Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-31

As Reea ora the wing Through the
West.


SAN FRANCISCO, March Is, 1889.
To the Editor OF the Disp1tch:
A tin can is scarcely 10 be reckoned a fea-
ture OF western scenery, and yet 1t Is, as 1t Is
marked feature OF our age OF facilities.
Two great heights standing out purple
against the clear evening sky. each rounding
downward As II 10 meet the other. They do
not meet. though, but are split ssunder 10
let through the stream which comes pung
ing and leapng and foaming down from be-
tween them aud where its restless tide gives
hiEt that trout are most plentiful. There
unon it's banks rises heaD OF empty tin cans.
A stretch Of dreary land Uttered with
dull, red shale. Here great mass OF eartn
and rock stands solitary and alone; there
extends q range OF buttos dashed with vivid
red, stresked with black and sulphur color !;
wonder their mates take on fantastic shapes
that ara the turreted walls OF an old castle,
or gigantic waterfalls stricken into stone.
The ACCUMULATION OF tin at their feet CLEANS
aud scintiilatcs.
A forest OF pine and fir beneath whose SOM
bTe branches tents are pitched, one lar ana
white. the Iest patched and dlngy. China
men peep out OF the dinsy tents, Cinnamon
SQUAT before them, Cinnamon, down on their
launches about a fire, take ionR-sIemmed
DlDpA IIOtu UFthttH lItll ups huh EfEC W
at our passing train. A pile Of cans reflects
the rudy glow OF the fumes, and into the
pot hung above them Chinese cock dips the
can. which serves him for ladls.
Far eff along the unbroken prairie we see
the flashing as OF q mammoth diamond. ii
IA The Inevitable tin csn. WepAuse 10 watch
an irrlgating wheel; the cup on each spoke,
set and bent adToity 10 dip, then pour the
water, is fsshioued out OF TN can. We
watch the water rush over great mill
wheel like a fall OF shvered crystal, and
glancing out Of the mist and spray Is tin
cau.
Tin cans track the tourist, the hunter, the
prospector, and the section-men as shells
mark receding waves, and they are visible,
where they strike us less, In the resr OF dim
ner stations and hotels.
After the tin cans coma Aag-poles. Flag
poles surm0uut not only clubs, banks, and
offices; they are planted on prVate house
tops and in private wards. But most striking
OF all is the great member Of saloons IN west
ern towns. They range irom -" beer caves. y
"cen rs" aud s'hRls" 10 "Germanies "
Mazsppas," "AFgonauis," "Crystal Pa.
lace.," and "Daminos." Spokane Falls
boasts "1hir>t parlors," Punta Arenas, 3
"Dewdrop In" and "The Snug" and
e'Itc Ialf W lhu dGt 10 NC lONtQ dlbNE
san FfauciscO's waterfront. Chop aud
coffee houses are also numerous, and OF the
latter | recall one which bears the unique
title OF "Bosson OutdOne.'
A certain "ThcetTe" which l have In
mind flies from its upper window a big bsu-
ner, on whose white ground Is stamped IN
red and blue letters "Wecome TO The Globe"
while its lower PAGES announce, " Beer. five
csnu glass;"
There are saloons in the youngest OF In
FAINT colonies. We saw a few cabins elus-
tered Oh The borders Of western lake, and
on tie water ilsrli coated raft; 10 which
was rugged an a." tent. Each canvass
side bore, 10 Irregular characters, 4" Saloon"
aud over the entrance we read "Jase Aad
Ned's Place"
one small town recall within which not
a single bar.roo@ is allowed. 1ut its law j,
curiously ey8ded. just without It's limits,
where railFosd track winds along parallel
with the bay on which the town IS silulied.
there are secured to ths bank by long moor
inss, or reacheI from u by sight, narrow
bridges, rude. ark-like structures, half
barge, half shanty -"s aloon-scoss." the
townsfolk call them. Most Of them are din-
Ky and wsather-beaten. but one stands out
as Chief becsu.e OF its rather fresh paint aud
ITS name, "Jlmmie's Palace" stamped
plainly In big black letters.
JAyRY b. HOPE MARE.