Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-05-07

many other attractions 10 prove that. as far
back as 1900. cahrillo and Drake were not
entirely wrong in thinking IT a paradise.
Could they look upon the land and ocean
to-day they would know they had indeed
found shorter route 10 Asia.
have Just returned from Los Angeles. one
hundred and ten miles from here where
visited friends and had very enjoyable visit
Ny pen cannot describe this immense city
growing more rapidly than any other on our
continent, reaching out to the ocean until we
read of sport Los Angeles" as II IL were really
q seaport of itself. The Pacific can never
come to this city, but the city will In time go
to the ocean.
While there. II was my pleasure to visit
1.-The Mission Play" at San Gabriel Pro-
baby many of you have read OF this, as II is
well advertised in the East. San Gabriel is
suburban village about forty minutes delight
full ride from Los Angeles, through Aihambra,
among beautiful homes, orange and lemon
groves and ever-blooming flowers. The
mission Play" is to California what the
"Passion Play is TO oberammergau. II is
a pageant drama. a fascinating story OF the
early mission days. building of the missions,
Contamination OF the Indians, and the ruins,
Indian and Spanish songs and dances, where
one can learn much Of the early history of
California.
The play was'written by John Steven Me-
Groaty, and portrays the rise and fall OF the
Franciscan enterprise in California from
I7ss-iss7. The building IN which this play is
given was built by the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Co. On three sides OF this building, out
eide, is what is called the Kings highway
q walk representing "El Canine Real". be-
ginning with San Diego, leading north to San
Francisco, folio wing the line OF the missions,
and these are here represented by small
buildings of cement, In form quite like the
old missions-said to be correct miniature
productions Of the twenty-one missions on
the coast OF California.
The question arises, "why is such play
givenf" McGroaty may wish to show to this
generation the sufferings these early mis-
sionaries endured to bring the light Of Christ
70 the Indians. and certainly il is Of great
educational value. Again. by some 1t may be
looked upon as financial enterprise for the
beneht Of the great Southern Pacifc- What
ever may be the object, honor should be given
| the man who can place before the public so
| forcibiy the simple, pathetic piety of the
| early padres.
| Junipero Sierra Was the founder Of all these
early missions. He was born in Petra. NAL
lorca island. in i7is, came to Mexico In i74s,
from there to Monterey, where the first mis-
sion was built He was q learned man-am-
bilious and persevering, accustomed to
manual labor and an eloquent preacher. and
| his sole ambition was the advancement of his
| religion and the welfare OF the Indians.
| In one act Of the play the interference Of
the Spanish military authorities was forcibly
shown and the old priests heart was nearly
broken, but he would not give up his labors.
One act showed what the Indians had learned
to do in the fifteen years after the missionaries
came. In this the lto Indians connected with
the play passed in line before the old padre
aud received his blessing upon the articles
which they brought, such as wheat, pump
kins the size of which even the Hancock
county fair could not produce, fancy work in
bright and gorgeous colors. mission chairs
quite in style at the present day, all sorts OF
pottery. roof tiles, used even now on many
old buildings here-aIl Of these, besides the
costumes, SO changed from the feathers and
blankets of the painted Indians, such as he
found when he first came here.
But time and space in your columns will moi
allow me to write more. Junipero died in
i7s4, justly called the Apostle of California"
One Of his last prayers was: 'tBring 10 the foot
OF Thy cross, these wild Gentiles of these
plains and hills, and bless California now and
in the centuries to come, when newer peoples
shall crowd her golden shores.p EAST.
This letter from East, who is now at this
West, will be very much enjoyed by tbs
members of the clan and by the man,
personal friends of the writer. 1t gives
us all an opportunity to take trip t.