The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-02-16
FROM THE PACIFIC.
Letter From Miss Jessie Bum.
Los Angeles, CAL, Jan. 9th, 'ss,

Los Angeles, CAL, Jan. 9th, 'S9,
No. 214 TEMPLE STREET.
My DEAR PARENTs:-A letter came
from you yesterday in reply to mine
of ssnow bound" Arizona. How
strange it sounded that you had not yet
heard from me in this beautiful city.
It takes almost an age to hear from
you. I wrote you on last Monday
quite long letter. The rain ceased
on Tuesday near noon. The unpaved
streets are yet quite muddy. | have
now been around pretty thoroughly,
considering that | was sick one week
with chills. Then the rain set in
after that. Yesterday we all went
up to "San Gabriel" " situated ID miles
from here, in the famous San Gabriel
Valley, known as the garden spot
of California. Pasadena is but five
miles from there, also in that Valley.
It surely was the lovliest day | ever
spent here. Went without wrap,
and carried parasol, then we nearly
melted. The principal point of
interest was the old "San Gabriel
Mission" built of "adobe" walls five
feet thick, tile roof, and mosaic floor.
The structure has been built over a
hundred years. Cotholic services are
yet held there. Those Spanish priests
were the first to attempt to civilize
California Most of the old ''adobe"
houses have been torn down and the
go-ahead American has laid it off into
long wide avenues and built hand
some residences on the old sites. An
old adobe house yet stands, the former
home Of Mr.. Wilson who once
owned the wholelValley in wild state,
where now the beautiful Raymont
Hotel stands, and the lovely little
Pasadena. Large vineyards, of
hundreds Of acres, are cut up into
town lots, priced at $4,000 a front
foot. In time the whole Valley from
the "Sierras'' to the Ocean will be one
continuous stretch of beautifully laid
off towns, then what will become of
the Grapes and Oranges? There is
where the pinch comes. What are
they to live on? Then the tide of
immigration will turn to new fields, |
and property can be had for mere
song. Last night we went to the
Theater l enjoyed it so much. In |
the middle Of the play they gave
selections from six different Operas. |
Oh, but the costumes were lovely. |
To-day we went over the parts Of the |
city that I had not yet seen; also
visited the famous "Long Street |
Six large real estate
companies held thirty lots for sale at
5000 per lot A certain No. drew
this property in with the lot. 1t is
the prettiest ground in the city. You
walk back square off of the street |
between rows Of beautiful Palms, then |
on each side Of the residence the |
beautiful grounds extend, perfect |
mass of Magnolias, "Date Palms"
Geraniums, Orange Trees, Fancy |
Hedges, Drives, Summer Houses, and
everything imaginable. 'Tis the
loveliest place / ever saw in my life. |
The Cypress makes a fine hedge or
summer house. They trim them with |
windows and doors, or make round !
summer house with windows. They |
are in every conceivable shape. We
go tomorrow to "Santa Barbara" the |
prettiest place in the State and quite |
historical, remaining over Sunday, |
then to Pasadena, then we all go to |
Riverside to the Horticultural Fair |
held on the 7th, 0th and 9th, then to |
San Diego by Ocean Steamer, which |
will take me two weeks yet, then l |
start for the northern part of the
State. Will meet Uncle McCall's
people in Oakland, and San Jose.
Will write you on my return. With |
much love to you and Pa. Plenty of |