The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-14

oCruucu DID QufCklY as ne came I'D.
he missed his way once. He was TOO
proud to inquire of passers-by the direc-
tl0n TO such a well-known hotel as the St.
Nicholas, and he thought he saw way
out of the dilemma when lie met juvenile
peanut vender.
Sonny" said he to the street gamin,
want to buy some peanuts. PlI give
basket"
1T goes" replied the boy, jumping at
The money was paid
DO You know where the ST. Nicholas
Hotel ls?'
Certain"
VIII You take the peanuts there and
ieave them for Colonel A. j. Gambill?"
L ne boy started off, but the colonel, who
Intended he should pilot him unwittingly
was disappointed. The boy gave him the
sup or made short cut, and he lost him.
ABOUT TOUR hours afterward the colonel
reached the hotel by the aid of friendly
cred all right.
mo that ever saw him In the earlier
years OF his California life can forget
colonel Jack. Always we'll dressed,
stately and commanding in appearance,
courteous and suave in demeanor when
saIuting his friends. In fact there was
certain ehivalrOus bearing about the man,
and an intuitive sense of social etiquette.
Wnen the local world of that day saw
ColOnel Jack and his wife on Montgomery
street-that thoroughfare being the lash
ionaDIe parade at the time-all would
step to gaze and admire. His wife was a
hitting mate in figure and demeanor. The
coupie were splendid specimens of
physique.
Along about 1896. the colonel had fine
apartments on the south side of CONNER
ciai street., next door above the Mint
Saloon and opposite the present Sub
treasury building. that has taken the
pace OF the old United States Branch
nlInt building. Bret Harte was at that
Time private secretary of Mint Superin-
tendent Swain, and Bret was often in the
colonefS rooms on the opposite side of the
way. But he was there merely for the
study OF character. it must be pre-
sumed. Those who have read Bret Harte's
California sketches will bear in mind
his opinion of the California sporting man.
Inc coloneGs rooms were the resort of
nIgh-tOned players, and it was from these
darte made his studies, and made them
con amore. As Byron once said Tom
moore dearly loved lord, 50 did Bret
Harte absorbingly admire the Bohemian
freedom, geDteel recklessness and calm
courage that he has idealiZed in Jack Ham
lin, the type-in his opnion-of the sport
Ing class. Apparently opposite causes work
t9getner sometimes to produce results
Here was young Hsrte in the polite but
none the less vicious atmosphere of
fashionable gambling-room drawing the
mental pictures that have charmed the
reading world.
When Colonel Jack quilted Sacramento
TO come to San Francisco for residence.
during the big desolation OF floods of 80
%, oo, or Whereabouts, he was not in good
humor with the City of the Plains. Some
one asked him al Clayton's, on CONNER
pIal STRAIT if no fhnnubt Of
Sacramento. 1t was sight to witness
him straignlen himself and thunder out:
mo, sir-r-IP If Sacramento were put
up 10 rafhe at a sneeZe a chance | wouldn't
take snuH Tor six months TOR fear of win
Ming"
Up to 1856, and later, the sporting fra
teTnlty OF San Francisco. of which Colonel
Jack shone as prominent member. was
composed, In the lead, Of men who could
not have been called to the front, except
ing by the peculiar causes that brought
California into existence-the auri sacra
flames. Let some of the leaders be named,
If they can be at this late date, to wit:
Charlie Burroughs. who looked like
bank president and railroad director
rolled into one; Bill Briggs, wheat and
Indian Cherokee, who prided himself on
giving his clients ''sQuar" game; Steve,
Al and Ed Whipple. New England sport
ing men, who were always considered
e. >.
Jim Rynders. Chambers. Bill Thompson,
Ned Moses and McCabe, Ned Ragsdaie.
Dick Ross. Colonel j. j. Bryant: last,
but not least, Colonel Andrew jackson
Gambill. 1t is a strange thing to say,
but up TO 1856 and later the names we have
mentioned were of quite as much inl-
pOrtance in he commercial world of San
francisco as its legitimate merchants and
general business men. San Francisco was
gam bling community in the years named.
and he mercantile portion of it was con-
stantly compelled to tide themselves over
from one steamer day TO another by loans
at enormous interest from the sports, and
from other sources still more disreputa Bile
in the eyes of the world.
They are all dead, these representative of
what may be called The inchoate civilization
of California, but we cannot help having
some tender memories Tor them for their
rough chivsiry and manliness. After all,
they did the best they could under the cir
cumstances. Let those who condemn them
at this day put themselves in their place.
so far as the times and the community
were concerned. Communities have to
grow. Dismiss close analysis at the pro-
cess of growth and gave attention only to
results.
Colonel Jsck-of whom these random
recollectiOns have been given-liVed for
several years prior to his death comfort
ably in the bosom of his family. He had
an lQ6a t1at SUPERINTENDENT Daggett OF
the United States Branch Mint in this city
would give him position in the Federal
Governments money home. He wanted
to be guardian of the archives, where all
he had to do was to keep bright lookout,
and where there was no figuring nor re-
porting TO be homework that was never
favored by Colonel Jack. He was doomed
to appointment, however The berth
was given 10 SO man from Colusa."
We'll, Colonel Jack" said an old friend,
meeting him one day. without knowing
the appointment had been made, "have
you got your place in the mint yet?"
mo. nor won't get it. So far as Pm
concerned It's gone up a flume. Pm get
ting old. you see. getting old and am for
gotten"
He tapped the curbstone softly with his
iron-feruled cane and added quietly as he
turned away:
"Good-by, old pard. eff l don't see you
again. G. E. b.