The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1920-03-25
The Chastains Are Enjoying Thenl-
Selves in California.

Mrs. j. M. Chastain, of Leon, who
with Mr.. Chastain are making an
extended visit in California, has
written the following interesting let
ter to Mrs. W. A. Allbaugh, and We
are permitted to publish it, so that
all OF their friends may know what
the Leon colony are doing IN Califor-
MIA.
Los Angeles, March Z, 1920.
Dear Ones at Leon-This lovely
warm morning finds us we'll and en-
joying ourselves, and all the good
eats, and our Leon friends, and the
many more we have here in Califor-
in health since you last met us. John
has gained more than | have, but he
eats more, see. We have been so
worried over your children's sick
ness and SO glad John is better. We
had nice visit out in Englewood
with Charlie Gammon's and with
noxy Cannon: It was Roxy's birth
and Lee Gammon's step-son and
family and others came in to meet
us and surprise Mrs Roxy She
never suspected until the cake with
lighted candles was brought out, had
forgot the day of the month as peo-
prised. Charlie took us in his car
all over Englewood ID and, through
some farm country and chicken
ranches, and over near the noun
tains. We certainly had a most de-
lightful trip and visit. The next
day we went to call on Lyde Claver
Logan, who lives in sawtell: The
big thing. The grounds are beauti-
ful, eleven large buildings and twen-
ty-four smaller ones which hold the
same number Of soldiers as the large
ones, then hospitals, mess halls,
churches, offices, etc. We. were too
phone call from Long Beach to come
Saturday and see big ship launch
ed from the Long Beach harbOr, SO
Mr.. Biggs, the Davidsons and Mr..
Chastain and started about seven
and met. at P. p. station, went on
the painful experience train down to
Long Beach. Here the bunch from
Leon was in waiting for us, and we
all boarded car for the shipyard.
Ted Snyder, (Wilma Clusters hus-
band) had procured passes for US
five from~ Los Angeles, so we could
go inside the shipyard and be near
the launching. and after it was over
, he took us all through the works,
which only a few get to see these
times. The furnaces were ready to
put in this big ship, three of them.
They were quite a sight to see out OF
the ship, but small to those of the
large war ships. This one was four
hundred feet long, and more nearly
When they ore launched, Nj: sny-
der said. We also saw the ''Vinita"
which had been launched and finish
ed, but not so large. 1t will be tried
out today in the harbor. OF course,
after seeing all this we felt like eat
| ing all the fish in the deep sea. so
we walked up the shore line to the
room by the sea, where we could
watch the surf come and go: The
tide was in and quite active for the
noon day. We four people who were
left of our crowd ordered three KINDS
of fish for the menu. After we felt
able we went on the hunt for our
Pike near the bath house. We sat
in the sand, had our pictures taken.
saw the sights, the larger ones OF
the crowd rode the merry-go-round.
some took in the Crazy House"
spelled "Krazy'. some tried for the
pig. while all enjoyed the fun. 1
think Ed Smith enjoys the climate. 5ia1t
people, churches, etc, to the limit
Of three hundred and sixty--six days.
if he stays the year out. We go to
Magnolia Avenue church today.
viii meet some of the Porter family
there and other friends, so will ring
off. Will send you a Leon picnic
picture. This ought to stop the H.
c. l.. in Leon. You can show it to
Ollie Hull if he has not found one
before this. Will enclose clipping
of the launching which you can n.read,
Where the X is marked is where@we
watched a sand artist make pictures
washed ashore. Nearby was q an
apartment house with these words
on the side Of the house. all in sand;
''Twas ever thus since Childhood
hours
My fondest, hopes decay,
l never loved a boarding house
But what i was told to move
away"
With kind regards to all,