The herald., 1893-12-13

years ago; this 10 the Carson and Colo
rado, narrow gauge road, connecting
with the Central Pacific road at Reno,
New. From the terminus OF the Carson
and Colorado road in Owens valley to
Reno the distance is 334 miles. From
the same terminus to Mojsve the dis
tance iH but 120 miles. The road to the
north crosses high mountain ranges and
wide expanses OF desert; these obstacles
and the great distance in that direction
from any large city hinder trade and
prevent settlement of the country from
the north. With rail connection to
Los Angeles by way of Mojave, the
cheap land, abundance OF water and fine
climate will ensure the rapid settlement
OF the country. A very little inquiry
at Los Angeles, Pasadena and other
towns in this locality will bring out the
fact that many farmers, and some cap
italists also, are getting ready for rush
to Owens valley early in the coming
spring.
Today Mr.. D. H. Irland, a we'll
known contractor of this city, will start
for Owens valley, to take charge in per-
son Of the work on the big canal. He
has provided large amount of ditching
machinery and other supplies, some to
be sent from this city and from San
Francisco, in addition to the stock al
ready at work. He says 1t may be nec-
essary to employ q good many teams
here, as the number to be had in Owens
valley will not be enough to push the
work as rapidly as required. Mr. Irland
is man of much experience in that
kind Of work, and also of tireless
energy.
Last summer q survey was made for a
railroad from Mojave to Independence.
There is the best Of reason for believing
that work on this road will begin next
spring and will be pushed to completion
as rapidly as the canal. With the open
ing OF this road there will be rush oil
settlers to the lands along the canal and
in Owens valley. Last Saturday even
ing Mr.. Frederick Stack left this city for
London on business connected with the
road and canal. Mr.. Stock is the man.
ager for the men in London who are
backing these enterprises; while he ie
there every detail for carrying the canal
and railway to finish will be COM
pleted; he expects to return here about
March 1st next. In the meantime work
on the canal will be pushed with vigor
The Office of the company is In the
Potomac block, South Broadway. Dur.
ing the absence of Mr.. Stock an agent IL
in charge who is quite familiar with
Owens valley and all the country from
Mojave north.
With Mr.. Irland q party. will leave
this city today for the purpose of build
ing a fine hotel at the south end O
OVENS lake. This will be made an at
tractive reeort. Vast swarms of ducks
geese and other wild fowl frequent tht
lake in winter affording excellent shoot
ing. In summer boating and bathing
will be great attractions; the water il
nearly as dense as Salt Lake, Utah, anc
has valuable medicinal qualities, in ad
dition to being delightful for swimming
in. The most timid need not fear tt
plunge into the water; there is perfec
safety in merely lying still upon th'
water. The hotel will also be the mos
convenient point for tourists to start TO
the ascent of Mount Whitney, and alst
to visit Menache, Kern river canon ant
the whole grand region which is thu
heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Hasty and incomplete as this sketcl
is it will convey some idea OF the exten
and value of the enterprises now goinl
on abou. Los Angeles.