The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-10
THE FIRST CELEBRATION
How San Francisco Received the News
of CALIFORNIA; Admission to
the Union.

California was State of the Union for
period of forty days before the people of
the newly acquired territory knew the
fact. That was because in the days of old
communication between the East and the
West was not what it is now, the only
means being the slow emigrant train over
the plains and the steamer line between
New York and Aspinwall, then the FIVE
day trip across the isthmus and the sea
journey from Panama to this port.
The bill to admit California as State
was passed in the House as it came from
the Senate on the Sd of September, 1885,
and it was signed by the President on the
9th, but it was not until the 18th of Octo-
Der that the people of San Francisco knew
that they were part of the Union.
When the people were expecting news as
to the result of the California bill, it had
been arranged that the steamer that should
bring the news should, if the bill became
q law, fire certain number of guns.
Steamer after steamer entered the harbor,
but the long-looked-for signal was not
heard until the 18th of October, shortly
before noon, the great black arms on the
= signal-station on the top of Telegraph Hill
were thrown up, and it was not long before
it became known that the Oregon was in
ward bound. AS she passed through the
Golden Gate, the boom of cannon was
heard. first one gun, then another and more
followed until the number agreed upon had
been fired. That was the sound the people
had been waiting for.
AS the sound of gun after gun was heard
the people became wild with enthusiasm.
1--WE are in the Union," was the cry that
was heard on every side. Business ofevery
description was suspended, stores were
hastily closed, the courts adjourned and
there was rush for the water front by
every one who could either ride, run or
walk, and even the lame and the halt
struggled along to reach point of vantage
on the shore line from which they could
see the steamer that brought the glorious
news.
From North Beach to North Point the
shore was black with people, but the dens-
est crowd was between North and Clarks
Point. the bluff where once stood Fort
Montgomery" battery of six Founders,
which was on what is now the line of Bat
terry street and which gave that street its
name. The eastern and northern slopes OF
Telegraph Hill were dotted with curious
people.
The black hull of the easy-moving side.
wheeler hove into sight. Her rigging was
covered with flags and signals wherever
one could be fastened, and above all fioated
Old Glory. As the steamer rounded
Clarks Point, opposite which all steamers
came to anchor, mighty shout of JOY
went up from the thousands on shore, and
it was answered by those on the vessel
There was waving of handkerchiefs and
flags and cheer after cheer rent the air.
The newsboat had left the vessels side
long before she came to anchor, and the
important" letters for the several news
papers were soon delivered and every com
positor set to work to get out an extra.
When the first delirium of Joy was owe,
the people rushed back to their places OIL
business and houses and ran up flags in
token of Joy. Those who had no stats on
their houses nailed the colors to pieces OF
scantIing and fastened them anywhere or
the house. Flags of every nationality
even the Dragon fag-foa ted in the
breeze. Those on the ships in the harbor
caught the fever of enthusiasm, and it was
not many moments before every vessel
was dressed in holiday attire. 1t was q
magnificent sight.
Then came the rush for the news. The
extras were passed out of the Alta-Califor
MA and Herald offices, and the crowds ir
front of them bought them up at S. each
before those having them could leave the
office door, and following is what they
read:
CALIFORNIA is IN THE UNION.