Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-01-24
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. BigelOw's Second Letter Tells Of
the Trip Trough the South, and
Of His Experiences.
Los Angeles, Cal, Jan. 10, 100


Ell Paso, Texas, is right on the border
of Old Mexico, and having some time
to spare there and being something of
a botanist, thought would collect a
few specimens, but after hunting far
and near, found that Prof. Holway
had gobbled everything; not even a
mullen stalk left. From Ell Paso west
for two or three hundred miles it was
one vast plain, the surface dry and
brown, showing no vegetation except
sage brush. The soil or land, or what
ever it may be called, is very cheap and
/ took large quantity of it, but all IN
my eyes and ears. There are no settlers
except once in great willie a little
bunch of Mexicans. who remind me of
our American citizens of PHILIPPINE
descent. Spanish-Indians and half
breeds and how they live is conun-
drum. Judging from the amount of
wearing apparel they exhibited, Ben
Bears stock would clothe a million of
them and he would have good stock
of clothing left.
We are now through the southern
part of New Mexico and in Arizona.
1t is 800 miles from Ell Paso to Los
Angeles, SO we have several hundred
miles yet with nothing to see of par
ticular interest. 1t is merely con-
tinuation of plains and mountains, all
looking as though there had been no
rain since Noah's food. The most
difficult thing here is to measure di-
stance with the eye and the wild and
absurd guesses caused great deal of
merriment in our car. For instance,
we saw mountain with snow on top
of it ahead of us, which was higher
than the rest. 1t seemed to be just
ahead, say about twenty miles, but We
rode on for hours without apparently
gaining on it particle; it seemed to
move on Just as fast as we did, but after
riding nearly all day we came up with
it and passed it. 1t was off to one side
of the train, about five miles, and the
guessing began as to its height. 1
having had large experience with tall
bluffs thought / would show those
tenderfoots how to measure with the
eye. We all marked and varied from
200 to 600 feet. / marked 500 feet and
swelled up with great importance, be-
ing sure 1 had hit the bulls-eye. Ima-
CINE our CONSERVATION when we learn
ed it was over two miles high.
Nothing more of interest occurred
until we got within about 100 miles OF
the ocean, when the change was as
sudden and as great as from darkness
to light. The first spear cf green grass
was seen for over 1000 miles travel; rain
had been plenty here and from this on
to the sea don't believe more beauti.
full country can be found on the face OF
the earth at this season of the year,
When we struck the green line we
struck the oranges and it was amusing
to see the uproar among the kids in the
car. They rushed to the windows and
screamed: 'look! look! there are orange
trees with oranges on them" But we
soon stopped at little town, where
they were loading cars for the east anC
oranges lay round on the ground simi
lar to corn when farmers are unloading
loads at crib. The kids probably
experienced the happiest moments o
their lives as they and everybody OF
the train could help themselves, fret
gratis.
This is truly land Of sunshine
flowers and ornamental trees, but
have seen no tree that to my mind wa
so beautiful as an orange tree, covered
with dark green leaves and loaded will
ripe oranges. All kinds of vegetable
are brought to the door every morning
by the gardeners, such as cabbages