Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-13
The Corner Stone Fixed In
Its Place.
GREAT DAY AT WHITTIER
Eight Thousand People Wit
ness the Ceremonies.
A PROCESSION THROUGH FIELDS.
Speeches and Addresses By PrOmi'
nent People-The Reception
By the Whittierites.

Inc most Important event tnat ever
occurred in the history of Whittier, and
one which attracted more attention here
than ever before on similar occasion,
was the ceremonies attending the laying
of the corner stone of the principal build
ing of the State Reform, School, which
took place yesterday afternoon in the
presence of fully 5000 people from all
parts of the county and State. The date
for these ceremonies had been set earlier
in the. year by two weeks, but owing to
the heavy rains it was found necessary
to announce a delay, which gave the
people in charge more time in which to
make their preparations and to extend
the list Of invited guests. Invitations
had been forwarded to the State officers
and to many of the prominent citizens OF
the northern and central portions OF the
commonwealth, and it was anticipated
that there would be an immense crowd
in attendance, but it was not supposed
that it would be so large ss to occupy all
the space set apart by the trustees
and to overflow into the surrounding
country. The Southern Pacific Company
had promised to provide transportation
for all who desired to 60 from Los Ange-
les and other points on the line, and the
Santa Fe made the same offer, only it's
trains did not run 80 near the grounds as
to attract people residing on that line.
The railroad people, however, were sur
prised at the number OF citizens with
their wives and children who appeared
at the depots and took passage to Whit
tier. Asearly as 80 O'Clock the Arcade
depot was filed with people waiting tor
the first train, which was to leave at y
O'Clock, at which time ten coaches
with every seat filled and the
aisles crowded with people standing
pulled out, leaving an ever increasing
crowd behind. There were nearly a
thousand people on tkis train, and it was
at 10 O'Clock by another train |
of equal size, and at 1880 by another. !
The last train left Los Angeles about
ii 80 O'Clock, and arrived at Whittier
lbout IL 80. At Norwalk junction the
rains from Los Angeles were met by
rains from Santa Ana and way stations,
md from every direction people poured
nto Whittier by the hundreds, until the
Reform School grounds were covered and
heir vicinity presented very animated
appearance. By noon every available
litching spot was occupied by those who |
lad driven in, and over 400 vehicles |
we're counted at this time within radius !
f half mile on either side. The Whit |
Ter people and their neighbors were on
he grounds, not even the smallest in
ant being left behind, and such gath
ring has never been Witnessed before ia
ais part of the State.
It had been expected that the cere-
aonies would commence as early as II
'ciock and the procession would
move at IL 80, but for some
eason large number OF those
Who were to take part in the procession
lid not arrive until the last train at
II 80, and it was only after delay of an |
hour that the line of march was COM
Fortunately the weather was |
pleasant and the people stood the delay
without q murmur of discomfort. In
fact it WAS not until the ceremonies at
the grand stand had commenced that
any complaint was made, and then it
was only ON account of the hunger which
beset every one. 1t had been the inten-
tion to treat the multitude to barbecue
Immediately after the ceremonies,
on the supposition that this would
not be later than o'clock.
As the ceremonies did not commence
until 2 O'Clock it was nearer O'Clock
before the guests were treated to the
sight of the Widespread tables in the
new barn on the grounds.