Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-29
that of E. P. Figg, one of the finest upon

OranG Island, captain ferrlS pointed to II,
| saying: There was where Tullis lived,
and under that sycamore just beyond the
| house was where ne was murdered BY Ed
ward Ande son and Tom Lawton on Au-
| gust 2, 1878. and for which Troy Dye and
Edward Anderson were executed in the
!, County ard at Sacramento May 20, 1871
The next stopping place was Walnut
Grove, which is village of some 500 in
habitants, has hotel, stores, post and ex-
press offices. Here the boat left a lot of
freight, and took on 500 sacks of beans,
| quite number of salmon and three large
sturgeon.
Just below Walnut Grove Georgiana
| slough commences, which together with
| Old river forms Andrus Island. This to-
day is the finest island in the Sacramento
river, being entirely free from water SO far
| as the eye could see, well improved and in
high state of cultivation. The principal
! farmers along the river on this island are Sol
| Runyon, Pleasant Crew. S. Buck, ]. S. Fos-
| ter, Mrs. Thisby, J. Smith, G. A. Knott, c. P.
| Hensley, G. C. Perkins and William Will
cox. On the opposite side of the river is
Grand island, which is partially flooded
| estate owns some IL 900 acres out of the
5000 on this island. 1t is one of the finest
pieces of swamp land in the State. and can
be easily reclaimed. The articles OF agree
| ment have already been signed for the
building of the proper levees, and by
August next the entire island will be re-
| claimed. The principal farmers on the
| island south of Walnut Grove on Old river
are NJ. Madge, c. E. Hansen, Joseph Albert,
Dennis Leary, F. Peter, D. CORDOBA, J.
Kennedy, J. F. and T. w. Sheehan and
John Smith Several of the farmers on
Giand island have filed in the back land
in some cases TO depth of several feet by
cutting the levee in food times when the
water is freighted with debris.
The beet-sugar factory on Andrus
Island is a fine-looking building, filled with
the best machinery, but so far it has proved
a failure. They tried beets and failed,
watermelons and failed, sugar cane and
failed. 1t is said that Claus Spreckels is
talking of taking hold of it, and if he does
there is no doubt but that he will make of
il a success.
An evidence of prosperity all along the
river from this city 10 the lower end of
Andrus Island is the many new and ele-
CANT buildings that have gone up during
the past year.
Al 1:45 o'clock the steamer stopped at
Isleton, the only town on Andrus Island.
1t presents neat appearance, has stores,
saloons, hotel and public school building,
and good wharf. One Of the finest farms
T. II,
south of town.
The next stopping place Yves Rio Vista,
in Solano county. Here we found beau
tiful little town built at the foot of the
Montezuma Hills. The first town was
built at the confluence of the old river and
Steamboat Slough, but the high water of
1862 completely destroyed it, leaving but
one or two buildings standing. The enter
prising people then moved southwark
about half q mile and located on elevated
ground something like Benicia Here is
found fine convent building, three large
churches several hotels, one very large
one, and number of elegant residences.
In this portion of the river we began to
meet with sailing vessels. and passed sew
eral schooners loaded with hay, potatoes
and other produce.
We next came to Sherman Island This
was one of the first islands reclaimed, and
few years ago was a perfect garden spot.
In 1878. the island, which is of a peaty
formation, caught fire and burned for
months. The smoke was so dense that
vessels found difficulty in navigating both
the Sacramento and San joaquin. 1t
burned out in some places to depth of 15
and 20 feet, and the island to-day is en-
tirely submerged. No one lives upon it at
all except few fishermen, whose floating
houses are tied upon what was once levee.
The town of CHINATOWN is no more. The
residences are abandoned, the wharf and
warehouses dilapidated and unused, while
the water stands up to the windows in the
school house. 1t is a scene of desolation.
Opposite to Sherman Island, on the So
lano side of the river, is one OF the finest
farms in the State belonging to the estate
OF the late DR.. Toiand. 1t contains 1900
acres, and consists of meadow and upland.
The low lands are luxuriant in alfalfa, the
uplands green with grain ipterspersed with
various colored fora. Here are to be seen
droves of horses and herds of cattle and
sheep.
Collinsyille is at the junction of the San
Joaquin and Sacramento rivers and at the
head of Suisun Bay. At one time salmon
canning was an important industry, but the
establishment closed up some years ago.
But little business is done here. the inhab-
itants generally being engaged in fishing.
A large quantity of salmon was taken in
here, and then the Apache steamed on
down Suisun Bay, passing Antioch, Pitts
burg and Black Diamond on the Con-
ira Costa side.
To give some idea of the immense bust
ness done ia fruit on the Sacramento dur
ing the summer months, it is only neces-
sary to say that the following steamers
during that season do nothing but handle
fruit: The Aurora, Pride of the River. So
noma, Confidence, Relief and Onward In
addition to those steamers the Apache and
Modoc handle hundreds of tons, as do also
the steamers belonging to the San Joaquin
Company.
In passing Chips Island the Captain
pointed out large cannery that was en-
gagged in putting up fruit and salmon.
Suisun Bay is rapidly shoaling from the
effect of mining debris. Years ago there
were fathoms of water all around Seal
Island. and vessels at low tide could go to
the shore at any point. Now at low tide it
is nothing but mud flats for half mile
a new lighthouse is to be put up at
Bum Point, on Rays Island. At AS we
arrived at Benicia. The reporter boarded
the train tor this city. arriving here at
O'Clock, having had ride of 100 miles by
water and so by rail and an enjoyable and
interesting trip.
nrfI