New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
WELCOME RAINS-A LOTTERY EPISODE
BORING FOR OIL.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I


San Francisco, Jan. 25.-The heavy rainstorm
of last week was followed by another storm
which continued for the first three days of this
week These two storms have brought the totai
rainfall Of the season to over one-haf the aver
age As both storms were firm. soaking rains.
the benefit to farmers frult-growers and stock
raisers has been great. Interviews with large
number of wholesale merchants. wheat-growers
and horticulturists show that the rams saved
California from a disastrous season. coming
in this month instead Of December. they nave
done far more good than usual, as lrult tree
buds have not been forced prematurey' Inc
effect Of the rains on business was Immediate
&c thousands of dollars of country orders were
held in this city. conditional upon rain. Inc
,,oroent /, was seen that the rain general
and heavy these orders were filled Inc au-
vance in the price Of wheat. due TO reports vi
shortage in Australia and India. has also en-
couraged farmers, for 1t means an increase Vi
at least 100000 for the California wheat cop
this year.
Contracts have been let for big retail variety
store buildings on Market-st., near stewart ON!
one block from the ferry. This is an lho'"-
ton in business as there is nothing or TINS SORT
at present below Kearney-st. The building VIII
be six stories in height and tie front VIII con-
sist largely of glass and iron
The death Of A. Page Brown, the archl'ec''
after a long illnesss removed one OF 'he aD"S'
and most original mon in his profession on ms
coast. Mr. Brown was the designer OF many
of the best buildings in this city. and at the
Midwinter Fair he showed his genius IN the
Liberal Arts Building. He also did more tnan
any other men to popularze the old Missi' n
architecture which is picturesque ana wei
adapted to California scenery and climate.
The exhibition of the Society of Arts and Crafts
has excited much interest this week. as the
display of posters. prints. newspaper ana maya
zine illustrations and books was large ana IN
cluded many rarites
\ novel suit has been brought here by nus
band to have declared community property seV.
eral pieces of real estate which his wife bought
with a lottery prize For years the wire put
aside certain portion Of her earnings as washer
woman and invested 1t in lottery ucKets Dut
drew nothing. Finally she borrowed dollar
and bought a ticket which won SloooC ms
money she invested in real estate and mas me
deeds recorded in her own name Inc huspaiiu
attempts to secure share OF the property re-
suited In breaking up the fanny. me sun 10
said to be without precedent in this country.
The force of workmen on the Coast Line OF the
southern Pacific Company has been much In
creased this week. and it is expected that con-
nection with Santa Barbara viii be mace neH.
July. The completion OF this line VIII be sIea a
and dust of the San Joaquin Valley In suinhei,
and they drop off at Santa BARBARA anu
Monterey without any extra travel Inc scenery
Of this Coast Line is varied and Deautlul anu
the distance is considerably less. The railroad
company will probably use the new line LOT
through freight as they would thus escape the
heavy grades Tehachap Pass
Next month the Native Sons will dedicate the
finest fraternal society building in Calfornla; IL
Is on Mason-st. between Post and Geary, ana us
features are large and imposing social hall LOT
Ihaa,1
rooms Of the various 'parlors or branches OF
the society The library of the ASSOCIATION Is
rich in early Californiana
Theatricals are very low now, as In Ola hen-
tuckV" at the California Is the chlei attrac'iol'
The Baldwin will remain closed until feDruaiy
g. when the Tavary Opera Company opens
Work has been begun this week on boring TOT
oil near Spanishtown. on Half-Moon bay, ohIy
petroleum has been noticed near this place put II
was not thought that oil existed IN sulncleli'
ouantity TO pay for working. Recent eXpe,i-
ments showed that oil Of high grade couid De
secured near the ocean beach. so that transporta-
lion EXPENSES would be light The oil, II Is saio,
has n paraflne base equal TO the best fehns!i-
yania article If the field yields well the product
will nave marked effect on manufacturing IN
this city.
This week the novel shipment OF 10000 POUNDS
Of hons was made By grain ship bound Tor
amount Of hops that cannot be used mere so una,
an English market for some OF the surplus VIII
he welcomed Eight grain ships lett TINS poTt
Thursday seven being bound FOR England Inc!
had been bar-bound by the great storm some OF
them an entire week.