The record-union., 1893-07-26
AT MOUNT SHASTh'S BASE.
A Sacramentan Writes of Castle Crag
and Vicinity.
Vice-President Stevenson and Party
Charmed with that GrandIy
Beautiful Spot.

EDS. RECORD UNION: On arrival at
Castle Crag feeling OF loneliness comes
over you as your gaze fits over the gran
deur OF the crags. the snow-capped
peaks of Shasta and the roaring Sacra-
mento River. Your soul sinks into a
strange, restful spirit as all this grand,
impressive view dazzles your mind, and
causes you to wonder at the sublimity of
nature embellished by the genius of
man.
had labored under the erroneous inn
preston that the Tavern about COM
prised all that was to be seen. There are
so many places of interest, however, that
1t is hard to determine which to enjoy
first Here are only few places that are
near here and worthy OF seeing.
A walk or ride on horseback of three
miles brings you on top of the crags,
when a panorama Is at your feet incom-
parably grand and impressive. Two and
a half miles distant "Shasta View" al
ost excels that of the crags. Five min
utes' walk through beautiful woods and
across rustic bridge brings you to a
spring covered over with a granite pa
CODA whose waters, l venture to say,
will be world-tamed for their curative
properties.
Squaw Creek, eight miles away, is
paradise for the disciples of lsaak Wal
ton, and there are score of other points
OF interest.
Horseback riding is INDUCED in quite
extensively, the many trails making 1t
desirable mode of locomotion. The
horses are strong, agile and safe.
If you prefer a buck board ard q fast
horse, they are procurable. The prices
are very reasonable, as is characteristic of
all departments OF the tavern. The rates
are surprisingly low for a house of this
character. " hen l inquired the rate per
week l nearly tainted at the cheapness.
Most guests faint at the eXtortion OF the
average summer resort landlord.
Nlce-President Stevenson and party
arrived yesterday morning, and the
whole party were loud in their praise Of
the tavern and scenery, and Oh their de-
parture this morning expressed their re-
grets that their stay could not be pro-
longed.
was communing with myself on the
secluded side porch yesterday afternoon,
when the Nice-President and wife and
Judge - took seats nearby. The con-
versation turned on the happiness OF
man living in nature-that is, surround
ing himself by nature, and the Vice
President told a story oil man in Illinois
living on the banks OF a river. and who
was oblivious to the demands of civiliza-
ton, as far as taking an interest in ordi-
nary affairs was concerned. lie was
happy as long as his supply OF catfish was
on hand, and cared not Tor the Ward Me
Anlsters or their opinions, but respected
the rights of his neighbors.
The Judge then told of meeting a lady
down III Southern California whose hus-
band was a great land-hoIder, and in
the conversation he was told that their
income was less than l per cent. The
/.
held on to the lane, was Informed by the
lady that they endeavored to increase
their holdings, and remarked that il
would he nice Tor the children.
The Vice President spoke up and said
that the people OF California were COM
planning of high fares, abusing the rail
road company for all their troubles, and
talking about getting immigration, when
twenty men owned a great part of the
State and would not sell, or those that
would have put prohibitive value on
their land. What the state needs, said
Mr.. Stevenson, is the breaking up the
great ranches, many of them larger than
prlnclpalLles, ana making the price
cheap so as 10 induce immigration. Then,
with the immense resources this Stale
possesses, in few years cities would
spring up where now the only thing seen
is an occasional herd of steers.
Here is advice rom an intelligent,
lease the bonds that are gnawing at our
vitals.
joaquin Miller, accompanied by his
old commander, Captain Gibson, was
guest yesterday. Mr.. Miller and Captain
Gibson were here for the purpose OF Wis
iting the scene OF their old battle-ground.
where many years ago they fought the
Indians. They rode 10 the scene, some
ten miles away, and joaquin Miller will
write a story of the battle. He was in
his characteristic dress and was observed
with interest by all.
Nice-President Stevenson expressed a
desire to meet the poet, and / had the
pleasure of witnessing the meeting. Mr..
Stevenson was extremely gracious to
him, and told him he was honored by the
meeting. He listened to Joaquin's mar
Tative of the fight with the Indians with
marked attention. TO me it was a scene
to be recalled in the future-to witness
the meeting of the Vice President of this
country amid the quiet grandeur of the 81
erras, greeting an old man of genius, pos
sessing all the idiosyncracies of the pio-
neer and whose fame is national.
10 those seeking quiet and pleasure
and health, l commend this glorious
Castle Crag. L. p. BELL.
Castle Crag, Shasta Co., July 9th.