The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-09-24
SAN FRANCISCO IN '49.
Appearance OF the IIarbor and City "a il
Appeared to the Arsonauts.

Crossing the equator on the 9TH Of
june, we continued to drift lazily
northward, until we took the northeast
trades about II degrees north latitude
and were soon Fastening towards the
end of the voyage.
1t was afternoon Of the 9th of July
when we entered the Golden Gate.
The hills about the bay were dressed
in the arid garb Of the drv midsum-
mer. Until Telegraph Hill was round
ed no habitation or Sign of civilization
was visible save the dilapidated earth
works mt Fort Point and the few crumb-
ling adobe buildings that then consti-
tutG THE Prcsidio.n or old Mexican
military post. Alcatraz Island, now
covered with Notifications aud bar
racks and crowned with lighthouse
nj It's summit, was then naked and
white with the @uano of the mvriads of
cormOrantS, mUlis, and peiicans that
nestled and Matched their broOdS upon
1t. The hills Of Contra Costa and the
plains at their feet were rank with
Wild oats, and were the pasture grounds
of herds of cattle. Here and there
across the broad and beautiful bay
Tie whitcwashed walls of an adobe
rancid house were visible. Rounding
TELEGRAPH HILL however. there was Il
change of scene. As the harbor of
San Francisco opened before us Il
whole fleet of vessels Of every class
and description was seen at anchor.
Clearly some kind of ta,isman was
drawing hither the commerce of the
world, although on shore, rs viewed
from thc ships deck. one saw but ii
few adobe buildings, relies of Mexican
methods and habits, some small wood
en- structures here and there and tents
large and small dotting the hillsides
and beach.
Landing on the rocks Mt Cark's
Point, spur of Telegraph Hill Cor no
wharf then cNistcd). we skirtcd along
the cove round into the center of the
town, then fairly embraced within the
space now covered by tie few blocks
bordering upon the Plaza of Ports
mouth Square. \ locality more replete
with hustle and excitement than this
then was never existed. Gambling
and gamblers were in full possession
of the field Tents were crowded with
people surrounding the tables where
the Mexican game Of monte and
other so-called banking games were in
full blast. These were the first and
most conspicuous features of the
scene. The mercantile establishments
were thromgcd with men lifting out
for the 'diggings." Activity prevailed
everywhere. occasioned mainly by the
innumerable expeditions ANA squads
of men about to depart for the mining
region. For aside from the gambling
fraternity, and the comparatively few
older and wiser heads who saw safer
and more profitable field of operations
in the opportunity which existed for
trade and speculation in San Francisco
the heart Of the multitude was set up
on goId-tig@ing. the making of
piIe"-n the palIancc Of the day-and
Il quick return to the old home again.
Indeed, it may be safely estimated that
nincty-hvc per cent. of the Forty
miners who had then arrived, and
were still arriving in California. were
animated by this sentiment. For at
that time the country, with its arid
and uninvitin@ aspect presented few
or no attractions for permanent resi-
denee. Much less did it then exhibit
any of the evidences of the resources
of soil and climate which the suisse
9ucut forty wears of American energy
and enter r.sc hayc Developed. - Va
laTd i. F"rcai IN CcHiary.