The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-08-23

OH California land Marks 10
Be Revive d

Los Angeles, Aug. 2l.-The palmy days
of the eighteenth century are being re-
vived in Southern California. Brown
at the ancient missi n of San Luis Rey.
SO miles north of San Diego, a citadel of
strength and a haven of rest In the early
days. But for two generations this mis-
sion has been almost entirely deserted.
until in recent years 1t has become g
mere picturesque ruin. Its gray walls and
and lofty towers abandoned and silent
a decaying m nument of the former
glory Of Spain's church and state.
Beginning about the middle of the
eighteenth century the Franciscans Great
ed a chain of these mission settlements
extending from San Diego. near the Mex
lean border. to sonoma. north of San
Francisco. They were | Gated about one
days journey apart. to convenience trav-
elers. but this feature was only incidental
to the great spiritual, educational and
economic work which they did for cali
fornia, before the time of the American
~occupat;en.
The Mission Fathers selected the most
fertile spots In beautifully sheltered val
legs for their settlements. Here they
built their churches. founded their
schools and established ties
which took firm root upon the soil. Each
C immunity was made seif-sufiicient and
self sustaining. The useful arts and
trades We're taught and carried on. With
In the shadow of the church artisans and
skilled workmen labored at their various
tasks. Water was brought In irrigation
bitches from the nearest stream flowing
from the snow-capped Sierras, and field
orchard and garden, reclaimed fir m the
desert. yielded of their abundance. The
Franciscans were the teachers of the ir-
rigation of the southwest. and his is
perhaps the deepest and most lasting
mark which they left on California's civ
ilization.
cps hAS e Seiff at San LUIS INty Has
come as an entire surprise to the quiet
neighbour cd. Patrio.i c Americans have
been engaged Tor some years past in an
effort to preserve some Of the old m 5
sions from further decay and even re-
store them. to a certain extent. But
those most familiar with this work did
N 4 1raar NJ that the iZ.,- t-.a
of st. Francis would ever return to make
practical use of the old landmarks. Even
now 1t Is not known but that the move
ment is TO extend to other historic spots.
However that may be, the gentle br tn
erhood has come back to San Luis Rey.
The old church has been repaired ana
able roof. The cloisters are being rebu 1t
and the irrigation aqueducts reconstruct
ed. The fields will be tiled again and
Yield the same loyal support to the COM
munity.
The leader in the movement is Father
oheefe. who came unheraided froin
'heAico anu quesIy set out upon the ieo
to.ation OF the OLD landmark. His fellow
laboIers are all members f the Francis
can order and performs their heavy man
ual work in the brown cassocks that were
familiar to generations NV passed and
foi got.en. ra.her Ukeefe does not ex-
pect TO revive The former &c nome me
OF the settlement in all its amplitude.
Much has happened since his pa edeces-
sors toiled and taught and ruled in those
lovely southern valleys. Modern people
nave come with modern Improvements
ana there IS now no need # the paterna,
scheme which ala so much for the SIM
pie population of the country a century
or mole ago. Father O'hee.e's plan is to
convert the 90 mission int, a sell-s~s
tanning FRANCISCAN college. Thus the
again, but The social and economic fea-
tunes VIII not be iestoI ed, beyond what
Is necessary 10 meet the necessities of the
monks themselves.
Inc Aiissi n FATHERS were the pioneers
OF European civilization among the coas.
Nils OF California. They supplied leader
ship and instruction to those who were
engaged in founding homes and wres.ine
a living from the gaunt appearing desert.
The work which they began must st.ll De
c ntinued. and upon a vastly larger scale
but II has passed to other hands-to the
Government of the United States and 10
an army or settlers who come from an
parts of the world. The government is
supplying both the capital and ne exper,
knowledge needed in this C inquest of the
desert. 1t is laying the foundation OF
prosl Gritty. pointing the way. and invit-
ing the people to enter into their heri-
tage. While its resources are far greater