The San Francisco call., 1899-12-22

y AN JOSE. Dec. 2l-California's If
ueth birthday was celebrated in a
regal way here to-day by the old
] pioneers and their sons and dsugh-
- ters. and tins city. the birth
place of State government. was crowd
ed with thousands OF visitors. People
from ali over the State came 10
pay homage 10 Miss California. There
are men present who were here be-
fore the discovery OF gold. those who
came 10 tight the MeNicans and others
who came with the rush for the precious
metal, and these all Joined hands to-day
20 celebrate the half-cenIury mark IN the
great States history. They were ably as
sisted by the Native Sons and Daughters,
10 whose shoulders must soon fall the re-
sponsbility of honoring State events. Ali
these forces met in q grand reunion to-
day.
Inc early morning trains from san
Francisco. Oakland and other parts OF
Central California brought thousands Of
visitors. The entire county also turned
out. and when the great street pageant
started there were fully ten thousand Wis
!tors on the streets. With the exception
of the rose carnival. IL is the largest
crowd that ever gathered here.
a reign OF cheer and hospitality pre-
walls throughout the city and san Joseans
visitors happy. Business mas been virtu-
ally suspended and time given over 10 the
celebration To cap these delightful con-
diuons II was q sunny California winter
day and there was no need OF wraps.
Fully one thousand pioneers are pres
eut at the festivities. This j. undoubtedly
the greatest gathering OF them ever held
and the like viii never occur again. They
were entertained at Sleeper Hall to-day
by the Santa Clara County Pioneer Soci-
n a la ~
crate banquet general reunion fol-
lowed, at which the pioneers were COM
ing and going all day General Bidwell
was a conspicuous ngure there.
AT Native Sons Hail open house was
also kept. and Native Sons and Daughters
did the receiving.
The ladies' reception committee at the
Courthouse entertained laVishly. A
string orchestra discoursed music during
the day and evening and there was q
merry crowd present most OF the time.
A great many OF the visitors are being
entertained a. private homes. Different
societies are also looking after their fel-
low members, and never before has the
Garden City so lavishly entertained. The
Nevada State band and Third Artillery
men are not being overlooked.
Among the pioneers are many who have
not seen one another for years, and these
little meetings have added an additional
interest 70 the celebration.
steady stream poured in and out OF
the Capitol building to-day. The repre-
an attractive feature. Inside a number
OF curios are represented. J. W. Ganong
exhibits what purpOrts 10 be the KEY 10
the original Capitol. and Mrs Emile
Spring HOughton shows melodeon that
was brought across the plains in IS47 4
wooden wheel of an old OK cart made for
Domingo Aguilar in 1874 and a chair used
IN the Aguilar family long before state
hood was established are also Interesting
Curios. The seQuoia gigautea planted yes
terday 10 commemorate the Golden Jubf-
L. 4 q Cd nd
hunters have carried away twigs OF the
tree a : souvenirs
To-day's festivities made the Jubilee a
success. and the celebration will end to-
morrow night with a grand ball at the
Courthouse.
II has proved a harvest for takers and
sure-tking gamblers. On all sides there
are catch-penuy devices. Sure-thing gam
blers secured locations on North First
street. and this morning their games &C.
Cupied ore side OF a street for nearly a
block. until thai section had the appear
ance Of q - mining camp. They ftecced
a number OF the unwary before Acting
Chief OF Police Monroe could clear them
away.
The event Of the day was a grand street
parade IL was over a mile in length and
one OF the best paEeants ever seen hero.
IL i certain no more historic procession
ever threaded the streets OF a California
city. All its parts represented a COM
pOnent part of our great State. The Mex
lean Veterans and Pioneers marked the
early period. the Native Sons the making
OF the State and the school children the
present. There were fine floats. also SYM
bolic OF California life. To the old pic