The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-05-12
HELPING THE TOWN.
How the Ladies and the Press Work To-
gether for Good in California.

gether tor Good in California.
A recent issue of the Mill Valley.
Calf, Record shows what can be done
for town and county by united and
energetic work, and illustrates the
helpfulness of the societies of ladies
and of the press.
Mill Valley is situated on the south
ern slope of Mt. Tamalpias in Marin
county, twenty minutes ride by rail
and steam ferry from San Francisco.
The first settler in the present village
of Mill Valley began work in October,
1889, and the next spring small vii
lage was there with a station for the
newly built railroad. From that time
until 1895 the valley filled rapidly and
in that year the first concerted action
was made towards systematic laying
out and identifying the town. The
improvement Club and the Country
Club were then formed. The pioneer
newspaper of the valley, the Mill Val
ley Times first appeard in 1891 as a
folio, 6x1o inches, published only in the
summer. The Times was an energetic
sheet and its editor, Frederick R. Run
yon, laid the advantages of Mill Val
ley before the people in d way that
brought tangible results, both to the
paper and the town. The Mill Valley
Record, now before us, has 80 pages,
each 15x2O inches and has 166 half-tone
cuts of local scenery and numerous
photographs of prominent citizens.
An early number of The Times con-
tanned an editorial on "a Work of Des-
truction," calling attention to the dan
ger of allowing relic hunters to carry
away specimens of prominent land
marks, particularly of the old mill.
This awakened an interest in preserv-
ing the natural beauties of the sur
roundings and in general and system
attic work of improving the environ
ment of the valley. Numerous socie-
ties came into existence, prominent
among them the Outdoor Art Club"
and the Country Club" of Mill Val
ley, and the Improvement Club" of
Rafael.
The outdoor club resembles the vii
lage improvement societies of the New
England towns in many respects. The
purpose of the club, as defined in the
constitution, is: "To preserve the natur-
al beauty of Mill Valley, and of the
surrounding country; to beautify the
grounds around public buildings; to en-
deavor to create public sentiment
against the wanton destruction of birds
and game, and in all other directions to
encourage the development of outdoor
art, as well as to engage in what is
known as civic, social and literary
work" The club was organized in the
of 1902 with 35 members, and
now has membership of more than
125. Within a month after its organi-
cation the club expended 500 in i'm
proving and beautitying the school
house grounds. Arbor day has been
observed each year in planting trees
and vines in various public places. The
old mill, built in 1884, landmark of
Marin county, and from which the
town was named, has had vines planted
around it, and steps are to be taken
to preserve it from vandalism. A
day was recently set aside for a gen.
eral clearing up of the by-ways and
streets of Mill Valley. With different
members of the club as directors, the
children of the public schools did noble
work i'll Kidding the town of much that
had before detracted from the beauty
OF the place. The children are also re-
ported as doing valiant work afterwards
on generous supplies of ice cream and
cake. Metal receptacles have been
placed about the streets, where picnick-
ers and others deposit waste matters,
paper, lunch boxes, etc. The club has
also been instrumental in bringing to
the town some of the best lecturers,
musical talent, ETC., of the country, and
the entertainments have been literally
patroniZed.
The Record closes an article on the
"Outdoor Art Club with the following
comment:
mo better evidence of the faith in
this club as a benefactor to the CON-
munity is needed than the ready and
generous support of the members and
associate members towards building a
home for itself. 1t is hoped that be-
fore the year shall have passed that the
Outdoor Art Club will have clue
house of its own that shall be not only
an adornment to the valley, but that it
and its inner workings may be an in
centive to all not hitherto interested in
its work to become enthused and join
us in a common interest: The influence
for the highest good in everything that
pertains to the towns welfare
The site'is chosen and the plans made
for the proposed club house, which, it
is said, will be thoroughly in keeping
with the aims and objects of the Club.
Capt. Melvin Staples, formerly OF
Belfast, is marshal of the street de-
partment of Mill Valley, and as such
is in a position to assist materially in
the work, while his wife, formerly Ida