12 pp. 22.4x14.5 cm (8¾x5¾"), original wrappers with photographic illustrations on both sides of front wrapper, maps on both sides of rear wrapper.
Rare land promotion booklet issued by Wilde & Strong, General Real Estate Agents and Land Auctioneers. The main attraction of the land west of Barstow was the Minneola Canal being dredged, to bring water to the parched land. The map on the inside of the rear wrapper shows the position of Minneola in Southern California; that on the outer rear wrapper shows the canal and adjacent land plots for sale. No copies are listed in OCLC.
The article “Minneola Canal System all right” in the January 1896 “Rural Californian” sheds light on the circumstances:
"The Southern California Improvement Co., who are building the Minneola Canal in San Bernardino County, have been greatly handicapped by the stringent financial times. They nevertheless succeeded in partially completing their irrigation system and have developed over 1500 inches of water and felt hopeful of obtaining sufficient funds to complete the work which will assure them unquestionably an additional 4000 inches. Being much pressed by some smaller creditors, and legal proceedings having been instituted in some cases, it was deemed advisable to place the property in the hands of a Receiver. This was so ordered at the request of the Receiver of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway who held a mortgage of $20,000 and Mr FC Guy general freight agent of the Southern California Railway was appointed as such. This step has been taken entirely in the interest of both the Company and the creditors and is a friendly suit It is contemplated to reorganize and place every creditor on an equal footing. In the meanwhile the Receiver will complete the work. Considerable water rights have been sold while the liabilities are in the neighborhood of $77,000, and the assets are from $450,000 to $500,000.
"Wilde & Strong are the General Agents for the sale of water rights of this Company. They have shown their faith in this development by purchasing about 800 inches of water. These water rights are not subject to mortgage or other encumbrances and are not in any way affected by the temporary embarrassment of the above company. The only interest this Company retains in its water rights sold is the annual rental for the delivery or distribution of the water during the irrigating season."
Condition:
Some darkening to wrappers and contents, the whole creased vertically, other minor wear, very good overall.