The Russellville Democrat., 1888-04-19
From California.

SAN DIEGouCal., March 27th.- Edi-
tor DEMOCRAT: Ii you find this ar
tlcle not more suitable for the waste
basket than publication for the bene
fit Of those who long to see the far
west, the land of flowers and the
golden banks of California, it per
haps would give them faint idea
of the often called, Garden spot OF
the world"
The route along the Southern Pa
cific Ry. through Western Texas,
Southern New Mexico, Arizona and
California is quite impressive to one
not accustomed to the broad extens-
i've plains and sandy deserts which
form acontinual belt from Fl. Worth,
Texas, west to the Pacific coast
Western Texas is principally a
barren waste which can never be
profitable for anything without reg
ular seasons, which it seems almost
impossible for them to have.
In Southern New Mexico, Arizona
and portions OF Southern California,
the inhabitants are chiefly Mexicans
and half clad Yuma Indians, living
in their "dobies," as they call them,
houses built of mud.
The soil through these countries
is almost perfect sand bed, suitable
for nothing to a very great extent
without irrigation, although lovely
and valuable spots are found here
| and there. But what would be q
novelty to great many eastern peo-
pie is their method of obtaining fuel
and drink, they have to dig for wood
and climb for water.
And in regard to California so far
as I have seen, one seeking for pleas
ure, sceneries of GRANDEUR place Of
perpetual spring and for health, they
have only to reach here to find 1t.
And am confident that / have the
best portions of the state yet to see,
at least the older settlements.
But as place to obtain wealth Gas
q great many would like to know,
|, of course, can give no suitable
answer to that, for peoples opinions
and qualifications as regards making
money, vary as much as do their
opinions and qualifications on all
other subjects. The only theory is
to present the facts as they are, and
let every man decide and try for
himself. / would not urge any one
TO come here, or even ask them to
come, for man that hasn't enough
courage or self reliance to come de
pending upon his own judgment, had
better stay away.
| A wage worker coming from the
east out here in the winter season
with very little money, might some
times become discouraged, as great
many do, for if they can't obtain
work rapidly, their expenses are so
great they soon run out of means.
So many men having focked here
since the last year or two have great
ly oyerrun almost every business in
the cities ard towns. But there is
generally no trouble for the right
class of men, and wages are about
three times what they are in Arkan
sas. Although, ones expenses are
great and they have any and every
inducement imaginable to spend
money, they can save more here, il
they will try, than they can back
east. If they deprive themselves OF
a few pleasures here it amounts to
something, whereas, in the east very
little.
| But perhaps all who read this will
not be laboring men, some who in
tend to live from the fat they have
already laid up, and wish to invest
in order to leave fortune tor their
wives and children. To those bust
ness men, speculstors and investors,
l would say, do not see a more OPP
en- field for advancement, AS Hon.
| c. Z. Tobey says, "a man runs no
risk in securing land or property IN
California" He also says, speak
ing OF the health in his vicinity,
The climate is mild, and there is
actually no sickness here, NONE. We
never hear of sickness only through
the papers, away off in the cities"
All the southern part Of California,
comprising about one-thi.d of the
state, is comparatively country,
just opening up. The greater por
tions of WHICH irrigation is required
for most crops. There is plenty OF
land to be obtained at all prices
Some very cheap, and some govern
ment lands vacant. But in taking
up these claims one generally has to
live a hermit's life and go at times 10
obtain money. OF course on these
new settlements one will have to
submit, for a few years To many
privations incident to new countries,
but after asew years it will beyaluable
and amply repay man for his sacrl
IHn0U'SM