The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-17
NOTES FROM NILES.
The Electric Railway Franchise.
Union High Schools.

Niles, Aug. 12.-Some time ago the
Regents of the State University appropri-
ated $500 TO be used in assisting in estab-
fishing union high schools throughout the
State. To this State Superintendent An
deTs0n objected strOngly-why it is hard to
tell. Certain it is that since the establish
ment Of the University q steady advance
ment has been made in all school work, the
aim being, in majority Of counties, to
make it possible for students to pass from
she grammar grades to the high schools, and
thence directly to the University. As it is
in these schools that students are prepared
for admission to the University, and GER
tain standing is demanded of students
entering, there seems to be every reason in
the world for the interest taken by them.
There is considerable interest taken in all
new school measures throughout the State,
and in several counties union high schools
are being established. Tie one in Liver
more is all ready for work, and Professor
Jones of the University, the gentleman ap-
pointed by the Regents Tor such work, has
been assisting the Trustees in preparing the
course Of study. Before very long the peo-
pie of the several districts in Washington
Township, Alameda County. will have a
High School, perhaps, as has been sug-
gested, on almost the same spot that the
first school In the county was located. One
great good the Regents have done in ap-
pointing some one to assist 10 opening the
schools and in arranging the course OF study
is to eQualiZe the course of study through
ont the State; the high schools work to the
University anu the grammar schools must
work up to the high schools.
The people all along the route OF the pro-
posed electric railway from Haywards to
San jose, both in the country and in the
towns, are quite enthused over the prospect;
indeed, a half dozen or more towns have
sent in petitions to the Board of Supervisors
asking that they grant the franchise. The
proposed road takes In every town on the
way from HdyWards to San Jose, and to do
so it is necessary to divide at Decoto. one
branch skirting the hills, taking in Niles,
Mission San Jose and lrvlngtOn, the other
following nearer the bay, well out into the
valley, taking in Alvarado, Newark and Cen
tervllle. 1t needs no great amount of fore
sight to SEE gentle slopes of the hills and
the valley below, either side of the road for
eighteen or twenty miles, lined with coun-
try homes from the cottage Of the frugal
mechanic to the mansion Of the millionaire,
exquisite scenery; fine roads, inexhaustibe
soil and rapid transit (only about one hour
from San Francisco are all but added at
fractions to lovely climate and charming
people, making this valley one of the most
desirable spots tor homes in California.
Last Sunday morning Mrs. Ann Clark,
formerly the wife OF William Bliss, was in
stantly killed by the early morning train
from San Jose She endeayored to cross the
track near the covered bridge, and, not hear
ing the train. was struck and thrown upon
the cowcatcher and carried some distance.
Two Of her sons, who saw the accident,
were the first TO remove her body from the
engine. She leaves four sons ard two
daughters to mourn her loss.
1t Is matter Of much comment that the
speed Of the trains between IIyington and
Niles is so great There are five crossings
within three-quarters Of u mile of Niles,
three of them on the main road, over which
hundreds of teams pass daily, and a speed
OF twenty five miles an hour is maintained
from town to town.
An election Of the Congregational Church
Trustees was held last Sunday, resulting in
the reelection of the same officers-James
Shinu, William Snyder, Ii. f. Ellsworth,
Mrs. II. A. MAYHEM and Mrs Jane Clough.
Mrs. l.. L. Thane was reelected Sunday
school Superintendent and w. w. Bristol
Assistant Superintendent.
Apricots are gone; peaches, plums, pears
and prunes are ripe, and tons of green fruit
are shipped daily, while twice the quantity
shipped is dried. Grapes are ripening.
At the Farmers Institute held in Hay
wards, last Friday evening aud Saturday, a
large number Of Niles people were present,
and by their remarks added not little TO
the interest OF the OCCASION. j. G. Shinn,
II. Tyson, Il. J. TiIden, II. E. Mosher, II.
a. Mayhem and &. Z. Chittenden were all
son and Mosher represented the Alliance,
u. L. Chlttenden the Grange and Messrs.
Illden and Mayhem the farmers at large.
Mrs. Ii. A. Mayhem read an interesting
paper upon Jersey cattle and their origin
All the campers have gone and the 1000 or
more pleasure-seekers, who have made the
canyon ring with laughter and mirth for the
past three months, have departed, to return
next year with added numbers to idle. to
dream, to rest in its quiet shade.
MRS /. E. THANF