THE PENRYN CRUSADE 



The following report by Field Agent Gray gives us a 

 more detailed account of a specific crusade ; namely, 

 the Penryn Crusade. 



Report of Field Agent Harold F. Gray 



Penryn, Placer County, is located in the foothills of 

 the Sierra Nevadas, on the main overland route of 

 the Southern Pacific Railroad, at an elevation of about 

 650 feet. The country is rolling, the climate mild, 

 the soil deep and fertile, water is cheap and abundant, 

 and conditions are naturally such that fruit growing, 

 the principal industry of the region, should be highly 

 profitable, and should support many small orchards. 



With the introduction of irrigation in the 70's, 

 malaria appeared and soon became endemic. A region 

 which had previously been perfectly healthy became 

 thoroughly infected with this curse, and gradually the 

 original owners moved away, and either leased or sold 

 their land. When sold, the orchards gradually passed 

 into the hands of large holders who did not work the 

 land themselves, but leased. Finally, the last and 

 worst stage was reached when the Caucasian lessees 

 were replaced mainly by Orientals, who entered the 

 region in 1895 and 1896. 



