The herald., 1897-05-24

About two years ago this company
leased 2400 acres Of land from the Pick
ering Land and Water company, but it
was only about year ago that the work
Of developing their oil field was begun.
Since December, 1896, work has been Wig
orously pushed and with most satisfac-
tory results. Many of the other compan-
les operating in the district are working
under sub-leases from the Central Oil
company. They lease in quantities to
suit, on very advantageous terms, and
lit is predicted that many fortunes will
be quickly made in this rich and promis-
ing oil belt. In fact, we know of no
brighter prospect for quick returns on
a moderate amount Of capital than in
operating in the Whittier oil fields.
Another important industry at Whit
tier is that Of fruit and vegetable can
ming. Such Is the nature of the soil and
climate in and around Whittier that the
cannery established there may operate
continuously throughout every month in
the year. This may be understood when
1t Is known that 1t is common sight
to see farmers picking pears in January
The Whittier cannery at times gives
employment to as many as 500 hands.
uc OQlPut lHCluQcS all hlIuS VI canned
fruits, vegetables. peas. ETC., as also
jellies and jams. A vinegar and pickle
department is soon to be added to the
establishment. During busy seasons
this establishment distributes as high
as $4,000 to $4,000 per month in Whittier.
Near the cannery is located the Whit
tier feed and planning mills, which are
operated throughout the year, doing a
large amount of custom work and turn
ing out an excellent quality Of cornmeal
and other millstuffs.
The people of Whittier are always
proud of the Friends college, established
in Whittier in 1891 as an academy, by
the Whittier Educational association.
Young men and women are admitted on
the same terms and pursue the same
lines of work. No special courses are
provided for either sex, and they are
instructed in the same classes except
in physical training. In accordance with
the original purpose of the founders, re-
ligious influences within the academy
are of the most positive character and in
harmony with the Evangelical Chris
tian doctrines. While the academy is
identified with the Friends church, and
of the children of that church in Cali
fornia, all worthy students are ad-
mitted on the same terms, and no prose-
lyting influences are exerted either di
rectly or indirectly. The academy is in
a prosperous condition.
Whittier has one banking Institution,
the Bank Of Whittier, of which ]. NJ
Marble is president, w. Hadley cashier
and G. E. Little is assistant cashier.
One of the features of Whittier which
always attracts the attention of the Wis
itor is the pampas plume plantation
of Mrs. H. w. r. Strong. Her planta-
tion embraces 220 acres on the southern
slope of the Puente hills, in the suburbs
of Whittier, originally owned by ex-
Gov. Pho Pico. Nine years ago Mrs.
Strong planted pampas grass between
the rows of walnut trees, and in 1889
marketed 134, 900 plumes at from $50 to
$50 per 1000. In 1890 she marketed $780,
900 plumes, while last years shipments
amounted to 100000 plumes. These
plumes are used for house and wall
decorations, and new uses and designs
are continually developing. Mrs. Strong
has also $50 acres planted to walnuts,
and it Is between twenty-eight acres of
the rows of walnuts that she has planted
the pampas grass. She made two ma
tional emblems for the Republican and
Democratic parties, and presented one
to the chairman of each Republican
delegation last year, and when President
Mckinley was nominated the enthusi-
asm was unbounded as the members
arose to their feet and shouted, waving
aloft thousands of plumes.
Near Whittier Is an orchard Of $50
acres of walnuts. The great walnut
belt of this section, however, lies in the
vicinity of Los Nietos, about three
miles west of Whittier proper. Here
one finds hundreds of acres planted to
walnuts, which yield abundantly and
give riches to the fortunate owners.
Most of the walnut crop is handled and
marketed by an association which lax
year shipped from Whittier and Los
Nietos 100000 worth to the various mar
kets. Aside from this about $50, 900 worth
was shipped by individual growers.
The land in and about Whittier, East
Whittier and Los Nietos is so produc-
tive and everything grows so luxuriant-
ly that almost all persons engaged in
horticulture or agriculture proper are
abundantly content with their lot in life.
Whittier Notes
Mr.. Stevens sold his entire tomato