The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-12
NILES is AT WORK
Almond Blossom Day at
the Fair.
One of the Prettiest Portions of
Alameda County to Show the
State What Ii Can Do.

Two weeks from to-day. on Saturday,
March 3, Niles proposes to show to all
visitors 10 the Midwinter Fair one of her
richest products. She proposes to make
the display in a most artistic manner She
intends. in fact, 10 make Niles almond
blossom day a notable one in the history
If the fair. Almond trees are the first to
flower and the last to ripen their fruit
seems TO be law. Apples flower early
and ripen late, cherries blossom late and
ripen early.
Mrs. G. b. Overacker. who is an artist
in floral decorations, succeeded in obtain
ing the promise of the day from our coun-
Mrs. Thane have arranged several enter
tainments TO raise the necessary funds,
and Will use every Legitimate meaps 10
make the dav a great success. The entire
Alameda County building will be turned
over to the ladies. who will decorate it
entirely with almond blossoms, carloads
OF which have already been donated by
almoDd-growers. Almond blossom sOuve-
Mrs are to be provided for guests; an or
chestra will give suitable selections duIiDg
the afternoon, and other attractions will
be arranged.
Niles will be the first town in the State
to make local exhibit, to make an es-
peclal day, and it is suitable thing, as
she is first In several things and lies in a
valley that can claim sever al of the first in
dustres OF the State also. She is first in
the annual yield of almonds. according to
her acreage, has the first aqueduct ever
built In the State for any purpose. 1t is
OF stone, built by the late General Vallejo
for his fiourmill. Boh still exist, the old
mill last falling to decay, and the sque-
Guct, which has become part of tne
Spring Valley Water COmpany's system.
In this valley the first wheat ever raised
and ground iGtO -four was grown. The
first vegetables and fruits were also grown
here for the San Francisco markets. In
this valley dozen or more families settled
who arrived in San Francisco on the first
ship I'll cannot recall the name) which
entered the harbOr after the American flag
was raised. Many of them still live, and
their sons and daughters are still heavy
landowners. One OF these old pioneers
was Joseph Nichols, who assisted Ia build
ing the first SchoolhOuse in San Francisco.
and who was also one OF the first trustees.
Martin Nichols. his eldest son, lives in
Niles and claims to be the oldest native
son OF American parents-his claim is
doubtless just. TIE first farming tools
were brought by others in this ship and
used in this valley. But TO bring us back
to almonds; the first almonds were sent
from Miles to San Francisco markets way
back In the early fifties, by Daniel San
born, who realized q and 80 cents pound.
AS rule Alameda County is in the
cad when anything demanding public
spirit Is needed, and Niles is ready to add
her mite. But somehow there was so
much dissatisfaction last year all through
this part of the county concerning the ex-
pense OF the exhibit in Chicago, and its
qualify, that people generally were IN
willing to do anything. In fact, it was
impossible to DO anything. No arrange
ments were made tossecure display until
after the fruit season was over; then, as
matter OF course, itiwas too late, hence
tie action Niles is now taking to assist the
county 10 draw attention to the unlimited
resources which she possesses.
Another one Of the first things is the
Alvarado sugar factory, which has been
In existence over 20 years. 1t is the only
factory and refinery In the State and is evil
IDENTIFY successful. The recent changes in
the bounty question do not seem to have
made any difference in its plans. The
superintendent has signed a contract to
take oeefS from $50 acres in Pleasanton
within week IN addition to the usual
quantity contracted for each season.
Last tuesday evening the first entertain
ment arranged to raise funds for miles
Almond Blossom day" was given, and was
decided success. A champion tourna-
lnent whist game was given in the large
new barn just built by Joseph Tyson.
Tickets were sold and everybody bought
literally. Twenty tables of players turned
out to compete for the prizes which were
handsome lambs, won by Mrs. Ernest
Southwick and d. r. Hunt of Niles The
BOBBY prZes were won by Miss Riley and
Mr. Halves Goth fine players) of Center.
vile. and created a great deal of merri-
ment. Late in the evening elegant re-
freshments which were donated by the
Ladies' Guild were served. The ladies'
cleared Si5. This evening an impromptu
dance is to be given in the same place, the
proceeds to be devoted to the same pur-
pose. A great deal of enthusiasm is being
manifested. and all are working to make
March 3 day to be remembered.
MRS. j. E. THANE.
Niles. Feb. IL, 1894.