The Poway Valley in August of 1894 was dealing with an apparently severe dry season, as shown in the “Poway Points” column from the Poway Progress newspaper of August 4 which noted the movement of some long-time residents out of the valley.

“Mr. and Mrs. Belcher took their leave of Poway on Wednesday morning and started on their way for their former home in New Mexico,” stated the column, which added “They go by wagon the long distance in order to take along their horses and farm wagon at little expense and go provided with a good supply of provender [dry food for livestock] and water, two or three barrels to hold the latter, being rigged on the sides of the wagon. They expect to be six weeks on the way, following the line of the S. P. R. R.”

The same column noted that “Ernest Rickey has concluded to try life in another part of the world and has accompanied Mr. Belcher into the wilds of New Mexico in the region of the large cattle ranches. We trust his best anticipations will materialize.”

Some other residents were holding on.

“Dr. Hilleary is hauling water from his spring for his orchard trees,” stated the column, “and Mr. Savage is treating his orchard in a similar manner with water from Mr. Griswold’s tank.”

The column then closed with some characteristic humor, or commentary, or maybe both.

“Though the dryness of the season is likely to prove the occasion of a considerable shortage of crops in some lines of production, there is quite a crop hereabouts in the candidate line of goods. We are credibly informed that at least four candidates for the office of Supervisor for the Fourth district have sprouted and grown considerable, and expect to be in condition to be presented for consideration at the coming Republican county convention….”

Ah, history repeats itself.

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