New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-14
SAN FRANCISCO
THE SNOW STORM-"LUCKYn BALDWIN
RAILROAD BUILDING.

RAILROAD BUILDING,
IrpoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE.l
SAN FRANCISCO Jan. Blast winter when sleet
and snow came upon the semtropical belt OF South
ern Californa, when icices hung from the branches
of the orange and the fig tree. there was great
CONSERVATION lest the climate changing or the
japan current shifting its position. Still greater
was the surprise last Sunday when genuine snow
storm whitened the house-roofs and weighed down
the sbrubbery in this city. 1t was sight such as
had not been seen here for more than generation.
and CaIiiornians, old and young took advantage OF
the rare opportunity and INDUCED in great game
of snow-baling 1t wSs "cold day" Tor the
Chinese. as John came in for many hard blow
from closely-packed snowballs The cable-car
conductors and engine-drivers Jared no better;
they were held good game for target practice.
and after running the gauntlet for an hour OF TWO
they struck work and the cars retired for the
day. few improvised sleigirs were brought out.
but they called forth such fusilade from the
hoodlnms that their occupants were glad to beat
hasty retreat 1t was the noisiest Sunday seen LOT
MANY a day. and although nothing was left of he
storm Oh the morrow except mud and slush, 1t fur
nished abundant conversational material for New
Year callers.
Calling this year was less general than usual,
which may be attributed rarity to the condition OF
the streets. Only millionaire could afford TO hire
a carriage for the day. as the San Francisco cabby
rose to the occasion aud demanded 70
an hour for trundling callers about town
As bonanzas are not uncovered every day
now he got few patrons az those rates. The good
old Dutch custom has also been so grossly abused
here nv troops of men in SCI arch OF refreshments
that many ladies have abandoned the plan of keep
ing open house. When hospitality means opening
hotel for one day the life is taken out OF pref
ty custom.
A pistol-shot in the Baldwin Hotel yesterday
morning caused sensation throughout the city.
II was intended for the heart OF " Lucky Baid-
win the owner of the hotel and the well-known
mining millionaire, but it only penetrated his arm,
inficting slight flesh wound. 1t was fired Uy
young woman known as Fanny or Verona Baldwin,
who was recently employed on the capitalists
ranch at Santa Anita in osAngeles County. She
claims to he niece OF his and alleges that ne mas
ruined her and refused TO support her. Baldwms
story which is much more probable, is shat, being
importuned do something for her on the score Oh
distant relationship. be found place Tor her a.
teacher in the Southern country She soon left
there however and returned to her home III Ore
ron Recently she came to thus city and began to
annoy Mr. Baldwin for money. declaring that she
wished to get her life insured and then commit
suicide SO that her family need not be lett In want
She is evidently dementcd, but she would have
killed the millionaire had not the hammer OF tho
pistol been caught In her dress
Thus once again Bald win has justified the sobri-
ouet of Lucky by which he is known all over
this coast. Everything that he has touched seems
TO have been transformed into gold. Mines that
rniped other men brought wealth TO him: he
always sold ont at the top OF the market and wisely
placed his gains IN real estate; nearly all OF his
mariners in speculation have been "cinched"-to
pse the variance of the coast-and curse his pros
perity. His only mistake was in building q theatre
and setting I'D as a patron OF the drama. lie has
sunk much money The theatre is built inside the
hotel like Niblos, and pr0sceniun box Is always
reserved for the proprietor. There he might have
been seen sitting on any evening last winter. with
his yosng wife by his side-a tall gsunt hollow
checked man with the look of DOwn-Ea with
his unkempt gray hair his carewoTn look and care
less dress, he seemed as euriously Inappropriate
figure ia the richly upholstered box as ne did III the
roreeousy furnished and decorated suite OF seven
rooms which constitutes his home IN the hotel The
vouug wife died last fall but her consort looks no
older now than he did fifteen years ago. lie bears
che reputation of man with the tastes OF Turk,
INT he looks moro ike Connecticut deacon than a
svbarite in search of pleasure. When he grows
tired of business and townfe he seeks release from
care in his ranch, near Los Angeles-an extensive
property In which he takes great pride
The French colony in this city is rent IN twain
over the death of Gambetta. 1t seems that when
tho news was received the French consul failed 10
place the flag of the consulate at half-msst. Sew
eral stormy meetings have been held and move
ment il on foot to make formal application Tor the
consul's removal The obsequies OF the dead
leader will DO observed here with pro-
cession and funeral GRAFTON. Our French
colony is not 30 numerous as the German, but what
It lacks in numbers it makes up IN vivacity'
The year Just closed has seen some extraordinary
ssilroad building on this coast. The Central ana