Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-08-04
PASADENA PIONEERS.
Changes. Not All for the Better, the
Years Have Brought.

PASADENA, CAL, July Is, 'si5- \
To the Editor Of The American:
. We are called pioneers because we we're
among the flrst settlers Of Pasadena. Cal.
We talk about our fine climate now, once
in while; but then, thirsy-eight years
ago, ~ we thought We hsd found the
finest climate In all the world, climate
seemed to be the principal word OF our
conversation.
We had better climate then. The ct
mosphere was parer. rs 1t was not fi.ied
with smoke or charged with microbes,
arising from Atty thousand Inhabitants.
We have been, in - sense. Affected
cfimatscaIiy, since that time, SO that now
we hardly dare boast Of our climate in
our city. II is Just - good now ~ Their,
in spots cut in the open, in the country.
Our foothiil and mountain climate re-
mains unchanged. Tourists, ncsihg
around, find many cities OF the dead here.
One reason for that 10, 40 many people
have come here with one foot already in
the grave.
Further, we do not get full benefit OF
tho sun now. Tall eucaiypti and pines
seem TO delay the suns rising. and houses
do, too. Then, the minute the sun had
climbed theeastern siope OF yonder moan
tain to its peak, II threw its golden rays
over the land and through the valley I'M
hindered and unobstructed.
There was the calm, cool, morning
twilight air, followed and affected by the
tempering rays OF the sun In 90 gradual .
way the pioneer was struck with an In
MIGRATING freshness which came from the
atmospheric condition Of his environment,
and the natural scenery, with the noun
tains to the north, was beautiful, grand,
inspiring. The pioneer stood a. one n1ed
to the spot gazing awe-etruck. The
wondrous changes in objects, 30 touched
by early morning rays OF the sun; the
mountains bathed In glory. Here was
feature Of the land and the the sky ct sun
rise that We miss now because of man
made distractions.
The natural scenery has in very large
measure given way to the artificial. We
may think the change an improvement,
and 20 II il In many ways. Bot
there was q charm about nature In
the rough that, in the onward march
OF things, We have lost. And 50.
We have moments when we like to
think Of the pioneef-time, and OF the
pleasures that were ours to enjoy then.
II In true that there are parts OF oor
pioneering that we do not care to look at
agAin--festures 1T ionesomcness and dis.
couragcment. But there we're brigh,
spots that we delight travelling back to in
our memory. We ind = great deal OF
pleasure revisiting them. We again get
touch OF the sweet and rcstfui quir,ude
that pervaded the valley, disturbed only
by sweet notes OF songsters. We re-
member the meadow lark, and we go into
suburbs that We may find him nov; that
we may get his clear note and sweet song.
We hear now, as of old, the chime of
bells floating to our ear upon still air
from the San Gabriel mission. Then sc
could get an unobstrnctcd view of our
beautiful foothills and rugged mountains
from almost any quarter Of the valley, snd
-seceived lessons from them on strength,
beauty and stability.
l do not know with whst sort OF eyes
others OF our pioneers looked upon this
vailey and the foothills and mountains
about IL, but remember l saw them drst
with wondering eyes. was both deeply
interested and charmed. The prospecs
looked good to me, aud l was willing
to venture, and did venture, stalking ali
my little sum OF money on 1t. Ny poor
body was sickiy. hoped to win out. as
my neigh bors then knew, for its health,
1t was climate and hard work tina, lifted
me out OF the slough of disconrageuseut
making me 10 see that living was worth
while, rs began to feel tingling sensa-
tions for betterment at the very ends OF
my fingers.
AT that pioneer time we needed fuel.
We found 1t to be scarce and high in price.
What we could get consisted chiefly OF
gressewood roots which settlers among
the foothills and in the canyons grubbed
out.
They brought it TO the little settlement
in queer-looking wagons, drawn by the
homely, uncurried mustangs, and sold it
for so much Q wagon full. These grease
wood roots made hot fire, once they got
underway, burning we'll. They were Of
ten green.
In those days we used cast-iron gem
pans, not the thin tin things of o-dsy, and
SO, even the several bachelors were sue
cessful gem makers, for. II they got the
pan hot, the gems would be light whether
the batter Was mixed according TO recipe
or not. Graham gems and fried bacon
and potatoes constituted q good meal in
homes here At that time. l have made
many Q meal OF OF unbuttered gems,
washed down with pure water that |
dipped up from plowed furrow. l first |
put it in . barrel to settle, however.
1t is very oiffie ult explaining to the people |
OF this day and generation here just how |
this valley looked to US pioneers. Perhaps |
ought not attempt q description, but |
there are features of the valley and its |
environments that so impressed me at the |
I nal ll,t.e . kx