Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1921-01-21


 history of civilization in the great west, and which sprang into exist ence nearly three centuries ago when zealous missionaries toiled northward over Fl Camino Real-the Kings Highway-are to be revived.
 The twenty-one missions, are de- caying and in ruins, which lie along the highway from San Diego to Sono- ma, will be brought back to life thru the activities of the California Mis- sion Restoration Association, which is now instituting a movement to culminate only when the last mission has been restored in it's ancient pie turesque splendor.
 Father Raymond M. Mestres, Span ish diocesan padre, who has devoted twenty-nine years of study to the Spanish missions of California, and to actual work in these hostoric plac- es is in full charge of the restorative work under way. Leading the move ment and furnishing aid are Herbert c. Hoover, Luther Burbank, John G. Mott, Harry Chandler, Mrs. Florence Porter, Juan Camarilla, R. M. Tobin, Charles Templeton Crocker, Mrs. Eleanor Martin and other prominent Californians. Complete ecclesiastical authority has been given to the as- sociation for whatever restoration construction the Spanish mission architectural authorities recommend. Title to all the mission properties is held enthusiastically.
 Thus are the distinguishing marks in the beginning of civilization in the western half of the continent to be made permanent for posterity. Each of the twenty-one missions in the long, but unwavering chain is to be reconstructed and rebuilt as it was when first completed by the tireless Franciscan fathers and the Indians whom they civilized.
 For years the missions of Califor- mia have been the topic of historical discussion, and the food for the de- caying ravages of time. At different periods attemptsF have been made to restore some of them, but these have been no permanent results. The lat. est movement, successfully conceived and launched, will carry the work through to the end, which will be when the missions of Fl Camino Real are again alive.
 Built Over Century Ago.
 The twenty-one missions were built between the years 1769 and 1925, along a trail over four hundred miles long. That trail, or Fl Camino Real, as it was known, is still existent-lt is the highway from San Francisco to San Diego-But in the eighteenth century it was a burro path, rude almost unrecognizable tracing on the ground. Today it is surfaced with asphalt and where the jogging burros plodded with their sacks of supplies to distant laboring missionaries, now powerful automobiles and trucks dash along on rubbered wheels. Fl Camino Real is still the highway.
 Civilization dawned for California and for the great west on July l, 1769, when the four forces of the pioneering Spaniards met San Diego and celebrated their successful under taking. No sooner were the congrat- ulations completed than the work of constructing a mission started. From that day forth California has been civilized
 San Diego was sought and discov- cred by the order of the King ot Spain Jose de Galvez, visitor-gen- eral in Mexico, was given the order and in Father Junipero Serra, of the Franciscans, he found the great mis- sionary of the future. Two expedi- tions on the ships San Carlos and Sar Antonious respectively, sailed from La Paz for thd new land. Two foot parties departed shortly after under command of Don Fernando Rivera Moncada and Gaspar de Portola, a captain of dragons, with the same objective.
 Complete First Mission
 Mission San Diego was soon com pleted. Besides the church there was the little settlement, or post. Once settled, the missionaries next turned to the education of the Indians, un- der the direction of Father Juniperc Serra.
 The civilizing of the Indians has been almost the crowning glory o1 those men who toiled in the unknown land or their ordained work. Then success may be realized by comparing the method which the missionaries o1 California used in subduing the tribes and turning the aborigines. to use1u tasks with the treatment accorded the Indians on the East coast of Amefl' ca. The arrival of the English there history shows, was the beginning o1 the systematical wiping out ot the Indians who opposed their entrance result obtained through the use o1 f;roorp,c and what has since been pro-