davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

body seems to be engaged in liveliest bust
ness.
Inc town is growing rapidly. In the
business part of the place are being erected
business blocks, and outside this section,
on every street and in every block, new
residences are going up. The former are
substantial brick structures of two and
three stories, and the latter mostly frame,
and well built
THE PRINCIPAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Are the Courthouse, erected at cost of
s1O,O00, and standing in a large, hand
somely shaded and beautifully laid out
plaza new jail building, just completed,
City Hall, Armory Hall and a SIS, 900
school-house. There are also to be imme-
dlately built two. new school houses at a
cost OF $4,000 each, hospital and
fire department buildings
There are now completed and being used
over forty, two and three-story brick bust
ness blocks, and several others are nearing
completion. Among the most prominent
buildings in use are the Masonic build
ing, the Grand Central Hotel and the
Fresno Investment Company Block. the
latter being at present used by the Post
office Department. OF those nearing com
pletion is the Hughes Hotel, erected at a
cost of $3.50, 900, and one of the handsomest
IN the State outside of San Francisco.
There is also to be built as fast as material
can be obtained, a second $3.50 900 hosiery,
to be known as the Hotel Palace, This is
to be built by the I-street Improvement
Company. A new 100000 opera house,
three splendid new bank blocks and other
lesser buildings are among the structures
being erected.
An excellently equipped street railway
sends its cars rolling through the principal
streets to suburban residences, while grad
ing and track-iaying is being put forward
on two other lines. A fourth an electric
motor road, will in few weeks extend out
distance of three miles to residences in
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

the additions, with q branch track to the
ialr grounds and race course.
MERCHANDISE TRADE.
The merchants are all dong a brisk
business. and trade is based upon resident
purchasers. who make their living in the
place.
OF the banking institutions in Fresno
there are now FIVE. The Fresno Savings
and Loan Association has paid up cap
ital of $500, 600. The Bank of Cent al
California a paid up capital of s12O. 900.
The Farmers Bank, paid up capital, $780,
OO0, with surplus of $4,000. The First
National Bank, paid up capital, 800 600
and circulation increased in three years
| from SllS,000 TO 1886, 900, with surplus OF
over S45 600, and the Fresno National
Bank, just starting, capital 100000
Besides these there is Building and
| Loan Association incorporated with a CAPT.
tel of 100000. The banks have assumed
metropolitan airs to the extent of the
establishment of Clearing House with an
average daily business sggregating over
| $4,000.
EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
In religious and educational institutions
! Fresno affords every advantage to its PEG.
pie. There are nine organized religious
denominations holding regular services
viz: The Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal
and NJ. E. Church, South, Baptist, Congre.
gational, Catholic, Christian and Adventist
There are seven church buildings. which
are neat, substantial and oomnioiious. aud
the Presbyterian and Adventist people sre
each preparing to build houses of worship
the former at cost Of SIC oe0 ard the lsl.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

Danes, and that he paid for them in Europe
$500 each. they were certainly the largest
and finest specimens of the dog family the
writer ever saw.
The lands in this section are nearly all
improved and are valued at prices rang
/ ing from $500 to 81 600 per acre.
THE COLONIES
To the south of the city are the colonies.
These lands are divided into twenty-ac
tracts, with permanent and sufficient water
rights, and the tracts are especially pre-
pared for and suited to the wants of people
with limited capital seeking to establish
pleasant and profitable homes. Among
| the colonies established here are the fol-
! lowing:
Fresno colony, Immediately south of this
city, contains four sections, or $50 acres of
| land, with good public school centrally
| located.
Central colony, one of the FIRST settled.
! contains six sections, or $50; has fine
graded school, a handsome union church,
and several costly and attractive dwellings.
Washington colony contains eleven Sec
tons, or 1910 acres; has two public school
houses, wherein religious services are held
each Sabbath, and an attractive Presby-
terrain Church, with services by stated
pastor.
West Park contains ten sections, or 6, 400
acres, half of which are under cultivation,
and has two public schools, and stated re-
| iigious services.
Kirby colony contains four sections. or
$50 acres, in the center of which is 400
lcre vineyard, with a large and eommo-
dious winery, and handsome residence.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

ing mill located within the city limits.
1t is a complete roller process MILL with
| capacity of 800 barrels of first-grade -four
per day. In this connection it may also be
worthy to note to state that the mill is run
by water power, furnished by one of the
irrigating canals of the county. and which
is ample in volume to keep the mill in OPP
Grafton to its full capacity day and night
throughout the year.
GROWTH OF THE TOWN.
The growth of Fresno dates from the
fall of 1872. In 1874 the county seat was
moved from Millerton to Fresno. In 1880
the town had population of about 100,
and in 1885 it had increased to 5 ZOO, and
became incorporated as city of the fifth
class, and governed by Board of Trustees.
Since then its increase of population and
attending progress has continued in about
the same ratio.
PUBLIC SPIRIT.
The people of Fresno are public-spirited
and are making the present pros perity of
the locality effective and permanent. The
contemplated business enterprises and the
public improvements now under wav. will
cover an outlay of not less than $3.50, 900,
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28
RAIsIN VINEYARDS.


In this same neighborhood are also
many vineyards devoted almost, if not
wholly, to raisins. Among these is the But
Ter vineyard, $50 acres in bearing. The
vineyards of Pew, Goodman, Won Schmidt,
and others, 100 acres each. Colonel Forsythe
lives four and half miles directly east
OF Fresno and speaking of his vineyard, he
said: i came here in 1888. This land was
then worth about $50 per acre. l have 100
acres, 145 in raisin vines and the rest IN
orchard and ornamental grounds. The
Muscat grape is the grape for raisins. The
third year the yield will be such as to cover
expenses of cultivation, and the fourth
year they come into bearing. From this
time the yield increases in quantity and
quality for ten or twelve years, especially
quality. The older the vines the smaller
the seed and the thinner the skin.
The great secret of success in raisins
is in the curing. They can not be made in
a day, as they have to ferment, hence sun
cured raisins are superior to any that can
be made in drier. For this reason first
crop raisins are the better, as the second
crop coming late are generally about two
thirds cured in the sun, and then have to
be finished up in the drier Our hot, dry
summers are just what makes the Fresno
country the greatest and finest raisin sec
tlon IN the world. | have $4,000 vines, and
last season was the second year of bearing,
the output being $4,000 twenty-pound
boxes. Irrigated the first two years, but
since then have not used drop of water
for my vines. Soil is q sandy loan with a
strong tinge of red. The net profit will
vary from $50 to $3.50 per acre accord
ing to quantity and qualify of output and
state of market
1.-Two dogs now came into the room that
were of such size and bearing as to attract
the attention of the visiting parties, and,
in response to inquiry, the Colonel stated
tbat theY were II a hrs Cd knnMn as Great
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

Malaga colony contains seven sections,
in the center of which is the railroad depot,
large raisin- packing house where raisins
are purchased from the growers and pre-
pared for shipping, hotel and a good
school-house.
Salinger tract, Immediately north of the
city, contains two sections, has been lately
placed in the market, and as yet only par
TALLY cultivated.
Scandinavian colony contains three sec
lions, with large number of fourishing
orchards and vineyards and pleasant
homes, also good public school. Near
this colony lie the
Nevada and Temperance colonies, con-
tanning two sections, largely under cultiya-
ton, with pleasant homes and a good
public school,
As some misrepresentation seems to exist
as to Fresno's colonies, it nay be well to
explain that by the word "colonyn there
is meant no community interest. Every
colonist so-called, owns absolutely his
twenty or forty acres, and the only COM
munity interest is an interest in keeping
the branch bitches in good repair. The
main bitches are maintained by the water
companies.
To her colonies, more than to any other
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28
THE EGeERs VINEYARD. FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

HE EGGERS VINEYARD, FRESNO, CALIF0Rl
while in the neighborhood of 400 dwelling
houses, it is stated, will be completed within
the next six months. Most of these are
now under way, the cost ranging from 81 900
to $4,000 each. The assessed valuation of
Fresno City for 1887 real and personal, was
So 400 900, and this will be increased the
present year by many millions.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
To the present time Fresno has had
but one railroad, but at this date branch
road is being constructed leading easterly
to the mountains, thence south into and
opening up vast area wonderfully pro
ductive of grain, lumber and minerals.
The Paige Wilbur aulsel Railroad is
now graded to within few miles of Fresno.
and when completed will provide an add.
tional route to San Francisco and the East.
Still other new lines are projected, which,
if constructed, will make Fresno a strong
railroad point.
SHIPMENTS OF 1887.
The shipments from Fresno the past year
aggregated 73000,0 900 pounds. Of this there
were $50 600 twenty-pound boxes of raisins,
100000 gallons of wine and brandy, 75O
tons of dried grapes, 800 tons of dried
orchard products, together with vast guam
titles of grain and live stock An idea of
the present traffic may be formed from the
receipts of the freight and ticket Office
The receipts from tickets sold and tariff on
incoming freights during January last
amounted to $40, 3SS 81 From the same
sources during March the receipts were
$6l, 127 81, showing an increase from Jan
uary to April, not including February, of
$19,739 16
These returns do not include charges on
freights shipped from this point, and con-
sequently fail to represent anywhere near
the full business of the place.
Fresno ranked well up among The lead
ing shipping points OF the State for tho ear
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

source, Fresno owes its present degree of
prosperity. Yet, the forming of these and
bringing them to success has required much
energy and perseverance. The first two
years of the colonists were wears of dis
couragement, and it is safe TO say that
seven out of every ten would have sold out
or even abandoned their claims if they
could have raised sufficient means to 60
elsewhere. But the third and fourth years
revolutionized the general sentiment, iusti-
fed the expectations of the founders and
promoters, and to- day it would, perhaps, be
difficult to find more thrifty, prosperous
and contented community anywhere in
the world.
AT every halfmile in the colonies is an
avenue. The avenue is an admirably kept
road, lined on either side with handsome
shade trees, and on every twenty or forty
acres is pleasant home No better EVIL
dence can be presented-in fact, none so
good-as to give statements made by
themselves, taken down in shorthand, in
an interview held with each, the object be-
ing to determine what was the prevailing
opinion as to
THE RESULT OF THE COLONIZATION EXPERT
MENT.
Leaving Fresno, the first place we visited
was the elegant farm and residence
OF L. G. White, which marks the beginning
OF Central colony Mr.. White has FORTY
acres of vines, but many are not yet in full
bearing. MIR. White was absent, but the
interviewer was most Hospitality received
by Mrs. White, who remarked:
Now let me warn you in advance that
am not given to booming. If you are going
TO interview me, you must let me tell the
drawbacks as well as the advantages of
Fresno"
And what are the drawbacks, Mrs
White?" We ask.
Well, in the first place." she answered,
people coma here with hopes too extraya-
giant TO be realized. They think they can
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

Of Good Templars. Grand Army Post. a
Parlor of Native Sons, and another of Ma
tive Daughters, two Groves of Ancient Or
der of Druids, lodge of United Work
men, Chapter of the Eastern Star, a
lodge of Knights and Ladies of Honor, and
a Post of the Blue and Gray Veterans the
first ever organized-a Council of the Order
OF Chosen Friends, branch of the Young
Mems Christian Association, a Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, and several
other moral, religious, benevolent and
charitable organization.
WATER SUPPLY.
For domestic use the city has most ex-
cellent artesian water supply, admirably
distributed by street mains throughout the
city, the present capacity being 1,500, 900
gallons per day. Such a system is credit
to any city, and pure water is an important
factor IN the general health of any commu-
nifty.
HEALTHFULNESs OF THE LOCALITY.
The report of the Health Officer as made
to the Board of Trade recently, has the fol-
lowing:
Gentlemen: In response to your inquiry con-
corning the climate of this county, as it affects
the public health, l assure you that | fully an
preeiate the advantages to be. derived from a
strict adherence to facts in all matters of this
nature. have been resident of this city over
seven years, during which time have continu-
ously praeticed my profession, and have from
time to time visited every part of the county
For fifteen months have discharged the duties
OF Health Officer of the city. As a result of my
experience and observation, permit me to say
that as whole, the health of Fresno county.
without question, compares fsyorably with that
of any county of the State. That of our foothill
section Is not surpassed by any other locality in
the world Irrigation and the widely-extend-
ing cultivation of virgin soil have here as in all
other parts of the world, their effect upon
health but such influences are no more active
here than in other countries while passing
through the stage of rapid development, and in
comparison with our great Western prairies,
during their settlement the healthfulness is
greatly in favor of Fresno climatn
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

ter at a cost of $4,000 for church and mis-
sions.
THE SCHOOLS.
There are 1 100 children in the school
district, with an average daily attendance
of over 700. A Principal, Vice Principal
and thirteen assistants, constitutes the
present corps of efficient teachers The
city points with pride to her schools, which
rank second TO none, in State Justly cele-
brated for exceptional educational advan-
tages. Besides the public schools, is well
patronized business college and unpopular
kindergarten schools
The press of Fresno is able and well
patronized. 1t consists of the Republicans.
morning daily and weekly; the Erpositor,
an evening daily and weekly of Demo
cratic politics; the Tribune. an evening
daily, independent in politics, and the
Democrat. weekly, all having good and in
| creasing circulation.
CoNFRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS.
The various societies met with here en-
brace an Encampmeut of Odd Fellows, two
lodges of Knights of Pythias, lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons, Chapter of
ROYAL Arch Masons, and Commandery
of Knights Templar. There is also a lodge
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

at the Barton vineyard furnished the fol-
lowing statement:
This section is exceptionally we'll
adapted for the successful production of
nearly all wines excepting claret, but is es-
sentially the home of the raisin and sherry.
We make speciality of burger, but make
also port, sherry and muscat. Our burger
vines average US from eight to nine tons to
the acre, and produce from 135 to $50 gall
Ions of wine per ton. We have not used a
drop of water for irrigation for four years
until now. We will saturate the ground
this spring, which with the natural rainfall
will suffice for four years more. We also
have twenty acres in raisiu grapes which
melted us 500 per acre in raisins, and a
second crop that we made into wine was
worth at least s25 per acre more"
The property this year, without going
into detail, yielded a net profit of over ten
per cent. on an investment of a million
dollars. In reply to question in regard
to clarets, he said the principal claret
grapes are the Carignane and Z!nfandel.
Here the latter is troubled with a pest
known as the black rot The vines do not
do so well as other varieties. Claret can be
made here, but is better taken elsewhere to
mature.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

water. The water in Fresno county is
practically inexhaustible. The snow-clad
mountains yield more water than will
probably be put to use upon the plains,
and the great Kings river is not perceptibly
diminished by the I, 10000 gallons diverted
from its channel every minute. Fed from
snow-capped mountains, the rivers most
abound when the water is most needed
and they have never failed. The surface
of the land is so nearly level, with gentle
slope to the west and sou h, that the whole
system is without question one of the
largest. simplest and cheapest in the world.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28
FRESNO FRUIT FARMS.
Orchards and vineysrds-Dried Fruit
Raisins and Wine.

Orchards and yineyards-Dried Fruits,
Raisins and Wine.
The lands about the city vary greatly in
character, even in the same section, and
sometimes in a twenty-acre tract. The
greater portion to the east is heavy red
loan, to the south aud west is the sandy
loan and white ash, with here and there a
small amount of alkali North and north
west of Fresno the soil is of that class else
where described as hog wsllow."
To the east of Fresno the land is held by
resident owners in tracts vary ing from $50
to $40 acres, but more generally the former
class of holdings. Here are vineyards as fine
as can be seen anywhere. in whatever land,
and which are unsurpassed in quantity or
quality of production. The industry here
is, however, comparatively new, and pres
ent marvels of success are only suggestions
of results yet possible to be accomplished.
The vineyards of Eggers, Barton, Fresno
and Eisen are almost seclusively of wine
grape varieties. These places all have
elegant residences, surrounded by a luxu-
RANT growth of beautiful ornamental semi
tropical trees and shrubs; ali have commo-
dious wine cellars and distillesies and are
each valued at $500, go or more. Ths
Eggers and Bsrto1. vineyards each have SOC
acres OF bearing vines. The superintendent
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28
FRESNO.
L RaiSin Country UneXceIIed
in the World.
"A BOOMING SECTION.
Fine Lands-Fine Orchards Fine Vine
yards-Fine ROads-Fine
Homes.
THE RESULTS OF COLONIZATION.
The Fruit Industry = Irrigation =
Schools and Churches-Busi-
ness Enterprises-SociaI
Organizations.
THE RESULTS OF COLONIZATION.

California has been aptly designated as
the Heart of the Pacific slope 1t has
geographical position which gives advan
tages over any of her sister States. 1t ex-
tends through ten degrees Of latitude in the
southern half of the temperate zone. The
Pacific ocean washes her shores for a thou
sand miles, and furnishes free water trans
portation to every part of the world It
possesses every typographical feature-great
mountain ranges, deep canyons, sunny
sloping hill and mountain sides, and broad
and fertile valleys. The years OF Califor-
MAS development number scarcely more
than the third of century, yet that time
il has achieved the first position as pro-
Queer of gold, quicksilver, wheat, barley,
fruit, wine and wool In area it is second
only to Texas, and has more square miles
than all the great MiddleSt States, which have
population of more than eleven million
people.
The central portion of this State, with
every element of wealth that prodigal ma
ture could bestow, has until recently been
NoAtOlN ~ A6LlidAL dltuDSL uuhuOWut White
sections to the south have become thickly
populated and grown rich through immi-
grafton. Central California, with incom-
parably greater resources. hiss gone on with
the slow growth that came from natural
Increase alone. Now the people are awak-
ening to the importance and advantages of
added workers in every branch of industry.
Probably no section of the State of Cali
fornia is at the present time attracting such
general attention throughout the Union as
the justly famed locality under consider
ton, which gradually, and only by force of
merit, has unostentatously forced its way
20 the front, until to-day the Fresno
country stands among the first in interest
of the whole Pacific coast area, wonderful
exhibit of natural resources, developed by
|ell-directed enterprise.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-28

thrust few grape cuttings into the ground
give them little or no care and in two OF
three years be independent. 1t should be
understood that it takes time and patience
and intelligent and sssiduous work to ac-
complish such results as you see bere'
And" we say, supposing one does
have the good judgment, pluck, and stick
forgiveness, what may be reasonably ex-
eight or ten years to it as you have ?"
/" In 1886" she replied, we sold 60 tons
of raisins from Our % acres of raisin vines,
realizing $12 900 gross receipts, or $3.50 per
acre. The cost of picking, packing, and
putting on the mark ct is from $40 to $50
ton. So you see our net profits exceeded
$500 per ton. In 1887 the crop was mar
keted in the sweat box, the gross receipts
amounting to over $4,000
Not very much reason for warning peo-
pie not to expect good results, then, Mrs.
White?"
Well, no; bat there is reason enough to
warn them not to expect such results with
out plenty of hard work"
Mrs. White then showed us, with par
donable pride. the two elegant medals
which Mr.. White had received for the best
exhibit of California raisins-one of silver.
awarded in 1885 the other of gold. 1886.
She said that The main reason for the supe-
riority of Fresno raisins to all Others in
California is that during the summer
months there is absolute freedom from
moisture, either dew or rain. This enables
the drying process TO proceed uniformly
nd uninterrunie3lv.