davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-01-13
MR.. ALEXANDER, JR.

MIX. ALEXANDER, JR.
This son / met at Lancaster, Penn.
And this was the way he talked: " Mr..
Long" he said, &" am tired of church
matters. 1t is always 'give,' give :
a constant reaching into the pocket"
AS these remarks were interspersed
with heavy draughts on his pipe, 1 was
tempted to ask, Which costs you
most-which requires you to give,
give most-your tobacco or your
church? Let's see: five cents day
would be a small sum for tobacco
-thirty-five cents week-S17 year.
How much weekly for the church,"
His only answer was puff of smoke.
l found out afterwards that his habit
was to give one penny in church col
lections. Thirty-five cents weekly for
tobacco-one copper cent for salvation
MISS ALEXANDER.
Her portrait give just as she was
taking her last look before going to the
Academy of Music for an evening en-
tertainment. She gladly dropped her
fifty-cent silver piece as admission fee.
1t seemed no great sacrifice. Next
Sabbath / saw her in church, arrayed
in Gods silk, and decked with his gold
and as the collection basket passed
from her fingers, that sparkled with
Gods jewelry, she dropped in one
copper cent! l was surprised until /
remembered that she was the daughter
of Alexander, the coppersmith.
ALEXANDER's WIDOW.
This is the likeness of the one fol-
whom she is often mistaken. Some
think the certain poor widow" that
threw in two mites, which make a
farthing," was Alexander's widow; but
that can't be, for " she cast in all that
she had, even all her living" Many,
in giving penny, call it the widows
mite" when it is not the one thou
sandeth part of their " ALL" The real
Mrs. Alexander gives the " farthing''
out of her " abundance" and but sell
dom looks UP. Those who give the
cent when not able to give more may
well look up, for they shall receive a
reward. Such pennies count as jewels
in the Savior's book of remembrance
A mystery it is how the AleXanderS
manage to choke the voice of con-
science, so that after drinking all the
week from the streams whence call
blessings fow," On Sunday they can
lay on Gods altar as a thank-offering
the smallest possible gift-one cent
that which is next to nothing, and then
arise and loudly sing with Gods people
the old doxology, " Praise God from
whom all blessings flow. "-The PreSby-
terrain.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
TAXABLE WEALTH IN 1885.
PLUMAS.

Plumas lies directly north of Sierra, and
east of Tehama and Butte counties,
and is chiefly mountainous, rugged coun-
try, with a number of fertile localities
capable of productiyeness. The number of
farms in the county at the present time is
quite limited, and their product is con-
sumed at home, the county being without
railroad communication These farms are
mostly located in what is known as Ameri-
can valley, which also contains the town of
Quincy, the county seat, place of some
500 inhabitants. 1t has weekly news
paper-the Plumas National, which receives
good support from the people of the coun-
ty-and tine brick school-house with two
departments, primary and grammargrade.
ELEVATED FARMING.
The altitude Of American valley is about
1000 feet, yet all the cereals, alfalfa, etc.,
yield abundantly. The winters are long
and somewhat severe, and the summers
brief but delightful From July to Octo-
Der the climate of Plumas-especially in
the greater administering. be surpassed
for salubrity. The Plumas Meadows en-
brace section that is greatly priced by the
people of the valley as summer resort
and large numbers go there each season to
camp, hunt and fish, and thus renew their
health and energies.
GOLD YIELD.
In the earlier days of gold-seeking in
California Plumas was prominent mining
section, and even at the present time the
annual gold output amounts to nearly or
quite 81 ,0OO,0 900.
FUTURE PROSPECTS.
There is reason to hope that Plumas will
at not distant day have the advantage of
railroad communication, as there have
been at least two such projects in contem-
plation, either one of which may yet de-
velop into something tangible.
TAXABLE WEALTH IN 1885
Real estate and mprovements......-..s2 ia, $40
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

traverses the county north to south on the
east side of the Sacramento river as far
north as Tehama City. At this point it
crosses to the west side and connects with
the California Northern which runs on that
side of the river. Every town in the coun-
ty of any importance, has either rail or
stage communication.
CHIEF TOWNS.
Red Bluff is the county seat, and is the
largest town in the county..sI is at the
head of navigation on the Sacramento, on
the west side of which it is located 1t is
135 miles north of Sacramento, and has an
elevation of more than 300 feet above the
sea level. 1t is an Incorporated town. with
population of upward of 1000. tits an
enterprising community, and does a large
trade with the northern section. In addi-
ton to the facilities afforded for education
by the regular district schools, higher
course may be pursued at the Red Bluff
Academy, which, as an institution of learn
ing, is credit to the town. The streets
are wide and beautifully shaded; the resi-
dences are large and substantial. Among
the public buildings are large Courthouse
with handsome grounds, the Good Tenn
plars' Opera Hall, the Odd Fellows block,
and the Masonic building. The press is
well represented. and both daily and week
ly papers are published. 1t has factories
and mills, gas works and water works,
| marble yards, banks, wagon and carriage
factories, etc.
The second town in size and importance
is Tehama. situated about twelve miles
south of Red Bluff 1t is place of steady
growth, and has many local advantages
The other towns are Vina, Sesna, Corn
ing and Paskenta, all of which are situated
in the midst of rich agricultural districts.
GOVERNMENT LAND.
A pamphlet issued not long since by the
California immigration Association says,
referring to Government lands in Tehama
a In this county thousands of acres of Gov
eminent land awaits the new conner I'm
improved lands can be bought at from SIS
to $50 an acre. and improved farms at from
$50 to $40. Fruitgrowing and grape
culture are in their infancy, but sufficient
has been done to demonstrate that excel
lent fruit can be grown. One of the lead
ing canning houses of the Pacific coast
purchases its fruit here on account of its
superior flavor. Wheat six feet high, YIELD
ing twenty-five bushels per acre, has been
grown on land plowed but once
TavaRrF wFAIru TX 1888
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
TAXABLE WEALTH II 1885.
Renl estate and homogeneous s. ..
SIERRA.

This is one of the Oldest mining counties
by Plumas, south by Nevada, east by the
State line, and west by Yuba. It'll a noun
famous section interspersed literally with
small and fertile valleys. OF late years
these valleys have been placed under cult
walton. and now contain numbers of farm
ers, who raise considerable quantities of
hay, grain and garden produce, which find
a ready home market. The eastern portion
of the county has an average elevation of
some 1000 feet, some of the higher peaks
rising to from 5000 to 5000 feet. In winter
the people are obliged to do their travelling
mostly on snow-shoes. Situated among
the mountains in the eastern part of the
county is Sierra Valley. This valley is al
most completely hemmed in by mountains,
and is some twenty miles long, by ten in
width. The soil is exceedingly fertile and
most of it is cultivated annually. The val
ley is about thirty miles north of Truckee,
and eighteen miles northeast of Downie-
vile.
SOIL, TIMBER AND WATER.
In the valleys and on the plateaus the
soil is deep loan. The western part of
the county is watered by the headwaters of
the Yuba river and its tributaries, and a
number of smaller streams supply the east
ern portion. Springs are numerous in ali
directions, and good well water is found at
depth of from ten to fifty feet Gold
Lake, on the western slope, is the source
of the middle fork of the Feather
river The lake is four miles long,
and two in width. In the eastern
half of the county are several picturesque
mountain lakes, chief among them
being Independence and Weber. These
are delightful places of resort in the sum
mer, and are visited by large numbers of
tourists and pleasure-seekers. Their waters
are clear as crystal and filled with trout
Summer hotels are maintained at these re-
sorts, whose attractions are becoming
widely known Sierra is a heavily wooded
county, the timber consisting mainly of
sugar and yellow pine, fir, cedar, spruce,
and wild plum. LAUNDERING is an import
antindustry.
MINERAL RESOURCES.
The chiefindastsy-o ffthceo1nty has6een
mining Millions of dollars have been
taken 6om the hills and mountains
in Sierra county, and there are yet
mines that yield well. As late
as 1850 the annual gold product
of Sierra county was in round
figures about s., Co., 00 1t is claimed that
the ancient nver-channels, now covered by
mounteins Of volcanic lava, contain untold
millions in gold deposits, but as the hy-
drauliopystem of mining has been adjudged
illegal if Is difficult to understand how
these GA river-beds can be made to yield
up the4 richie.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

acre. The cost of purchasing. fencing,
blowing and planting a twenty five-acre
vineyard, including $3.50 house, would
not exceed $1,000. The third year lin the
meantime the owner can make living
with pair of good horses by occasionally
working for his neighbors) the vineyard
will ordinarily return gross income of
81 900, and the fourth year will give a re-
turn of $1,000 or more. Land thus i'm
proved will have value of from 800 to
$500 per acre, according to its proximity TO
market These facts apply with equal force
TO very large section of the Sacramento
valley foothill section. There is a large
winery sand fruit calnery at Marysvilie
where grape-growers and orchardists can
readily find sale for their products
sTocK-RAIsING.
Considerable attention is also paid to the
breeding and raising of fine horses, cattle
and sheep in the foothill section OF Yuba
for which industry il is well adapted.
BUILDING MATERIAL
Is as cheap in Yuba as anywhere in the
interior of the State. Bricks~are made in
large quantities, the hills ab6qhd in lime
quarries and the local forests ann mills sup
ply the best of lumber. The roads through
out the county are good, and the rates of
iicl5btt1iS W wagons NSi iedSOldDle.
TRANSPORTATION.
The California and Oregon Railroad
passes through the southwestern portion of
the county, on which line there are four
depots within space of twenty-five miles,
The California Northern Railway runs
from Marysville to Oroville, Butte county.
which is great advantage to the section
betweens these points. 1t is expected that
this rAad will nj afalx- ka al
northeastward into the Plumas and Lassen
country. The facilities for river tfanspor-
tation are excellent and the rates low. A
line of steamers and barges is maintained
by local capitalists between Marysyiiie and
San Francisco throughout the year.
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
Considerable progress has been made by
manufactures in Yuba. There are foun-
dries and machine shops. wagon and fur
niture factories, one of the largest Touring
mills in the State, etc, while the mercan-
tile trade of the city of Marysvilla amounts
to some Sl0,000,000 per year. There are
several banking houses in the county and
the rates of Interest are as low as anywhere
in the State.
SCHOOLS, ETC.
The county, is well supplied with schools
and efficient teachers. The people of Yuba
-as of most California commuiities-tak take
deep interest in the welfare of the public
schools. The course of study in the Marys-
vile schools embraces the fitting of pupils
for the State University. The several re-
ligious denominations are well represented
throughout the county, Marysville alone
having seven church edifices
THE PRINCIPAL TowEs
In Yuba are: Marysville (the county seatl,
Wheatland, Smartsville and Comptonville
The former has populationof about 5000,
and supports two daily papersf-the Appeal
and Democrat. The former is one of the
Oldest journals in the State. The Graphic
is the name of an excellent weekly pub
iished at Wheatland.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
There are scattered throughout the coun-
ty rich slate and marble quarries, and iron
and other ores, which. it is expected, win
some day be of considerable value.

There are scattered throughout the coun-
ty rich slate and marble quarries, and iron
and other ores, which. it is expected, win
some day be of considerable value.
PROSPECTIVE RAILROADS.
Sierra is likely to have railroad facilities
in few years, in which case her prospects
will brighten materially. The Nevada and
Oregon narrow-gauge line. which starts
from Reno, has been constructed as far as
Sierra and will no doubt yet find its
way through Sierra valley. In the mean
time, all the important towns have stage
connections.
SETTLEMENTS AND LANDS.
From Sierraville to Beckwor,h's, dis
lance of about twenty-five miles by road,
but five miles across, and skirting the west
side of Sierra valley, are found double
row of enterprisiDg and thrifty pioneer
settlements-onely lying alongand close to the
foothills, the other along the swamp land,
at varying distances of from one to four
miles. The intervening space is q vast
common" of rich, but unimproved and
uncultiyated land, having natural growth
of buffalo grass. Land is for sale at prices
ranging from 81 80 to S25 an acre. Some
100000 acres of Government land in
the heavily-timbered mountains, and on
the open plateau, are still subject to settle
ment under the homestead and pre-. emp
ton laws.
PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
The county seat is Downieville. which
was located as early as 1919, and whose
early history forms a very important part of
the annals of California. Itwas at one time
the center of trade for the richest gravel
mines. II is situated on both sides of the
Yuba river, and lies in deep canyon,
picturesquely Enclosed on all sides by
mountains fully 1000 feet high The pop
ulation is about 675. 1t is reached by stage
from Marysville, on the Oregon branch of
the Central Pacific Railroad, distant 81
miles, or from Nevada City, in Nevada
county, the terminus of the Nevada Central
Railroad, distant 40 miles There is a
bank, good business houses, lodges, churches
and fraternal societies.
Sierra City is II miles east of Downie-
vile, and has a population of about 425. 1t
is the center of an important mining sec
ton. Many rich gravel mines are in this
vicinity, which, with the several lumber
camps and sawmills, give a, lively appear
ance.
Sierra Valley. an agricultural town. is Is
miles northeast of Sierra City, and has a
population of 400.
Forest City is miles south of Downie-
vile, and 80 miles by stage from Marys-
vile, and has population of625. Altitude
1900 feet The Bald Mountain and Bald
Mountain Extension mines, located here,
have Welded over 100000
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
TAXABLE WEALTH IN 1885.
NEVADA.

Nevada county is at present the chief
mining county of the State; and, perhaps,
taking all the world, there has never been
the same area of land which has produced
as much gold. 1t is in the middle portion
of the State-or rather, we may say, it is a
southern county of northern California.
On the map the county resembles, in shape,
an old-style revolver pistol, with the barrel
pointing east and the butt to the west, with
the lower end of the handle in the south.
The suggestion may be tolerated that this
pistol is gold. mounted. The greatest dis
lance between the eastern and the western
boundary lines of Nevada county is "A
miles, and its greatest width is eighteen
and three-quarter miles. These distances
are as the crow flies. Nevada county
,xtends from the lower foothills near the
Sacramento valley, across the Sierra Ne
vada to the line of the State of Nevada.
To the east of the Sierra summit there is a
strip of Nevada county nearly twenty
miles long. In this strip are Donner and
Independence lakes, the towns of Truckee
and Boca and several stations and camps
on the Central Pacific Railroad. Nevada
county contains 1,0l6 square miles, or $50,
240 acres.
POPULATION.
Nevada county is divided into nine
political townships. According to the
United States census of 1880, the total
population of the county was 20,534. The
townships have population census 1880
as follows: Nevada, $50; Grass Valley,
G. 700; Eureka, 693; Bloomfield, 1.017
Rough and Ready. 1865; Little York,
1.03f; Washington, SCI; Bridgeport. 1882;
Meaaow Lake, Late. The population, ac-
cording to the census of 1870, was Is, 134.
The vote of the county at the election in
1884 was 4,;215.
THE CHIEF INDUSTRY
Is mining, although farming is carried on
with profit in the western portion of Nevada
county. The gold is found in both quartz
lodges and gravel beds. Nevada and Grass
Valley townships are theprinc;pal portions
in which quartz mining is carried on. Eu-
reka and Washington townships, further
east and higher of altitude than the two
Iirst named, have also many valuable
quartz lodges. The mines in Grass Valley
and Nevada townships have been system
atically worked and developed for many
years: those of Washington and Eureka
townships are now attracting the attention
of ,pitalists who invest in working mines.
At the very summit of the mountains is
Meadow Lake, mining district which is
supposed to have many rich hedges. but the
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

This delta is level valley land, with the
exception of a singular elevation, known
as the 6 Buttes. which rises to the hight
of 1000 feet from the level of the surround
ing plain. II is marked feature of the
Sacramento valley. The rest of the county
: is Level. alluyial land. The area of the
county is 39l 600 acres. The soil is re-
markably and uniformly fertile. II was
undoubtedly formed at the bottom of what
was once a great inland fresh-water lake.
The soil is, therefore, the weathering and
washing of the adjacent mountain ranges.
For untold ages the potash from the
decomposing granite formations the mag
nesia and lime form the weatherings of the
magnetism lime strata, and the soda from
the decompOsed vegetation. were carried
year after year and deposited in the bottom
of this inland lake, where it was stored up
in inexhaustible quantities for the uses of
the tillers of the soil in latter times. This
accounts for the great fertility OF the soils
in Suffer county.
CLIMATE.
The climate of this county is like that of
the balance of the Sacramento valley
winterless. The summer heat IN the day
time is high enough to perfect oranges,
OllACc LIS. anu TIC
ture of the nights is low enough TO grow
wheat, barley and all the products of the
north temperate zone.
SOIL AND CROP VALUES.
The rainfall is such that complete fail
ure OF crops in the county has never been
known. There is no area of equal extent
on the Pacific slope that has higher aver
age production Of all the staple crops to the
acre than Suffer county. Large land-hold-
ing-the curse of the State-does not exist
in this county to such degree as in other
counties There are in Suffer county $50
farmers, ard they cultivate 10000 acres.
The average land holdings are, therefore
377t acres. The value of all farm products
averages more than $4,000 to each farmer,
great and snall. The average value of
each farm is more than S25, 600. BY COM
parison, we cah see the excellence OF the
soil and tiliage in Sutter county. In San
Luis Obispo county the average product of
farms is 81 ,1l3; San Mateo, 81 go; Los
Angeles, 1851; San Bernardino, 1905.
TRANSPORTATION.
One great advantage enjoyed by Suffer is
transportation by the waterways OF Feather
and Sacramento rivers. which are both
navigablc The freight from all river points
to tide-water is 81 80 per ton. Some years
ago : branch of the California Pacific rail-
road extended from Woodland Yolo coun-
ty, through Suffer to Yuba city, but after
having been frequently washed away by
freshets that line was abandoned. Yuba
City, the county seat, is however right
across the river from Marysville, hence
Suffer has practically railroad to her very
doors
- The people. of Suffer are prosperous and
progressive They have an abundance OF
well-supported schools and churches. There
is seldom heard among them complaint of
hard times, and their lot in life is appar
emily pleasant one. Yuba City, the county
seat, has a population of about l 500, and
supports a large weekly newspaper, the
iSatter Farmer.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

from quarters whence it was least expected
and therefore nothing has as yet been done
in that direction. While irrigation is not a.
prove most effective agent toward insur-
ing bountiful crops in years of excessive or
partial drought; and with the facilities at
hand for perfect system of irrigation, en-
terprises of this character will undoubtedly
be inaugurated ere many years. Colusa is
rich in natural resources, but she, like most
counties in northern California, must have
population before they can be developed.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01
TAXABLE WEALTH IN 1885.
SIsKIYOU.

This county is one of the northern tier,
at the California and Oregon boundary, be-
tween Modoc and Del Norte counties, its
northern boundary joining Shasta, Trinity
and Humboldt 1t contains large area of
farming. mining, desert, swamp, grazing
and timber lands. The mining district
comprises the western and southern sec
tons; the agricultural is mainly in the
c,nter, and the grazing lands are mostly
along the Oregon border. where, in the
course of time, they will be converted into
farms or fenced pastures.
WATER COURSES.
The principal river is the Klamath,
which runs from the Klamath Lakes, at
the Oregon boundary, across the country
and down through portions of Del Norte
and Humboldt counties, its watershed ex-
tending from Mount Shasta and the Trinity
Range on the east, and the Siskiyou and
Coast Ranges on the west, into which flows
the Shasta, Scott, Trinity and Salmon
rivers, on the east side, and numerous
smaller tributaries from both sides. The
Sacramento river also rises in the south
eastern portion of this county, near the
headwaters of the Trinity, Scott and Shasta
rivers. Most of the McCloud river, a trib-
utary OF the GdCrdiutiltO 10 dlsO III Ills
county At the Oregon boundary Little
Klamath Lake some twenty miles in
length. is mostly in this county, conrected
by Link river with Big Klamath Like. in
Oregon, which is over forty miles lony.
The Oregon Legislature uDani . ously
adopted resolution asking Congress to
build lock for navigation between both
lakes and klamath river to the California
line, bringing all of eastern Oregonk nearer
to the railroad now building towAd this
country.
CLIMATE, ETC.
The winter is mild, with but little frost,
and the high altitude renders the GUNNER
delightful, with cool and pleasant Evenings.
The average temperature in winterfs about
400, and in summer about 65F Siski-
you seldom has more thant few
inches of snow in the valleys which
melts away in day or tVo; but
the high mountains are covered with
considerable snow, to afford good foun-
tain for summer benefit in supplying an
abundance of water for mining ind agri-
cultural purposes.
AGRICULTURAL REsoURcE4
Good crops of cereals are sure Every sea-
son on both high and bottom bnd, with
| late spring rains and occasional summer
showers, which render irrigatio& unneces.
sary during most years. Fruit q ID yegeta-
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

readily get employment at from $50 to $40
per month, but as rule they are soon
sought in marriage by the well-to-do and
lonely bachelors who so largely predomin-
ate. A lady writing from that womens
paradise, remarks that e it is impossible to
estimate the masculine sweetness that is
going to waste on the desert air of Lassen."