The Republican journal., 1899-04-20
California to Oregon, Overland.
Correspondence of The Journal.

correspondence of The Journal
FRESNO, CALF, April 2, 1899. Here
we are 800 miles from our starting point
in Orange County. We are quite cara
van of travellers. We have a large farm
wagon, covered, with a small spring
wagon to carry our provisions. This is
all propelled by four big horses. There
is also another 4-horse team Ia neighoor
of ours) which hauls all of our hav and
grain. There are ten people in our com
pany; and we have been joined by another
man and his wife with 2-horse team.
We are camped in the thriving town of
Fresno in a large lot, and our three rigs
and two tents pitched take up quite a
territory. Our journey thus far has been
a very successful and pleasant one. We
left Los Angeles March 22d at II 30 P. NJ.
and started On an up grade road for the
passes in the mountains. We camped the
first night at the thriving town of Dundee
P.O., which consists of shack of a house
and barn, and located in desert whi oh
extends for miles around.
Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday
we were climbing mountains (most of the
time in MIST and arrived at Elizabeth
La Ike with good rain pouring upon US.
Here we camped for rest and put our
horses in barn out of the rain
We have passed through the San Fesceet
nd 1,oJ i ~
about all we wanted. At one place we
| put horses on each wagon to pull over,
and locked our wheels going down the
other side.
| Sunday being a beautiful day we decid-
ed to drive, as we have the Antelope Val
ley to 60 across and it always blows a gale
and looked over the immense stretch of
level land surrounded by hills as far as
the sight could reach it was beautiful to
look at, and that was all there was to it,
| would not take the whole valley as a gift
1t was well peopled in boom times, Is and
20 years ago, but thee quarters of the
grain country, and then they only get a
! good crop once in or 6 years.
Monday we drove in the mountains and
were nearly all day going through the
Fort TETON pass. Here we found large
herd of cattle, as there is quite an amount
of feed here. We came out on the plains
at p. m. and glad we we're to see some
level country once more.
| We are now at the lower end of the
great San Joaquin valley that stretches
several hundred miles north. The next
day we reached the first important town
in this end of the valley-Bakersfeld. 1t
is typical western town, plenty of
"boose shops and the SO, called gay
dance halls. From here it took us until
Saturday at 5 p. m. to reach Fresno, over
level country, comparatively speaking,
through the towns of Formosa, Delano,
| Upton, Tulare, Goshen, Selma and Fow-
ler
This is mainly grain country, except
| L
are miles of this country over which we
have passed that is of no use, on account
of the lack of water, or rain. At Bakers
field, Tulare, Fresno and some other spots
they have irrigation. The water is taken
from the rivers and that is the salvation
of the country. Fresno is the most thriv-
ing place thus far on our journey. Here
are several large fruit packing companies,
two fruit canneries, several large wineries,
! -four mills, etc. 1t is town of about
Is, 200, and still growing; but there are
other nationalities crowding in, and it is
poor place for white man looking for
work.
We are getting into green country
now and will soon be up in a country
where feed for horses will be cheaper!
We started with hay and grain enough to
last us here. Our hay cost cent per
pound and our rolled barley cent and a
half pound. From now on it will be
plentiful and cheap. The folks are all
well and enjoying the trip very we'll.
Thus far we have been over for the
most part country of not much value. 1t
has opened my eyes in regard to Califor-
MIA wider than ever. The southern part,
as we'll knew, is not much good, only in
spots, as l have been over it all. The eli
mate is all right. 1t is beautiful and sa-
lubrious; but one cannot always live on
climate. For ranching (farming) or stock
it is a poor country indeed.
l guess sthis is enough for this time.
You may fear from me again soon, for we
shall be johrneying for several weeks yet.
C. 81. LUTHER.