The morning call., 1890-10-26
ON THE HTS.
A Call Representative Visits a Ranch
oQQN Eeat Ahnya Tlde

A Call Representative Visits Ranch
1000 Feet Above Tide.
Editor Morning Call: What wealth of
romantic "reminiscences cluster about the
very name of the old mission of San jose
Here in days of old the good old padres
pitched their tents, and during their reign
peace, prosperity and plenty was the rule
The little village still nestles at the foot of
the mountains, and below it slope the vine
mantled hills as Of yOre, but gone are the
good fathers to their well-earned rest; gone
is the picturesque old adobe church, replaced
now by smart, new structure of wood,
where still, however, large congregation
meets every week for the same service, for
the old faith yet remains. Only two of the
old adobes are left One is the ancient
winery almost hidden by the twiDing grape
vines that have climbed clear to the roof,
sending out green tendrils to peep into every
narrow window at the great tuns where are
stored the pressed juices of their fruits mel
lowing into maturity. The other is more
modern structure, but with quaint tile
roof that CLEANS red in the sunlight, and is
so picturesque that one longs to redeem the
building from its present mercantile pur-
poses and preserve 1t 'for old associations
sake"
Above the Mission towers Mission Peak,
prominent landmark for miles around, lift
ing its rugged head against the sky, like a
benign sentinel Of the little town at its base.
road winds its devious course up the side,
and about hallway up is intersected by an
other in such way that the two form
great white cross, visible on clear day
dozen miles away.
Not long ago CALL representative visit
ing the Mission on other business. looking
up at the mountains bare, brown sides, re-
solved to make the ascent. 1t is steep,
seven-mile climb, but The MORNING
CALLERS trusty little vaquero mare was
fresh, the hour early, and the prospect not
without pleasing hint OF possible adven-
ture.
For the first mile or two the ascent was
tame enough, past fields of stubble that
looked as liteless and innocent of nutri-
ment as squirrel grass, but upon which
bands of fat cattle aad sleek horses were
feeding with an Industry that betokened
keen relish. Then another turn in the
ever-ascending rod, and the entrance TO
picturesque gorge, through which runs Mill
Creek, most beautiful and purest of noun
tain streams. Can it be possible, the trav-
eler is now prompted to ask, that this Is the
bare, brown mountain that appears below?
The road winds amid overarcbing trees, the
bank on one side presenting luXurlant un-
dergrowth, while that on the other slopes,
green and soft, to the waters edge.
Still onward and upward went the little
rendered possible by the light skeleton cart
she pulled The road runs through
THE RANCH OF HOWARD OvERACKER,
That mighty hunter who still lives to tell
how it feels to be Rugged by grizzly bear.
MIR. Overarker has some 1906 acres here,
used chiefly as stock range. Down below
in the valley, toward Centeryille, is his
home-an exceptionally happy one-taste,
culture and free young life rendering it
noted center of sOciabiliiy for the whole
district. The genial hunter himself is a
capital companion, and the story of his fam
GUS fight with the grizzly is worth travelling
many mile to hear
leaving the Overacker Ranch the wood
begins sleeper ascent and traverses that of
A. A. Moore, the Oak land lawyer. Here
as well as below, are the happy hunting
grounds of the Mission district Every now
and then, as The CALL representative made
the ascent, a flock Of quail might be seen
skurrying through the underbrush, or
startled hare would bound across the path,
close under the mares nose. The occasional
report Of gun, re-ech0ing against the hill