The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-25

Among the many episodes that have
taken their places on the annals of
Sacramento's quiet existence, one has
lately occurred that is equal in rela-
tive degree of interest to the olden tale
of Rip Van Wrinkle and his century of
sleep, during which changes We're
wrought in his old town that made it
difficult for him to recognize it as his
native place when he finally awoke.
The absentee in this case is J. NJ.
Chamberlain of Bath, N. Y. who, after
an absence of forty-six years. has re-
turned to Sacramento and is visiting
his nephew, Wilbur f. Smith of this
city. He had never seen his nephews,
who are the children of his dead sister,
and was moved to tears at the meet
ing. Mr.. Chamberlain tells an interest
ing story Of early days, and Sacra-
mento's prospects at that time. He
came to California Immediately on the
breaking out of the Gold Fever,
crossing the plains in the good, old
fashioned way we read about, in wag
ons drawn by oxen, arriving here Aug
ust %, 1S49. He was one of the first to
mine in Grass Valley, and came to
Sacramento during that winter. The
town was at that time, says Mr.. Cham
berlain, in a marsh, subject to contin-
ual overflow from freshets in the rainy
season. It was his idea at that time
that it was futile to attempt to eStab-
lish a town here, SuttervilIe being, in
his mind, a much safer location to es-
tablish permanently a townsite. Hotels
were not plentiful in those days, and
sleeping accommodations were at a
premium, so it happened that when the
first Methodist Church was built in this
city, Mr.. Chamberlain slept among the
timbers for lack of better accommoda-
ton. He stayed in California about
two years, leaving the Golden State in
1871, and has not visited it since. One
can imagine the surprises which must
greet him on every side after all these
years Of absence, amounting to nearly
half a century. Sacramento has in the
interim passed from infancy to matu-
rity. She is well out of her sWaddling
clothes and has become an established
fact, too tangible to be set aside. The
levee system, which has deeply inter-
ested Mr.. Chamberlain, has secured us
against floods, and commodious homes
have sprung up amidst beautiful gar
dens, imposing public buildings and.
above all, the stately Capitol, with it's
lovely park all of which make the wan
derer open his eyes with astonishment
almost as great as that of Rip Van
Wrinkle himself. A native of Bath. n.
Y, Mr.. Chamberlain still makes his
home there. although for his health's
sake he spends his winters in Florida.
He has amassed a fortune of no small
proportions and has it we'll invested in
New York, North Carolina, Georgia and
Florida. His nephew, Mr. Smith, is
taking great pleasure in pointing out
TO the pioneer the many changes which
the last half-century have wrought in
the now lovely Capital of California
=
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Parker. accom-
panied by Mrs Parker's mother and
sister, Mrs. Miller and Miss Rose Mil
Ter, have gone to Pacific Grove, Mon
terey. for a month
Bishop Wingfield of the Episcopal Di-
ocese of Northern California, who was
in so critical a condition from a para
lytic stroke, has improved to the ex-
tent of recovered speech. and is able to
walk around a little He is. however
unable to attend to his diocesan duties.
which are now being looked after by
Bishop Graves.
Inc pure-Water question has been at
tackled from a new quarter, and in the
case under consideration has been made
to assume a slightly different aspect
than it has ever before worn in the eyes
of the pure water advocates. A little
miss, who, with her mother, is visiting
friends on o street in this city. had
occasion one day last week for her bath.
and when her mother had everything
ready she called her little daughter. At
the first sight of the contents of the
bath tub the little lady very unexpect-
eddy showed signs of rebellion. WHY.
baby, what is the matter?" INQUIRED
her mother. anxiously, don't you want
your nice bath?'' "Ye-es," replied the
child, hesitating1y, but I don't want
a cream colored bath, mammal" How
the. compromise was finally effected
history sayeth not.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Duffy of Montana
have been visiting Mr. Duffy's mother
for some weeks past. Mr.. Duffy is
former resident of Sacramento, native
son, and viii be remembered by a large
circle Of friends here. He is now
prominent lawyer in Montana, where