Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-01-10
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
Los ANGELES, CAL.

December %, 1906.
Mr. EDIroR-I intended to write you
more about Goldfleld, but the last two
weeks of my stay there were too siren
uous. A desperate case Of pneumonia
stepped into my household and gave
me NO time for anything but the care
OF the sick. The altitude, the manner
OF living, and the general unsanitary
condition of this mining camp makes
sickness Of any kind alarming, but
pneumonia is the one disease most prev
alent and fatal. There are more deaths
from this cause in Goldheld than from
all others combined. l little thought
when | came on this visit that my pro-
fessional attainments would be put TO
such severe test. More than once
have stood with you by the bedside,
watching, studying, weighing the best
means to defeat the great enemy OF
mankind. The happlest moments Of
my life have been when sitter a hard
fought battle l could see my patient
clearing the breakers and gliding into
the harbor.
Early yesterday morning | boarded
the train at Goldfeld with q GONZALES
cent patient, bound for the lower alti-
tude and more salubrious climate Of
Los Angeles. The day was beautiful,
the SHOWS had settled the dust, the var
iegated mountains in the rariied at
mosphere seemed drawn towards US as
if through q glass. The clear waters Of
Lake Walker, which break at the very
base Of the mountains for thirty miles,
came next to please the eve. As night
came on and we approached the Sierra
Nevadas and began TO climb up 10 the
snow, passing under miles Of snow sheds,
getting glimpsss now and then in the
moonlight OF the wooded mountains,
and then descended into the tiourishing
land Of California. The train that
passes in the night affords little oppor-
tunlty for observation, and morning
found US drawing into Oakland aud
approaching the city Of desolation.
To view a great city, only short time
ago flourishinR and beautiful, but now
practically tangled mass of ruins, was
to me appalling. Here and there out
Of the waste and ashes the new San
Francisco is appearing, but at present
thought the work Of reconstruction
seems to be too tremendous fer wealth.
too great for human hands.
A few hours later, and we were again
on the wing, flying southwark on "the
OWL" for the city OF the Angles. oAgain
night shut out the view and morning
found us among the orange groves and
vineyards OF this pleasing land. Who
has not heard of Los Angeles, with its
fruits, its flowers, its sunshine and its
grand hotels D.?
The writer, installed 10 one Of these
palaces, fitted up in polished marble,
with gilded walls and ceilings Of most
exquisite design, is doing his best to
rise up to a situation of so much ele-
gance and style. But it is hard to teach
IAN old dog new tricks" From the
humble and simple living in mining
camp into this glittering array IS
sudden transition.
My patient and invalid has cast aside
the toga of the sand hills and sage brush
and in stylish city dress, except for
the refining paleness OF the face, would
not be known as one OF Goldfeld's
bold and strenuous men escaping from
q wrath that lays so many low. From
the little that | have seen as yet this
must be q wonderful city. Its popula-
tion has doubled since the last census.
Opposite the window at which | write
they are building large structure with
iron framework and white concrete
blocks 10 the twelfth story. II looks
like tempting earthquakes and the ele-
ments. am told that this afternoon |
shall pass through miles Of millionaires
whose residences line the ways in Pasa-
dena. AT later date hope to give
your readers more extended observa-
tion Of this part Of the world, which
seems to be not only home for inva-
lids, but place where wealth and az
fuence find it pleasant and oongenial
to make their homes.
Very Truly,