The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-09-29
THE GEMS OF THE BAY.
Local Proofs of this Nations Glory and
Greatness.
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"Aiy son." said an elderly man to boy
about eight years Of age sitting at his side
on stringer of the sea wall, just as rock
cod at the end Of the old mans line shook
the waters Of the bay from his tail, at is
always well that young minds should be
given an insight into the history of the
community of which they form part. Es-
pecially should they be taught something
of their country, and yours being such
glorious one It would be gross carelessness
on my part should / fail TO tell you Of 1t.
Let me begin with our present surroundings
the Government possessions as they exist
in this bay. Yonder, my SON." the old gen.
tleman went on, using his fishing rod as
pointer, "you see Alcatraz. 1t is an island
chiefly used for the accommodation of four
teen prisoners, condemned to q life of ease |
for disregarding the wishes of this great
nation. 1t is we'll guarded with soldiers and |
heavy guns. The only thing they are ever
used for is to keep of people, who like N.Y.
self have weakness for fishing. Angel is
land, close by, has been made locally famous
for good dancing platform and as the home
of few ostracIsed soldiers. To the east, my |
son, you observe Goat island piece Of land |
which has been existence many thous and
| years, but for which, up to the present day )
no use could be found, save that it supports
monopoly's fog horn and its one sleepy at
tendant. In 1860 1t went Democratic, but |
since then has cast a solid Republican vote.
It was once reported that grapes and water
melons were raised on 1t, but 1t proved to be
| o canard."t @@# 19'"@9zf a#5a aE@ n
.alaH. +, OTHER TREASURES. .-. .... -
"You have heard of Black Point, my son.
Well, at that point there are a number of
officers, principally engaged in furnishing
items TO social editors. BY way of variety
the sun Is made to rise by the firing Of gun
and the raising of the stars and stripes. BY |
the same process it Is made to set in the |
evening. Once year the men are allowed
to amuse themselves by firing at Arch Rock |
with heavy ordnance. The rock is still there,
a resting place at all times for the birds OF |
the air and playground for the fishes OF the |
Il II Il
by the braves of the Presidio, and considered
by every engineer as q beautiful! target for |
some man-of wars crew out of practice.
These same able engineers have given their
opinion that It could Withstand the heaviest |
naval onslaught-for about five minutes. Its
men patrol the ramparts daily, and woe be-
tide the fishing smack that dares to question
| Its authority. My son, observe that small
black steamer slowly stealing It's way to AL
catraz. That is the General McPherscn.' IL
has served its country long and faithfully,
carrying loads and loads of free passengers |
and free freight to these same several Coy
ernment possessions in the bay. Soon 1t viii |
need new boilers. Then will cry 90 up and
a bill will be introduced In Congress for an
appropriation of about 100000 for new
boat, aud when the bill has passed, those
who have ridden that poor boat to death will
say: We'll done, good and faithful servant
and sell II for old junk" ...... yt'rI
--PART OF OUR NAVY. 3lTl
Talking Of cur Government steamers, let
me tell you little about the Monterey
She cost. the United States SO, 900 as start !
or, and runs between Mare Island Navy
Yard and this city, stopping at Vallejo each
way. She was built with much attentionto
strength and is neatly appointed. She sup
ports good crew, including pilot. engi-
neer and stokers. She also has a retinus Of
commanders. No doubt the Government
intended her for some good purpose, but
whether she accomplished that purpose or
not is not for me to say. But know that
twice week she makes q trip here and then
i goes back the same afternoon. She 10 always
loaded to the guards with crowd ofwornen
/ and men--oficeB' wives, and sisters, and
cousins, and aunts, no doubt. These are the
only people allowed TO travel on her0s Every
time that poor little boat makes trip you
can see the passengers piled UP six feet
above her house deck, and four abreast on
the lower deck. They are always arranged
according to rank. This, Isnppose, accounts
for the fCommodore's wife sitting on the
steam whistle, while the middies swelter
/ and languish in the coal bunkers, and some
Iof the cousins take seats wherever they can
4 get them on the lee rail. The greatmission
of this boat at present is TO carry as many as
can get on her, their packages, bandboxes,
bird cages and valises thrown ain free Of
charge. I don't blame the haut ton of Mare
Island for taking these free aridess but why
does the Government give them one OF its
best vessels, whenit has so many old Things
that would do first rate, and are ft for moth
Ing else .Ah, there she goes now; going
back to the yard. If you will look close,my
son, you will see that she is loaded with veg
\ etables, fruit, three or four trunks and
baby carriage She hasn't got SO many pas
i sengers this trip. Possibly a. good many
stopped over until the next trip with their
friends. These, my SON. are some Of the
great republican institutions, about which
you will hear 50 much as you grow up, and
which you must respect as much--assI do"
i An Explanation.
II the story told by the Washington cor