Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-05-21
CORRESPONDENCE.
: SAN FRANcIsco, CALIFORNIA,
Nav 9Th 1874


and keep the dear peaceable citizens of
that locality in an excited condition.
intended to remain there about ten days
longer, but as Vasquez and his follow
ers had taken a good many watches and
pocket-books from parties that were
thoughtlessly strolling along the public
highways, l concluded that it would be
wise to take my departure, as l carry
mice little ticker and few other useful
little articles in my pockets, that have
no desire to part with.
The State offers $l5, 900 reward to any
one that will bring Vasquez dead or
alive to Sacramento, the capital, and in
anticipation of handling this nice little
sum of money a great many persons
have been pursuing him for several
months past, but he still continues to
| transact his business in the southern
part of the State, and will probably do
so for some time to come. He can ride
on horseback as far in twenty-four
hours as any man in America. When
the horses give out that he and his gang
are riding, they stop at the first ranch
mans house, and take fresh ones, only
stopping long enough to change their
saddles.
This powerful association claim to1
have some of the finest vessels in the
world. In order to satisfy myself that
their bold assertions are not misrepre-
sentations, l took passage at Los An
geles, Cal, on one of their ships, the
Arizaba, to come TO this city. When
first stepped on board the passengers all
looked very cheerful, and as there was
gentle breeze blowing inland at the
time, we commenced congratulating our
selves in anticipation of having very
pleasant and agreeable voyage; ybut
alas. we were doomed to be disap-
pointed, for in a very short time after
leaving port we were all sea sick, an un-
pleasant feeling that almost invariably
takes possession of every person when
going to sea, and makes them perfectly
miserable. If you or your numerous
circle of friends and acquaintances
never experienced what an unpleasant
sensation sea sickness produces, l think
it would be advisable for me to explain
the matter, so in case you contemplate a
trip to Europe at any time, you will
know exactly what to anticipate In a
very brief time after weighing anchor
came to the conclusion that the ship was
going to turn over, and l Immediately
felt that it was necessary for me to hold
on to something in order TO keep from
falling overheard among the little sharks
that seemed to take so much delight in
swimming along OH the bosom of the
briny deep, so | embraced post in
very affectiOnate manner that happened
TO be standing near me, and in few
moments felt like l was either going to
die, or had taken an emetic. | felt that
it was unnecessary to try to retain the
splendid dinner that l had just ate a
short time previous, so | parted with it
in very reluctant manner, and after
desperate effort, L finally succeeded in
getting to my little bed, where l laid
down to try and enjoy few hours of
natures sweet restOrer. But it was no
use, | found it an impossibility to lay
on that bed, (seventeen inches wide) so
again placed myself in the position of
orator, threw up seven times more and
thought if the ship would sink to the
bottom of the ocean would be very glad
of it. l was two days and three nights
coming from Los Angeles here, Il dis |
tance of four hundred and seventy
miles. quite long time to live on tea
and toast.
SAN Francisco.
This is a very lively city, and is i'm
proving very rapidly indeed. Twenty |
years ago lots that sold for $40, $25 and |
$40. on the principal street, cannot be
purchased to-day for less than $50, 900 to |
100000. A piece of ground 40 by 100 |
feet on California St., was sold a short |
time ago for $4,000 per foot, 100000,
The public buildings are very fine in
deed; some unquestionably cost a great
deal of money. The Palace Hotel now
being erected will cost $4,000, 10000. \ |
gentleman by the name of VIM. Sharone,
formerly of Jefferson county, Ohio, said |
to be worth $l2, 600, 900, and other par
ties, are building it. The Lelands of
New York, the great hotel caterers, will |
have charge of it when it is finished. |
The Masonic Temple here is an imposing |
structure, do not know what it cost, but |
suppose at least 100000. There are
three Theatres, one Opera House, one |
Minstrel House, and an Amphitheatre. |
The city contains about 100000 inhabi-
tants; it has increased fifty thousand in |
the past two or three years. Mer-
chants inform me that business is very |
good, very few houses to let, but very
large number of people from all parts of
the world looking for store rooms and |
private dwellings. Cinnamon to the |
number of about thirty or forty thou
sand live here; they are very indus
rrious race of people, have great many
stores with all kinds of useful and or
namental articles in them, manufacture |
millions of cigars, and immense quanti-
ties of boots, shoes, pipes, &C., &c.
They all gamble, and when not at work |
they can be seen in the numerous gam
ing houses, betting the small sums that |
they have earned in reckless manner
that at once stamps them as old hands at
the uncertain business.
a great many wealthy men here have
made their money by buying and hold
ing mining stocks. When a stock COM
pany is organized they sell shares at 500
each; parties purchasing are required to
pay by installments; 20 per cent. of the
total amount subscribed is generally paid
in as a starter, then the balance is paid
in in three, six and nine months. When
the last installment is paid in and used
up, they very frequently call on the
stockholders for more money, informing
them that their operations are progress
ing in a very satisfactory manner and
they respond in very reluctant manner
until great many have no cash left,
then they learn to their sorrow that
there is no gold or silver ore where their
representatives have been operating, and
they are dead broke. The persons that
organize mining companies generally
make the most money; parties that buy
one, two or three shares very seldom if
ever make much. Socks haYe declined
very much for the past three months,
and heavy operators are buying largely
-.
class of people that buy few shares
and are not connected with any of the
little Rings, (not Tammany) nine times
out of ten lose money.
|, If this letter should be read by any
|Of your patrons that ever intend visit
ing the far West, l would advise them to
beware of strangers that intrude them
selves upon their notice. fer the majori-
|ty are sharpers, and will surely beat any
|one that places any confidence in their
3stories. III. M.