The morning call., 1892-09-25
" BLACK EYE" is GONE.
Strange Disappearance of a
Strange Plant.
1t Stood in Columbia square-Its Marvellous
Healing Qualities for Injured
Optics.

The glory Of Columbia square has de-
parted. It's chief attraction is gone and
Gardener Pendergast is incoEsolable.
For the last fifteen years there has been
a remarkable plant in the square, and t
has always been guarded and watched
with Jealous care. 1t was plant with a
history. and in the neighborhood of the
little city park had a reputation known 20
hundreds.
More than this, people knew Of its exist
ence and its wonderful qualities all over
the city.
The plantwas known as "Black Eye"
This name was given to it for the remark
able power of its leaves to cure black eyes.
whether caused by an accidental rub up
against lamppost or a blow from pugiI-
lists fist.
There was never case it failed to cure,
and therefore was its reputation great.
Now ii is no more.
The plant was in the northern part of ths
square, which was recently ordered graded
by the Board OF Supervisors.
The graders came along with their shoV-
els, picks and wagons, and in the process
of leveling the square BLACK Eye" dissp-
peared.
1t is presumed the plant was carried of
known grave among the dumps.
No one ever knew the botanical name OF
"Black Eve" 1t belonged to the cactus
family. but tho exact species could never be
determined.
1t grew to the height of two feet. and its
leaves were green winter and summer alike.
When "BIack Eve" first reared its head
to stem the breezes in Columbia square no
one could ever tell Tradition has it that
the plant was brought from Arizona about
eighteen Years ago.
James O'Brieu. who has for years kept
little store on Seventh street, near the
square, says that the plant was placed there
" hen the square was laid out
When "Blaek Eye" first got its reputation
beyond that of any Oculist tradition says not
But for years its medicinal qualities were
known. and great demands were made upon
its long. spongy and juicy leaves.
No matter how black was the eye, how
bruised the flesh, or how cotted the dark
blood under the skin, an application of a
portion of one OF the leaves would in few
hours take all the dark away and heal aud
so0the the injured optic.
The leaf would be peeled and placed
over the darkened surface, its action being
that or poultce.
In few hours the circulation of the blood
would be resumed and the black would ali
disappear.
Among athletic clubs the reputation Of
'black eye" was extensive. Grocerymen
aud saloon-keepers. and men accustomed TO
knockouts, knew of its existence.
A CALL reporter heard of the plant from
a German groceryman, near the Presidio,
several miles away, and only visited the
square to find "Black Eye" gone and its
keeper grieying for its loss.
Gardener Prendergast said yesterday thas
the disappearance Of the plant was most
mysterious. 1t had always had sort of
sacred reputation and old women and men
would come frequently and beg for portions
of its leaves 20 put on wounds more serious
than tie superficial bruise Of an eye.
He said that during the last week there
had been five people who had come to him
for a leaf to cure a black eye. During his
incumbeney as gardener under the present
administration he could not count the num-
Der who had had black eyes cured by the
medicinal qualities of the plant