New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-02
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
rr,sorHY HoPKINS-HARBOR DEFENCEs-
FIRES AND CLoUDBURSTS.
,rY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnrRuNE-I


o.. Francisco Aug. 1.-The disinheritiag Of
szrne sSmothy Hopkins by his foster-mother has
y.ssS much comment here and speculation has
=, general in regard TO the influence of the enor-
- heouest TO Mr. Searles. When Mr.. Searles
- out here with his wife. he met few people, so
-, he is regarded almost O stranger The pub
-. srmnathy is altogether with young Hopkins, but
NJ host lawyers regard his chances of breaking the
Ill as slender. 1t is drawn strictly under the
ID and there is some reason for Mrs Seariess ig-
ling him, as she has given him fine place at
venlo Parl; and had presented his wife with $780,,
ooo That young Hopkins, however. will make a
.ontest there is no doubt, but it is problematic
whether the case will ever come into court.
The successful test of the brecch-loading twelve
,,.b steel rife at New-Nork has aroused discus
.or about the San Francisco harbor Getences.
xohipg has been done here turn out similar guns.
.sthe bill appropratinC 81 100000 for gun plant
at Benica failed because of the opposition OF the
Or,con Senators Ii is probable that the blh Will
ns at the next session of Congress, but this means
a delay of at least two years in securing the guns
which would be the best protection Of the city
against the attack of any foreign navy. This week
lsborers were placed at work tearing down the old
parapet above Fort Point. which looks out on the
Golden Gate, but the most sanguine OF the Oihcers
in charge declare that it will be five years at least
before modern guns are mounted there
TAYLOR the lobbyist. who dreamed that he was
song 10 get sweet revenge on the politicians who
failed 10 pay him for his services at the State Leg
islature has had his suit thrown out Of court lie
made sensational charges that large sums OF money
were sent 10 Sacramento 70 influence le2isiauon out
he could not prove a single charge. lie threatens TO
appeal 10 the Supreme Court, but the general I'M
preston is that he has had his fill of litigation.
Many California towns have suffered severely
this week from fire. Everything now in the in
terror towns dry finder and the slightest care
lessness in the use of fire leads 10 terrible conse-
ouences Despite excessive insurance rates. the
greater part of the property in country towns Il
covered at least 10 half its value, while few wheat
farmers fail 10 insure their grain against fire.
Sanger in Fresno County: Los Gatos, pretty town
in Santa Clara County, and Chico, in Butte County,
have been the chief sufferers. Forest fires have
caused large losses in Santa Clara County but there
never was any ground for the sensational dis
patches that the Lick Observatory on Mount liam
iton was in danger. The flames came within one
mile Of the Observatory. but the crown of the
mountain on which the great telescope is placed has
been cleared Of all underbrush, and it would be a
physical impossibili,y for fire to reach the main
buildings.
While California towns have been visited by
destructive fires. two Nevada towns hove been
swept by cloudburSts. Genoa and Austin, both
famous mining camps in the flush days of Nevada
were badly damaged. In both cases cloudbursts In
reighborng mountains sent a deluge of water upon
the towns so suddenly that the people had barely
time 10 escape 10 the hills.
George W. Durbrow. who has just arrived here
from Salton in the Colorado Desert. says the myS-
torious lake is not rising. The waters are now
stationary, and if they are not sweled from the
Colorado evaporation will soon reduce them. Since
this lake came in the heat has been almost unen-
durable. as humidity has been added to the high
temperature.
Sensational accounts of rich discovery Of placer
and quartz gold continue TO come from Pine Nut,
Nevada san Francisco capitalists have sent eX-
pcrtS 10 the camp. and upon their report Will
depend the future of the mines. If the dlgglngs
are one-half rich reported, Nevada will have
good mining camp.