Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-01-31
NONE OTHER BAIT TEMPTS
Highly Interesting Letter From Mr.. Layne, in
Which He Discusses the Expansion Question and
Tells Of California Earthquakes Many Other
Subjects Of General and Special Interest.
SANTEE. CATIpopNIA Tan 10 1ol

hlshly i--ttsssune Letter From Mr.. layne, in
Which He Discusses the Expansion Question and
Tells Of California Earthquakes Many Other
Subjects Of General and Special Interest.
SANTEE, CALIFORNIA, Jan 10, 1900.
| FRIEND MUNSoN - Your invitation.
couchad in the cordial assurance in the
CENSOR of January End, that letters
from distant former citizens always
welcome means me, fof one, as fully
meet the requirements of being both
distant and former, and Sc here am.
! Seven years ago when leaving Viroaua
for san Diego, the southwestern limit
OF Uncle Sans domain, | supposed l
was going where the term out west
would be in innocuous desuetude. }"
Had heard that westward the course
of empire takes its way" but never
thought of its meaning, for America.
anything west of California. But its
western way was guided as we knew
not, and behold, possibilities of cont
west greater than ever before We re-
allze the nearness, and Importance, per-
haps, OF our new possessions more than
other parts of the Union Steamships
i now ply regularly between San Diego.
Honolulu and Hongkong with passen
gers and freight both ways. We are all
expansionists. regardless of other poIiti-
cal questions, and the party trap that
hasn't that kind of bait wont catch
much California game
! Owing to adverse local conditions the
wave OF prosperity was slow in reaching
us, but 1T is here now. Times are better
than at any time since the boom
twelve years ago, and there is every
evidence that this section has entered
upon an era of permanent prosperity.
This is particularly noticeable in the
city of San Diego, where prices of real
estate have advanced fully 25 per cent.
wlthla few months. and all kinds of
business interests materially quickened.
The establishment during the year of
two steamship lines, one to the Orient.
the other to South America, have had
much to do with this improved state of
things. Official figures by the collector
OF the port show an increase in imports
during 80 over '9S of 81, 1853, 4S2, and
an increase in exports during '99
over '9S of So, 382. 15S. A proportionate
increase may be expected year after
year, with corresponding prosperity for
the city and country. Some of the
| more sanguine ones predict another
boom" but it is not generally desired,
most people preferring q good healthy
prosperity that will come and stay.
We have had several good rains and
all are confident that the run of dry
years is broken Oranges are now be-
ing marketed, the yield better than last
year, and prices good The country is
beautiful and getting more so every
day. The valleys and low lying hills
are carpeted and cushioned in green
ready for the decking of wild flowers
just coming on. The weather is perfec- |
tion itself
We experienced series of holiday |
temblors" that were more interesting |
than enjoyable. The first and principal |
one occurred about three o'clock Christ |
mas morning, shaking us up quite Wig
orously but without damage to persons
or property. Here in the country, in /
wooden buildings, but little alarm was
felt, but occupants of brick and stone
buildings in the city were pretty badly
frightened. and some rather amusing
scenes We're chrorioled. People rushed |
into the streets regardless of dress or
undress, and some performances were
extremely ludicrous. a most laughable
story is told of company of sailor boys
on shore leave from one of the war yes
sells in the harbor They occupied a
large room in lodging house in the
city, had retired rather late in gener-
ally dazed condition from a night of |
revelry, and We're but fairly asleep when |
awakened by the Earring sensation of |
the quake. The cry Struck a reef, "
was made by one of their number and |
with one impulse rush was made for
deck, sans regulation uniforms, and |
they were brought to : realizing sense
of their true whereabouts by contact |
with other fleeing guests in the halls
and corridors. During the week follow
ing there were half a dozen or more /
quakes, more or less lively Some were
preceded by low rumbling sounds then
a sudden jolt and culver; others were
more swaying or rocking in motion, and |
some were simply little shakes Just per-
ceptible. The sensations produced vary
with temperaments. Some receive ner |
vous shocks, others experience nausea,
and few are wildly affrighted, but |
most acquit themselves in calm who's |
afraid?" manner. If not for the fear of |
too much of it they are rather enjoya- |
BILE, and one almost wishes they would |
keep on, yet feels relieved when they |
stop. These occasional earthquakes do |
principal injury to the reputation of the |
state, for some timid eastern people |
think they almost tempt providence by |
coming here and exposing themselves to
danger. The aggregate loss of life and |
property from this cause during the |
history of the state will not equal the |
destruction by lightning aic:le in any
one year in an eastern state
To people living IL the northern states
of the east, winter well spent in Sam
Diego county would be an oasis in their
lives. After doing the city and nearby
attractions, take some vehicle for long
drives up and down the coast, across
the line into Mexico through the valleys
and among the hills of the back country,
visiting orange groves, enjoying the
ever-changing and charming scenery,
and absor ping the most delightful eli
mate in tie world. Take time for it.
Have gun and shoot quail and rabbits,
eat, and if need be bunk by the road
side, or share the hospitality of some
rancher who will regale you half the
night with expatiations on the country,
and not charge over four bits for the
whole entertainment Just come and
try it for yourself and you will say the
half had not been told you. Returning.
little Time might be Pleasantly SpenG
at Los Angeles, an attractive inland
town, with climate second only to San
Diego Its nearest seaport will be San
Pedro when the government constructs
harbor there.
Vernon county people here are gener-
ally well. The latest from Ira G. Adams
reports him well on the road to recov-
cry. Rev. A. d. Chase former we'll
known citizen of West Prairie, isspend-
ing his second winter in San Diego. He
is somewhat aged in appearance but
well preserved in personality. But this
letter is long enough.
Yours truly,
p. J. LAYNE.
Attention, Tobacco Raisers.
Your attention is called to the New
Zwicker Spanish tobacco seed. 1t will