The Days of a Man [^1892 



As head of the Army Balloon System during the 

 Civil War, he rendered distinguished service, after 

 which a long series of remarkable and varied inven- 

 tions were produced by him. 

 rhe At Riverside, my wife and I early found a warm 



Mission personal welcome at the hands of Frank Miller of 

 the Mission Inn, host par excellence and lover of his 

 kind, who has long been a dynamic force in pro- 

 moting many forms of the common good. And the 

 picturesque hostelry over which he presides with 

 the efficient aid of all the other members of his 

 devoted household, is to me the most charming I 

 have ever entered. Its fame, indeed, is world- 

 wide among travelers. A tourist whom Miller once 

 met at Carlsbad, and to whom he explained his quest 

 for new ideas for increasing the attractiveness of his 

 house, said, in substance: ''You don't need to look 

 farther. In your own country you will find a hotel 

 which meets the requirements better than any over 

 here. It's at Riverside, California." 



The Mission Inn opens its doors in a peculiarly 

 personal and generous way to all gatherings looking 

 toward civic advance and general human better- 

 ment. It thus holds a position in the state which 

 no other similar establishment has in any degree 

 attempted to occupy.^ 



^Miller is locally interested in the romantic utilization of Mount Rubidoux, 

 a conical peak of granite adjoining the city of Riverside. On its sharp summit 

 he some years ago installed a tall cross dedicated to the memory of Padre Serra, 

 and there at dawn, each Easter morning, is held an impressive religious service 

 in which the whole community unites. On a photograph showing two distin- 

 guished guests at the foot of the Serra Cross, I wrote the following: 



John Burroughs, James MacDonald, tell me when 

 Has any mountain top home braver men.? 

 What freak of friendly fortune lent these two 

 Thy consecrated summit, Rubidoux? 



c 470 : 



