Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1882 — Rambles in the Golden Sta e. [ARTICLE]

Rambles in the Golden Sta e.

RKI) BLcrihs. Sacramento Vnllev, is perhaps the best body of wheat growing lapd in the state, ms it is well adapted to wheat and it seldom fails of a crop; and for beautiful scenery it •annot be surpassed, and especially may this be said of Red Bluffs, From the city wc look across the beautiful undulating bottom-lands to the foot hills whicli gradually rise higher and higher until towering in the distance is the lofty peaks, capped with per[ e ur’ snow. It is straage how these glistening snow peaks can be seen. Mount Shasta is plainly visible, glistening in the sunlight and to its base it is said to be 106 miles. SACRAMENTO. . But we will return to the city of Sacramento, the Capital of California. This city is situated on the cast bank of the Srcramento rivet, aud south of the America river the jnnetion of the two rivers. Here we arrive at 11 o’clock and remain until the next morning, thus giving us time to take a look through the place and we have improved the opportunity thus afforded us. Ve think by the time we shall return we might favorably compete fo>-the championship as a pedestrian. First to attract our attention is the Capitol building, which is a conspicuous land mark, and is the first object to catch the eye as you approach from the oast. The building occupies the center of four blocks and is bounded by L. aud N.lOth and 11th streets. The surrounding grounds form three terraces, slightly elevated above each other, and to which we ascend as we near the building by easy flight of steps. These terraces are regularly laid out, and are covered by u beautiful close shaven sward and ornamented with Shrubs, evergreens and flowers, It fronts toward 10th street, and is 320 feet long. Approacing it the great center appears to rise the lofty dome having on either side largo wings. We ascend a flight of granite steps some 2>foet high by 8) foet long to the front portico of 10 columns through which we enter the main hall to the rotunda about 70 feet in diameter in the ceuter. .The halls on either story are beautifully arched extending through the front and wings. After ascending to the top of the main building wo commence the arduous task of reaching the dome by ascending a winding stair. After stopping to regain our brenth several times we Anally reach the balcony,which is covered w th the g e»t inetalic dome su mouuted by the statue of California. Wejas eJ through aconsiderble portion of the city, in which we noticed many magnificent and beautifully ornamented residences and a good proportion of -substantial commercial blocks. The streets are broad and regularly laid out, being well ornamented with and from the river back they number 1,2, 3, &c. We stopped at the Western Hotel and find it a comm;d ous, neat and well conduclel house where we have board and lodging for $1.25 per day. We have been ha; p ly dUap pointed in this particular, for whereas we had evpectad to pay dear for the necessary repairs -<ef mortality, we find \h can sustain our average avi irdupo’s much more cheaply here than in lloosierUoin. Sacramento City, like all the other towns along the lower portion of tho river, are living in dri ad of rising floods, notwithstanding the (To lr.d upon which she stands has beep ftli'-l and raised H) feet above the original Bite and is now■ protected by heavy embankments or dykes. This is owing to the filing of the river which I have heretofore «Uude, being the debris from tho hydraulic mines.

On the morning of the 28th of December we sent ourselves in the cars at the Central Depot and as we leave on the new short line route lor San Francisco, we cross the .Sacramento with the town of Washington <>n th s west bank, and then we pa«B over the *• Tuiles” a broad bolt of overflowed Bw.unp land, s distnneo of some two miles, Avh. nwe reach an elevated plain. And now we passthrough rich highly cultivated fields, and groves oflive oak, whore many line private residencies are seen, and numerous small towns and side tracks are jia«.-ed, we cross Dutch creek and come to the great vineyard and orchard of Mr. .Briggs, containing 6VO acres. Tlio greatet porfon of this is devoted to raisin grapes, ibe balance is uhnonds, tigs, apricots, aud ether fruits. Eor4o miles we pas through « rich and highly cultivated country, when Hire come to Benicia formerly the capital Of California, at the head of ship navigation. The Cartjiiin* straits, pronounced '

(Kar-ke«-ney) are about 1} miles fn width and through whicn the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers reach San Pablo bay, five miles west across this strait we reach P( rt Costa by transit on the “Solona” the largest steam ferry boat in the world. Her entire length is 421 feet and is 116 wide, bight of side in center 18 feet 6 inches, lit each end higltt 15 feet 10 inebe®; she has two ve/ticle ste am engines capable of Jteing worked up U> 2,000 horse power each. The wheels are 30 feet in diameter and f; c 17 feet; she has eight steel boilers. The boat box 4 tracks running from end to end, with the capacity of 48 freight or 24 passenger cars. In its construction 1,500,000 faet of lumber was used. After leaving the ferry boat our track has been blasted through high, rocky narrow spurs, whice we pass and come in sight of San Pablo bay, To our right is Hose Island, where the Government works, dry-docks, arsenals, &c. are: From here our trfeek is along the south bank of San Ablo bay, or in sight or it until we reach Oakland, which we pass, aud proceed to the wharf depot, which is at the end of the wharf far'out in the bay. From this wharf steam ferry boa s, leave and arrive to and from San Francisco every half hour. Here we embark, leaving the train fur tho boat at 12 a.m., un hour later we are in the grti t wosteru metropolis, San Francisco.

JOB.

Debility resulting from typhoid ar.d low fevers is best and most quiekly relieved b y Brown’s Iron Bitters.