San Mateo County Gazette Redwood City, San Mateo County, California Saturday Morning, July 21, 1860, Vol. 2 No. 16 DIED In this place, on the 18th, inst., Caleb Godwin, a native of Maine, and late of Cincinnati O., aged 69 years. ABOUT SAN MATEO COUNTY. San Mateo is less known by people not residing in it that the remoter parts of California, notwithstanding its boundary is within six miles of San Francisco. There is not a man in the metropolis except such as have had business or a residence in San Mateo county, who cannot tell the inquirer more about Yreka, Downieville, Shasta, or Weaverville, than he can about the county which joins San Francisco, although those places are hundreds of miles away, and the person may have been to neither. This is a fact, owning probably in the first place, to the superior attractions possessed by mining over agricultural districts. Yet it is somewhat singular that so little should be known of a portion of the country so rich in climate and all that Nature can bestow. The people of San Francisco cross the Bay to enjoy the mild atmosphere, and partake of the healthful waters of Napa springs, while within a few hours' drive of their homes, on the banks of the beautiful Purissama, in this county, that can quaff the waters of medicinal springs as superior to those of Napa as spring water is to that of a mud-hole. They go to the far-off wood where "distance lends enchantment," to enjoy "the country," but ignore the shady groves, and magnificent scenery within twenty miles of them. This is another peculiarity of the people, and is upon the same principle as that Californians would rather go five hundred miles after a humbug than stay at home and make money, particularly if it is to be made slowly. Nothing seems of value that is near home. A very common error concerning this locality is that its vicinity to San Francisco is advantageous; but the contrary is the fact. The traveler passes through this county and seldom thinks if he desire a farm, that in a locality so near San Francisco, one can be obtained at a price which the trees upon it, cut into cordwood would pay. Yet such is the fact, and that, too, within a few hundred yards of the county road. The laborer who trudges along the highway with a diffident mien, casts a glance at Redwood City but does not apply for labor - there can be no change, it is too near San Francisco. He does not know that ordinary laborers, receive from two dollars and a half to three dollars per day at this place, and cannot be had even at that high price. We and others have frequently needed the services of laborers and were unable to procure them, even at the high price stated, and at the same time it was well known that men were daily offering their services on the road for their board. San Francisco draws from this place and from the country at large money which should be retained here, and would be, were it not that the city is so near. Its prices, though really no lower than at this place, draw off patronage from home, and checks the progress of town and county improvement. A change to some extent can be wrought, by encouraging tradesmen among us. Let those who have the means make the first advance by building houses to rent. It is to be hoped that this town and neighborhood will at an early day, by some means, emerge from the shadow of its big neighbor, San Francisco, whose "convenient distance" is one of the greatest impediments to its growth, instead of being an advantage. Let us rely more upon ourselves as a community. BAY DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. - Mr. John Cumming of Twelve Mile Farm, San Mateo county has been appointed by the Bay District Agricultural Society, as the agent, to represent the Society in selling memberships, and procuring subscriptions and donations to further the objects of the Society. The first Fair will be held in this City in October next, and it is hoped that will exceed anything of the kind ever given in this State. - Farmer VALUABLE DONATION. - Hon. Horace Hawes has donated to the Ladies' Protection and Relief Society, a tract of land, bounded north by Post street, east by Van Ness Avenue, south by Geary street, and west by Franklin street, comprising the whole of Block No. 83, official map, and equal in extent to six fifty vara lots. SMALL POX. - Some anxiety has been manifested by the people here on account of a report that small pox is among them. This report has been caused by the fact that two cases of varioloid are now under treatment in the Redwoods. We are informed it is but a light type of the disease so much dreaded, and that there is no danger of its becoming epidemic. To see other old newspapers, visit http://www.newspaperabstracts.com