retribution called Americans
to possess their neglected and forfeited
country. A better age soon dawned upon
them. The bold, hardy, ingenius Anglo
Saxon soon provided them with more
excellent inheritance.
1t would seem to have Lecome happy
event to the scattered Spaniards of Cali
fornia that their country exchanged mas
tiers. Confidence was more or less in
spired by the introduction Of American
authority, and most Of these people re-
manned on their possessions. and are set
tied among other inhabitants of the land.
| They appear to partake and enjoy y rea-
| sonable share of the general prosperity Of
the State They seem to be law-abiding
peaceful and quiet, and send their children
( to the public schools Of the country. By
occupation they are chiefly farmers,
| transfers and day laborers. They are the
best of riders and take pride in good horses
which are mostly of what is called mus
tang. This animal is noted for its speed
and astonishing endurance of fatigue.
Their mode of driving and riding is al
most universally on the hurry style. Over
| fields and roads, up hill and down is all
about the same with the mustang and his
master.
| These graceful riders. as general fact
are all well made, with pleasing, sprightly
countenances, and possess a native
ease of manners. AS horsemen they are
perhaps not exceeded by any, and have
brought horsemanship to Il perfection thai
/, must be admired by all. Ii we'll drilled
with experienced military leaders, such az
would inspire them with confidence il
their skill and powers, they could become
the finest cavalry in the world
The Germans are a wealthy and pros
porous community Of foreigners on tht
west side of the Santa Anna river. The,
are perhaps the oldest community il
Southern California, having formed ;
colony there more than so years ago. An