The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-22


laps in between two projecting hills and
forms the harbor. Even as hard a mar
as lick had been obliged to give some
rights to the persons whom he had left
as his representatives, on the island. His
concessions took the, form Of small eliot
ments OF land scattered along. the can
ons and through the small tracts IN which
the Jealous mountains permit the present
village to nestle. These titles were re-
spected In each succeeding purchase, until
the canon mouth. opening on the lay,
came to have permanent population OF
about a score of people-not more Even
yet Avalon has not a year round ,popula-
ton of over more than 80 people. That.
however, is incidental.
Judged by what they have done. the
Bannings bought the island-Daying 1t is
said, SO. O0e-for a two-fold purpose, as a
monster sheep farm and as a prospective
summer resort. In few years they he'd
the seaport town of Los Angeles, and
Avalon; had constructed a hotel, and had
covered the island with fiocks of sheep.
In so far as the country at large Is con-
cerned, Catalina never can be a popular
resort; It Is that anomaly-a California
summe rresort. Inasmuch as California
depends for good proportion of its liv-
ing on the fact that the state is q winter
resort. its people have little inclination to
spend for touring money secured from
tourists.
Catalina Is not perceptibly cooler in
winter than in summer, but the stretch Of
ocean between 1t and the main land is
much rougher. and the air above the
water much chillier than in summer.
Hence the eastern people who come each
winter to Southern California DO not 80
often to the island. and asa a resort 1t
depends on the doubtful generosity of ma
tive Californians willing to seek Its cool
comfort as a relief from hot inland
towns. Because Of the repose thus as
sured Avalon Is a most satisfactory place
to the occasional eastern visitor who hap
pens to visit 1t in summer time. 1t Is one
of the few places In the world where the
telegraph, the news paper. the telephone
and the messenger boy have not come.
Once on the island one is for twelve
hours at least secure from disturbance.
Passage to and from the main land Is
only possible at those intervals.
Interest about Avalon, however, centers
more in its peculfarities of admbinlstra-
ton than in its merits as an abiding
place. Avalon Is under the literal iuris-
diction of bosses" who Gown" II. The
only sibn of the indefinite Los Angeles
county supremacy is found in the pres
ence Of a notary public, and runror says
that he is supported by the proprietors of
the island. His fees would not keep him
in Mexican cigarettes. There is not a
lawyer on the island, not justice of the
peace. and no JAN. 'withal, several sa-
looms are open from dawn until midnight.
Disturbances. however. are rare The
rule which brings order is simplicity it.
self.
The proprietors maintain a constabu-
larry, enlisted from their employees. When
not officers on duty its members are deck
hands on the wharf. guides, boatmen,
and porters. They do not wear uniform
and their stars are not conspicuous. Rev
ertheless. when there has been need they
have erformed efficient service. When a
crowd of roughs came over on the COM
pany excursion boat one Saturday night
thtis summer and started to make trouble
on the beach they quickly found th,m
selves beset by husky body Of special
police who didn't bother about ci,t:s. but
wAt at their men with bare 1sts. FL
teen minutes after the rallving cry was
given the discounted rouwdies were
slowed away in the hold Of the steamer
Hermosa- There they staid until morning
when they were frelghtcd back to San
Pedro.
The steamer hold takes the place Of 4
Jail. and deportation is the punishment IN
lieu of Imprisonment. Any person detect
ed in improper conduct Oh the island IS
tacekn back to the main land on The first
boat and shown to the San Pedro au-
thorities. If they recognize him as an old
offender or as a person wanted under any
charge they take him in custody. II not,
he is parded before the Waterman at the
company wharf. who receives instructions
never to again let him board Catalina
steamer. Then. unless the offense is ser
ioups. he Is discharged, generally with
an impetus fro mthe boot of the captain
or the mate. In case of marked viola
ton of law, charges are made agliast
him and he is utrned over to the San re-
dro authorities.
The saloons get thei riicense from the
Los Angeles county commissioners, hut
that fact does not keep them out from
under company control. They hav to
rent their buildings from the company,
under a short period lease, much feiterei
with conditions. In the event Of continu-
ed disorder in a saloon the rent Is RAISED
to figure which makes the license value-
less. One or two lessons have SUN ed,
so say the residents of Avalon.
The Banning monopoly is not often
threatened. though it would be should Cts
rule become oppressive. Avalon could he
as a village were Strenuous
efforts made. The prop-ietors have dis
couraged agitation. and at the same zine
have supplied many of :he advantages
which would come from municipal ciSan-
iZation by laying out streets aud i'is'ting
in a water system. The residents nf the
town, with but two or three exceptions.
are their tenants. therefore they do not
care to oppose the landlords. Their own
rents might rise.
The vulnerable point Of the company IL
in its harbor actions. The title Ct Al the
tide lands is vested In the state, ard
dock. In a sense. Is public property. In
der California law. at least. no corpora
ttions or firms can prevent the use ~ IT'S
docks by outside parties provided EoH1-
mai dockage fee Is paid The orly cock
~ Avzion ar On thu island q the Ean-