Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-10-22
SAN FRANCISCO IN 40.
Appearance of tho Harbor aud city as II
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 IA 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 we're dressed
in the arid garb of the dry midsum-
mer. Until Telegraph Hill was round
ed 20 habitation or sign of civilization
was visible save the dilapidated earth
works at Fort Point and the few crumb-
ling adobe buildings that then consti-
tute 'the Presidion or old Mexican
military post Alcatraz Island. now
covered with fortiications 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
pested and hatched their broods upon
it. The hills of Contra Costa aud 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
the whiteHashed walls of an adobe
ranch house were visible. Rounding
Telegraph Hill. however there was a
change of scene. As the harbor of
San Francisco opened before us a
whole fleet of vessels of every class
aud description was seen at anchor
Clearly some kind OF ta,sman was
drawing hither the commerce of the
world, although on Shore as viewed
from the ships deck Que saw but
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 spur Of Telegraph Hill Qor no
wharf then cxisted). we skirted 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
and 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 bv the
iunumerable expeditions and squads
of men about to depart for the mining
region. For aside from the gambling
fraternity, aud the comparatively few
older and wiser heads who saw safer
and more profitable field of operations \
in the opportunity which existed for
trade aud speculation in San Francisco,
the heart of the multitude was set up
on gold-digging. the making OF a
pilen-in the parlance of the day-and
quick return to the old home again.
Indeed. it may be safely estimated that
ninety-ive 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 its arid
aud uninviting aspect, presented few
or no attractions for permanent resi-
dence. Much less did it then exhibit
any Of the evidences of the resources
of soil and climate which the subse-
quent forty years Of American energy
and enterprise have developed Va
lard b. Farweu IN Century.