Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-25
THROUGH THE FAR WEST.
The Long and Interesting Tour En-
ioyed by a Young Delawarean.

A Journey of Over 4. 900 Miles. Through
Many States and Territories sights and
Scenes In California Delaware the Best
State, After An.
John II. Griffith, formerly of the Union
News Company, has returned from an ex-
tended trim To California and the west.
Mr., Grifith left here in Scptem ber 1880,
and has since travelled through the states
of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia,
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas,
Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado Nevada,
California, Texas, Arkansas and Utah,
and New Mexico, Arizona and Indian
Territories.
Mr.. Griffith has kent record of his
travels Since he left here in 1890, and
which shows that he has travelled l2,52l
miles. While in California he visited the
wOrld-renowned big trees in the noun
tains, the largest of which is LOG feet in
circumference, and over 800 feet high.
This tree is named General Grant and is
situated IN a grove of several hundred
trees, which are set off as a national park
General Grant National Park and to re.
main as such forever. In the park are
other famous trees named as Follows ,
General Garfield. Sherman, Cleveland,
General Washington, Lady Washington,
General Lee. Twin Sisters and Happy
FAMILY, all of which are from 10 to 50 feet
IN diameter and over 300 feet high The
bark on the trees grows to be very thick,
ana the largest piece ever found is 30 in
ches thick.
While in the park Mr.. Griffith walked
through a fallen tree that has been burned
out and the hollow resembles q railroad
tunnel. For a distance of 10 feet d person
can walk through without touching the
top. AT the butt Of the tree the hollow
measures 10 feet in diameter, and man
OH horseback can ride in for quite II dis
lance aud then ride out at Il knot hole that
has been burned out
Mr.. Griffith has brought back with him
quite lot OF photographs aud pieces of
wood and bark of the trees, also a cOler
ton of minerals and other curiositeS from
the West Mr. Grittith'S health was very
poor in California during the summer
months, on account OF the malaria and
chills.
Having seen their great fruit orchards
and tasted tho fruit, he is of the opinion
that Delaware can beat California III grow
ing all Kinds OF fruit, except grapes, april
cots, pruncs and figs. as their fruit has not
the flavor that our ftuit has, although IL
has Il much finer appearance. The grapes
raised there are very fine and are used in
making wine and for raisins. The largest
vineyard in the state, or probably in the
world, is the "Luccrnen in Tulare county
and covers 40 acres.
The climate of California is very fine
| during the winter months and the coolest
| temperature Mr. Griffith ever experienced
was 29o abuYe zero Bit the summers arc
| very warm and dry. and the thermometer
| often reaches l5e and 1902 IN the shade
| The heat does not have the effect that
| 1t does here, as the atmosphere is dry
aud pure on account of having no rain in
thc summer from May until September.
After having Travelled nearly all oyerthc
| Union, Mr.. griffith thinks we of Delaware
| have about the finest climate and country
10 be found anywhere, and lie was very
| glad to get back TO civilizations and among
friends
While on the way home MIR. Griffith
stopped and visited the Worlds Fair at
| Chicago. But the exhibits were not all
there, and some OF the buildings not near
com pletcd.
Coming through Arizona and New Mex.
leo, Mr.. Griffith had the pleasure OF seeing
the ancient cliff dwellings and Indian vii
lagos. with their odd and curious houses
The Indians are in an advanced state of
civilization, and have large farms and
orchards, which they seem to take a great
interest in, cultvating the soil and raising
fruits. Mr.. Griffith travelled over 900
miles while coming through the Lone star
state which covers an area Of over 265. OOI
square miles and contains LOO counties
While coming through the state the farm.
erS we're to be seen putting in their cotton
crop
Mr.. Griffith Is the guest of Mr. Robert
irwin at the Union News stand aud after
visiting friends and relatives in Whining
ton, will visit his parents at Pennington,
where lie expects to remain this year.