The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-04-12
An Edgerton Boy writes From California.

thought / wouldn't get better oppor-
tunlty to give an account OF myself. So
here goes.
left Milwaukee the 31st Of October
and had quite weary ride to the Gold
en- Gate, being five days and five nights
enrOute. 1t will no doubt be remember
ed that at that time the low fare from
all eastern states to here which had
been on all that month ran out that day,
SO the trains were crowded to their ut
most capacity
TO those who have seen pictures of San
francisco taken since the quake | can
state that they are not at all exaggerat
ed. Such sight never saw, nor do |
ever expect to see anything the like of it.
On my train | met a machinist whose
home was in Frisco and who also just
quit work in Milwaukee. AS we were
crossing the bay from Oakland to Frisco
we could see all the public buildings
what was left Of them). My mechanical
friend left Frisco just after che quake
and he pointed out to me what was left
OF the principal buildings. 1t was sim
ply indescribable.
After resting up few nights (by the
way might say it was useless to try and
sleep on such crowded train, and would
advise those who follow me to take the
Overland or some other big train, pay
for Pullman and enjoy the trip as much
as possible, as via the Union Pacific it is
a long, sightless and weary ride) l show
ed up on the San Francisco (Hearst) Elk
aminer and went to work. They were
then paying Sc per night Of eight hours
and ST. an hour overtime; they had to
pay big wages in order to get anybody to
stay there. o, but it was shame to
take the money. AS an illustration of
how the business interests are torn up |
will state that the Examiner Office, COM
prising about twenty linotype machines
and two of the largest printing presses in
the west and an army Of employees, bare
ly has roof to cover it (put me in mind
of the corral where I used to herd Uncle
Tom Illusions sheep down on the FARM
| worked here a couple of weeks and
hearing of place about thirty miles
north, where they had just installed
modern, double deck machine and want
ed an operator machinlst to run the
thing, went out and took it. The place
was Martinez, county seat, about the
size of Edgerton. A small daily was
printed there. got my five per, as it
was in such close proximity to Frisco
they had to pay or nobody capable of
handling the iron monster would stay
with it. After being here about weeks
[ commenced to read the handwriting on
the wall, because / knew it would be all
up with me as soon as they became we'll
enough acquainted with the machine to
handle it. Besides, it was quite cold
there. The style out here is to just shiver
until it is all over, and as | worked in
one end of the shop and the stove was in
the other, [ was compelled to work with
my coat on most of the time.
My ambition was the warm climate,
the boss did not appreciate my services,
and I told them l did not come out
there to run kindergarten, SO packed
up and went to Los Angeles. At Los
Angeles [ also worked on Hearst's paper.
One afternoon hunted up my Uncle
George Dye, who married Mrs. Nelson
Taylor. I found them all we'll and spent
a pleasant afternoon with them. Mrs.
Carter of Edgerton was then stopping
with them. She knew my mother per-
sonally. [ met the women folks first in
the yard. [ knew Mrs. Dye the minute
I saw her, but she did not know me of
course. | inquired if George W. Dye
lived there and being informed that he
did, told her II had warrant for his
arrest You could have hung hat on
her eyes. Uncle George by this time had
come up. They smelled mouse, and /
stood and laughed at them for few
minutes and then made myself known.
Los Angeles is about the most beautiful
city ever saw, although | practically
saw only the business section, as l was
alone and knew nobody, and besides il
was not the right season to 60 sight-see-
ing. I know there are several Badgers
ia Los Angeles, but [ had no clew to
work on and consequently could not lind
any of them. I was informed that Bessie
Williams has married and lives there.
Then there are the Babcocks, all of
whom would have been glad to have
seen.
Well | fooled around Los till l heard
of my present situation, when | came
out here and took it. San Bernardino
pronounced San Berdu for short is
about 70 miles inland from the coast
They tell me the weather gets pretty
warm in the summer: last summer the
mercury went up as high as no; still
there are no heat prostrations. The
orange crop is now being harvested and
| am nearly black in the face from eat
ing them.
| have charge of two machines here.
They were in frightful condition when |
came, otherwise you would have heard
from me before / want them looking
spick and span when the road inspector
comes, as am looking out for my rep
utation, which counts for good deal
with one of those gentry.
Remember, dear friends, this letter is
printed under trying circumstances, as I
am trying out" bad acting machine,
which can best be likened to balky
horse, so you will know it is quite hard
to collect my thoughts and watch the
different parts of the mechanism. My
letter is now quite lengthy. AS | get
caught up with my work my little family
and myself expect to see more of the
country and you may we'll expect to hear
from me again.
The "ice wagon is working pretty
we'll, so will close for this time.
JESSE E. ToUsLEY.