caught to supply the fishermen. The
wolf-fish, or rock-crushers, as the fisher-
men call them, have to be handled with
care. They are usually about three or
four feet long, and have very powerful
jaws, armed with a number of spike teeth
about an inch long. These are probably
used to pry shell fish from the rocks for
food, for the stomachs of several of them
I saw opened contained crushed shell-fish
mixed with a quantity of sand. If hauled
into the boat they keep up a continual
snapping of the jaws, and will mutilate
the fish around them, and have been known
to bite through the wooden handle of a
gaff an inch and a half in thickness.



The devil-fish on being hauled up usu-
ally make for the bottom of the dory, and
cling there, defying all efforts to remove
them. In this case the hook is usually
cut off and the devil-fish allowed to go his
way. One evening, on hauling one of
the dories on board, a five-foot devil-fish
was found to be still clinging to the bot-
tom of the boat, having been there several
hours. An oar had to be used to pry the
fish loose.

At times a number of "berths" have to
be made before the fish are. "struck," the
fisherman rowing and sailing a number of
miles in quest of a likely "hole."

When the time comes to "go- aboard,"
the anchor is hauled up by means of a
small wooden windlass. If the wind is
favorable, the mast is stepped, and the
sail used; if not, the detested rowing has
to be resorted to.

The dories, when half-loaded and prop-
erly handled, are remarkably good sea
boats, and in rough weather some of the
fishermen perform some daring feats,
loading their dories to a dangerous point,
and sailing in, sitting on the sheet, with
the steering oar in one hand, and bailing
the boat out continually with the other.
On arriving a little to windward of the



A TKIP TO BEHRING SEA AFTER CODFISH.



213



-vessel, the sail is "doused," the mast un-
shipped, and the dory rowed alongside
and made fast, and the work of delivering
the cod on hoard is commenced. The fish
are speared and thrown over the side of
the vessel, a height of about eight or ten
feet. This is * extremely hard work, es-
pecially in rough weather, for with the
vessel rolling and the dory pitching and
jerking, the fisherman requires some skill
to keep on his feet, and many of them
have been thrown head-foremost into their
pile of fish, and at times have gone over-
board. When this happens, the fish-
counter (usually the captain) is always
ready to use a long gaff or a rope to help
him back on board.

After getting rid of his load, the fisher-
man ties his dory astern, and after a



count of the men's hands becoming sore
through continued hard work, and ex-
posure to salt water and wind.

Stormy weather is always welcome to the
dress-gang, for it gives them an oppor-
tunity to add to their pay by fishing over
the rail. Some of them catch as high as
four or five thousand a season in this
way.

The work of cleaning the fish com-
mences anywhere from nine in the morn-
ing to one in the afternoon, and lasts
until all the day's fish are cleaned and
salted, which at times is nine or ten
o'clock at night. A double dress-gang is
operated on vessels of twenty or more
dories, one section working on each side
of the vessel.

The "throaters/"' armed with a double-




" Hauling them in, pair after pair."

hasty meal is off again after more fish.

Usually two trips a day are made, al-
though when the fish are plentiful and the
weather fine, three, and even four, are
sometimes made. The fishing day is gen-
erally from about four in the morning to
seven in the evening, the dories being
hoisted aboard and "nested" every even-
ing.

After having a wash and a good meal,
the fishermen tumble into their bunks at
about eight p. m., to lie and dream of the
next day's luck, or perhaps to wish that
the next should be a "blowy" day, so that
a much needed rest could be had, for
stormy days are the fisherman's Sundays,
. and at times are very much desired on ac-



edged knife, commence the operation by
partly severing the head and ripping
the cod open, sliding them on to the
"headers," who remove the head and en-
trails, dropping them overboard, and slid-
ing the body on to the splitters, who cut
out the backbone, dropping the fish into
tubs of water. From the tubs they go
to the "blackskinners' " table, where the
inside blackskin is removed, and, after
another bath, they are slid down the hold
in chutes to the salters, who lay them out
neatly in "kinches," about four feet wide,
depositing a scoopful of salt on each.

The cod is an exceedingly greedy fish.
They are often caught with the tails of
one or two silver-hake (a long, rather thin



214



OVERLAND MONTHLY.



fish), which they had swallowed, protrud-
ing a couple of inches from their mouths.
Many curious articles have been found in
their stomachs, such as rocks, rubber nip-
pers, pieces of rope, and one I saw exam-
ined contained several large felt wash-
ers. They had probably been thrown
overboard from some passing steamer or
sailing vessel.

Now and then an ill-fated "diving bird"
(the true name of which I have not
learned) is found in the cod's stomach,
claws and feathers included. These birds
are slightly smaller than an ordinary sea-
gull, and come by the hundreds to join
the thousands of sea-gulls on the fishing
grounds for the summer to feast on the
refuse from the fishing vessels. They are
able to fly around with the gulls, and swim
under water, and are well thought-
of by the gulls, for, when the entrails of
the cod are thrown overboard they usually
sink, the "submarine" bird then comes to
the rescue, diving down and bringing the
prize to the surface, where it is held by
the continual pecking of dozens of gulls
which swarm around to share in the feast.

The fishing vessels usually make a num-
ber of berths in a season; that is, they
move to various locations on the fishing
grounds, which are scattered over several
hundred miles of Behring Sea, off the
northern coast of Seward Peninsula and
the Aleutian Islands. One or two trips
are also made to small rivers in the vicin-
ity, where the dories are sent in with bar-
rels for fresh water.

By the latter part of August, we had



175,000 fish on board, which was about all
the forty-year-old Fremont could safely
carry, and after giving the vessel and
dories a thorough scrubbing, and getting
everything about decks shipshape, the an-
chor was hove up, and with flag flying, the
Fremont commenced the merry trip home-
ward, exchanging salutations with some of
the remaining fishermen which we passed.

The trip home was an enjoyable one
both in regard to the weather and the spir-
its of the crew, for all on board had more
or less of a "stake" coming.

The "high liner," or most successful
fisherman, was "Hard Working Tom," the-
watchman, who- had over 15,000 fish to his
credit. One of the other "snailers" (good
fishermen) had 13,000, and two others
12,000 each, and the "low liner" had
something over 5,000.

The run down from Unimak Pass was
made in sixteen days, which is fairly
good time, and early one sunny morning
in the middle of September found the
Fremont proudly sailing into San Fran-
cisco harbor, the first of the cod fisher-
men to return.

After being removed from the vessel,
the cod are washed and placed in huge
tanks containing very strong brine, there
to remain until thoroughly pickled.

The fish are later removed from the
tanks, and placed in the sun, or a steam-
heated room, to dry, after which they are
skinned, the larger bones removed; then
the fish are cut up and made into bricks
or rolls, packed into boxes and shipped to
market.



AMERICA'S OBERAMMERGAU

Gustave JTrolimaii Tells of the Coming Production of the Mission Play of Early
California to be Given in the Open-air at Riverside. Premiere Next December




MENTION OF THE coming
production of the great Mission
play, to be offered for the first
time next December at River-
side, California, is now most opportune.
The Mission play will be presented on a
scale as has nothing heretofore, and it is
perfectly safe to make the assertion that
this production will be the crowning event
in modern day theatrical achievements.
The initial presentation will be given next
December, and will be seen annually
thereafter.

To Mr. Frank A. Miller are we indebted
for this spectacle. He has labored assidu-
ously for the past number of years in the
hope of some day being able to offer this
drama, which will portray the career of
the celebrated Spanish Missionary, Fra
Junipero Serra, and also picture historical
episodes of California during the time of
Father Serra. Up to a year ago, Mr. Mil-
ler remained very reticent on the matter,
owing to the fact that an author for this
play, a playwright capable of combining
this big theme, was not to be found. Dili-
gent search continued for a long time,
Irat without success. The affair was first
brought to my hearing by Mr. Miller, and
I, who have always been very partial to
California, having first come to this coast
when a boy, and my first theatrical ven-
tures were those which I undertook while
in this section of the country, became
highly wrought over the wonderful possi-
bilities of this drama. To do something
for California as a sort of appreciation of
my success here, I have always sought
keenly, and the opportunity for doing such
was now very evident. After hearing Mr.
Miller's dramatic narrative, I set out to
find the writer with sufficient ability and
genius for the dramatization of the great




Mr. Edward Eisner.

Mission play. I had found things identi-
cal as was found by Mr. Miller. The same
difficulty as was in his case confronted me,
a playwright was now a difficult person to
find. I approached the greatest and most
popular dramatists of the day, but after
seeing them, I felt that my search was not
concluded. Of the many I had conversed
with, not one did I consider eligible for
this work.

Later 1 met Mr. Edward Eisner, who
has been identified with the Frohmans for



216



OVERLAND MONTHLY.



a number of years, and stage director in
the largest of this firm's enterprises, and
being cognizant of Mr. Eisner's ability as
a dramatist, I placed the matter before
him. Mr. Eisner immediately became en-
thusiastic, the imagination of the young
author pictured to him the vast possibili-
ties of the Mission play, and the oppor-
tunity it offered as the greatest spectacle
ever conceived in this or any other coun-
try. He at once inquired into the details
of the matter. Very soon after Mr. Eis-
ner had acquainted himself with the theme
of the drama, he set about for the writing
of his scenario. This he having completed,
submitted same to Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller
accepted it and petitioned the author to
proceed with the writing of his play. Mr.
Eisner is now putting the finishing touches
on the drama.

Mr. Eisner will not only write the play,
but will also appear in the principal role,
that of Father Junipero Serra. The pic-
tures which the Overland Monthly has
been fortunate in securing consent for re-
production herewith, show Mr. Eisner as
Father Serra posed before the Cross at
the top of Mount Eubidoux, and also in
front of the Mission Inn. It was while
Mr. Eisner was at Eiverside recently that
these pictures were taken, and Mr. Miller
secured the services of no lesser artist
than Lenwood Abbott for this work. The
Cross at the Top of the Mount was erected
by the people of Eiverside in memory of
the noted Priest, and principally through
the efforts of Mr. Miller.

To popularize and perpetuate the Mis-
sion features of California has Mr. Miller
long aimed, and with the presentation of
the Mission play next December will come
the fulfillment of his long-cherished art
dream. The production of the Mission
play will undoubtedly command the un-
divided attention of the world at large,
much in the same fashion as the event of
the production of the Passion Play at
Oberammergau, and to which visitors and
tourists from all parts of the country
journey to be present at one of the presen-
tations. It is necessary for Americans de-
siring to witness the spectacle to make
long and arduous ocean as well as rail
journe} 7 s. If the event at Oberammergau
is potent sufficient to bring such masses as
assemble there for the Passion Play, sure-



ly, in comparison, the Mission play, which
will rival the European work in every
direction, will be cause sufficient to attract
similar interest. Already the preliminary
announcements that have been made have
resulted in much commendation for the
contemplated production, on the part of
Californians and others alike. Its import-
ance to this State is of such great size and
of such bearing, that the very announce-
'ment that there existed a slight possibility
for its production, brought the people to
a hearty accordance in approving of it.

In front of the Mission Inn, in the
open air and with the streetways closed in,
thus allowing or giving to use all space
that may be required for the massive and
stupendous settings. As an example of
the ponderousness of the staging, it will
be with proportionate realism that the
mountain scenes are depicted. The play
is in four acts. Each will give great op-
portunity for splendid stage settings. The
first act particularly lends itself to the
stage mechanic's art, and will show the
distant mountains and the large Indian
outcast's camp. Father Serra makes his
first appearance as the curtain rises on
this scene, and as he is shown ascending
the mountain, he presents a most com-
manding figure. The second scene show-
ing the Indian camp, the third that of
the new Mission erected by the Indians,
and the fourth and last showing again the
open, on the chosen site for a proposed
Mission will demonstrate the efficiency
of those in charge of this end of the pro-
duction.

To give a description of California as it
rightly takes claim to, I am sure is not
possible with the greatest of descriptive
writers. That being the case any attempt
on my part to prove myself infallible
would be the work of superrogation.
But I do demand, and I am determined
that I shall be recorded as having spoken
my appreciation of the wonderful efforts
of this wonderful country and its more
wonderful people, in a most emphatic
tone. It again remained for California
and Californians to bring the actions and
efforts of the American people, in point
of artistry, finish and ponderousness,
above those of other countries.

In this ideal spot, in this famed Eiver-
side valley, with its green cloaked and




Edward Eisner as Father Serra before the Cross at the top of Mount RuUdoux.



218



OVERLAND MONTHLY.



snow capped mountains overlooking some
twenty thousands of acres of orange or-
chards, where the chirping and twittering
of the birds is always audible, where the
blossoms are in bloom the year 'round, will
this great, Mission play receive its pro-
duction.

To anticipate a spectacle as has never
before been shown is to give expectation to
what both Mr. Miller and Mr. Frohman
assert will be the result of their labors.

In hearty accord and among the very
first to speak their willingness to assist,
in Mission play production, have been the
railroad and steamship companies. They
have made arrangements for special rates
on all lines, and with the temptingly low
rates to be offered by the hotels, they can-
not fail to appeal to the people in all
parts of the country.

The Overland Monthly is perhaps the
first permitted to publish the story of the
Mission play which follows:

The curtain will rise in the first act
on a darkened scene; Father Serra is seen
ascending the rocks for devotion in prayer.
On the conclusion of his worship, the

?riest holds jcommunion with the outcast
ndians. He has wielded a remarkable in-
fluence on the red men, and they are, as
a result, in extreme submission to him.
He enlightens them on the merits of
working, of tilling the ground for food, of
bearing only a kindly feeling to all, of
speaking only the truth. During his ex-
hortation, one of the outcasts interrupts,
bringing him the news that the tribes
have met in the valley and have decided
to send the young chief, "Star Light,"
son of the chief of all the tribes, to meet
Father Serra. The outcast cautions Serra
to beware, for he suspects treachery will
result from a meeting with the young
chieftain and Father Serra. The noble
priest restores peace and prevails upon the
Indians to await the coming of the visi-
tor. "Star Light," the grandson and
young warrior, arrives, accompanied by a
band of Indian warriors. He tells Serra
that he is forced to command him to leave
the outcasts, whom he says are the despised
renegades of the tribes, who have found
them utterly beyond endurance, and fur-
ther demands that if Serra will not con-
sent to abandon them, the outcasts will be
butchered before his own eves. The



priest remains intrepid, and defies the
young warrior, saying that he will protect
the outcasts from him. Father Serra of-
fers to proceed with "Star Light" back to
the camp of the Indians. To this they
agree, and Father Serra and "Star Light"
start for the camp. At the camp, the
Indian tribes are in consultation. They
are awaiting anxiously for the return of
"Star Light" with the answer from the
Priest. Learning that Serra has refused
their commands, he is accused of encour-
aging dissension among the outcasts by
the spell he has cast over them. He is or-
dered to be burned at the stake. The
grandfather of "Star Light" and the pre-
siding chief, is commissioned to pass judg-
ment on the accused. He, failing to be
convinced of the priest's guilt, orders that
he be acquitted. This greatly displeases
the other chiefs, who immediately depose
the old warrior and place "Star Light's"
father in charge. "Star Light's" father
gives orders for the death of Serra with-
out delay. He is brought to the scene of
the execution, which has been prepared be-
forehand, and which is all in readiness.
As the torch is about to be applied to the
fagots, a terrible storm breaks out. The
entire village is laid to waste, the fire at
the stake has been extinguished. The In-
dians believe that the combined efforts
of the Moon and the Great Spirit have
been brought to action to prevent the
death of Father Serra. With the opening
of the third act, an elapse of many months
is supposed to have transpired. The In-
dians have declared peace. "Star Light's"
father, still keen for the life of the priest,
is conspiring with a half-breed Indian
girl. Ail encounter with Father Serra and
the girl occurs; the girl attempts, by
means of her fascinating wiles, to gam
knowledge of his wonderful power, and
with which he has brought the outcasts
to such submission to him. "Star Light"
enters the scene, and the girl, who has
been the sweetheart of the young chief,
previous to the time of his becoming un-
der the influence, intercedes with the
young chief, to reconsider his course.
"Star Light" appeals to the Priest for his
answer. Star Light's father appears, and
his son chides him for having stooped to
conspire with the half-breed. The girl, in
viciousness over his remarks, turns uoon




Edward Eisner at the entrance of Mission Inn.




Edward Eisner in front of Mission Inn.



THE END OF THE WAY.



221



him with an intent to kill. Father Serra

Erevents her and saves the youth. "Star
ight's" father appeals to the priest, ask-
ing him to tell how he can bring his son
back to his bosom. Serra tells him that
the only way is to drive out the half-
breed. This the Indian does, and as she
is about to go, Serra tells her that when
her soul is cleaned, after she has fully re-
pented for her wrongs, she could come
back, and that she would always find him
ready with open arms to receive her. She
spurns the offer, and selects to go out into
the desert.



In the fourth and last act the Indians
are celebrating the special Christmas fes-
tival, and it is during the festivities that
the half-breed girl appears seeking Father
Serra's forgiveness. This the priest read-
ily grants, and she falls dead at his side.
As the curtain is about to descend on the
finale, Serra, having climbed to the top-
most hill, exclaims :

"Ring out the bells for the lost soul of
the desert."

Thus the Mission play comes to a con-
clusion.



THE END OF THE WAY



BY W. C. POOL.E



Long and weary the journey!

Hot and sultry the day !
O'er trail and plain and desert,

O'er beaten track and way !
Yet swiftly the moments flying,

Made short the distance seem,
For love at the end a-waiting,

Made life a Golden Dream !

Dirt and smoke of the travel !

Noise and roar of the train !
'Mid dust and cinders flying

As beating storms of rain I
Unnoticed all ! For a-dreaming

I saw the ending way,
Where a heart of love was beating

Waiting the close of day!

Quickly passed were the moments!

Lighter my spirit grew!
Unnoticed, golden sunset;

The Night or falling dew !
For, at the end of my journey,

I know that I shall see
The one who in love is waiting

So wistfullv for me !



THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN DEVELOPING
MEXICO'S INDUSTRIAL POSSIBILITIES



BY C. E. FERGUSON



IN THE INDUSTRIAL development
of Mexico there has been no one fac-
tor of greater importance than that
of hydraulic power. For years the
power question was the most serious draw-
back to operations of any size, whether
mining or manufacturing. The price of
coal delivered on the great plateau a mile
and a half above sea level was naturally
very "high," and for many purposes pro-
hibitive. No other fuel, in any quantity,
was available. The great timber tracts
were not, as a rule, near where the
industrial growth required power. From
the early Spanish days, the mines had
been worked by hand methods, and the
greater part of the rich ores which could
be so handled had already been extracted.
Manufacturing in competition with im-
ported articles was out of the question.
Then, twenty years ago, came a little plant
which was to be the forerunner of an eco-
nomic revolution. This little plant was
to generate electricity by using a water-
fall, and the current was then to be trans-
mitted some miles to the point of con-
sumption. In the way of hydro-electric
plants and transmission lines the whole
scheme was almost entirely experimental.
There were troubles, of course, but soon
there was another little plant, and then
another, until to-day hundreds of little
streams are utilized all over the Republic
for generating power; factories are run-
ning all over the country to supply the
wants of the people; scores of big mines
which, under former methods, had ceased
to pay for operation costs, have made
thousands rich and furnished labor for
hundreds of thousands; dump heaps of
ancient mines are being run through mod-
ern mills and producing more "values"
than in the original treatment; and, in
fact, the pace has been set for a tremen-



dous and far reaching development of the
natural resources of the country.

The next step, and one of the greatest
importance to the industrial center of the
republic, came with plans to furnish power
on a large scale and to market it as a com-
mon product. A company hao^been formed
to operate a chemical factory, using* for
power a combination of two waterfalls at
Necaxa, the combination giving a total
drop of nearly 1,400 feet. The company
of itself was a failure, but the project re-
sulted in bringing the matter to the at-
tention of a New York Engineer, Dr.
F. S. Pearson, who, dropping the idea of
a local manufacturing scheme, conceived
the idea of developing power on a large
scale, transmitting it to Mexico City and
distributing it there for general use.

As a result, there was organized the
Mexican Light and Power Company,
which took over the limited amount of
lighting and power business in the City of
Mexico, and through the balance of the
Federal District. Operations were com-
menced at Necaxa seven years ago, that
point being selected because of the oppor-
tunity to extend operations from time to
time so as to develop all of the power
which might be required. The scheme,
which involved the development of possi-
bly 50,000 horse power, was commenced
with 20,000 horse power of consumption
in sight. Even then it was regarded as
an immense undertaking. The twenty
thousand was sold almost before the plant
was ready, the fifty thousand is sold and