The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-02-16
ALL ABOARD FOR CALIFORNIA.
BY REV. A. T. DUNLAP.
From tie Southern Christian. Adrocatc.

by REV. A. T. DUNLAP.
From tie Southern Christian Adrocatc.
have reached my new field of labor
at last. 1t is long journey from South
Carolina. I left Anderson on the after.
noon of January 2, and was Joined at
Lula, Georgia, by Brother j. D. Dorsey, Of
the North Georgia Conference. He was
transferred from that Conference to Mer-
ced Circuit, Pacific Conference. was
very glad to have him for my companion
in travel; he is an excellent young man
and good company.
We met gentleman from Fort Worth,
Texas, who gave Texas big name and
California very small one. He said
that California was not good for anything
but winds and grapes, and that there
was no money for any except the rich.
He said there were great numbers OF
paupers here, apd that they belonged
principally to class of people who had
gone there with the expectation ofgetting
rich and were disappointed. They were
unable to buy lands on account of the
high prices. They soon spent what mon.
ey they had, end were then compelled to
get a living the best way they could. AS
we were not coming to buy lands or make
fortune VIC did not turn back.
Montgomery, Alabama, seems to be
Aourishiug city from what we could see
of it, but it is hard to be accounted for if
the prosperity of place depends upon
the country Immediately surrounding it.
The lands looked to be very poor, judging
from the size of the cotton and corn
stalks. We did not see single house
beyond there for one hours travel that
would do for white family to live in.
The houses were all little cabins. The
country in places is very low and marshy,
and almost void of timber of any size-a
few little trees thickly covered with long
moss. After travelling little way the
country began to improve. There is
great deal of pine timber between Mont
gomery and Mobile, and number of
steam saw mills from which large guam
titles of lumber is shipped. Turpentine
distilling is also extensively carried on.
Some of the finest lands between Mont.
gomery and Mobile l am told could be
bought from one to FIVE dollars per acre.
Our attention was soon attracted from
land to water. Just before reaching
Mobile we crossed the Mobile and Tensas
Rivers, two very large streams. The
scenery from .here to New Orleans is
idescribable. The trees are loaded with
long moss. The swamps are covered with
green grass, palms and tall green canes.
Everything looked and felt like Spring.
Arrived in New Orleans we secured
room and had a good nights rest. Next
morning we visited French Market,
Jackson Square, and some other places
of interest to travellers. We took the
steamer at $50 P. NJ, and crossed the
Mississippi to take the train bound for
California. We were not alone by any
means, but found plenty of company.
We were told that great numbers were
going to California daily. Among the
number on board were two young men
from Virginia, going to San Diego,
whose acquaintance we soon made. For
several miles this side Of New Orleans are
truck farms and gardens which were
very green and beautiful. The principal
crops along the way in Louisiana are
sugar cane and rice. We looked as long
as we could and then fell asleep. When
we awoke next morning we found our
selves in Texas. Our first impression of
the State was that it was very poor. The
soil looked very thin and the trees were
little scrubby blackjack, but We were soon
convinced that we had not seen the best
part of it. At Horowood the lands were
very fine; the soil is deep and very black.
At Suling it is the same way. 1t is a
beautiful little town, with the exception
Of the muddy streets.
San Antonio is lovely place, said to
contain forty ght thousand inhabitants;
that is something that is hard to find out,
they tell so many different tales about it.
The railroad machine shops are there,
full Of engines, new and old. In the
distance may be seen long range OF
mountains. At Chatfeld the lands begin
to get poor. There are great many
large hills entirely treeless. They are
covered with small shrubbery from
three to eight feet high, and thickly in.
terspersed with cactus. No crops for
several miles; the whole country seems
to be pasture. 1t is hard to tell what
the cattle subsist on, unless it's the mis-.
tletoe on the little shrubbery. At John.
stone, l61 miles from San Antonio, the
soil is more barren, if possible. 1t is
thickly covered with white rock. There
is not house to be seen from one station
to another except the section houses. at
some of the little towns there is one little
generel merchandise store and two or
three bar rooms.
We stopped at Del Rio for supper, 747
miles from New Orleans-a very small
place, barren and sandy. Some of the
finest scenery ne missed-the canons OF
the Rio Ctrande. Night came on us just
before we entered. We were for several
miles from three to five thousand feet
above the level of the sea. We could
tell when we got to the place by the
numerous curves in the track. Near a
little place called Chispa the train stag.
gered like it was on a big drunk. 1
haven't said that I was frightened, but
did not sleep any until the train got of
its bender. If I had been at all inclined
to sleep ] could not have done it on
account of the women and children. The
women were frightened and the children
cried. One old lady began to sqall out
for Susanna to hush. The crying was
preferable. The old lady seemed to be
in perfect gles until she came to the
conclusion that she was about to be
ditched. Then she said she wished that
she was at home-that it was all foolish.
ness going to California anyhow. Finally
the cars got straight, the women and
children hushed, and We went to sleep.
When we awoke next morning we found
ourselves surrounded on every side by
barren mountains, both tall and low.
The scenery was grand. The road bed
and five miles on each side is valley
perfectly level. The high mountains
were a wall unto US on either side. We
thought when We first saw them that we
| hol TV;ntor on tho Cn,th sida and Sum-