Mesa free press. [volume] (Mesa, Ariz.) 1892-1901, 1897-12-24
PACIFIC COAST NEWS
Important Information Gathered
Around the Coast.
ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST.
A Summary of Late Events That Are
Boiled Down to Suit our Busy
Readers.

There are only two disengaged wheat
ships in San Francisco, and their agents
are holding out for 35-shilling freight.
The Lick observatory eclipse expedi-
tion from San Francisco has arrived at
Bombay and will proceed inland to the
observation station.
An invitation engraved on a slab OF
gold quartz will be sent to President
Mckinley asking him to attend Califor-
MAS golden jubilee.
1t has been decided to lay a cable
from San Francisco to the Hawaiian
islands near Honolulu, and extensions
from the islands will be made to Japan
and Australia.
At Seattle in the federal court Judge
Hanford awarded two passengers who
started to Alaska last Septem Der on the
Eugene $500 damages each against the
owners of the steamer for their failure
to land them at Dawson.
Citizens of Portland are subscribing
with lavish hand to the Kolndkie relief
fund. Portland alone will donate not
less than 100, 900 tons of food. Hearty
contributions are expected from interior
cities. People are enthusiastic, and
await with eagerness Congressional
action.
Fred R. Haskin, part proprietor of the
Sierra Madre hotel, lost his life in a
tragic and disgraceful manner at Mon
ro7ia, O'Clock Sunday.morning. Has
kin was confined. in the town .calaboose
for drunkenness. At the hour named
neigh bors were aroused by shouts and
/ the little wooden Jail was found to be
on fire. The door could not be forced
open, however, and the structure was
burned with it's human occupant. The
face of the dead man was charred be-
yond recognition.
Owing to the rapid development OF
the oil industry at Summerland, in
Santa Barbara county, it has been found
necessary to undertake the construc-
ton of a dock at that place, so that the
product of the oil fields may be shipped
to San Francisco by water. Oil can be
delivered in San Francisco for IA cents
per BARREL freight, against 81 cents, the
rate now charged by the railroad. A
company has been formed under the til
tie of The Enterprise Oil and Mining
company, which has as it's main object
the building of pier.
The municipal election at Ventura
resulted in hot contest. Five candi-
dates were in the field for the office OF
marshal, and there was a hot fight to
slaughter ]. M. Kaiser, the successful
candidate. j. F. Newly, for many
years town clerk, was reelected. The
trustees were: Banker J..S. Collins, A.
Badgley. S. L. Shaw, R. G. Sudden and
T. L. Lewis. The proposition of reor-
ganization for the adoption of a new
charter received the greatest vote, but
has doubtless been lost, owing to the
failure of many to vote--on the question,
as it requires majority of all the votes
cast.
| Redlands is experiencing a veritable
building boom, Interpretations embrace
ing many styles of ediices, from the
fine public library building, which is
being erected through the generosity of
Albert K. Smiley, to scores of modern
cottages. Work on the library was be-
gun some weeks ago, and since Mr..
Smiley's recent return from the East it
has been pushed with renewed vigor.
The foundation walls are completed and
the floor joists laid The building will
cost not less than $50, 1000, and will prob
ably be the finest OF it's kind west of the
Rockies. The site is commanding one
at the intersection of Fourth and Vine
streets, overlooking the business section
of town and surrounded by spacious
grounds. The architecture will be of
the Mission style, and the building will
be of brick, with trimmings of San Jose
stone, and tile roof. It will be L.
shaped, and at the intersection of the
two wings there will be tower sur
mounted by dome fifty feet high. The
interior will be fitted up with oak, pam
eled ceilings, ETC., and the building will
be heated with steam and lighted by gas
and electricity. 1t will be called the
Smiley Library, and will prove a last
ing memorial to the Smiley family,
who have done so much for Redlands.
Their names will be engraved in stone
shield surmounting the main entrance.
TIMES AND MINING.