Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-06-30
A Letter From Rev. KreIl.
Company k DIST Kest. la. Vol, Camp Merritt,


Company X 5ist Regt. la Vol Camp Merritt,
san francisco, Cal, June IL 9S.
Perhaps description OF some OF the objects
OF interest to the soldier boys will not be out of
place. just south ef our camp is very large
hill called Calvary Mountain" It is in the
Catholic cemetery On the top is n large cross.
This attracts the trst attention of all visitors
From this place magnificent View of the sur
rounding country is had. beautiful birds-eye
view of the whole of Camp Merritt which now
tcontains over 10000 men is had.
To the west and south west is the Pacific ocean
and to the north and north east Is San Francis
co Bay. The Faralone Islands about twenty
two miles out on the ocean can be seen when
fog or mist does not interfere. That Is great
place for fish, so is the bay, but the people do
not care for them. They are not fish eaters.
Down in the valley there is considerable fine
gold IN the soil but as II floats when Washing 1t
cannot be obtained The bay extends to the
south east about sixty miles, A large portion
OF San Francisco can be seen from here. The
greater part however, is farther south.
The white light house at entrance of the bay
on point Reyes is in full view. On the southern
point Is the signal station. Due north and
across the bay is a fort on the top of small
|
north of Golden Gate is Mt Tsmpalias, Il great
resort. The twelve miles of railroad which as.
cend it afford grand scenery which, 1t is claim
ed, is unsurpassed. Angel island is feast of
north. Beyond this, farther up and TO the right
is Mare island, where the extensive navy yard
Is situated. On this side of the bay is Lime
| point. On its side is Fort Point IL is lust over
thelridge from where our drill GROUND is. We
drlll on the military reservation which is quite
hilly. The hills seem TO be wholly OF sand.
| When ut the western end we are on the heights
Just above the entrance OF the bay. Every day
we see ships coming and going on the ocean
Today we saw seven large sailing vessels mt
once A steam tug takes the sail ships into and
out OF the bay. When it is foggy as it was this
morning the log horns on the bay are sounded
There was II constant blowing this morning
They guide the ships, locate rocks, etc.
Golden Gate park is wonder to all who en-.
Ter 1t, lt has very wide and perfectly smooth
drives which form net work all through the
park. They are from 40 to so feet wide Often
bicycle road or IL feet wide extends parallel
With the drive. narrow strip OF grass lies be-
tween them There Is also a walk on one side
generally on both. Flower beds are separated
by ribbon-like bands of closely cut grass about
eighteen inches wide. In like manner beauti.
ful groves are separated from the walks. The
drives, walks and roads are covered with red
dish sand or pulyerized stone, which never gets
muddy Here are palms, evergreens, etc, In
endless varieties. Species from every land are
seen. The small mountains, hillocks and val
leys are literally covered with trees and flowers
interviewer with walks while seats are scattered
here and there for resting. One of the great
attractions here is the Museum. Curiosities
from all over the world, for centuries past, are
collected AS animals, birds, insects, reptiles,
minerals, statues and paintings. 1t wonld take
days to see everything that is to be seen An
enchanting view is had from an observatory on
very large cone shaped hill. About half way
up its side Is Il lake which almost surrounds 10,
III which swan, geese and ducks are TO be seen.
Several small, rocky islands are In the lakes.
Farther up Is another lake. A third one Is on
top in which frogs croak. A person is well
paid for ascending to the top. North west of
this is cross erected to the memory of Francis
Drake who first discovered San Francisco Bay
IL Is mamoth one and beautiful.
The ayairy does not contain as many birds as
had supposed it would but the MARBLES and
songs OF the birds was "A real delight. In It are
trees and bushes 1t is enclosed In a net work
OF wire perhaps 40 feet high so the birds cannot
get away This being so large, makes it about
the same rs ii the birds were at large. The
GARFIELD monument Is quite an attraction and Is
worthy tribute to our martyred president
The statute Is of bronze and the base of marble
as is the statue Of liberty which sits forward
mourning and holding a wreath In her left |
hand. Various other statues are to be seen |
throughout the park. There are many beaut. |
ful Stairways, viaductS and arched bridges. In |
large greenhouse, which Is kept so warm that |
1t is almost uncomfortable to us, are hundreds |
perhaps thousands of tropical plants. In q |
cooler room are plants from every country In |
the world
great attraction to the soldiers, Just outside |
OF the park Is Il menagaric OF over 80 varieties |
of choice animals from every quarter OF the
globe. This Is free TO them. One view that AZ |
rests attention and causes comment Is Il young |
lion about Is inches long and l2 inches high |
which was born on March 49, and u lamb a lit. |
tie taller than the lion, both In the same cage. |
Well though we did not see "The lion and the |
lamb lie down together" we saw them walking |
together. Doubtless at times they lie together. |
Wonder how long it will be before the lamb |
will be deyoured by the lion. A wolf and goat |
were also In a cage together. The black name |
lion is over ; feet long and tall. The London |
Zoo offered 1900 and was refuses, so the tablet
Oh the cage states pony years old and |
weighing only 63 pounds Is a curiosity.
Panoramic views OF the first class illustrating
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