Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-14
A FRUIT PARTY.

Novel and Enjoyable Occasion at
Lincoln Park.
|. On last Saturday evening there took
place at Lincoln Park, beautiful suburb
this side of Pasadsna, most unique and
enjoyable entertainment. Rev. J. A.
Wood has one of the most charming
places in the noted San Gabriel valley
and his fruit trees, vines and bushes
bearing such evidences of the splendid
soil and glorious climate of Southern
California, he determined to invite his
neighbors to come and share with him
portion Of natures generous bounty. The
company were invited into the dining
room Of the doctors handsome villa at
about O'Clock and a most imposing
sight met the view. A long table was
stretched the entire length of the room
most delicious fruits and beautiful flow
ers. In the center of the table was an
| immense watermelon, which must have
weighed seventy.five pounds, and this
was flanked by several smaller melons.
There were musk kssmelons, cantaloupes
and nutmegs innumerable, and many
dishes piled high with magnificent
peaches, nectarines, apricots, etc. When
the goodly company were seated, DR..
Wood, in few we'll chosen words, bade
them welcome. He stated that all OF the
fruit on the table was the product of the
grounds surrounding his villa. He said
it was often stated that our fruits did not
have the flavor of those raised in the
East, and he wanted those present to
test his fruits and disprove this assertion.
1t is needless to say that his invitation
was accepted with alacrity, and full JUS
tice was done to the monarch of water
melons and the other fruits. Among
those present were: John P. Early and
wife, G. w. Wilson and wife, A. A.
Mitchell and wife, G. H. Minus and wife,
A. Lydaker and wife, H. J. Wright and
wife, Mrs f. E. Skinner, J. 1. MI rrison,
Mrs. Denisson, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Miles,
Miss Anna Minus, Miss Anna Skinner,
H. w. Patton and wife.
DIAsPORA VILLA.
In connection with this enjoyable fruit
symposium it may not be uninteresting
to say few words in regard to the place
on which these fruits were raised, as il
Illustrating the wonderful fertility and YER
} satility of Southern California soil. The
proprietor Of the place, DIR. ]. A. Wood
is one of the most noted divines ant
writers of religious works in the UniteC
States. Some years ago he retired from
active duty as a minister and made tou
of the Old World lasting over a year
He then travelled all over the United
States, and finally reached Los Angelo
county. He had seen nothing to com
pare with our country and he determine,
: to cast his lot amongst us. He purchased
seventeen months ago, from E. j. Vaw
= ter, two acres of stubble land near Lin
: coin Park, and after erecting beautifu
g villa, commenced to embellish tn
l.. grounds. 1t is almost impossible to de
scribe the change, and the doctors i'm
provements must be seen to be apprec
: ated. Suffice it to say, that if ther
i is any variety Of fruit, flower, c
o ornamental shrub or tree known
9 Southern California, that is not repre-
4 sented in thrifty condition on this wor
: derful place, the writer has failed to dil
!, cover it. The place is a perfect bowe
q OF roses and flowers, to which Mr.
Wood devotes especial care. She hs
some sixty different varieties of rose
and almost every flower that grows here
The Doctor says he is not farmer, br
; nevertheless he has brought his place
|, its present state of perfection by his ow
? unremitting care, aided by q generor
= supply Of water. 1t will shortly becom
~ one OF the show places of the countr
and is fitting spot for one who has d.
voted many years to the advancement
mankind to spend his retirement in.