Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-26

In a little cove off the Napa valley
in one of the spots in California most
favored by nature, lies the farm upcp
which Theodore A. Bell the Democrs tic
nominee for governor, spent the happy
days Of his boyhood. The farm ia one
of the most picturesque to be fouid In
he entire state, and 1t is not to be Won
dered at that It Is still the dearest spot
on earth to Mr. Bell.
The farm is In the hills Of Napa
county, a short distance from ST. Hele-
ma. 1T is reached by winding road
through forest OF evergreens. The
growth Of timber is thick, and 81 most
places the driveway Is beautifully
shaded 80 that as the road twines
through the hills covered with ever
green timber, lover of nature finds
plenty to admire A portion of the road
winds along trout stream where the
pure mountain water ripples over the
rocks.
on all sides green hills rise IN alb
ruptly from the floor of the valley and
add to the grandeur of the scenery, and
which breaks the silence seems to fur
nish an accompaniment that Is in per-
feet harmony with the natural beau
ties.
The prosperous condition of the coun-
try is shown by the numerous farms
with their well-kept orchards and vine
yards in the various little coves among
the hills The Bell farm is one of the
prettiest of all. 1t / situated in little
valley almost entirely surrounded by
green hills. The farm consists of 240
acres, a portion of which is under Gull
tivation, and Is set out in grapes. Hills
rise abruptly in back of the cozy little
farm house. The hills give n pretty
background to the place, and make the
landscape as beautiful as anything an
artist ever attempted to put on cam
vas.
a trout stream, known as Bell creek.
comes down the hills on part of the
rs nch, and bsects the farm. The stream
has water in it the entire year, and in
winter booms like a mountain torrent.
Mr. Bell has spent man happy day
whipping this stream for trout. When
on a fishing expedition he starts out in
the stream a short distance from the
house, and works up the canyon to the
source in the hills. The stream affords
excellent fishing, although it is an all
cay task to work it from the Bell resi-
dence to it's beginning at the springs in
the hills
The farm house on the Bell place is
as picturesque as the natural beauties
lIldI SuIIUuIu IL. IL is Dulll DeltdIll a
gigantic oak tree, that affords plenty of
shade in summer and protection from
the storms Of winter. The home is not
a pretentious mansion, but is simply
comfortable, inviting little abode. 1t is
surrounded by a choice flower garden,
in which Mrs. Bell, the mother of the
nominee for governor. takes great pride.
A magnificent growth of honeysuckle
covers the entire north side of the
house, and this, together with the To-
cation of the building in the shade of
the oaks, shows that the members of
the Bell family appreciate natures sim
pie gifts to the fullest extent
Theodore A. Bell is a great lover OF
his home. The farm and home and the
memories associated with 1t are dearer
to him today even than when he
roamed the fields with the other lads
and INDUCED in schoolboy pastimes.
He loves the old farm house, he loves
the trout stream, and he loves every
foot of ground on the old place.
Water rights of several streams are
owned by the Bell family, and suf1
ficient supply of water can be had to
irrigate the entire farm. 1t is Mr..
Bells intention within year or two to
expend a large sum of money i'm
private irrigation project so that every
acre of the large tract can be put under
cultivation. The soil is rich, and when
given generous supply of water it will
be capable of producing bountiful crops.
1t was on this farm that Theodore A.
Bell grew to manhood. Heresit was
that he learned to till the soil and to
haul the products to the market. He
worked during the day and improved
his time at night by reading and study
ing.
He is proud of the place, and of the
education he received there. He still
makes visits to his old home at least
twice during the month, and always
glad to see the familiar spots again.
Theodore A. Bell is very fond of his