The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1900-11-25
PROPOSED MEMORIAL. SHAFT.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL SHAFT.
lara ton of war against Spain which so
quickly followed the destruction of the
battleship Maine in the harbor of Ha-
vana on Feb 10, $685. In the battles
on land and sea in the Antilles and in
the orient CALIFORNIA; sons have borne
an honorable part, and it is fitting that
the commonwealth should pay tribute
to those who gave up their lives. The
money for such a tribute has been gen.
erously contributed by the people Of
the state, and a number of designs
have been submitted to the committee
having the matter in charge. These
were recently displayed at the Art mu-
scum and attracted much attention.
The design which has apparently re-
ceived the most favorable considera-
ton is one by L. Amateis of Washing
ton. This Is futed shaft which bears
aloft the Roman tripod. In front of
the rising shaft is the figure of Califor-
mia offering the laurel to the memory
of her sons. In front and back. where
there are spaces for tablets, will be
placed four war scenes and as many
DduclSs OCdIih NAC VI ehS NNN~>
| The treatment of the bases is wide and
free, and the scope of the figure is ex-
| cellent.
Speaking of the war with Spain and
| the subsequent instruction In the Phil
| ippines, one naturally turns to the Pre-
| sidio, out here on the abutments of the
| Golden Gate, which has been the rem
devious of an army outward bound for
the firing line some 5000 miles across
the Pacific and the resting place for
tropic tanned veterans returning after
a wearying chase of the willy Filipino.
| OF course the Preside Is not now the
scene of such activity as 1t was when
the big military expeditions were being
fitted out for Manila year. and a half
or two years ago or when q FEW
months ago troops were being forward
ed from here to China, but it is still
point of much interest to visitors to the
Pacific coast. The Preside, which ev-
erybody knows is division headquar-
tiers for the department of California,
United States army, was established
as an army post by the Spaniards
about 100 years ago and was first occu-
pied by American troops in March.
1849, by Captain Lippet's company OF
Colonel Stevenson's New York volun-
teers, the original 'Plug Uglies," who
cut something of figure In the old Ar
gonaut days. The locality was declared
military reservation by the president
on Nov. 6, 1850, and originally embrac-
ed about 1,500 acres, but since the ad-
joining posts of Fort Point and others
were included it now contains over
1000 acres, with a water frontage OF
over four miles. Division headquar-
tiers were established there July l.
1878.
The Preside is situated In the north
west suburbs of the city on a slope
which ascends gradually from the sand
and salt water marshes on the southern
margin of the bay of San Francisco. 1t
overloOks the bay and has a fine view
of the Notifications on Fort Point a
mile to the north. and the batteries on
Alcatraz and Angel islands and those
Of Point San Jose and Lime Point.
Back from the post the ground rises
into grass covered hills dotted with
clumps of trees. However, shade is not
a serious necessity, as the sun Is near
~ always welcome. The climate Of the
locality is varied and variable, gener-
ally mild and pleasant during the early
part of the day, but usually chilly and
damp at its close. In the matter OF
sanitary conditions, both natural and
artificial, the army surgeons regard the
Preside as admirably located for an
army post.
The buildings of the Preside are Of
brick and wood, substantial, commo-
diOus and picturesque. Officers Row"
is long street of coZy, handsome cot
tages with broad verandas and pretty
lawns dotted with flowers and shrub
berry. The barracks are built on three
sides of a parallelogram inclosing a
smooth. level and spacious parade
ground. Within the past year there
have been large additions to the Pre-
sldio hospital for the accommodation
,of the sick and wounded soldiers. re-
turning from the Philippines. Here
many Of the nations brave boys have
found bakn for their wounds and
restoration to health and vigor from
the ills incident to the camp and field.
and here doubtless many more viii find
care and comfort before the connpl.cs-
tons in the orient are fully adjusted
and'we have no longer occasioRfor sol
dlers in the far east.
4 =. CHARLES E, RoRISsoU