Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-19
CRESCENT "A CANADA.
A Nice Letter From "June," the Her
aid Correspondent.

EDITOR HERALD: Well, here we
are again! We are not dead,
have only been taking nap,
though perhaps a trifle more prolonged
than usual, but we are now wide awake,
and ready to tell you all about every
thing.
General Shields and his party, con-
sisting OF Frank A. Sanborn, Walter
Fraley, Mr.. Cunningham and Mr.. Free
man, returned, short time ago, from a
tour of exploration of the mountain re-
gion between Monte Vista and the Mo-
jave desert. The principal conclusions
were, that the cost of a railroad up the
Tujunga cafion would be greater than is
commonly supposed, that the water re-
sources of the explored belt exceeded
any remembered estimate, and that val
liable minerals pervade large territory,
but, with the exception of iron, are of a
lower grade than is frequently reported.
The resources of wood for fuel, though
great, are below the usual estimate tim
ber forests, never supposed to be extern
sive, are OF less extent than has been
claimed. Climatic and scenic attractions
are very great, and have never been
overestimated. Mountain quail, foxes
and wildcats roam everywhere, at their
own sweet will; tree squirrels are less
numerous, deer and mountain lions are
scarce, and bears-notably on the slopes
of Gleason mountain-are more abun-
dant; in one instance bear was trailed
whose footprint measured So by 1873
inches. General Shields contemplates
two more exploring expeditions, respect
lively, through the mountainous belt be-
tween La Crescenta and La Canada, on
the one side, and the Mojave desert on
the other.
A party of young people from Los
Angeles, consisting of Mr.. and Mrs.
Mains, Miss Marguerite Shields, and
Mr.. Frank Sanborn and brother, have
been spending week in our lovely val
ley, making trips to the adjoining
valleys and places of interest. Together
with some of our Crescenta people, they
visited La Canada fruit ranches of Mr..
Macarthur, and DR.. Lauterman at
the latter place the prune crop was be-
ing dried. Mr.. Benedict of Pasadena,
with his son, bought the crop, and have
been camping on the place for the past
six weeks, drying 1t. 1t is the French
"petit" prune, and they are very fine.
They had forty-eight tons (actual
weight,) and there were fifteen tons of
dried prunes in pile, looking like
bin Of coal, but tasting far better. The
whole process of dipping, sulphuring,
etc, was kindly explained by Mr.. Bene-
dict, who seemed not to be afraid others
should have the benefit of his expert
ence. Ii some other bank clerks, and
men engaged in other indoor work,
would buy and dry crop of fruit,
camping out on the grounds, they might
be we'll repaid in increased health, as
well as increased wealth, as Mr.. Bene-
dict has been.
A pleasant picnic to Monte Vista was
enjoyed few days ago by party OF
Los Angeles and Crescenta people.
Hammocks were swung and lunch
eaten, in the beautiful English looking
park of live oaks at that place. Monte
Vista seems to be quietly enjoying life,
except when an occasional runaway fire
threatens to invade the valley, as it did
last Saturday, when most of the men OF
the place turn out and fight it with wet
sacks tied to poles.
Mr.. Annis is building nice concrete
house, on the divide between Crescenta
and Monte Vista.
Mrs. G. E. p. King returned last week
from visit in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Griffith has returned from an
extended stay at Santa Monica, where
she was detained by quite serious
illness. Her friends rejoice to see her
about once more.
Miss Turton has been engaged to
teach the Crescenta school, which opens
the 29th of this month, l understand.
JUNE.