What Settlers Say 



SOME RESULTS OF PROMOTION WORK. 



It is a great human interest story this, of the coming of new settlers, of breaking 

 up the fresh ground for the plow and of the industrial development of many regions 

 undeveloped and unproductive. To no institutions in California is a more sacred 

 trust imposed than upon its development organizations. These organizations, by their 

 very nature, invite confidence and command respect. The newcomer naturally looks 

 for guidance to the commercial organizations of California, and it is a favorable com- 

 ment upon the character of these bodies that they will never advise a settler to come 

 to their locality knowing that it is not suited to their needs, but will direct him to 

 some region which, in their opinion, meets the requirements of the newcomer. 



The California Promotion Committee has directed thousands of settlers to Cali- 

 fornia, and has seen that they are properly cared for on arrival. The Committee has 

 received many letters from settlers that they are pleased with this great new land. 

 The following few expressions of opinion are taken at random from many letters. 



Mr. Charles M. Corey, who came to California from Lutesville, Missouri, after cor- 

 respondence with the California Promotion Committee, says he is well satisfied with 

 California. Mr. Corey writes from Allendale P. O., Fruitvale, as follows: 

 The California Promotion Committee: 



Sirs: — As you have requested me to write an article, stating what I think of Cali- 

 fornia when compared with my Eastern home, and as I feel under some obligation to 

 you for literature and information kindly sent me before coming here, I will endeavor to 

 comply, although article-writing is out of my line. 



But I will say this, that after spending fourteen months here that I am well satis- 

 fied with the country, both as to climate and the general resources of the country. I 

 am not sorry for what I have done in disposing of my property in the East, for the 

 purpose of coming to this State, which is contrary to the prophesies of my friends in 

 Missouri. 



The one thing which pleases me above all others is the improvement of my health. 

 There is something in the air which I will not undertake to explain, but which is in- 

 vigorating and seems to buoy a person up; and there are more bright days, which are 

 neither too cold nor too warm, but just right to work with your coat off, than in any 

 other State in the Union. Instead of cold weather, snow, sleet and ice, we have 

 mostly pleasant weather, with an occasional rain or fog, and sometimes it is most too 

 cool to sit around comfortably without a little fire. It is always cool of nights, and also 

 when it rains; now and then we have a slight frost in winter, but not enough to do 

 much harm to growing plants. 



I can only speak of this central part of the State, along the coast and in the 

 neighborhood of San Francisco, as I have been satisfied to stop right here where 

 there is plenty of fruit and flowers; and in these this State beats the world. 



Yet I am told that this is only a fair sample of what I might find in most any part 

 of the State. I have bought oranges here at 7y 2 cents per dozen. This State affords 

 splendid opportunities for skilled labor; for instance, plasterers and brick-layers re- 

 ceive $6.00 per day of eight hours; first-class carpenters, $4.00; girls who are good 

 cooks and thoroughly understand housekeeping receive from $25 to $35 per month, 

 and so forth. 



Now, it would not be fair to close this article without enumerating some of the dis- 

 advantages which exist here. The price of fuel in Fruitvale is higher than in my former 

 home, wood being about $5.00 per cord, coal 60 cents per sack, and as high accordingly 

 by the ton. Yet those in the East must bear in mind that not much fuel is needed ex- 

 cept for cooking purposes. A great many use nothing but oil or gas the year round. 



Yours truly, 



(Signed.) CHARLES M. COREY. 



Allendale P. O., Fruitvale, Dec. 20, 1904. 



