Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-15
LOOK Al THE PAST
A Fifteen Days Itinerary Over
a Great Railroad System
IHRo' CALIFORNIA TO OREGON
Picturesque Scenery and Beautiful Cities.
Portland. Oregon, the Metropolis
Of the Great West.
fLkrrER xxxvlf. !

common estimation OF she people Oh
the United States. Ii can only be APP
preciated by persons of middle age or
past, who eau distinctly remember
when single line across the great con-
tinent was only vague dream in the
future. The Southern Pacific system,
which has absorbed the Central Pacific.
the western section Of the first line
across the continent, together with
nearly all the roads III Central aud
Northern California. has . through
line from San Francisco TO the Gulf
city. New Orlea ans. 8 total OF over 5000
miles of track. The people of Central
California complain that the Southern
Pacific is monopoly, which Expresses
the people aAd retards the develop
ment and prosperity of the country by
extortlonate freight and passenger
rates. Possibly there may be some
truth and justice III this complaint,
but anybody that travels over these
railroads leading to and through
California, with open eyes and thought
full minds and careful observers,
taking notice of the long stretches of
unln habited and uninhabltable country
through which they run and where
there IS no local traffic Whatever, must
realize that rates cannot be as low as
on eastern roads, if operating expenses
are To be paid and profit made by
| stock holders on their investment.
| San Francisco has but one railroad +,
| and its connections by boat across the
| bay affords no competition, as the
| Southern Pacific company owns all the
lines which touch the bay and have
| eastern connection.
GrOundiess Complaints.
San Francisco complains bitterly, of
course, but it Is not likely that q
through line to the east would pay any
profit to those who might invest
money IN 1t. and If the Pacific coast
metropolis wants such road, the city
or Its people will probably have to put
their hands deep into their pockets and
literally aid II.
That the Southern Pacific is an ex-
cellent and we'll managed road the
delegates to the national editorial con-
ventlon can testify. Our cars travelled
| for several weeks over the Southern
| Pacific lines, and our comforts and
| conveniences were continually con-
suited and regarded.
| Taking the Southern Pacific lines at
Los Angeles, our cars were transported
over them In two special trains, taking
us to all important cities and towns
in southern, central, western and
northern California.
A large portion of the Southern
Pacific lines IN California lie through
| territory sufficiently beautiful and
| picturesque to render trip over them
delightful for that reason alone. After
| crossing the San Bernardlno range Of
mountains from Los Angeles north
ward, with some intervening desert
country, the broad valley OF the San
Joaquin river is reached, with the
Sierra Nevada mountains for q back
ground to the eastward, and the Cast
range to the northward. Lake Tulare
lies in this valley. and out of it, north
of Fresno, lies the road to the wonder
full Yosemite valley.
All the country lying between Mon
terey and San Francisco is picturesque,
and san Jose, the principal city of that
section, lies IN q valley of great beauty
and fertility, and its resemblance to
mucn of our central states prairie land
renders 1t very interesting. North Of
San Francisco, in the coast range, there
are many valleys of great beauty and
fertility, Santa Rosa being the gem OF
that section.
a Beautiful Route.
Many claims are made for grea'
scenic routes by roads that cross the
country at various points Of the com
pass, but none of them exceed IL
variety and beauty the line of the
Southern Pacific from California
capital. Sacramento, to OregOn's metro
polls, Portland. For one hundred and
nifty miles north of Sacramento it runs
through the broad valley Of the Sacra
mento, along the Sacramento river, &
rich agricultural region, with orchards
, and gram fields Of almost limitless ex
tent. Gradually the valley narrows
and glimpses of the great Shasta snow
covered mountain domes give motto,
of approach to the head waters O
Calf rnia's great river, which rises a
, the foot of its greatest mountain. Fu
: over one hundred miles the road fol
lows the windlngs of the upper Sacra
mento. which flows and tumble
tumultu usly over cliffs aud rocks anc
; great boulders, clear as crystal, bu
here We halt for words of description
: Final y, by a look which brings tn
track on tue mountain side, over
hundred feet above the point where /
l turned out of the valley, California
+, brautiful river Is left behind. A hun
T dred rlvuIets from charming nook
: pour down the Shasta mountain aide
! which whispered to US asweetfarewell
But we were still IN view after a tel
{ hours ride, and the scenery along til
, Southern Pacific north OF the creates
. California mountain Is scarcely les
: picturesque than that south OF
Lovers of beautiful. picturesque seer
: eTv VINO visit the Pacific coast will ms
. some OF the finest scenery IN the worl
. If they fail 20 take daylight ride owe
the southern Pacific. "Shasta route.
> The trip OF the y. r. A. over the
. p. lines through California WAS unje
= the care and direction Of Maj. ". |
Knight, travelling passenger agent @
the road, who acc mpsnied the part
= continuously and VINO gave such after
: ton aud direction IN detail necessar
for the fullest enjoyment Of the party
Everything was done Tor our cosnf0T
: and enjoyment and t. enable ia 10 se
. the country traveFsed and places VS.
: ted 20 the very best advantage
r We All unite N Say ny the Soutner
r Pacific company has treated the \. ;
A. with the greatest courtesy and IN
2 crafty, and "a emitted To the kinde'
q and wsTaesr expression OF spprec.s
ton, both individually and coliectivei,
II = great al. trsversiug wendei
ful country. it, construction snd 81
GRAFTON Teiiecs great credit upon a.
who have part therein. G. q. :.