350 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



fore I realized the closeness of the danger, the efficient 

 fire department had extinguished the flames which de- 

 stroyed our hotel kitchen. As usual, I escaped with a 

 mere fright. 



December 31st, 1868. Christmas has passed and New 

 Year is again only a few hours away. I spent the holidays 

 mostly at Messer's, but came near breaking my neck last 

 Sunday. Having attended the wedding of a friend, the 

 whole party decided to drive out to one of the pretty 

 suburbs, when the horses of our carriage took fright and 

 ran away. Though two of our number were thrown out, 

 none was seriously hurt and I, as usual on such occasions, 

 came away without a scratch, though the buggy was al- 

 most demolished. 



The dedication of the new hall for our lodge took place 

 on Tuesday. Am busy surveying. 



January 30th, 1869. The New Year has made two souls 

 happy. My old friend Rinaldi and Francisca Valdez de 

 Pfeffer were made one on the second. I wish them hap- 

 piness, health and harmony. The Lembckes lost a child 

 on the sixteenth. The twenty-ninth brought us an earth- 

 quake. Altogether we had fairly good weather this 

 month. 



I am now settled as civil engineer and surveyor, with 

 office in the Wolfskill building on Main street, opposite 

 Commercial. 



April 30th, 1869. The weather has been rather wintry 

 for Los Angeles and this, together with a lame foot, have 

 kept me indoors considerably. 



June 30th, 1869. The weather has changed at last and 

 we enjoy the old California sunshine once more, which 

 makes everybody feel good. Strange things happen some- 

 times, and even in the far southwest. Repeated persua- 

 sions from my many friends and acquaintances have in- 

 duced me to try my luck in politics. It is no more the 

 fiery youth of eighteen hundred and forty-eight, who tries 

 his wings, but a man of many experiences, who casts his 

 lot with the grand old Democratic party and hopes to ob- 

 tain the nomination and eventually the election to the 

 office of county surveyor. 



