Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-29
Letter from California.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. Il, 1873
CALIFORNIA; WEALTH.

tALifOhNlA . w EALlHs
We, at The East, are too apt 10 regard California
only being noted for its gold, little thinking that
it has numerous other sources of wealth to which
its products ofthe precious metals become secon-
Diary matter. The annual value of its gold prod
uct is probably some 800, 900 900. while that of
its yearly crop Of wheat is over $50 100000. The
total value Of its agricultural products exceeds
500 900 900 yearly and therein consists the true
wealth Of California. The immensely Of its &C.
real products exci,es my wonder. As wheat
growing State | believe that California is des-
tined to take the lead. The crop of wheat this
year Notwithstanding the damage done by rust
and cheat cannot fall much short of 1000 900
bushels, and is one of the largest ever grown 10
the State. The bigger portion of the crop goes to
Europe. 1t is attractive sight to take look at
the immense feet of vessels now riding at anchor
10 the bay awaiting wheat engagements.
| STREET CLEANING.
The streets Of this city are swept by contract.
The work is done principally by two sweeping ma
chimes. The party who has the contract clears
over 5000 month. pretty comfortable profit.
He is the white -plumed Navarro of scavenxers,
and is the envy of the fiery Ruperts among the
Chinese and Italian chiifoniers and Mesan hand
broomers. 1t costs the city S7S per mile to have
the streets swept. The sweeping is done entirely
in the night time when about FIVE miles Of streets
are swept nightly, and these principally in the
heart of the city.
SUICIDES.
cannot speak by the card. but II certainly
seems to me that suicides are more frequent here
than in any other city. When a man loses bis all
in stocks he seems to be seized with an ilresisti-
BILE impulse to slash his throat with raz )r, or to
perforste his brain with bit Of cold lead. Love-
sickness, remorse, shame, fraud, lead scores Of
men and women to self destruction. Suicide is
sort of mania here, and often-times for the most
trivial causes. The other day girl resorted to
drink of deadly lsudanum because her brother re-
fused to allow her to indulge 10 the customary
libation of whiskey. 1t is horrible that some me
suicide for the the n1toriey of it, but the greater
number undoubtedly seek seli-destruction because
they entertain the insane deluson that it is pam
ecea for their ills and misfortunes.
PLAYED Our MIN.
The number OF played out men" men here is
surprising. | see more or less of them e, cry day
on the principal streets Bad habits, reverses in
ioituhe uh'c "iecheu ehtm' Oo,ne are pplltlclans
who once were highly respected others were lead
ing merchants. Some were artists and musicians
who were exceedingly popular years ago. One was
formerly a Judge aud occupied high social posi-
ton. Another was a leading capitalist whose
revenue to-day would not pay for the match he
lights on the basement Of his trowsers. These
played out men are outcasts of society, vaga
| bonds What with the gaming table, reckless,
speculation, fast women, fast horses and fast liv-
ing they have gone to the dogs, and paupers
grave awaits them with nobody to mourn their
| fate.
FEMALE ROMANCE READERS.
1t is safe to say that two thirds if not seven
Fights of the books taken from the public library
| 10 this city are devoted to fiction. Most of them
are read by young gnls. In f4ct the majority Of
the female more for the latest novels than
they do for works devoted to history, biography,
travels, poetry, science and art or belle lettres
Fiction is their mental pabulum. As for newspa-
pers they for nothing outside OF the divorce
and marriage departments, unless it be some bit o.
idle aud scandalous gossip. The current topics Of
the day are only known to few. and even they care
more about discussing the merits of superb
evening brocade suit, jaunty Rubens hat
than whether it is true than an ice house can con.
Aagtate by spontaneo combustion, or whether the
/ LeXt ccupsnt OF the White House will be elected
over the Clustering carcasses of bloated rnonoDo.
lists. Undertake TO even intimate TO a San Fran.
csco gifl, however. that she il a novel reader aud
1t vii! be Ike taking liberties with a can OF nitro
glNcCfIuo. Tony CANpAR