Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-08-21
For he Graat County Herald.
Sketches of the Light EEOspse.
BY MARK,


The Light House is not unknown to
h.ae,-espeoially if we give to that word
the uuwanautabIe Interpretation which at
tches to It, almost universally on the Yves
tern Continent It's existence is co-evil
With the settlement Of southern Grant. 1t
has shared her fortunes, laughed at her fol-
hes and wept at her nlistortunos, ! sup
pose need hardly mention here, that it
WIS., what is termed in the west and south
vest SALOON. 1t is Il faithful type of a
glass; Of public drinking houses, which have,
y the curious mutations of society in the
west, become one of our institutions; and
which IS destined to become extinct, as that
same society, through the magic power Of
literature and civilization, is pushed far a.
head on the pathway Of human improve
me0t.
Although it originated in the west, it is
hot peculiar to it. Here it is seen in its
more sober guise, in its sterner aspects, and
~ It's ruder appointments. In the opulent
cities Of the southwest it dazzes the eye
by its costly decorations, It's gilded oyna-
mentS, in the faultless taste showed in its
beautiful proportions, and in the bright dis
play Of tempting liquors and wines to al
lure the unsuspeeting into the circle Of It's
enchanted rooms, In the Young and 0i-
ant cities Of California which have sprung,
tu!I grown, into existence, like Pallas, full
armed, from the brain of Jove, it fairly bla-
1as with the regal splendor of its sumptu-
ous arrangements, the gorgeous richness Of
lts gilded ceilings, its golden hangings, the
radiance Of its tapestried walls; its massive
mirrors, FURNISHED with gold, and the ar
tistic skill and elaborate finish which feast
the eye at every turn, and which combined
with the witching melody of enrapturino
strains which float, in harmonious numbers
through the suites of rooms, form SPLEEN
did combination of groupings together Of
all those architectural and decorated gems
to which, with great propriety, could be
added the term magnificent.
Our Light House, in It's humble position
lays no claim to distinction on the score 81
the display or richness of Its interior ar
rangements; although when it first looked
abroad over the vast expanse of unoccupied
prairie which lay spread out in its glory
and beauty, on the morning of its birth, it
was considered no mean specimen of re-
spectacle saloon for the mining region o.
old Grant, in the infancy of its dawnine
greatness.
1t boasted of but little; still it had its
oar with its fine array of decanters, con
,5ammg the soul-inspiring element, tasteful
Y arranged to produce a pleasing variety
81 cooS; guarded in front by a massive
counter, on one end of which were placed
Win mathematical precision, the drinking
gases 50 as to form a perfect circle, en-
"+matlcal of that ceaseless round of plea
sure " which they were the medium OF affor
Jung Its spotlessly white walls, were or
"oented with brilliantly colored plates
.gP"sentipg, ON one side, a sanguinary en-
so'nter Of two furious cocks with a motley
group OF beal-eyed things, sometimes cal
w. men by way Of distinction; as specra
N'> ea another, . pugilistic set-to by t7Fc