The San Francisco call., 1897-10-03

rort larger and finer crop than was ever
raised in that territory. A great deal of
this success is due to the perseverance and
active work of San Francisco's old time
blind politician, Chris Buckley.
The same attention to detail, force of
character, indomitable pluck and cease
less application that characterized Buck
ley in the paImy days of his political
reign have during the past five years been
directed toward the improvement of Liv-
ermore Valley. and by his individual eff.
forts the value OF the district has been ma
terially increased.
The vineyardists OF the valley look to
Chris Buckley as their natural leader
Very few of them ever heard of their
neigh Dor as politician, but all know him
as an indeiatigable vineyardist. His ad-
vice is sought on all matters connected
with grape growing and he is sufficiently
versed to be depended upon as an author
ity. Everybody with whom he associ ates
is led to wonder what Buckley might have
been had he not been robbed OF his sight.
About six years ago VIII en- he decided to
quit the giddy arena of San Francisco
politics and retire to his beautiful home
and vineyard, Ravenswood, Chris Buck
ley resolved to devote the remainder of
his lie to the upbuilding of LveTmore
Valley. According to the opinions of his
neigh bors, he has gone long way toward
the fulillment of his resolution.
81 have. l think, thoroughly mastered
much of the d ffieulty of grape growing
in this valley" said Mr.. Buckley this
week. Il have gone deeply into all de-
tails of soils aEd vines and scales, and
have been able to bring about some
changes that have materially advanced
the quality OF the grapes and of the wine
l have worked with the vineyardist. all
around me and l think that we have been
OF mutual beneht to each other. i take
great pleasure in looking after nv. vine
yard. In fact, next to my home, Idelignt
more than anything else TO De among the
vines. l have long thought that wine
growing could only be made profitable bv
organ cation, and this last summer we
nave succeeded in periecting an organiza-
ton among our growers thst has guar
anteed to them the best prices tney could
hope to receive. think now that all the
growers in the valley are of one mind,
and see that their only safeguard consists
in working together"
Chris Buckley IS as truly the lord of
LIvermore as be ever was the Dem ocratic
boss OF San Francisco. His natural uuali-
ties as leader rapidly attracted toward
him the confidence OF his sfellow-vineyard-
lists, and he has striven urselfishIy to BEN
eft, not only himself, but everybody
around him. Should any of the old politi-
cal scandals of Buckley be now circulated
in Livermofe Valley, the author of them
would be in danger of being lynched
Occasionally remniscence of former
times is furnished when a few San Fran
cisco politicians are seen driving up the
long approach to Ravenswood, but they
are simply going 10 pass few pleasant
hours with the lord of the valley, and ii
politics IS discussed, it is only as pas
lime, ana not as a business.
Mrs. Buckley is her blind husbands
faithful partner in every thing that he
does. She reads to him every thing he de-
sires to hear, attends TO his CORES pond
ence, and in addition 10 her own duties
does that share of her husband which he