Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-29
DOWN TIE RIVER.
A TRIP BY STEAMER FROM SAC
RAMENTO TO BENICIA.
Incidents En- Route-Thirt Miles of
Orchard-Descript Of the
Lower Islands.

yesterday morning al 1U.lO, anu stalttu iOl
San Francisco. She had large quantity
of freight, principally produce, and abou
forty passengers. The river was quite
high, marking "a feet 3 inches at the gauge
at the foot of K street, and the current wa:
strong.
By invitation of Captain Ferris, the re.
porter occupied seat in the pilot-house
from which an excellent opportunity was
afforded to get full view of the surround.
ing country on both sides of the river as
far back as the eye could reach. The day
was warm, clear and pleasant, and with
the aid of a pair OF ield-glasses aud the
information obtained from the pilots, who
have been navigating the river for quar-
ter of century, the trip was both inter-
esting and instructive.
The river for several miles below the city
is higher than the surrounding country,
but is kept within its channel by high and
substantial levees. The levees on both
sides are sown to alfalfa, which everywhere
is more than foot in height, and its bright
green color, and that of the willows grow
ing at their base which are just putting
forth their leaves, add much to the beauty
and picturtsquesness of the scene.
The Sacramento is very crooked river,
and in winding around the many bends a
person not used to such trip gets com.
pletely turned around and loses the points
of the compass. Some five miles below the
city, when the steamer was blowing along
at the rate Of fifteen miles an hour and the
reporter Supposed he was going directly
south. ne was surprised when the dome of
the Capitol doomed up almost in front of
him.
A person has no idea of the valuable
farms and fruit orchards south of this CITY
until he takes ride on one of these river
steamers. By the way, this is an excellent
trip for parties going to the Bay, especially
during the time of high water, and in the
spring when all nature is beautiful. The
accommodations on the Apache and Modoc
are all that could be desired. Their ladies'
parlors are elegantly furnished, as are also
the staterooms. The meals are gotten up
in most excellent style, the officers are
trip is made by daylight, leaving Sacra-
mento at 10 A. NJ. and arriving at San
Francisco at P. NJ.
The Apache and Modoc are almost new
boats, made to carry several hundred
tons of freight, and their cabins are fitted
up especially for river travel.
The first place that attracts ones atten-
ton after leaving the city is the hop and
fruit ranch of r. ]. Merkly. 1t is well
improved, and the residence and other
buildings are indicative of the comfort and
prosperity of the owner. From the pilot
house one looks down upon all the farms
along the Riverside road as well as upon
those of equal value and beauty upon the
Yolo side
The San Joaquin Company's brick kilns,
of late pattern. and which were fully de-
scribed in the RECORD UNION about a wear
ago, are five miles below the city. just be-
yond the terminus of the Riverside road.
and they were loading barge for San
Francisco yesterday as the steamer passed
them. Opposite these brickyards on the
Yolo side the back-water comes up and
covers all the back land, leaving only a
narrow strip along the river front, upon
which the farm houses are all built. This
back-water is very shallow, has come up
within the past few days, and will recede
as the river falls. On the Yolo side, all the
way down to Clarksburg, the residents,
with few exceptions, are Portuguese. The
men are mostly fishermen, who also have
small orchards. clover fields, small diaries,
and engage to some extent in poultry
raising. They seem to be happy, notwith-
standing the encroaching waters. and
everywhere wave their hats and handker-
chiefs to the passing steamer.
At one place farmer was noticed driv-
ing herd of cattle through body of water
some four feet deep, to get them into an
alfalfa field on higher ground.
About six miles below the CITY, on the
Iolo side, we come to the Lisbon District.
Here 1000 acres are inclosed within a
levee capable of resisting the highest floods,
and it is all under the highest state of cult
walton. No finer body of land Of equal
extent can be found in any portion of the
State, and il at once settles the question,
Is reclamation a success? 1t cost many
thousands of dollars, yet the land after IFS
reclamation is worth over million Of
dollars. Just opposite TO the Lisbon Dis
trict we passed a small steamer containing
six men. in the uniform of the English
navy. She carried the British flag, and
evidently belonged to one of Her Majesty's
war vessels now stationed at San Fran
cisco.
We arrived at Clarksburg, the first stop
ping place at l1:30 o'clock Here couple
of ladies took passage for the bay, and the
boat took on large number of salmon
Clarksburg is a small place, containing q
store, saloon, hotel, and about dozen neat
residences. 1t is surrounded by orchards,
and is quite fruit-shipping point during
the summer months. The river was SO high
at this point that il was even with the top
of the wharf, and the freight that was I'M
loaded was slid down an incline from the
boat. One of the finest orchards in this
locality is that belonging to the late Judge
Robert Clark. AT this point there is q
ferry that is much used.
Opposite Clarksburg on the Sacramento
side is the beginning of what is called the
"Thirty-mile OF Orchard, and which, be-
yond any question, is the garden spot of
the State. The trees are all in full bloom,
and furnish floral spectacle of rare
beauty. Viewing them from distance
they look like huge beds of flowers thou.
sands of acres in extent-the pear and
cherry white and the peach pink forming
beautiful contrast with the emerald of the
rounded alfalfa-covered leyees.
Among the first OF these orchards is that
of William Johnston, of Richland. 1t is 9
place of considerable extent, well i'm.
proved and highly cultivated, and his pa,
latial residence, in finish and architectural
design, is equal to any to be found in Sac.
ramento. That of his son, quarter of a
mile below, is also handsome dwelling
built near the river bank. Mr.. Johnston
has large steam pump in the rear of hi:
place, and that was at work yesterday dis
posing of the sipage wafer.
Dwight HOLSTERS place, short distance
below, is also a weli-improved farm, with
an extensive and profitable orchard and &
| residence equal in beauty to any on b
street in this city. He is model farmer
! who has grown rich in the fruit business.
Opposite Mr.. Hollister, on the Yolo side
is the fruit ranch and dairy farm of ]. B
Green. 1t is one of the most valuable
ranches on the river, and yields hand
some revenue annually. Just south of Mr.
| Hollister. on the Sacramento side OF thu
river, is Mr.. Green's fruit-dryer and ware
house. His son, who runs the dryer, i:
quite genius, and although reared on {
farm and knowing nothing of mechanics
| he has constructed little steam launch
| which is the pride of the river and which
in a race with the Governor Stoneman lei
| the latter far TO the rear.
| What has been said of Johnston's anc
| HOLSTERS fruit ranches will apply witt
equal forcs to that of Sol. Runyon, anothe
| man who located there in the early days
became possessed OF large tract of lane
and has grown opulent in the fruit bust
| ness. He lives in palace, like King
and is known throughout tina: entire sec
ton as one Of the most liberal hearted ant
generous men upon the river.
The next stopping place was al Court
| land, on the Sacramento side. just abov'