The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-07-16

A Letter From the FlOwery Southland.
The many Hood River people, to
whom Mrs. NJ. A. Cook is we'll and fav-
orably known, will be pleased to read
the following letter written by her in
Southern California.
The weather at Long Reach is uncer-
tain from February to the first of June;
surf bathing is rather chilly, and over
coats are comfortable. The idea of a
perpetual summer here is untrue,
although rarely day passes without
someone battling with the breakers.
for cool weather and frequent rains, but
when compared with other states it is
an Eden on earth.
There are number of desirable local
tiles in the vicinity of Los Angeles, but
Long Beach affords many advantages.
1t is only six miles from San Pedro, the
future largest harbor on this coast; has
the second largest bath house, built
at a cost OF 800 900; is three miles from
Signal Hill, where everything native to
semi-tropical climate is grown; two
steam railroads and double track
electric line connect with Los Angeles,
thus affording the community the ad-
vantages OF city life; there are no
saloons or club houses; the city affords
the best graded schools; there is a
pleasure pier with two-story pavilion,
where bands render sweet music every
afternoon and evening of the year, and
where on Tuesday, Thursday and Sat
urday nights large crowds gather to en-
joy the pleasure of dancing. Hundreds
Of distinguished people visit the lovely
Southland every year, combining busi-
ness with pleasure.
The month Of May was an eventful
one for Long Beach. On the Goth, part
OF the Pacific squadron, with five Of
Uncle Sans war ships, anchored three
miles off Long Beach and San Pedro,
headed by the flagship New York, with
Rear Admiral Glass in command.
Visitors we're allowed to inspect the
ships during their six days off shore,
and it is estimated that 10000 people
went aboard. Alternately the ships en-
gagged in target practice. A large canvas
target was anchored five or six miles
cut at sea. One could enjoy the scene
from shore without the aid of a glass.
As the ships steamed back and forth, a
loud rumbling report was heard at inter-
walls. First cloud of smoke was visible.
Then by watching closely one could dis
Germ the course of the projectiie by the
large columns of water rising and show
ering in the manner OF fountain, about
every mile or so, where for an instant
the lead plowed the briny blue, some
thing like stone skipped along the sur
face of a pond. The leaden missile
would nearly reach Its final dip before
the report was heard rolling over the
waves at tardy pace.
May day will long be remembered.
Twelve hundred marines came ashore
for their usual morning drill on the ball
campus, after which they Joined in the
parade, headed by the Long Beach
band. While marching down Pine ave-
nue. on their return to the ships, the
men presented a fine appearance in
white uniforms, brown leggings, shoul-
dered bayonets and caDteens. The
officers wore blue coats and white
trousers, their unsheathed swords flash
ing in the morning light.
The marine band in uniform attracted
much attention, also the Red Cross
which brought up the rear. While
passing a prominent Office, the COM
mand to halt was given, and right
about face. From the crowded curbing
proceeded the young women of Long
Beach high school, laden with beautiful
flowers. Passing along the line they
gracefully presented each soldier with
button hole spray OF blossoms, which
We'd in sweetness with the fair donors.
The band boys received boquets, and the
signal corps was requested to step fore
ward and receive in charge beautiful
basket of roses presented to the admiral.
| venture to say the sparkling eyes and
blushing cheeks of the maidens were
carried in memory long after the flowers
had withered.
met Mrs. Davis, the wife of prom
inent physician in the community,
and whose acquaintance | had the
pleasure of making several years ago
Together we paid visit to the battle
ship New York. A member of the
marine corps kindly escorted us over the
great ship. Our first impression was
OF solidity and power. AS we progressed
cleanliness and order were particularly
noticeable. A little world of its own
seemed the great ship with its telephone
system, printing Office, hospital, speak
ing tubes, signal service, accommoda-
tons for hundreds of men. We stood
just below the bridge where the brave
and noble Admiral Sampson watched
that victorious defeat.
From May to 8 was La Fiesta, an
old-time Spanish fete, held every year
at Los Angeles. On the 7th we went to
see the grand horse parade and matinee
Some OF the spans are valued at from
$4,000 to $4,000. In the evening there
was an electrical display. Words can
not express the grandeur and brilliancy
of the floats.
The Sth was Presidents day, and the
city was beautifully decorated for the
occasion. There were flowers every.
where, and everything seemed a mass of
color and perfume. We had the good
fortune to secure position within few
feet of the platform from which Presi-
dent Roosevelt addressed 200, 900 people.
1t seemed we were listening to friend
who understood our hearts and needs,
rather than a stranger. Brave, true,
corageous-a soldier and hero, who has
won love and respect regardless of polit-
ical strife.
One of the pleasing features of Men,
orial day was the sight of 500 school
children attended by their teachers
marching to the end of the pier, where
they showered the waves with flowers
until the surface was literally covered
for great distance. The ceremony is
in memory of the brave soldiers who
sleep in watery graves. The blossoms
came in with the tide, presenting
novel scene, tossing and whirling with
the foaming spray.
| am delighted with this place. 1t is
an earthly paradise, with few excep-
tions-tleas for instance. They are the
boldest atoms of breath | ever had to
deal with, and are no respecter of per-
sons or places. The streets are
sprinkled with oil, so the dust problem
is easily solved. An occasional Santa
Anna wind sweeps down upon us, max
ing it earthly enough for heaven. But
while you are sweltering and longing for