The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-03
CITY OF PEACE.
Beautiful Santa Rosa as 1t APP
pears to a Topeka Man.
Considered by e. w. Ellis Pref
test Spot in California.
HOME OF L. BURBANK.
Noted Scientist Conducts Ex-
periments Here.
Many Interesting Features in
Golden State.
HOME OF L. BURBANK.

of the merits and dement's of Califor-
mia, and our people, as whole, are
fairly well acquainted with the eli
matte conditions and health-g1Ving
qualities OF the state from San Fran
cisco south to the Mexican border, in
Guiding, of course, Los Angeles and the
Santa Catalina islands. But so far as
the writer has observed the territory
north of Oakland, Sacramento ana
along the western slopes of the grand
old Sierra Nevadas has been touched
upon but lightly and is as sealed
book to the major portion OF the cas-
terriers.
OF the cities visited "above the bay
none has pleased the writer so Wen as
Santa Rosa. a dreamy, hazy, habitatlon
of 10000 people who are living their
lives away with little thought of the
cares Of today and none whatever OF
the morrow.
But with such beautiful surround
ings of low foothills thick with
vineyards and blossoming orchards
and beyond and higher up purplisih
hills covered with oak, through WRlch
the wind sings a drousy requiem DAY
after day, there is every excuse Tor
Rip Van Wrinkle existence.
No rain has fallen in tins portlon OF
the country since early March put the
foliage, the vegetables and fruits seem
as prosperous as If April and May
showers had been frequent rms Is
due to the heavy fog that comes up
at nights. The days are bright ana
sunny but not uncomfortahly warm
while a fire in the evenings ana morn
ings is really needed with comforts
and blankets for the bed.
April is the season of the year Tor
'Easterners," as they call kansans
here, to come to this country, Ihen
the land is at it's best and one car
also witness the rose carnival which
is a feature OF Santa Rosa yearly and
is well worth seeing
Beautiful City of Roses.
As the name would indicate it is in
deed a city of roses, every yard ana
garden fence being covered with a
mass of creeping vines that are pink,
white. yellow and red with blossoms
from the size of clover bloom TO
cabbage. Many of the houses, TOO, are
hidden behind artistic lily trained DOW
ers. so closely interviewer that Dlrd
can scarcely find nesting place. rms
makes such homes dream or peauIy,
then again, it saves paint, and oh, the
sensuous perfume of the tnousandS
and thousands of fragrant tropical
roses, honeysuckles, carnations ana
other blooming plants which the tresh
green smell of the pine ana 1T pre-
vents from becoming Sickenlng. 10
one direct from the prairles and Just
winding up a transcOntlnental "Trip,
over which sage brush and aIKan
abounded, the country seems a very
naradise The yards and lawns are
the most beautiful imaginable. But
v-hv shouldn't they be? With a pro-
ductive soil, an abundance OF water,
climate that is model and every per
son trying to Guido their netghbor
there is little to prevent them from be-
ing perfect. In one front yard no
tieed a Cedar of Lebanon. imported
from the wales of the Holy Land years
ago and perhaps the only one IN the
state, AS for broad spreading, Iofty
pairns, Gala lilies, ferns, Shasta
daisies. sweet peas, magnolias' etc" the
town is filled with them.
One peculiar tree is the monkey
tree. A sharp. thickly woven bark OF
thorns covers it and 1t IS said 10 De
the only tree in the world that mon
key will not climb. me cluzehs mere
do not seem to know or appreciate
what a pretty town they have or that
Il IS anything out of the ordinary TO
an "Easterner," who Is admiring the
siehts. thev only laugh and exclaim,
ooh. that's nothing" toss him an
5. hfuI of roses and pass on.
To me one of the prettiest flowers
is the yellow poppy. 1t is CALIFORNIA;
native flower, even as the sunfloWer
IS of Kansas 1t is known as the
''cup of gold and is the state emblem.
Interesting Peculiarities.
A half dozen little pecuIiarities are
quickly noticeable to the visitor. First
" there are less than dozen negroes
in the town and they are members of
the local churches and worship In com
mon with the white people, being ad-
mirable citizens. Secondly, there are
no birds This seems strange with
s H1 p' a tropicaI vegetation. but it is
explained that they have flown farther
up the valley to the fruit lands where
cherries are ripe. Thirdly, the ladies
passing along the sunny streets carry
no parasols, The soft salt breezes from
the ocean, 90 miles away, they claim,
prevents freckles, and again, it's TOO
much trouble. Fourthly' motorneers on
the electric lines in the city and on
the suburban runs are permitted to sit
down at their work during the day.
The service seems satisfactory. F1fthly,
Notwithstanding this is an old Spanish
town where hot tamales and chill
would be expected to prevail, all res
taurant dishes are without seasoning
and signs on the walls read: Patrons
please pay on delivery. SiXthly, moth
ing. apparently, ever happened here
prior to the earthquake of three years
ago, although the town is half
hundred years old. The calamity was
a severe one whole plocks turnollng
over and many being killed, so this
and that" is always pointed out to the
stranger as happening since the up
heaval.
This is a great bicycle town. Men,
women and children ride wheels at
all times and seasons, and they are
santa Rosa has its Chinatown as
Well as Frisco. A block of the city is
devoted to the Celestials. and with few
roses and carnations within their
walks to offset the odor of the garlic
and other vile dishes, other portions
of the city are preferable.
The older Chinese are, as usual,
dull appearing, stupid and unobserying,
shutting along about their business in
their native garb The youngsters are
a bright little lot, however, fitting
along the sidewalks like English spar
rows. Being native sons they adopt
American clothes and costumes. They
attend the city schools and prove
themselves apt pupils.
santa Rosa as a City.
Santa Rosa has two water plants.
One Is a municipal affair, solely for