Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-24
PRESERVING THE OLD MISSIONS,
The Good Work Auspiciously
Inaugurated.
A Pleasant Excursion to San Juar
CapistranO.
An Estimate of the Outlay That VIII
Preserve the Ruins From Further
Decay-The Cost VIII Be
Trihing.

|
first field observation, so to speak, yes.
terday. About half hundred repre-.
sentatives of the Historical society, Fri.
day Morning club, Ruskin Art club and
kindred organizations, made pilgrim
age to that perhaps most interesting Of
all these old landmarks, the mission ol
San Juan Capistrano. Foremost among
the pilgrims were the Very Rev. Father
Adam, Mrs. Jeanne G. Carr, Miss Tessa
L. Kelso and others who have taken q
prominent part in starting the move.
ment to save from utter decay these his
toric places.
The party left Los Angeles at S:15
a. M, via the Southern California surf
line. The ride through the walnut
orchards, orange groves and vineyards
of Rivera, Anaheim and Santa Ana was
pleasant one, and the objective point
of the visit would have been
reached all too soon had not the
interest of the excursionists been
centered so strongly on the relic OF
antiquity they had set out to see. Many
of them had never before gazed upon
the historic ruin, and while some may
have made the trip out of idle curiosity
it was evident that the majority were
imbued with the purpose of seeing with
their own eyes just what condition the
old mission is in, so that they might
the better understand what steps to
take to stay the ravages of time and the
relic-hunter's ruthless hand.
Arrived at Capistrano, the excursion
lists, headed by Father Adam, proceeded
at once to the mission, which is only a
few stones throws from the railway sta
ton. Rev. Father Grogan, the young
priest in charge of the mission, ad-
vanced to meet the visitors and bade
them condial welcome. There was no
time lost in beginning the inspection of
the ruins. Father Adam acted as guide
to one party and Father Grogan to an
other, and under this efficient leader
ship, they soon explored every nook and
corner of the labyrinth of clumbling
adobe. Some of the questions asked by
the eager explorers caused the good
fathers to smile, and would have puz-
zled the most learned antiquarian to an
swer. However, the fathers were very
ready with information, and related
many interesting historical facts, and
explained the uses and purposes for
which each part of the ancient structure
was intended, to the satisfaction and
edifcation of all.
Judge Richard Egan (better known to
| fame as the governor OF the independent
state OF San Juan Capistrano) and Don
| Marco Forster also appeared on the scene
and assisted in the entertainment OF the
visitors.
Halt dozen photographers and one
| or two sketch artists were in the party
and took pictures of the ruins from
every point OF vantage.
The vastness of the old mission and
the uniqueness OF the architecture were
a surprise to many. 1t was found that
the large brick arches in the east and
south sides of the interior courtyard
were still standing almost entire, while
| about one-half OF the north side re-
mains. The front archways to the
main building are also in fair state of
preservation, and the portion still occu-
pied as chapel and residence of the
priest, with its coat OF whitewash, pre-
sents a neat appearance. Of course,
| the main editice that was DESTROYED by
the earthquake in 1912 is almost in
complete decay, but enough remains of
the walls to give fair idea of the char
acter of the, for that time, magnif-
icent structure. The unused rooms OF
the old building have musty, sick
ening smell that is almost sitting.
| The little chapel now in use is sweet
and clean, having been but lately re-
paired and renovated Ancient oil
paintings and statues are scattered
about, as well as furniture and altar
furnishings brought from Spain more
than century ago. There are candel-
| oh Of
emblems of pure gold. The old bells
five in number, one Of them dated l726)
still hang in their places and act as SOL
emn monitors to all in hearing of their
tones, as in the palmy days OF yore.
/ Such. in brief, is the present state of
the mission of San Juan Capistrano.
After a careful inspection, the COM
mittee, Of which Miss Kelso is chair
man, estimated that an outlay OF 5000
would put the old mission in such shape
as to prevent further decay for a long
term of years. 1t is not proposed,
OF course, to restore any part
of it, but merely to furnish
such protection as will prevent the ele-
ments from wearing away the exposed
portions and relic-hunters from carving
away the interesting pile, piecemeal. 4
good beginning has already been made
in this direction. Through the efforts
of Judge Egan asubstantal picket fence
has recently been put around the front
of the mission, and the ruins are TINS
protected from the incursions OF cattle
and vandals.
1t is thought that touch of cement
here and there, and the retiling of the
roof in places, will make all snug against
the weather for years to come.
The people Of San Juan are thorough.
ly in sympathy with the movement, and
promise to donate the labor for any inn
provement that may be contemplated
The California Southern Railway com.
pany has offered to donate a generous
percentage of the proceeds of vester-
days excursion toward the preservation
fund, and it is thought there will be no
difficulty in raising sufficient sum.
A meeting of the executive committee
will be held in due time to formulate
plans, in which the general public will
be invited to participate.
1t is proposed to get up a similar ex.
cursion to San Luis Rey mission ere
long, and to gradually extend the
! work of protection until all of these
historic ruins are insured against
complete obliteration. Bishop Mora
, has promised to encourage the good
work all that lies in his power and
other silent influences have been set in
motion by the agitation recently begun
in this city. 1t is safe to predict that