Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-10-22
SAN FRANCISCO IN '4e.
Appearances OF the Hsrbor and City ~ 10
Appeared to the Argouauts.

Crossing the equator on the 9Th of
June. we continued to drift lazily
northward. until we took the northeast
trades about IA degrees north latitude
and were soon fastening towards the
end of the voyage.
IL 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 dry midsum-
mer. Until Telegraph Hill was round
ed no habitation or sign Of civilization
was visible save the dllapidated earth
works at Fort Point and the few crumb-
ling adobe buildings that then consti-
tute 1.-THE Presidio." or old Mexican
military post. Alcatraz Island. now
covered with Notifications and bar
racks and crowned with a lighthouse
at its summit, was then naked and
white with the guano Of the myriads OF
cormorants. gulls and pelicans that
nesied and hatched their broods upon
1t. The hills Of Contra COSTA aud the
plains at their feet were rank with
wild oats. and wero the pasture grounds
Of herds Of cattle. Here and there
across the broad and beautiful bay
the whitewsshed walls of an adobe
ranch house were visible. Rounding
Telegraph Hill, however. there was
change Of scene. As the harbor Of
San Francisco opened before us a
whole fleet Of vessels Of every class
and description was seen at anchor.
Clearly some kind Of taiisman was
drawing bither tho commerce Of the
world. although on shore. as viewed
from the ships deck. one saw but a
few adobe buildings. relics 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 at Clark's
Point. a spur Of Telegraph Hill (for no
wharf then existed), we skirtsd along
the cove round into the center OF the
town. then fairly embraced within the
space now covered by the few blocks
bordering upon the Plaza Of Ports
mouth Square. A locality more replete
with hustle and excitement than this
then was never existed. Gambling
aud gamblers were IN full possession
Of the field. Tents were crowded with
people surrounding the tables where
the Mexican game OF "monte" aud
other so-called banking games were in
full blast. These were the first and
most conspicuous features of the
scene. The mercantile establishments
were thronged with men fitting out
for the "diggings." Activity prevailed
everywhere. occasioned mainly by the
innumerable expeditions aud 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 a safer
and more profitable field Of operations
In the opportunity which existed for
trade aud speculation 10 San Francisco,
the heart Of the multitude was set up
on gold-digging. the making OF a
pile"-in the parlance OF the day--and
a quick return TO the old home again.
Indeed. 1t may be safely estimated that
ninety-iive per cent. Of the Forty
miners" who had then arrived. and
were still arriving in California. we're
animated by this sentiment For at
that time the country, with lis arid
and uninviting aspect, presented few
or no attractions for permanent resi-
dence. Much less did il then exhibit
any Of the evidences Of the resources
Of soil aud climate which the subse-
qnent forty years Of American energy
aud enterprise have developed. - WiL
lard u. Farl0eH fD Century.