Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-06-10
THRouGH cnINAToWN.
the Tan esmes oiesea-Hsw that
Qmarter fsrews.

4aA1@EI tI0H8s
reporter Of the IiERALp yesterday
afternoon visited Chinatown in company
with Chief of Police Cuddy, and found
that il had grown to an amazing extent
during the past year. Where year ago
on the east side Of Alameda street, along
Marchessault and Apablaza streets, there
was TO be found no sign Of habitation,
there Ia at the present time large
settlement OF Chinese in wooden
structuree, none OF which are
painted. Thousands Of Cinnamon with
their families now have their homes in
this district, which bids fair 10 equal in
size the famous Chinatown Of San Fran
cisco. The late Grand Jury reported
that there existed many nuisances in this
part OF the city, and while the state OF
affairs is not 40 black as WAS painted, IL
was bad enough. The tour OF this quar-
ter was commenced at the corner OF
Also street and Negro Alley, where the
old adobe buildings which have stood for
years, and which at one time In the his
tory Of the city were the residences OF
some OF the most prominent citizens,
we're being torn down, preparatory
TO the building OF brick structures such
u1 iittFt Dttn tOUttiutttu Ou lttKIO hllbv
since the large fire year ago. Upon
reaching small alley running off what
Ia now Los Angeles street, opposite the
Chinaman was seen standing in front OF
IN open doorway, in which stood
policeman. Inquiry elected the fact that
d raid OF tan game was in progress.
The Chinese had prepared the quarters
far fha ~ al EaAntnn ont
the officers, and had heavy oak
doors, lined with sheet-iron, hung
in every doorway. These doors were
in such q position that it was almost an
impossibility 10 successfully capture the
game, which was found ON investigation
to he the only one in operation; and yet
Officers Lynch, Mckenzie, Boland, Boiler
and Sheets managed TO close up the exits
before twenty-one of the Celestials could
escape. From this place TO others, which
had evidently been prepared for q like
purpose, the tour OF inspection was taken,
but none OF them were in operation. The
rooms contained nothing which would
have led TO the belief that they were
ever used for gambling purposes, but
the heavy doors and grated ventilators
told plainly the purpose for which they
had been constructed. On Marchessault
street the gaming rooms were empty and
the Cinnamon appeared to be intent
on other business. Below Alameda
street the buildings were evidently con-
structed for dwelling purposes alone.
Here were many stores with wares ex-
posed for sale. and the inmates were
busy in preparing for their dinner. The
yards in this vicinity were not very
clean, and in one place was found
broken down horse on which
the Chinese doctors had experimental
unsuccessfully. Still further down Apa-
blaza street under the spreading branches
of one OF the best specimens OF an alder
tree in Southern California, was found
the camp Of number of tramps who
were said to have selected this spot for
their nightly carousals. Under this tree
mating was spread and from it's
branches hung blankets and sacks con-
tanning scraps Of food. A short distance
away on the ground was a fire place con-
structed of brick, over which an old coal
oil can was suspended. Cooking uten-
sils of all styles and descriptions were
ON the ground and it was stated
that this was the headquarters
OF the "can brigade" Last evening
Chief Cuddy detailed several officers to
bring the tramps to the police station,
and this will probably break up the
rendezvous. The return trip to the
Plaza was by different route, but the
strictest search failed to reveal the
presence of another game Of tan which
even in San Francisco is played at all
hours of day and night. The trip was
brought to an end at the engine house
opposite the Plaza, and the reporter was
convinced that the statement that there
were thirty tan games in operation was
an exaggeration and that it is Hifficult
matter to capture game even if it is
running.