Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-05-18

The antiquity of California IS repre-
scented by her missions. says the Pie
torial American of Los Angeles. Be
fore their time there WAS naugh; of
civlliZat on-sh" had no history; the
alOrigincs OF this summerand were as
wild and untaught as the apes Of
Africa or the Simians OF Central and
South America. The future may yet
uncover an ancient civilization upon
the Pacific coast-it is possble-but
today 1t is conceded that the advent
OF the Spanish frars more than cen
fury ago marks the beginning of Il CIV
iliZatOn that has at the present time
illuminated In Il period that will for
all time be recalled as the brightest
IN the scientific achievements of the
Caucasian race
Banished from Mexico in 1867. the
Jesuits received royal commands from
Spain to proceed TO Upper California
for the purpose OF establishing mis-
stems ana converting aud educating the
Indians of this otherwise unnhabited
country.
Diego, was established July rs, 1863
hid to Padre Junipero Sierra is given
the honor OF having been its founder.
notwithstanding the historical fact
that Padre Juan Crespi accompanied
by little band Of soldiers and ser
wants. preceded Sierra to the spot some
six weeks and commenced the labor of
tjpu tho oil nj, 4,
The hrst and oldest of IL chain of TWEEN
~ one similar buildings from that
point on the south to SonOma on tn"
north. For more than half a century
this work was In progress. or until
April %, 1920. when the last and eX-
IRENE northern mission, San Francisco
de Solano at SonOma. was constructed
These temples Of worship. construct
ed mainly of sun-dried bricks Of adobe
earth and straw, were responsible for
the creation of II thoroughfare connect
Ing each with the others constituting
one continuous roadway from the mis-
sion on the south to the one AT the ex-
treme north this was called FL Canine
Real, the Kings Highway.
Through the standardization of these
missions. subverting the objects for
which they were created, and the can
tankerOus tooth of time, there remains
today for the most part little evidence
Of their former sIpremacy-they are
naught but ruins. except where in a
few instances some Of them have been
partially extraordinarily az land
marks and historic relics of the earlier
cviizati of California, while some
few still serve the purpose of religious
ceremOnialS
In their palmy days these instit,,-
t1Ons were prosperous and amassed
much wealth and the padres enjoyed
many luxurles, in quiet way. avail
able In those primitive times of mea-
ger facilities and products Of art and
husbandry. Settled as they were in
the midst OF pOpulous tribes of peace
able and simple Indians. they awaited
themselves OF their ability to utilize
their labor to profit. Upon the author
ity OF Major Ben. &, Truman. it may
be stated that these missions were In
their best condition i'm 1914. although
In 1926 they had 100000 cattle. 200, 900
sheep and 10000 horses They ais,
kept at work $1,000 Indians and har
vested nearly 100000 bushels Of grain
OF various kinds"
The mission system Of Alta Califnr-
MIA, founded by the missioi,ari, : of the
order Of St Francis, consisted Of TWEEN
ty-One establishments. extending from
San Diego on the south to Sonoma IN
the north. The most extensive and
important Of these Monterey excepted
were in Southern California. and the
three best preserved in the Gordon ar,
Santa Barbara. San Ruena Ventura
, and San Ilis Rey.
San Carlos de Borremco, at Mon
terey, was partially restored in 1894
on the one hundredth anniversary Of
Padre Junlpero Serra's death. through
the efforts of the resident priest, Faith
efCassanova, and the late Don Antonio.
tarOnel Of Los Angeles Mission Santa
clara has been built over with large
Catholic college Santa CRUZ and san
Rafael. which were small establish