davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

The Reading circle books for next
year as recently selected by the state
committee, are: Bagley's "Class
Room Management" Aliens "Civics
and Health and six Centuries In
English Poetry"
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

The d. g. R. G. are busy preparing
TO handle an especially heavy ship
ment of sheep this year. The increase
over last year Is 80 per cent.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

Miss Nettie Short and nephew. Ray
Lyle, departed this morning for their
home in Springfield, Mo. They will
stay over in Colorado Springs and Den
yer on the way home. They were here
on visit to w. A. Short for about
a week and were very much impressed
with the country.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

Mr.. and Mrs. H. r. Sullivan, who
were here for a few days visit with
relatives, departed for their home at
Placerville. today.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

Mr., and Mrs. George 1sgar and son
Basil were passengers to Pagosa
Springs this morning on vacation
trip. Mr.. lsgar will stay about cou
pie OF weeks, but Mrs. lsgar and Basil
will probably remain some time longer
They Will be guests of Mr. and Mrs
J. L. Nickel of the Springs hotel.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

w. w. Severn left for Spokane,
Wash, this morning. where he has ac-
cepted position as electrical engineer
with the Spokane and Washington Wa
ter Power company. Walter came
down from Silverton few days ago
to visit his folks before leaving for
the northwest. He recently resigned
his position as electrician at the Shen.
andoah mine In San Juan county. We
wish him the best of success in his
new location.
County Superintendent Mrs. Rose.
pha Pulford is home again from a trip
10 Cascade, where she visited Miss
Edna Connor's school. The directors
are very much pleased with Miss Con.
nOr's work On the way back, Mrs.
Pulford spent a day with Mrs. John
Pearson at Hermosa. The red rasp-
berries, so plentiful above lockwood
are almost ripe. and there will be loads
OF thlmble berries. The wild straw.
berry crop is not so large as usual
this year.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

A. F.. Hood returned this morning
from Aztec, where he put in couple
of days on business. Mr.. Hood said
that for time Sunday evening it look
ed as If the entire business part of
did work of the bucket brigade was all
that saved it,
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

Miss Sara Reath, who taught the
Hay gulch school last term, has ac-
cepted the Allison school this year, AT
n salary OF $50 per month. Good work
is worth good pay.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

II. J. Patton, joint foreman Of the
Durango round house. returned last
night from Alamosa where he attend
ed meeting of the officials OF this
division. connected with his depart
ment.
Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-07-14

Miss Marguerite Hoover was re-
turning passenger on the Red Apple
train this morning from Pennington,
after pleasant visit with Mrs. C. j.
Carlisle for about six weeks. Miss
Hoover continued ON the eastern this
morning to her home in Springfield,
Ohio.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
ACRES OF SAND CONVERTED
into BEAUTIFUL CITY PARK
Gift of Frederick Roeding Becomes One of
Fresno's Show Places
By CHARLES c. CHAMBERS,
Secretary of Fresno Park Commission

About seven years ago f. Roeding do
mated to the city of Fresno 20 acres of
land for park purposes. This land ap
peared to be mere sand. Today this
sand heap has been transformed into an
up to date park and is veritable Gar
den of Eden. The park commissioners
of Fresno are willing TO match this 20
acre park against any other park in the
state. Last year Mr.. Roeding gave the
city an additional so acres adjoining
the present improved portion of Roed-
ing park, all or most of which has
been planted and in a short time will
attain the beauty of the original 70
acres.
In Roeding park many OF the trees
when planted were not more than two
feet high; today many OF these trees
are 40 feet high. This goes to show
what good care and water will do. The
park has splendid water system. the
trees have been irrigated from open
bitches and the water has been donated
by the Fresno canal and irrigation COM
pany. In addition, the commissioners
have installed a gas engine pumping
been the secret of success in making
this park a beauty spot.
The park is situated alongside of the
Southern Pacific railroad and all incom-
ing passengers from both north and
south comment on it's beauty and ex-
press surprise and admiration.
In addition to the good attention
given this park by the superintendent
in charge, w. NJ. Harrah, the great i'm
provement and wonderful growth at
tained are due to constant fertilizing.
In the park is a chain of lakes, five
In number. dotted with islands. Later
ON the park commissioners intend to
make bridges in rustic form to connect
the islands with the mainland. Later
ON boat features will be installed. AL
ready the lakes have been stocked with
pgack bass and other valuable fish. The
park has become a home for all wild
birds and they consider 1t a natural
home where they are not molested. The
lakes contain number of varieties of
winter lilies donated by w. S. Tevfs, the
capitalist of Bakersfield and San Fran
cisco. Many odd varieties out of his
wonderful collection obtained from all
parts of the world are growing and
thriving. Mr. Tevis spent at least S10,-
900 in getting together an assortment
OF water growing flora and in Roeding
park there are several specimens of his
large collection.
Roeding park was laid out and
planned by Johannes Reimers, bot
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02

anist of world wide reputation. Reim-
ers is in the employ of the Santa Fe
railway system and was the originator
of the plan of embellishing all railroad
depots of this vast system with small
parks. The Santa Fe has parks around
each depot from Ashcroft, Ariz., TO
Point Richmond. Cal. and 1t was due
to the persistency of Reimers that these
beauty spots were installed.
Fresno engaged Reimers to plan and
plant Its park for the reason that he
was so well informed as to just what
would do we'll in the hot and dry
climate, and also for his artistic ability
in the way of arranging and grouping.
He has planned the 20 acres in such a
manner that it gives the impression
of 200 acre tract.
Reimers is a firm believer in nature.
All of his paintings are done in a nat
ural way. He does not believe in prun-
ing ornamental trees, but leaves them
to grow in the natural state. All Of
his paintings and plans give one the
idea that the park which he has in
stalled just grew spontaneously.
Every year the park commissioners
VI EcSHO TAKE VI Tic
park, to show the growth during the
preceding II months, and one would
hardly believe after examining the pho
tographs that they were looking at the
same plot of ground IL months after
ward. Roeding park must be seen to
be appreciated. 1t has picnic groves.
open air sections which can be utilized
for band stands. open air theater and
other amusement features One por-
tion of the park has a natural bed of
clay. This is being used to embellish
all roadways and make them firm and
suitable for both foot and vehicle
travel.
This summer il is the intention of the
board of park commissioners to label
all trees and plants, to enable all Wis
itors to distinguish the varieties.
The United States department of ag-
riculture has made arrangements with
the secretary of the board of park com
missieners to use Roeding park as an
experiment station. All of their i'm
portations gathered by agricultural
explorers visiting foreign countries.
rare trees and shrubs, have been sent
for trial, and as a consequence the
Fresno park has valuable trees from
Africa. Asia and the Pacific islands. all
thriving and doing well.
Fresno has in Chester RowelI a
mayor who takes an active part in
park work. He has been leading spirit
in every movement looking to the
adornment of the city.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF COUNTY Reflect
THE PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE
Courses in Manual Training and Advanced Agriculture Made Part
of the Curriculum Public Schools

Fresno is happy in the efficiency of
its public institutions AS the county
seat OF Fresno county, the city has all
county institutions within its borders
in addition 10 the numerous city in
stitutions.
In the Fresno high school a new
course has been introduced which viii
undoubtedly prove of great value in the
future. This is an agricultural course.
Tt has been established only few
months. but it Will be enlarged as the
time goes on.
At the present time the study con-
sists mainly of soils and practical work
in fertilizing. When the course is
complete those in the senior year viii
be taught the management of well
regulated farms and the principles of
agricultural work.
The study of agriculture in the high
school. however, will not be all along
theoretical lines. Arrangements have
been made with the trustees of the
KearneY estate whereby a portion of
the estate viii be transformed into an
experimental farm for the benefit of
students Of agriculture in the high
school. and here they may work out
the theories gained in the classroom.
II is expected that the experimental
farm viii be ready for the students by
the beginning Of the 1910-l911 term.
This branch Of high school work has
long been desired, but until now the
board OF education has been unable to
fulfill this desire.
The Fresno high school is in reality
2 small university, for in addition to
the professional courses which are
a n orfr
and q business course. So great has
the work become that an annex is TO
be built at a cost Of about $4,000.
The contract for the construction of the
annex has already been let The orig
inal building cost $4,000
Not Only has the city established some
distinctive features in the high school
but distinctive features have been
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
REALTY PROVES
GOOD INVESTMENT
Purchases Possible at Prices
That Promise Rich Profits
in the Future
BY S. B. LEAs.

Secretary Fresno Real Estate Board
When L take casual glimpse at the
early history of California, can not
but picture the conditions in this great
valley of the San Joaquin, particular
ly in the country where Fresno has
sprung into existence. when the first
rugged pioneer gazed on the valley
from the Sierra years ago. Then the
land was but a dreary barrier to the
pioneer. who strove to reach the
coast.
The history of the development of
this portion of the San Joaquin valley
is much the same as that Of other sec
tions of the plains. Having first at
traeted the attention OF the gold seek
ers. it later became the home of the
grain farmer and the stock rancher and
still later the home of the fruit grow
er and vineyardist. Today we have a
county well rounded out with all of
the agricultural pursuits as we'll as
numbering and oil activity.
The irrigation system is an important
factor in the cOuntry'S success. A
splendid system OF canals has been ex-
tended over the valley from time to
time, raising the value OF outside prop
erty with every addition. a new coun-
try has been developed and new home
seekers have come among US. The
demands of the city have increased
and the values of our inside, or city
property. have been doubled.
1t would be difficult to go into de-
tails necessary to give a full insight
into all OF the increased property val
uations during the life OF Fresno as
little more than 25 years. The increase
has not been due to any sudden boom.
but is the result OF constant and steady
growth. Consequently we feel that our
valuations are as they should be to-
day. We know by comparison with
the values of similar lands in other
parts Of the valley that while we have
the best irrigation system. advantage
of climate and location. our values are
lower. or. I should say. our prices are
lower. This is a matter of great sat
isfaction to us, however, for we know
that the settler of today can invest his
money. adding profit thereon TO sell to
others
few years ago one could have
bought alfalfa land at $25 to $50 per
acre instead of $50 to S1OO per acre as
now. Town property could have been
bought at $25 to $3.50 per lot instead
of the much higher figures prevailing
today. And present prices are to those
Of the past as the prices Of the future
will be to those of today.
There is no better proof of progress
than the fact that our townspeopIe are
constantly reinvesting their profits TO
the aid of local industry One need
only glance at the daily record Of
transfers of property to be satisfied
that Fresno valuations are equitable
When we see property purchased at
$50 per acre. improved BY the expendi-
ture Of $50 more and sold for $3.50 is 1t
any wonder that We take another grip
and hang on? Is il any wonder that
we want others to see the opportuni-
ties here as we see them?
Our motto is that new lands with
new ideas make a bigger and better
community.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02

it, guiding the. night driver who is
heading for Fresno
Within the courthouse are situated
all the county offices. with the excep-
ton of the sheriff's office. The sheriff S
Office and the county Jail adjoin the
courthouse on the same property. The
county Jail is one of the best con-
structed buildings of its type in the
state and has been inspected by many
county officials in other parts of the
state who have been planning to build
such institutions.
In the parental school, the city has
a concrete institution which has
proved far more efficient for wayward
children than any state reform school.
Within this school are sent children
who cannot be controlled and yet who
are not of such a nature that they
should be sent to a reform institution.
The children sent to the parental
school are not locked in like criminals,
but are cared for by a probation Of
ficer.
Just outside the city limits, on the
southeast, are located the county hos
pital and the poor farm. Two of the
city's best physicians and surgeons are
employed at the county hospital and
patients there are treated as well as
in any private sanatorium in the city.
The board of supervisors has spared
no expense to make these places rank
among the best of their class in the
state. The buildings are of brick and
concrete, built in mission style, and
are we'll equipped.
In close proximity to the county hos
pitaI is situated the county orphan
age Here are sent orphans who are
without other homes, and these chill
dren are kept in this institution, edu-
Gated equally as well as in the public
schools, and are cared for as though
in homes of their own until homes can
be secured for them.
1t has always been the desire of the
taxpayers of Fresno county to make
their public institutions credit to
this county and this desire has been
accomplished.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
FRESNO TAKES HIGH RANK AMONG CITIES
Continued From Page 10

Continued From Page 10
ders. there being more than so lodges
in the city.
A conservative average of the freight
tonnage shipped from Fresno yearly
would be 10000 tons.
The assessed property valuation of
Fresno city exceeds si4.o0o,oo0.
COUNTY,s DIVERSITY
Fresno county is an inland empire
$500 miles in extent and is situated
in the exact center of the state of
California It was formerly one of
the most arid districts in the state, but
being fortunately situated in such a
way as TO make irrigation practicable,
and that having been successfully ac-
compiished. IL is now the richest most
highly developed and most prosperous
OF all the agricultural counties of Call
fornia There are 100000 acres Of rich
land at present under irrigation, and
from these broad acres are yearly
shipped products valued at S30,00O,000,
a per capita of $500 for every man,
woman and child in the county.
The diversity of products Of the
county is enormous, and confined only
between climatic limitations. Scarcely
not added to the list of Fresno's COM
mercial crop possibilities. One can
easily understand this condition when
considering that the raisin is quoted as
Fresno county's leading product, yet
the raisin output forms value Of less
than one-ten3h of the entire value OF
its gross agricultural exports The de-
mand for farm products of every de-
scription is so great and is yearly so
extending in its variety as 10 compel
the farmer TO respond to the call of the
cities especially as prices realized are
so profitable. Not only has the demand
for fruits been maintained, but the call
Tor forage has been most difficult to
meet and planting alfalfa has recently
been one Of the farmers most impor-
tant pursuits.
The value of Fresno's dairy products
has also increased by leaps and bounds,
the butter output advancing from 21e,-
eco pounds in 1898 to 3,3l5,000 pounds
e. 1908. The high prices of meat have
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02

given singular impetus TO the raising
of cattle, sheep and hogs. Indeed, it is
questionable If at any previous period
the farmer has had in a general way
the entire range Of his products bring
ing in such satisfactory returns.
CITRUS FRUITS FLOURISH
Raising OF oranges. lemons and other
citrus fruits has been very extensively
engaged in during the last few years.
The culture of citrus fruits is an ideal
occupation and the monetary results
are of the handsomest kind The
orange tree is long lived. reaching 100
years of age, and unlike many other
fruit trees bears most heavily when
old. The rich red bog soil of the foot
hill district east of Fresno, especially
in what is known as the Mount Camp
bell district, is splendid for orange cul-
ture. The fruit ripens from four to six
weeks earlier than in southern Califor-
MIA. so Fresno oranges get the first of
the market and naturally the best
prices. The fruit is of fine quality, and
not subject to the smut" of the south
ern California orange.
Fig culture is one of the important
growing industries of Fresno county,
especially since George c. Roeding
accomplished the climatization of the
BIastophaga grossorum, a small wasp
necessary to the pollination of the
Smyrna fig. The Smyrna fig is the
best of all the fig family, realizing
better prices. consequently the demand
is. yearly growing greater. The dry,
warm climate of Fresno county Is most
congenial TO the fig.
Turkish tobacco, the very finest quail
ity for cigarette making, has been sue
cessfully raised in Fresno county, and
bids fair to be a profitable industry.
Lumbering is an important branch
of Fresno county industries, represent
ing a yearly output of 100, 100000 board
feet.
The oil industry of Fresno county is
one of its most remarkable develop
mentse In 1900 the output was 500, 900
barrels; in 1909 it was over $4,000, 900
barrels The field is gradually ex-
tending and many new wells are con-
tinually coming in. 1t is producing
at the present time one-thirtieth OF
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02

added to the grade schools. In the
grammar schools, in addition to the
regular curriculum, there have been es-
tablished cooking courses, sewing
courses and manual training courses.
and all of these departments are well
equipped
Through the efforts of various mem
bers of the board of education and 9TH
er businessmen, the city recently voted
a bond issue of 100000 to be used to es-
tablish Fairgrounds for the children
throughout the city. These Fairgrounds
will be under the supervision of the
city administration.
The schools of the city have not been
the only places where innovations have
been introduced, for through the Ii
brary trustees a project has been car
ried out whereby the residents of Fres-
no county will be able to enjoy the
privileges of the Carnegie library with
out paying extra fees. The board of
supervisors recently granted an appro-
priation of $4,000 annually for the es-
adjustment of IL library stations
throughout the county. Each one of
these stations will be provided with
books sent out from the main library
in Fresno. This Fresno library will
be doubled to meet the demands of the
country readers This movement has
been under way for about a year, but
it was only a few weeks ago that it
was completed. The stations are now
being established.
Standing in the very heart of the city,
surrounded by a beautiful little park,
is the Fresno county courthouse This
building is three stories in height of
classic architecture and looms up above
other buildings in the city. The stories
7fracr frrH Hs
ing the appearance of a six story struc-
ture rather than a three story one
Like the famous state house dome
in Boston, the gilded dome of the
Fresno courthouse stands out visible
to the naked eye for several miles
from the center of the city. At night
the dome can be located by a number
of large arc lights which surround
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-02
KEARNEY ESTATE
NOTED FOR BEAUTY
Famous Farm Used for Expert
mental Purposes by the
State University

Although California is noted for it's
many estates, there is probably none
within its borders surrounded by such
peculiar conditions and circumstances
as the Kearney estate, lying about 10
miles west of Fresno, in the very heart
of the San Joaquin. The estate is one
of Fresno's landmarks. The history of
it is known to the whole countryside
and the Kearney drive is famous the
valley over.
Theodore Kearney, taciturn, eccen-
tric, mysterious, bought the first bit of
Fresno property in 1870. 1t consisted
of tract of $500 acres, which was
subdivided and sold in small sections.
He made other purchases and began
the improvements in his property
which mark the place as beautiful to-
day. The great Kearney drive more
than 2 miles in length and lined on
both sides for the entire distance with
palms and luxuriant foliage was a later
development.
One of the features of the estate,
which consists of 5,400 acres, is a por-
tfon of land planted with a splendid
aggregation of trees from practically
every country in the world. There are
sections planted with alfalfa, and one
strip of $50 acres Isl laid out in an ex-
cellent vineyard.
The property now belongs to the Uni
versity of California, to whom it was
left by Kearney at his death Dennis
Kearney, alleging kinship to the eccen-
trio millionaire, pressed his claim in
court, but only last Tuesday Justice
Cooper sustained the state university
in its possession.
Offering every advantage for the
study of horticulture and agriculture
the estate has been made a depart
ment of the university. The fertility
of the soil, facilities of irrigation and
remarkable collections of various trees
shrubbery and growths that have been
carefully fostered through the years
are OF great value to science Certain
features Of study are to be pursued
in the Kearney estate alone in expert
mental work, and it Is the intention
of the university to- establish com
plete experimental plant there. where
special courses in agriculture and hor-
ticulture can best be given.
The estate is valued at 50 600 00O
and gives an annual income of $4,000
During all of his life Kearnev turned
every dollar of profit back into the
estate He built it up gradually until
1t paid for itself and then he kept
compounding the value. He made I'm
provements, in every nook and corner
and shaved with the estate until he
that is worth while blooms in its gar.
dens
There is a picturesque chateau on
the grounds known as the Kearney
lodge 1t is covered with clingine
vines and surrounded with we'll kept
flower beds. 1t was the first Kearney
home and conveys littls to the casuaI
observer of the dreams of the original
owner, who planned a palatial resi-
dence to crown his lands. Kearney in
tended to build huge chateau on the
lines of the castles of the feudal bar
ons, but he died before the project
could be carried out.