Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-03-21


SAN FRATcIsco. March II. 1888.
DEAR HERALD;-A few words from
our metropolis will, l trust. be accepta.
Bile. There Is not much for one to write
about from here, except what you read
in your dispatches; but too, there are
one or two matters Of interest about
which will now write you.
Charity begins q. home, so should Cos.
sip, and will in consequence dispose Of
your delegation Of Angelenos who are
in the city at present. OF the six wit
nesses summoned from Los Angeles to
testify in the habsss corpus case Of Lou
Houck, the Ohio murderer, arrested in
your city by Deputy Sheriff Gard last
month, only three are here now. The
other three returned to Los Angeles on
Thursday last but will have to come
back here in time to testify on Tuesday
morning.
The Houck case is creating q great
deal Of excitement in legal and gambling
circles (pardon the iuxtaposition, 1t is
inevitably. Norris. the Ohio detective,
who has been pursuing Houck for the
past five years and whose wearying
chase was brought to an end by Deputy
Sheriff Cards arrest, as chronicled in
the HERALD, is at present absorbing a
large share of the talk in every circle
where this Houck case is discussed.
Some comment and not little derisive
laughter is accustomed by his never
moving anywhere without his body.
guard, consisting of two policemen in
citizens clothes, who have been detailed
by Chief Of Police Crowley for purpose
of protection. The more wickedly dis
posed say that this measure Of precau.
ton was taken at the earnest solicita-
ton Of Norris after trifiing rencontre
in the police court with gambler friend
Of Houck's, during which "the sporting
gentleman" merely shook his fist in the
detectives face and reminded him Of a
four Year, visit to the Ohio penitentiary
for perjury before he became detsc-
tive. The charitably inclined say that
Norris life is really in danger and that
some means Of protection should be adj
hered to. Be that as 1t may, Norris sue
ceeds in keeping his name prominently
before the public. In this connection it
may be as well to relate little episode
that came under my personal observa-
ton. Deputy Sheriff Gard had gone
into saloon with o party of friends and
was standing at the bar when man
walked up to him and said few words
evidently to provoke quarrel. Gard
took step nearer the man and in firm,
decided way, told him he needed no
body-guard, that all which might be
done would do no good. as he had come
to stay and testify and was going to do
it in spite Of all the blufing that might
be INDUCED in. After a little buster
ing, the fellow retired. A few minutes
only had elapsed when second man ap-
preached and commenced upbraiding the
officer for arresting Houck. Tho most
perfec GOODNESS succeeded again in
averting the row which was evidently .
put up job" So far Tailor Thompson
has not been approached. "Unce Jim"
looks just trifie unhealthy" on this
proposition.
A regular influx Of Legislators ba. baep
pouring into the city from Sacramento
during the past two DAVIS. Every bar
room seems to be making sbie money!
on the adjournment of the Legislature.
Your correspondent moved around pretty
generally to learn from the members
themselves what they thought of their
own work, but it was impossible to ex-
tract from them their reasons for voting
for such bill, or why they were in
favor of such measure In many cases
the tone and manner adopted struck
your correspondent as being servilely
apologetic. But such is law making. no
doubt.
The city is in almost total darkness,
the only light being that by private
electric lamps in the center of the city.
Beyond this part Of the town Zimmerman
darkness prevails and the morning papers
are full of the accidents which have &C.
CURED over night. OF course the Board
of Supervisors are roundly berated on
the one side, and the gas company gets
Grabbing on the other hand.
At the theatres the attractions are
nothing to rave over. Emer.on and his
burnt cork people ara drawing fair
houses. though. 40 Il always il with
minstrel perfor,nances ths ;oL.s aud n
fact the whole business becomes thread
bare ..Pop.p which Won remainder. !.
holding the boards at the Busb street
Theatre. 1t goes without the saving
that Kate Castleton Is as ravishinplv
pretty al whsn Won .aw ber. Nav
Stembler's voice the same; but Mackay
is not 1.-THE as good here as he was on
the boards Of your little Turn verein
Hall. His points are not as we'll made,
his selections by no manner Of means SO
good as those given to us Of the provinces.
The personnel Of the company is changed.