New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-07
SAN FRANCISCO.
INDUSTRY, SOCIETY AND CRIME.

S.U FRANcIsCO. Dec. 2S-The crOakers are be-
ginning to predict dry winter. They say the frost
lies too heavily on the hills in the morning for
good season. There an excessive rainfall at the
outset of the season. but since then although Ore
gon and the northern part of this State have been
deluged as usual, the remainder OF California has
been often need of moisture. dry winter to the
California ranchman means more than dry sum-
mer to the Eastern farmer 1t means in nine cases
out Of ten the virtual failure of his main crop
wheat--as we'll as the ruin of the feed on which
stock depends for subsistence. 1t means debt and
foreclosed mortgages for the improvident, hard
times for the forehanded farmer dull trade for the
merchant and general depression throughout the
State 1t may be that dry year, with all Its evil
consequences is not in store but the signs certainly
point that way.
The mania for hop growing, which mentioned
recently, seems to be increasing. If Oneh half those
who have declared their intention of planting hop
yards really set about 1t, there will be no lack Of
hops on this coast for the next generation. The
main trouble is that it takes fully three years 10 en-
sure good crop; by that time hops may fall to a
price which will barely pay for their culture and
picking But the san yuine ranchman seems firm in
the faith that the present boom " will endure for
years.
The dismal outlook for the farmer has no influence
on this city. Never was the town ivelier than 1t
has been this winter The Nilsson excitement has
been followed by general dramatic revival. Five
theatres now open. and all seem to be doing
paying business. Two plays are addressed specially
to Christmas audieDces-the "Naiad Queen" at the
California, and youth" at the Grand Opera House.
Both are put ON the stage in unusually Tine style
and as spectacles surpass anything that has been
seen here for years my SOn-in-Law0 is played at
the Baldwin by the Leonard Grover Comedy Com
pany, and draws the poorest houses of any piece;
Emerson's Is devoted to the burnt-cork brethren,
and the Bush Street Theatre to Leavitts Variety
Company. The minstres crowd their house in spite
of other attractions for the paygoers here seem to
have a passion for negro melodies and screaming
farces. Many attend whenever there is a change of
BILL thus presenting the curious anomaly OF regular
patrons OF minsrelsy Besides these theatres three
large concert gardens are now open, two of which
give regular operas very credtable style, and are
crowded to the doors. Beer flows freely, and the
strains of italian lovers come to through clouds
of tobacco smoke and the cultural orders of Ger
mans, who drink in lager and melody in unison
Reports have been circulated recently that Mr..
Flood the head of the bonanza firm of Flood.
Mackay g. Fair, would begin the construction
of palatial mansion Mob Hill
next spring He owns one Of the large
lots in CalifOrnia-st directly opposite the
house of Mrs. Mark Hopkins, and Senator Fair
owns the other. They are on the brow of the hill.
extending through from one street to the other and
command one of the finest views in the city, They
were graded several years ago. but the KeaIney ex-
element alarmed their millionaire owners and they
deferred building. Since then Mr.. Flood has built
a beautiful villa near Menlo Park where his family
reside during the greater part of the year Until
this year he has resided in the winter in a very
T. IL, fot fha
residence was sold, and he is now established in
suite of rooms at the Palace Yesterday he was
asked about the report of his proposed building.
He replied with characteristic caution that he was
still figuring on the outside; that nothing
definite had been settled upon, and he could not
even say that architect had been selected. Sen
ator Fair however, says the work will be begun IN
a few months. The Senator from Nevada shows no
anxiety TO get back to his Congressional duties and
bids fair TO bear out the reputation OF his prede-
cessor as non resident. He has fine residence in
Pine-st where his family will remain this winter;
and from the fact that the house has been recently
repaired and big greenhouse built, 1t IS fair 10 as
sume that he has no intention of rvaling tie other
mllionpaires in the erection Of a costly residence.
A rather singular case Of robbery occurred a few
DAYS ago. the culprit being policeman Oh the
regular force. His beat was near the Central
Pacific freight sheds and from one of the cars
which had been locked up for the night. be alb
stracted raw silk valued at $4,000. which had
been transferred from the Chinese steamer. The
anxiety of his confederate led to the discovery OF
evidence which fixed the gui It on the paid ard
ian of the city. The stolen six was found slowed
away in his house there also were discovered sew
eral barrels of sherry and other liquors which had
been missed recently from wholesale sFoTts. The
man is reported to he worth 00,00O, and he has
served on the police force in this city for over five
his fortune in that time is unknown;
hut from the fact that very fine set OF burglars
tools was discovered IN his house. II may be IN
ferred that the money Is not the result OF honest
work.
There is now on trial at Los Angeles Mormon
who is the sef-confessed murderer of his son. lad
Of ten or twelve years. The family. which consisted
of the mother and several children, lived
lonely island off the coast and eked out wretched
living by fishing and taking charge of boats for
dnck hunting parties. The father became pos
sessed with the idea that he was commissioned by
God TO DO some great work in the world He i'm
bued his ignorant and credulous wife WIN me- own
mania ii such conceit can be called by this name.
Finally he gave out To his family the revelation That
they were to do no work, as the Lord would provde
for them The eldest boy did not beleven the theory
of Divine protection and brought home as2ck Of
flour and other provisions which he bought with
his earnings. The fanatic poured the Hour on the
ground and destroyed the other food. Then he had
q second revelation" which was 70 Oher mp ms
Oldest son as q living sacrifice The unnau rai
mother gave her consent and the boy was butch
cred in brn al style. The corpse lay IN the house
for several DAYS before the crime was discovered by
marty OF hunters. Both parents are in jail at Los
Angeles. The father is now on tral t0 determine
his sanity. He behaves with great GOODNESS ana
has apparently never wayered III his belief In his
Divine commission 10 commit one OF the most
brutal crimes OF this generation.