The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-18

friar Father Junipero Sierra established
the first nit aon at San Diego. July 16,
| 1863 and saus laid the corner stone of civ
| iliza1on in California Father Junipero
Sierra founded not less than thirteen mis-
SONS before his death in 1884.
These missions, together with several
others founded by the franciscan friars
after the death of Father Junipero Sierra,
extend along the Pacific coast from San
Diego to San Francisco. and have played
an important part in the civilization and
government of Mexican California. They
were the seats of learning. the agricultural
centers. and in measure the padre of the
mission ruled the cpuntry for miles around.
With the establishment of Il mission cult
walton of the soil was begun, for each mis-
sion had to be self supporting. Orange,
fig olive and pomegranatc trees were
planted and vineyard cultivated
As an example IF the thrift of these mis-
sions would cits the one at San Carlos,
founded in 171e Ten years later the
padres in charge owned 1000 head of cat
tie. 1000 sheep sssd 500 horses and mules,
to say nothing Sf prosperous vineyards,
olive and orang groves, and thirty years
later their herds had increased to include
100000 head of cattle. nearly as many sheep
and half as many horses and mules, and in
1880 they shipped 5000 worth Of tallow
and hides and specie to Mexico.
In the selection of location for new
mission Father Junipero Sierra used rare
good Judgment. The lands in every in
stance were the most fertile. best watered
and the most picturesque within days
journey The old mission at San Diego is
toH in ft7I lca
north of the present city Only the walls
est TO the tourist is the old bells, which
have been removed from the ruins of the
mission tower and are now hung on low
framework close beside new chapel and
school house.
About twenty miles north of San Diego
we come to the Mission San Juan Capis-
trano. This mission was almost entirely
destroyed by an earthquake during divine
the church records do not give the number.
Portions of the mission were rebuilt, but
not equal to its former grandeur. 1t is still
occupied by an old padre, whose principal
duties now are the singing of chants and
the daily ringing of the old bells. OF these
there are five, and being composed of 5 per
cent. silver they have rich tone that has
made them famous This mission was once
quite famous for its school, and at one time
several hundred Mexican Indians and
white children daily answered it's roll call
One of the most interesting of all the old
missions is the one at Santa Barbara. Al
though it was founded as long ago as Dec
4. l1S6. it is the best preserved and the best
looking mission church in the state, and
the only one In which there still meditates
and breaches a franciscan friar, with
shaved head and hood and gown. This
grand old structure will compare with
AviIa and San Sebastian. It's bells came
from Spain and are composed of equal
parts of copper and silver taken from
Mexico. For more than hundred years
these sweet sounding bells have mingled
their morning melodies with those of the
Ennet and the thrush. All around are I'M
FivaIed hillsides and sequestered sweeps of
Lowlands interlaced with vineyards and
groves of all varieties Of nuts and semi
tropical fruits
Some twenty monks live in the building,
which accounts for the good state of the
mission. In fact it has undergone 50 many
repairs that the building is to some extent
q modern structure. The main body of the
church is 200 feet long and 20 feet wide. IL
q wing, $50 feet long and IS feet wide, live
she twenty remaining members of the COM
munity of Franciscan friars. The friars
and their cats Ind their mockings birds