Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-01-15
Southern California.

Mr.. EDIToR-My last was after flying
trip to the Southern boundary of Califor-
MA Since that time our headquarters have
been at Los Angeles and vicinity.
The country around this leading city oil
Sout hern California is almost wholly de-
voted to fruit growing-the citrous fruits
predominating. While in Los Angeles we
made two trips to the coast, Is miles dls-
tant. Redonda Beach is fine winter and
sum mer resort. There is here finely
equipped hotel, overlooking the ocean.
The beach is beautiful and the surf bath
ing fine There is a good harbor here,
that is, the water is deep and large ocean
vessels can sail up to the wharf. The 9TH
er trip was made with company of nine
to Santa Monica This is also one OF Los
Angeles popular resorts. The beach is
very fine and the rolling of the surf Is
grand. Our party spent few hours hunt
ing shells and some very pretty specimens
were found - especially the Abalona.
Northeast ofLos Angeles and eight miles
distant is thevery pleasantly located city OF
Pasadena. 1t is situated at the base OF
the foothills in semi. circular coye of the
mountains, which rise to the height OF
5000 feet. The city is noted for its fine
avenues, excellent orange groves and
and beautiful flowers. The most noted
hotel here is the Raymond, at from thirty
five to fifty-six dollars per week. 1t is
scarcely necessary to say that we did not
stay any length of time. For four weeks
past We have been at the pleasant little
town of Monrovia. 1t is nestled in close to
the foothills and is quiet, sheltered
nook. 1t is in the orange belt and boasts
IF some fine groves. The "Grand View"
is an excellent hostelry. From this point
two of our party made the ascent of Will
sons Peak, altitude 6000 feet. The ascent
is made in the saddle on the backs of
burros. The trail is narrow, the grade is
steep, and gulches hundreds of feet deep
on one hand and perpendicular walls on
the other, render the trip sufficiently ex-
citing. When the summit is reached the
prospect is sublime. One is inspired with
awe as in the profound stiffness ofeve
or early morn he surveys the wide expanse.
To the West lies the ocean thirty miles
distant. Santa Catilena island twenty-five
miles Fl ON the coast is seen quite distinct
ly, particularly the surf beating its rocky
shore. The Los Angeles and the San Cab
riel valleys lie at our feet while to the
North and East is the great Majove les
ert girt by the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The experience Of such trip can be viv-
idly described in this way-one would not
miss offor a hundred dollars and would not
take again for five hundred.
We have seen California in its most SOM
bre garb. There has been but three light
showers of rain since we came to the state
Nothing We rdant except our party and the
evergreen leaves The ground entirely
bare and sand and dust everywhere. On
the 10th of Dec this section, from the
coast eastward for more than go miles was
visited by regular simeon of the desert
"a sand storm that terrific. The wind
began blowing in the a. m. and continued
all day and on the early morn of the llth
reached its greatest velocity. There was
neither cloud nor rain, but the air was
thick with dust and sand, which cut the
leaves entirely off many of the trees. In
Pasadena three churches were entirely de-
stroyed, and many buildings unroofed.
The sand drifted like snow several feet in
depth The surface as deep as plowed
was in some places blown away destroy
ing an entire crop Of sweet potatoes. But
the greatest loss was the orange crop.
from one-third to one half being blown Oft
the trees. The loss to this crop alone in
this neighborhOod is by some estimated at
500, 900 This disaster was followed by
the coldest weather known here for years.
Ice formed from one half to three fourths
of an inch thick. Flowers, semi-tropical
plants, orange trees and the fruit to some
extent was injured by the cold. great
deal of discomfort was experienced as fuel
is scarce and little provision is made for
heating the dwellings.
Indeed one feel s the cold here as much
as they do a greater degree at home. AT
Riverside the freeze injured the young
orange trees and fruit was damaged to
some extent.
Our home for awhile will be Monrovia,
Los Angeles Co, Cal. Three of our party
have left for the East. / will remain in
this sunny land for month or more be-
fore turning my face towards the rising
sun. GEO. SHoUP.
Monrovia, Cal