Daily globe., 1878-05-20
OUR DEADWOOD LETTER.

OUR DEADWOOD LETTER.
How the Opium Vice is spreading-Clean
Ting Up Some Big Yields-Dan CASTILLO,
the Circus Clowns Luck.
Correspondence of the GLOBE
DEADwooD, D. T., May 10Th. Of all the
many vices peculiar to this remote section
none are more pernicious than that of
opium smoking which is becoming more and
more prevalent each day, permeating society
to its very core, and dragging into bondage
of the most abject kind, people of every
walk in life and of every age and sex. Fully
as anticipated surprise at finding large
patronage from people of nominal respect
ability, did not approach even the mini
mum of truth as l found it upon visiting a
den-or smoke house-in company with
friend, last night. The building located in
the heart of Chinatown, Main street, is a
cheaply constructed, low, two story affair,
with windows protected by heavy shutters,
and door of massive planks. Ingress is
free to all The lower floor contains large
room, "office'' and two smoking rooms, and
is destitute of furniture save a long deal
table covered with china mating, a stove,
couple Of benches and couple of bamboo
platforms or beds for the occupancy of
smokers. A dark, crooked stairway, SO low
that the visitor receives many bump in
above which is divided off into eight rooms
about 6x9 feet in dimensions each, with very
| low ceilings and without ventilation except
| such as is secured through the cracks and
| crevices of the hastily built structure. A
platform about two feet high, and extending
| across the room; couple of pillows re-
| sembling old fashioned footstools, and a
slight drapery q 1T lambrequin is the only
furniture. The visitor uncere1noniously
enters, quietly selects his room, throws
| himself upon the platform and awaits an at
| tendant who speedily appears bearing lamp
| similar to those found upon the counters of
cigar dealers, card with about spoonful
of opium upon it, and pipe. The latter
(suggestive Of an Indian calumet) consisting
of wooden stem two and one half feet long
with no graduated mouthpiece, and very
large bowl whose cavity will scarcely admit
knitting needle. The attendant reclines,
facing the customer, places the lamp be-
tween them, and with a piece of steel wire
gathers up quantity of opium about the
size of a kernel of corn, which he rolls upon
the face of the bowl frequently passing it
over the lamp until the gum is properly
cooked when it is forced into the pipe and
the latter passed over to the customer.
There is peculiar 'sknack'' in smoking that
can be acquired only by practice, hence a
more ludicrous sight than that presented by
a person taking his pipe, cannot be imagined.
The gum burns only when held close to the
lamp, and only when aided by an incessant
should the latter adopt the method of tobac-
co smokers who enjoy as great luxury in
emitting as inhaling the warm vapor he
would make but slight progress. The flavor
and odor of opium is very obnoxious to me,
and is, fancy to every not addicted to
its use, but, judging by the testimony of
many victims, taste is easily cultivated and
forever retained. There is little potency in
one, two or three ''pipes' beyond the crea-
tion of an abominable twang, while ol5
hands can consume two, three and frequent
ly as many as ten cards-or fifty pipes
before they pass into that elysian conditions
of which inveterates SO loudly pirate. The
best and most numerous patrons of the
house are not, as many suppose,the Chinese
On the contrary one of that race is seldom
seen indulging in the gum. This may be
per reason of the expense-ffty cents pei
card, or, for suficiency, five and six dollars
but incline to the opinion that they care
for it only as source of revenue, and as
such it is very prolific.
The eight rooms were crowded-three anC
four customers in each vino rotated from
spectators to smokers es the pipes were ex
hausted and replenished. In one room
found woman who holds her head with the
highest, and in society passes as lady san
reproach. By her side rested, in lieu of
Chinaman, sway up' financially mine
who rolled the gum with dexterity rivallins
the most experienced John. Sitting on tn
edge of the platform patiently waiting thei
turn, were a Chicago drummer, merchan
of this city and theatrical celebrity. Tn
next room was occupied by variety perform
, ers. and one or two gamblers. In the ad
joining apartment were bevy of cyprians
adopts in rolling as we'll as smoking. An
, other room contained Bohemian, an ex
county official, and merchant, while in al
, of the departments found others of lik
character, all laughing, chatting, joking
smoking, or arguing in favor of or depre
: eating the iniquity that all were practicine
The house is always open, and some of tn
. rooms are constantly in use, but it is no
a until ono or two o'clock in the morning
when lull occurs in gambling, and ctae
resorts are closed, that the great rush set
: in. From that time until morning the build
r ing is packed, every pipe is in service, an
Q the atmosphere pravealent with smoke fror
t the burning drug. The better class of pee
o pie here have long discussed the evil an
efforts for its suppression, but as yet n
l action has been taken. 1t is to be hopet
: however, that something will be done an
d that right speedily to eliminate ''the for
i and most unnatural crime" that now curse
. society, and is becoming more and MOI
:, prevalent each day.
We have had week of lovely weathe
It much to the benefit of the entire countr,
e High waters have subsidized, roads have b.
Il come passable, travel has consequently ii
= creased, mining operations have been r.
= sumed, agricultural pursuits are thrivin,
immense quantities of long delayed freigl
/ have errived, and, as result, every body
d busy and very happy. Since my last lett.
d several important sales have been made, IL
. most notable being that of the Pierce loo
by s. r. Guryinn to a California party fl
,, the pretty little sum of 100000. This pro
II erty is located near the famous Homestal
IL mine with which it will be conformity worke
" It is maryellously rich as shown by the ia
v that clean up for seven days run
:. Homestake are (Which is of like charact
- with the Pierce) yielded 243 ounces, or abo
= $4 900.
DAN CAsTELLo's LUCK.
J. Everybody has heard of Dan CASTILLO, OF
" of the most successful circus managers til
4. ever bought a van. Well, Dan came to II