Connecticut western news., 1891-08-27
THE WONDERS OF THE SAN
 GABRIEL CANON.

AC6LlA Os OaA1h.
 In the San G abriel Can among fhe hills of the San Bernar- dino Range, which forms n part of the Sierra Madre mountains, there extends for thirty miles, the canon of the San Gabriel River The North and South Forks meet in the canon. The San Ga briel canon ends mile and half above Asuza, small station. an hours ride from Los Angeles by the Santa Fe Route. Even in this land of sunshine and of flowers, the canon and it's sur rounding hills are noted for their balmy air, delightful climate and life giving breezes.
 From Asuza we go northward into the heart of the hills, we pass by culti- vated grounds, plains of prickly pear and a grove of two thousand orange trees. These are owned by Mir Henry Roberts. We soon arrived at his home which is sheltered by grove of forty orange trees and hedge of lofty cacti. ; Hereceives us hospitably, allows us to partake of his orange ad hbituaa, and meanwhile describe the canon. He is hale and hearty at eighty-three and as- sures us that he has not been ill for twenty years. He has lived here at the mouth of the canon thirty years. He and his son own gold mine in the canon. from which he says they have taken five hundred thousand dollars worth of gold.
 Asuza was named from the original Mexican grant San Gabriel takes the - name of the Saint to whom was vouch- safed 8 vision of the Lord, and for whom the Presence waited while the saint de- parted to feed the hungry poor.
 As we enter the canon from Asuza, we find rise of hundred feet each mile for the first ten miles, and in sleeper proportions thereafter. There are bee, cattle and fruit ranches along the route. It is said each bee-ranch produces four or more tons of honey yearly. Tho bees feed upon the sweet mountain sage which grows upon these hills and fills all the air with it's aroma
 From the home ofNMr Roberts, it is rocky road up the canon, along the bed of the river and through it's waters. In the rainy season this river-road be- comes impossible, and the miners take the steep, narrow trail over the hills. The river winds among it's mountains and we are encompassed by the grand eur of the hills. We turn away from hills behind us, only to see new heights arise before us. Above us is the deep blue of sky like shat of Italy. The sun sends down bright beams upon the white sands, and even in the winter. we find here the warmth, the glow and the glory of summer. The heat is not en- efvsting, for the pure air and the quiet hills seem to make us partakers of their strength. We can better understand here 1.-The song of the Mountaineer:" "For the strength of the hills we bless Thee
 Our God d,-Our Fathers God"
 Near little home on a bee-ranch, we see the enclosure of . child s. grave; and we gSse . thought of sympathy to the lonely mother, who seems so far from humaa help among these hills, and yet so near to Heaven-nearer, it may we'll be, because of the little child that fell asleep. About three miles up the canon we see on our right a pleasant cottage, and across the river on our left, the -orks of the Victoria, 8 silver mine of : excellent repute, belonging to an Eng ksh syndicate. A rich body of ore is said to be found here, and silver bricks from She workings of this mine, arc on exhihition at Los Angeles. The out look is very hopeful.
 Here We see ropes strung acroes the river, and we learn that by them. the food is carried over to the miners. The river cannot be forded at this point. and sometimes men have. been glad to cross in & basket on tie ropes. 5 These were men, too, who have no particular ambi- ton to rank high in the acrobatic line. Once the company here constructed g bridge, but in the rainy season two years ago, it Was washed away.
 Halfa mile above Victoria camp, We ford the San Gabriel River for the twenty first time since starting. We now find ourselves on the northern bank of the River on the mill site of the San Gabriel mill aud Mining company. This is Q pleasant little plain shaded by live oak trees. From this site, a mile of we'll made trail up the hills, brings us to the camp and mines o1 this company. We find the men strengthening tunnels and preparing for the cloud-bursts of the rainy season. MT Robbins, the capable and genial superintendent, and Mir McEwen, the reliable and intelligent foreman, receive us kindly and give us much valuable information regarding their rich silver mine and it's workings. They are very enthusiastic and hopeful for it's future.
 We start up the mountain trail, fol lowing the miners, mules and burro. We admire the patient animals of bur. den, who, laien with three hundred pounds of lumber each, go steadily uI the heights. The path passes zig gag northward up the hill across the creek and on the opposite hillside to the su' perintendent's cabin, which is nestled against the mountain side, facing the r;oino cun