The record-union., 1891-01-12
The People Who Constitute 1t and
What They Are Doing.
An Enterprising Community of En-
glishnen in the Vicinity
of LooInis.
TPlacer Herald. January 1oth.1

State the settlement OF sections by col
iDnies has been frequent, and in almost
every instance where colony has been
started, the development OF that section
has rapidly followed. Fresno was first
drought into prominence by the Wash
sngton Colony II was started under
great disadvantages, but when at last it
get a foothold and the colopists began to
prosper the development of the country
around it followed rapidly. and the result
mas been the upbuilding III q compare
lively short time OF what is now one of
the most thrifty portions OF California.
The Citrus Colony is the first institu-
tion of this kind started within the bor
ders of Placer.
Some three years ago j. Parker Whit
ney, who already owned large tract OF
Land east of Rocklin and Loomis, along
with others bought large additional area
in Antelope Valley, lying mostly between
his old tract and the railroad. He went
to work and laid it off in blocks Of ten,
twenty, forty and eighty acres each;
through this tract he laid off broad ay-
enues and graded them. Such land as he
did not buy within certain limits was
taken in ON equal terms with his own,
and TO the whole was given the name of
the Citrus Colony. \ price was fixed on
the land and people III search OF homes
were invited TO buy and improve it.
In April, 1889, Captain j. Booth Clark
son, of the Third Royal Fusiliers, Eng
land, came to California with view of
locating. He had been in nearly every
part OF the world, including India, the
West Indies, South Africa, British Guina,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and
South America, but from what he had
heard and read he inclined to the opinion
that the United States was the most desir-
abel country in which To locate, and that
The United States. Hecame out through
the Southern States, and arriving here,
spent two months i'll travelling over the
State and inspecting the merits of the
different sections, both north and south.
AT last his attention was directed to
Placer County. ON reaching here he
heard of the Citrus Colony lands. He
went ont to look at them. The richness
OF the soil, the character of the climate,
the attractive scenery of the country,
coupled with the excellence of the varied
products and the superior market facili-
Ties of the locality, appealed to his judg-
ment as the most desirable combinations
for the successful building of an at
tractive home that he had found any
where, and he at once made up his
mind 10 locate. He bought 100 acres,
part from Mr.. Whitney and part from
Mr.. Mott, OF Sacramento, and at once
put men to work clearing and improving
IL. He then went home for his family,
returning with them in October, 1883.
Major Turner, of the IesterShire Regi-
1nent and a. u. D., accompanied the
Captain on his rehtrn, and on arriving
here bought fifty acres OF the colony land.
Alter Arranging for having his land inn
proved and planted, the Major returned
Tor his family. On Captain Ciarllson's
place to-day hfty-fiye acres are cleared
and planted, fifteen acres or which are on
the steep slope. of Antelope ridge, and
this has been beautifully terraced and
planted to orange trees. Altogether, ne
Aas.eRt and growing 1,50G. orange trees,
], 800 apricot trees and 4,0J0 peach trees.
On Major Turner's place ten acres have
been terraced. All told, he has out !, 100
orange trees, and proposes, as he has re-
Gently returned with his wife and family
OF seven children, 10 set out 200 more
oranges this spring. He is jnst finishing
new and slightly residence, and is going
ahead vigorously to put his place III fine
shape.
Adjoining Captain Clarllson's place,
J. p. Whitney at the same time had five
acres terraced and planted to oranges.
A. c u. Johns, late OF st. Bees, Eng
land, came out in October, 1889. lie
bought twenty-five acres. He joined
Others in putting in pipes for irrigating,
ETC., terraced three acres and planted alto
gether last spring 800 orange trees. He
Is preparing the balance of his land which
he intends 10 plant next spring mostly to
peaches and pears.
Wallace Dewe of Trinity College, Ok
ford, came out III March, 1890. He bought
twenty acres adjoining Captain Clark
sons, and is now building a residence on
slightly location and is clearing his
ground. He intends 10 set out the com
ing spring 1000 orange trees and 2,00C
peaches.
ii. B. Tompkins, late of Dorchester regi-
,nent, arrived with his wife and cousin,
Miss Tompkins, ut the colony in April
last. They had resided nearly year in
the South, and had thoroughly inspected
the merits of different sections of Cali
Tornia. He bought 200 acres from W. d.
Perkins. Twenty acres is as much as he
expects to get out TO fruit this spring, the
balance lac is now seeding fer hay and
grain.
II. Wentworth came out last April also.
He bought twenty-three acres near Nor
burg's place, on which he has built a
house and is preparing To plant this
spring 500 orange trees and the balance in
peaches.
Mansel S. CaTne of Trinity College, Ok
ford, and St. Donats Castle. South Wales,
England, came out, accompanied by his
sister, Miss Carne, last April, lie bought
the Williams place near Loomis, on
which there was q comfortable residence
and fifteen acres planted to choice fruits
He has since bought eighty acres adioin-
intends to erect a permanent residence
and which he Is preparing to plant
mostly in oranges.
Harold Farmer Hall, of Trinity College
Cambridge, came out to the colony in
july last Before buying he preferred tc
investigate the southern part of the State
but he came back satisfied and purchased
the Farris place of twenty acres, which
was already planted. He is making ex-
tensive improvements to the buildings
and preparing 10 set out among the Other
trees this spring some SEQ orange trees.
Captain r. ii. :. Calder of the Royal
Artillery came out with his wife carly in
November last. tIe has since, in con-
junction with Bruce Gardyne of tho
Seventh Battalion of the Sixtiath Rifles
who also is q late arrival, bought tht
Browning place of forty acres, mostly
improved and planted. They intend C
put out eco orange trees this spring, and
eventually they expect TO set out the en-
tire place TO oranges. As soon as they
are fully settled Mr. Gardyne expects K
be joined here by his mother.
tNessrs. q. A. and Herbert Bishop came
out about the middle of November last il
their own interest and the interest of Mr.
Frank kerslake OF London. They have
bought forty acres Which they are now
clearing with the intention of setting out
/ 900 orange trees and the balance in
peaches. Mir. Kerslake expects to join
The colony with his family OF wife and
eight children about next May, when the
colony hopes 10 be able 10 start its first
public school.
a, p Agnew of Edinburgh, Scot
land, arrived at the colony in November
last. lie bought ten acres of W, r.
Strong q Co. and went into partnership
with a Mr.. Poor in forty acres more
They are preparing TO plant extensively
all the heretofore unimproved portion il
OI.ailopS OeacaeS sic