The Cordova daily times., 1919-02-15

or roads, OF the mission days have
fallen into wretched state, and in
many places have been practically
obliterated.
The peninsula is rich in mineral
wealth, at least one of its silver mines
In the southern district having been
operated since 1748. Gold, silver, cop
per, iron, coal, lead, gypsum and salt
are found, and valuable marble for
building is everywhere abundant. Min
ing experts agree that the mineral re-
sources have hardly been scratched.
Cactus and mesquite have given
place in valleys where irrigation has
been possible to the cultivation OF
deciduous fruits, figs, dates, cereals
and vegetables. Rainfall Is scanty
and insufficient to support vegetation.
Tobacco, cotton, grapes, sugar cane
and native melons are grown. Horses
and cattle, as we'll as sheep in linn
tied numbers, are found in the most
fertile valleys.
The pearl fisheries Of La Paz, on
the Gulf side, have been worked since
the first Spanish landed, and have
Melted fortunes to those who have
succeeded to the franchises covering
the fisheries. Whale fishing has been
carried on successfully for more than
hundred years off Magdalena bay,
on the Pacific side, which has fur
nished also a ground for target prac-
tice for the warships of the United
States.
The CALIFORNIA;, Baja and Alta Cali
fornia, the latter the state north of
the Mexican boundary, wore chris
tened from a Spanish romance popu-
lar in the time of Cortez, entitled
"Sergas de Esplanadian," in which the
island of California was mentioned as
situated ION the right hand of the
Indies, very near terrestrial Paradise"
The first parment settlement on the
peninsula was founded at Loretto in
1897 by Jesuits, who afterwards estab-
lished settlement at La Paz. After
the expulsion of the Jesuits the Fran
ciscans were allowed to carry on their
missionary work, and later the Do
minican monks were granted similar
privileges.
Following are among the more i'm
portant events of historical interest
from the landing Of the Spaniards
down to the overthrow of President
Porfirio Diaz, in 1911:
1579-Coast visited by Sir Francis
Drake.
1633-83-Five unsuccessful attempts
made to establish settlements.
1697-Jesuits found Lorett mission
Pious fund, for the maintenance of
missions, founded.
1751-First wine grapes planted by
Jesuits.
1767-Jesuits expelled after having
founded twenty-five missions, fourteen
of them successful.
| 1768-Franciscans permitted to en-
gage in missionary work on PENN
sula
1772-Dominican monks given same
rights as Franciscans.
1SO2-Monthly mail route estab-
lished over Ell Canine Real.
1822-Admiral Lord Cochrane plum
dered San Jose del Dabo, Loretto and
Todos Santos
1847-United States declared war
against Mexico. Troops occupy Todos
Santos, La Paz and other points.
1S4S-War ended with treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1853-William Walker of San Fran
cisco led tilibustering expedition into
peninsula and captured La Paz. I'm
dertook to set up Independent state,
including Sonora and Lower Califor-
MIA. Walker tried in San Francisco
and acquitted after failure of expedi-
ton.
1S55-Santo Domingo mission last
one given up by Franciscans after
secularization act. Penal colonies
established at La Paz and on Carman
island.
1859-President Buchanan sent en-
voy to President Juarez of Mexico to
negotiate purchase of Lower Califor-
mia. Juarez refused to sanction sale.
1S79-Marquis de Leon organized
revolution, which died within year.
1879-Lower California divided into
two districts, with La Paz as the cap
ital of the South and Ensenada as
capital of the North.
Successive revolutions which have
held Mexico in the throes since Por-
firio Diaz resigned, in May, 1911, have
| not greatly disturbed Lower Califor-
mia, except for the effect brought about
by changing administrations. Aside
from filibustering raids charged to
| Americans, occurring at Tia Juana
and Mexicali, in 1911, whatever
trouble has occurred has been of In.
significant proportions. Selso Vega
was jefe politico of the northern dis.
! Erov, Modnrn