New-York tribune., 1897-01-31
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
rrNr crop orrrI.OOK-FUNERAL OF LIT
TIE PETE"-MODJESKA'SR RE-
APPEARANCE.
rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

APPEAkANCE.
rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE]
San Francisco Jan. 30-Rain has fallen heavi-
" IN the last two days and the outlook for all
crops is excellent The rivers and streams are
low because nearly all moisture has been alb
sorbed by the soil. The rainfall this season has
been nearly double that of las, season, and es-
pecially in the southern counties this rain has
come at opportune times Heavy snowfall Is also
neported on all the mountains. which insures an
ample supply Of water for irrigation only lack
of the usual spring rains can now prevent good
crops OF grain and fruit.
The funeral Of Little Pete" the murdered
Chinese Highbinder leader this week furnished
n curious example of Oriental pomp and dis
graceful specimen of American savagery. Along
the line Of march grouped many hoodlums.
and in one place gang OF these Wretches guyeo
the mourners and made coarse Jests at the ex-
pense Of the drivers Of the carriages The po-
lice preserved fairly good order in the city. but
they evidently didn't count on any crowd at the
cemetery. There one lone mounted officer vain'y
attempted 10 hold in check 1000 vulgar curiosity
seekers most OF them women. This MOB tram
pied on graves, crowded upon the widow ana the
mourners. and wolfishly snatched and devoured
tho funeral baked meats placed in front of the
grave which the poorest Chinese would scorn TO
violate Altogether it was the worst exhibition
Of savagery seen here In years
The murder of Little Pete" who was the
leader Of the strongest band OF hghpnders' ana
the actual dictator OF Chinatown mas aroused
the police and Chief Crowley has given strlD-
gent orders TO check any attempt to carry on the
bloody feud All Highlander associations are 10
be broken up and their headquarters demolished.
The Chinese will also be prevented from shooting
off frecrackers at their approaching New Years;
q rule that will deprive the ceremonies oi ohe vi
the chief attractions to the Celestiais.
daa of MAJ Flood widow or the
Bonanza millionaire. removed woman VINO
did much good in quiet charities Thougn veri
rich she was averse to all display, ana thoush
she had one of the finest houses IN the GU! ior
receptions II was seldom opened to the puphc.
She had morbid dread of notoriety, which was
shown in her wishes for her funeral. lhere
were only the simplest religious services at the
house in the presence Of half dozen near rela-
tives the coffin carried to the hearse by
hired attendants. and only four carriages Io,-
lowed II TO the tomb. The great house on Mob
Hill is the property of the daughter. and the
fortune of the mother was equally divided be-
tween her two children.
Among the deaths this week were those Of AL
exander H. Loughborough. a well-known law
yer and John l.. Durkee, for many years FIRE
Marshal of the city.
over 1000 guests attended the reception given
on Tuesday afternoon by Mrs. Stanford in honor
or Bishop and Mrs. Newman The stanford
mansion on California-st. Hill was opened and
decorated for the first time since the reception
given to President and Mrs. Harrison feat-
ure of the affair was message from MIS-. JuiId
u. Grant, conveying loving greetings 10 YOU
and your two guests.
The temperance of Modjeska after a long
illness was the noteworthy dramatic occur
renee Of the week. She played Mazda at the
Baldwin all the week, except tonight, when sne
gave marie Stuart" She is able to use freely
the arm that was helpless for many months. ana
her acting showed lack of vigor. Next week
she will play Lady Macbeth and Adrienne Le-
ccuvreur.
a Yokohama gambling scandal has followed
c. Pernet, French Consul at that city. to san
Francisco Pernet arrived on the last Oriental
steamer bound for Paris. to prove to the au-
thorjties that he not guilty OF cheating at
cards in the Yokohama Club. The story goes
that he had q poker "hold cut" under the table
cover and that the careless dropping OF one or
$500 Pernet declares that he is the victim or
jealousy on the part of the French Minister
at Toxic and that he can explain everything.
but he refuses 10 go into details.
. A committee has been appointed to investigate
the stuffing Of the Assembly payroll by Chief
Clerk Duckworth. but there are few prospects
of any genuine inquiry, as two-thirds or tne
members reuuestod the clerk to appoint friends
and relatives to sinecures in the state service.
Duckworth simply carried to It's extreme limit
a vicious practice which has been In force mere
for years, and which has cost the state thou-
sands of dollars
II is probable that San Quentin Prison Will
soon be abolished. the convicts there Deins
transferred TO Folsom Prison. near Sacramento
Large additions will be made TO foison;; IL, IN
which all convicts north of Tehachapi Will be
nIaced This will remove one Of the pleasantest
prisons in the country, for San quentin. pelhg
Situated on San Francisco Bay. is never exposed
10 extreme heat or cold. and the prison yard u
a mass of flowers