The herald., 1895-07-14

IN waking olStauce OF the colony. This
was not so easy as it seemed, and the
dust-laden roads did not at all encourage
the suggestion that the excursion be of
pedestrian nature. After skirmishing
around town for some time found q
friend who offered to drive me out to P la
centia. as the region wherein the colony
Is planted is called.
The drive cwas q pretty one. Out
through the orange groves we went, pas.
farm house and orchard, the air odorous
with the perfume OF the golden fruit, to
where they told me existed tho darkest
blot upon the civilization OF Southern
California. The town of Piacentia is
sparsely settled and the houses are not.
as rule, Of large size. The soil is very
productive where irrigation is resorted to,
and this is made possible by the enter
prise OF the Anahsim Union Water com.
pany, which brings large stream from
the foothills some sixteen miles.from Full
ierton. Most Of the ranchers own more
or less stock in the company and ara thus
enabled to keep their trees in excsllent
bearing condition.
Mr.. Tuffree Talks
Ny conductor took me TO the house Of
Mr.. Tuffres, whose residence is close to
the communists colony. This gentle.
man was at homo when we arrived, and
| on learning my errand greeted roe with
much cordiality. In appearance he is
typical Ensl,shman, with gray side
whiskers aud mustacbe. His age 1 took
70 be abont 81, and it was evident from
his 6gure that ths good things of life had
not entirely boon denied him.
On the subject OF the colonists he was
intensely bitter, and readily gave an &C.
| curats account OF their doings in connec-
tion with himself. Said he, during the
| conservation:
Some time ago this man Hinde who
is the leader Of the organization made
overtures to Thomas Strain and SO pur-
suaded him that he was about to join
them. At that time Strain was possessed
of considerable property and in entering
the colony would have turned it all into
the common fund. Mrs. Strain was IN.
cluded in the word property understand,
and when consulted about it created quite
q commotIon and refused to become a
party to the transaction.
"Strain would probably have compelled
her to submit eventually but by lucky
chance his brother. Hugh Strain, heard
Of the infamous proposition and came to
Placentia. filled with a righteous indg.
nation. He came to my place and stopped
few weeks while arranging matters and
in this way l became one of the partici-
pants in the tronble that followed.
"Young Strain was, as have said
much incensed at the course about to be
taken BY his brother and sware that he
would prevent it. He drove over to the
Hinde pIa,e in company with myself and
Mrs. STRAIN in an endeavof to see Thales,
the advance agent of the colony, as ne
,night be termed but that worthy could
not be found. We started for town and
| on the way encountered the object Of our
| search.
"Thales was returning alone In a buggy
and refused to stop when requested. Mrs.
Strain. however, jumped from our vehicle,
and grasping his horses bride, brought
him to = standstill. She then demanded
to know something of the rules ana regu-
lations that would have applied to herself
had she Joined the colony. Thales refused
to divulgs anything and was SO lnsolent
in his demeanor that Hugh Strain could
hardly restrain himself, and leaping from
the buggy picked up broken shovel
handle and would have Drained the fel-
low had not held him.
Then l told Thales that il he did not
answer Mrs. Strains question, 1 would
allow young Strain to wreak his veng.
eance upon him to his hearts convent.
This had the effect anticipated, and un-
sealed Thales' lips In . most effectual
manner.
with regard to Mrs. Strains social
and moral position, should she join the
colony, Thales said that she would be
common property, equally as much as the
goods and if the spirits directed her to
become the spouse OF another man she
would have to comply.
Having obtained the information we
desired. we allowed him to depart, and
saw him drive in roundabout way un-
doubtsdly to intercept Strain himself in
order to recite to him the occurrences of
the day. Later Strain agreed to comply
with some of his brothers. demands, and
provide both for the sustenance of his
wife and tho clothing and educating of
his children. Strain loft shortly after
this was settled and is now in England.
With regard to the character OF the COL
ony. Mr.. Tuffree said: II don't believe
tnat there is another section in the state
of California that would permit 1t to
exist. 1t is a shame that such things
should continue. and I. for one, am heart
lily in favor Of decorating Strain with a
coat of tar and feathers. in return for the
infamous treatment ne has accorded to
his wife. and Mr.. Tuffree looked as If
he meant every word he uttered, as be
| emphatically gave this opinion.
The return to Fullerton was quickly &C.
| ccmplishsd and was made over the same
road. At 8 o'clock I was at my hotel and
prepared to put in good nights rest. for
the next day thought would require all
the energy of the mind and body.
The next morning after breakfast
visited g. Amerige, the proprietor of the
st. George botel. This gentleman en-
phatically re-echoed the words of Tuffree
and advised me to make arrangements
with sumo of the immediate neighbors
of the Faithists and to remain at Placen-
| tia during my investigation. This had
already determined to do, and by ques-
7 tioning Mr.. Amerige soon saw that by
reason Of the existing prejudices l need
not fear betrayal from any Of those who
| lived in the Vicinity of the colony. He
| told me that a Mr.. O'Crothers would be a
| good man for my purpose and I accord
ingiy set out to find him.
| Crothers was soon brought to light and
after q short conversation reforred me to
Mr.. McFadden as one who could afford