Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-10-05
Letter From the Pacific Coast.
EAST SAN PEDRO. CAL.
90 TOnE

Sept. 26. 1905.
DEAR Mr.. EpIToR-We often speak
of the pleasant little visit Mother. Low
ell and had in your office several years
ago. A short time ago in looking over
the REGISTER, which always comes as
an old friend wherever we are, we found
the letter YOU wrote with such vivid
description of Atlantic City, which we
enioyed very much, and | conceived
the idea of writing TO you from the IA
cific Coast.
We are spending this month in
beautiful ten-room house, right on the
Ocean front at Brighton Beach. about
two miles from East San Pedro, where
Mother. Lowell and are just now, haV-
ing come on little fishing trip. Inis
is beautiful spot. | wish you could
see il. We are sitting on the end OF
long wharf. with lumber schooners I'M
ing the length Of it, from which many
men are busy unloading lum Der. Inc
water around is full of boats OF all sizes
and description. One boat, the Alpha,
inst passed loaded with sardines for the
cannrey. which is on this wharf about
a half mile from us. From some of the
other boats fishermen are busy unload
ing the fish brought in last night or ear
" this morning. Back of US, built on
the beach and piling, are the pctur-
esque shanties where the fishermen live.
We can see some Of them now, hard at
work mending their nets, while beyond
these, connected by breakwater made
of enormous rocks, lies small island
known as Dead Mans Island, named, so
il is said, because years ago vessel was
wrecked there, and those who perlShed
were buried Of the top of The island
which stands high out of the water.
The constant wear from the waves has
caused the ground TO crumble until the
bones became exposed. They were
then taken up and buried in the GEM
etry at San Pedro. Across the bay, or
inner harbor. which is less than half
mile wide, is San Pedro proper, which
is a lively little town and is destined
some day to be big city. as the gov
erument is building from there what is
said to be the greatest breakwater IN
the world. 1t extends several miles out
into the ocean is not nearly completed
yet.
Large vessels come here from many
parts Of the world ThirUy-hve miles
Catalina by name, meaning Catharine
in Spanish. 1t is ten miles long and
four miles wide, and is quite faShio =
able summer resort. People come from
far and near to catch one Of their big
Jewish or tuna. They are enormous
Some one measured one the first time
we were over there, that was five feet
long and four feet inches around the
body. The head was as large as good
sized porker, with tongue and teeth.
They are vicious and have to be drag
ged in the water to drown them before
being hauled into the boat. The scales
are as large as mans thumb nail and
are used to make jewelry by being put
together with silver wire. The Cabrll-
la. a beautiful boat carrying several
hundred passengers, leaves here for
Catalina a couple times day. 1t Is a
lovely trip and only requires an hour
each way
If we turn our steps in the direction
we came, we first strike Terminal rms
was originally an island, being Sepa-
rated from the mainland by narrow
stream of water, but in late years the
sand has filled it up, so now 1t is a
peninsula. Adjoining Terminal is
brighton. These two places are quiet
and are visited chiefly by those who
care most for quiet and rest Beyond
us is Long Beach, which is one of the
most popular beaches of this part of
the coast. 1t is a dry tOwn-no saloons
being allowed there, consequently it is
a clean, pretty place. There are board
walks connecting these places most OF
the way, but nearly every one prefers
walking on the beach. When the tide
is out it is a wide, smooth beach, almost
AS firm as a floor There Isl great deal
Of driving along 1t for miles. You
spoke vi the variety of colors and styles
of bathing suits. | suppose they are
pretty much the same here. The bath
ing is especially fine here at Brighton, as
the breakers are not heavy, and We
hardly miss day without a plunge in
the ocean. We get some Of the finest
fish here | ever ate, such as sea bass,
yellow tail, barracuda, etc. then we
have sardines, SINE t, Spanish mackerel,
etc, which are fine eating for small
fish. KATE r.. ENTLER.