The herald., 1896-02-26
LANDMARKS CLUB MEETS
Gave an Entertainment Ia Behalf OF the
Organization Last Evening
Lecture on Southern California f1issions With
stereopticon Views Of the Buildings
and Other Landmarks s-Detatis


F. Lummis is president. gave very de-
lightful entertainment to the public in the
Friday Morning club room last evening for
the purpose of arousing an interest in this
section to the need Of preserving the old
landmarks of California, particularly the
old mission buildings of the southern part
of the state.
Mr.. Lummis made the opening remarks
In which he stated the object of the club,
which was the systematic and perIpanent
preservation of the historic remains, monu-
ments and landmarks of Southern Califor.
MIA to arrest them from decay and to per.
petuate them as mark of the first civili-
zatiop of the Pacific coast and as tokens OF
a romantic and picturesque past. He said
no exhortatiou should be needle to awaken
an interest among the people of California
in their Inheritance of these treasures OF
history and romance or to perpetuate for
their children and children's children these
monuments of human faith and zeal.
Further Mr.. Lummis recounted the short
history of this recent reorganization of the
Landmarks club and of its growth during
the three months of it's existence. He also
invited all those interested in its welfare to
become members or assist in it's progress.
The entertainment consisted of a charm.
ing essay on Sou hern California Missions,
written by Anna c. Murphy of the state
board of education of Sacramento and
read by Mrs. Margaret Collier Graham.
During the time of the reading stereopticon
views were given by Wilson Of Los Ange.
les of the missions described, showing
many sides and sections, with interior dec
ora,ions as we'll as surrounding beauties,
the main object being to give an impress
sion of the ruins of the buildings in the
various stages of crumbling and decay into
which they are falling.
These views, besides numerous others
were very fine. The audience WAS not
large, and it was a matter for regret that
the pictures, which looked like large, beau
tiful sepia drawings. az we'll as the inter.
esting lecture giving running descriptions
of them, received the appreciation of so
few.
In reference to the first mission build
ings, Mrs. Graham read most interesting
description of the primitive methods of
construction; that the friars who had como
over from Spain as early a. 1859 found
nothing but brush and Indians with their
huts, and that with no further assistance
than what nature provided. the earth itself
was sought for clay and lime, the forest
for beams, and the rivers and streams for
ater for the buildings. With these ma
terials in the hands OF the untutored ma
tives habltations were made that reared
new Croeu anu q ueW AIIo IOC tllOSo raw
children of nature.
The Oldest mission. San Diego, or the
mother mission, was described as the
crudest, architecturally, and now in a
hopeless age of decay, it's historic associ-
ations and remnants today marking the
boundaries of a sheep fold.
OF all the missions contained in the pa
per San Juan ,Capistrano, San Luis Rey
and San Fernando were reviewed as the
finest architecturally, and in connection
with San Juan. which was noted as first in
accessibility, need of repairs and architect
ural value, very entertaining descriptions
were given of the village life OF the Indians
that clustered about it's sides, and of the
uses of the building itself, which was not
only place of conservation. but cont aimed
quarters for the soldiers and many guest
chambers in its living rooms. The guest
chambers were particularly mentioned, for
in them were entertained all travellers and
wayfarers, friends or foes; many poor and
needy sojourners frequently finding there.
in a piece of silver and at their departure
fresh horse instead of jaded one to help
them on their way. In those times the
greatest slight to hospitality WAS to pass
beyond it's walls without entering for re-
fre.hment or rest.
Descriptions we're given of the shops of
the Indians about the mission building and
Of the compartments where the women
carded and spun their wool. Also Of the
courts, wherein all serenades we're held,
from bull fights to crude miracle plays.
"Then we're the days of Arcadia," said
the writer; ''aroInd them cluster beautiful
legends of history and romance, and with
all come the pictures of the faithful priests
who journeyed from mission to mission,
frequently distances of 1900 miles, foot
sore and weary, to minister to their flock"