Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-12

When the weather man predicted
showers for Los Angeles and vicinity
Saturday afternoon (the same to ar
| rive by Sunlay) he builded better than
he knew. Instead of showers, which
| Webster designates as transforms of
short duration, came continuous
downfall of aqua pura for nearly ten
hours.
Pedestrians scurried hither and
thither with rain coats and umbrellas
for protection.
Every gutter carried enough water
if properly applied.
Those who ventured out early in
the day for an automobile ride were
compelled to adjust the storm curtains
and chug-chug home through the mud.
Pleasure seekers who paid a visit to
Catalina in the good boat Cabrillo gave
up more than their return tickets on
the way home, for the old Pacific was
decidedly rough and huge swells and
mighty waves brought the usual sem
sation to the passengers.
In short 1t rained.
To be brief, it was one of the heaviest
falls of water this season. although in
nowise taking on the nature of Sc
we're storm.
This morning If the sun shines, and
it probably will, all nature will rejoice
because of the thorough sprinkling
that arrived yesterday. Lawns Will
become more green as if by magic
and flower beds will take on a prettier
appearance than heretofore, if that is
Lossible. The gardeners and the ranch
ers will also rejoice, for ii means much
toward n plentiful supply of water in
Southern California during the months
that rain cometh not.
Breaks All Records
This season promises to break all
records for rain during the past five
| years.
UP to o'clock 2.7 inches of rain had
fallen for the day and with the ad-
ditional downpour of last night con-
siderably over three inches fell, max
ing a total for the season to date of
more than eleven inches
In 1900-1901 a little over fourteen
inches of rain fell, but with several
weeks remaining in which rain is to
be expected this record is sure to be
broken.
There has been no need of a Hat
field this season to produce rain clouds
with his chemicals and patent mois-
ture- bringing apparatus. Jupiter Plu-
vius has taken things into his own
hands without the assistance of man.
and has given one of the best seasons
California has known for many years
Pleasure Seekers Annoyed
Thousands of pleasure seekers at
the beaches were much put out by the
storm.
Despite the threatening weather the
Long Beach cars arrived at the shore
crowded with people. The heavy show
ers drove the crowds from the beach
into the Salt Lake station, while hum
dreds sought shelter in the new audi
torium or the sun parlor at the end
of the pleasure wharf.
The sea was covered with whitecaps,
but the wind was not blowing hard
enough to make the ocean very rough
during the early afternoon, and sew
eral small steamers that ply between
Long Beach and San Pedro took few
passengers back and forth during the
morning.
When the rain became heavier late
in the afternoon the waiting station
was InTOuSeu Will pcOplC WIN uSAiNN
to board the city-bound cars.
Station Flooded
The station has no doors and through
the open archways the rain blew in
until the floor was covered with sew
eral inches of water.
At Huntington Beach there were few
pleasure seekers.
The special cars which make the
tour of the beaches only stopped few
minutes, and the passengers remained
in the car, not caring to venture into
the storm.
Many young women clad in stylish
spring gowns had their apparel badly
damaged by water and all the re-
turning beach cars were filled with
women loudly lamenting their spoiled
finery.
At San Pedro the wind blew from
the ocean at a rate of forty miles an
hour and several small boats were
dragged from their moorings.
There was an unverified report that
four men had been lost in a small sail
boat. but nothing definite could be
learned last night to substantiate the
rumor.
Found Welcome Refuge
The big Huntington station proved
q welcome refuge for the thousands of
Sunday excursionists. but upon ven
turing into the street ankle-deep mud
and turbid streams of water were en-
countered.
Probably one of the worst sections in
the city was at the corner of twenty
fourth street and Vermont avenue.
Down the avenue ran stream. OF
water knee-deep, and pedestrians had
to wade through miniature river to
cross the intersecting streets
Down Twenty-fourth street flowed
stream of swiftly rushing water that
could not be diverted into the storm
drains, and far past Budlong avenue
1t was almost impossible for street
car passengers to alight without plung-
ing into deep pools of water
Crops viii Be Benefited
Farmers say rain has been distribu-
ted in such way this season that the
best results are anticipated, and in adj
dition to the replenishing of reservoirs
and natural watersheds, the crops have
received thorough soaking. This will
f,.I fI,fe