The San Francisco call., 1904-12-08
JUNGLE GEORGE" AS AN AUTHOR
Dean OF Bohemian Glib Writes Charn1lmgly
OF HIS E0e'HtuI Eaghty-Seve,a Years.


reach an eXpectant public. If it fails to
attain universal recognition as the
book Of the year il certainly will be
awarded that distinction by every Ce-:-
fOrnian and thousands OF folk-some
OF them widely celebrated-elsewh
Il is more than its author claims for il.
'Tis simply" he says by way of pref
ace. a narrative pertaining to an
eventful life Of eighty-seven years in
which its joys have so far outweighed
its sorrows that would dearly love TO
live il all over again That's a true
reflex Of Uncle Georges" fine spirit
but il conveys no hint Of the historic
and literary value of his work 1t does
not prepare the reader TO End volume
in which there is not ore dull line. In
stead Of contributing TO posterity the
usual photographed sacrifice Of
truth TO egOtism, Uncle George" has
written in the same vein of self -efface-
ment that makes his oral "reminiscences
so beloved by Bohemia. And his sim
pie narrative" is sometimes as thrill
ing as Treasure Island, q" and at all
times delightfully."- told The chapters
covering his early experiences in San
Francisco viii be read when more pre-
tentiOus histories Of the city will be
neglected, because they combine COM
prehensive glimDses OF the life of the
time with anecdOtal interest.
When il is realized that Uncle
George was an actor before jefferson
essayed Rim. and that he was an At
Tican explorer many years prior TO
StanleY's discovery Of Livingstone, only
a faint idea Of the worth of his we'll
told memoirs has been obtained For
his subsequent career embraces steam
boating. railroading. office-holding.
bookkeeping and half & dozen other
VOcations in California ere he settled
down 70 spend the winter of his re-
markable life among the friends he best
lOves-his cronies Of the Bohemian
Club Of san Francisco.
OF his birth he writes: History has
recorded the occurrence of many great
and important events during the first
quarter OF the nineteenth century, but
the event Of most vital importance 10
me occurred on the morning of April IA,
1877 in the city of Norwich, Conn. For
il was then and there that | was born
When he was only II years Of age his
good mother sent him on a sealing vOy-
age TO South Africa. so that her mind
would be eased as to his whereabouts
= nights" and then he pursued the sea
and river navigation until he was ap
pointed second mate OF his fathers
TOpewalk," where he served four years
ere the call of the sea again lured him.
de arrived in San Francisco on January
s, 1851. and found a comfortable berth in
the customs service awaiting him. This
is one Of his "reminiscences Of that in
Ueresting period:
Il was during the exciting times Of the early
mites that the young men or the city. De-
effects Of mixed drinks. organized a society
known the Young Mems Moral Reform Club.
with the motto How happy is the man who
q
none Of the members was able TO solve, but
the mOial reform feature Of the club tina.
its members were never to drink mixed drinks
] had the honor Of being elected the nrst presi-
dent. There We're twelve members. and our
meetings we're held the Mission on the last
Saturday night OF the month. with the Clin
House omnibus 70 convey US TO and from our
the pledge and borne out 10 Lone Noun
tain Cemetery. until there were but two sur
Fivors, the Superintendent OF Public lnstruc-
uon and myself In 1879 went East ana my
fellow member Of the Reform Club must have
been beguileo from the paths OF rectltude' Iof
he. too. died and ! am now the sole repres hta-
tive Of the organization which was famous in
its day and generation. II my example shaii
have been the means Of persuadlns young men
10 abstain from mixed drinks and confne them
selves to the moderate use Of whisky straight
] shall feel that I have not overhauled the
etorehouses Of memory in vain
OF seasonable interest is Uncle
Georges" description of his first
Christmas in San Francisco He says:
The Christmas OF 1851 was duly observed in
q the season. At Barry & Patterns. Billy
Blossoms and the Blue Wing. everybody re-
cei~ed the assurance of the distinguished con-
sioeration OF everybody else during the day,
and at night Christmas banquet was gwen
a. Jones Hotel which stood at the corner O,
California and Sansome streets where the
Bank Of California is now located The ban
ouet was served at SO a plate and 70 those
OF Us VINO had been paying dollar and half
for q meal made up Of baked beans bear steak
Goldfish hash and potatoes from Australia. II
was worth All Il cost The roast turkeys were
frr q q a
tcr6ey since leaving our Eastern homes.
remember few cf the guests that We're seated
al the beard There were Judge Ogden HOff-
man. Collector King. Colonel E. D. Baker. J.
afinot brown. C. x. Green. Captain shillaber.
james Wainwright Sclim Woodwork. George
VI Grannss James Macondray. James Riddle
and Mayor Brennan. At O'Clock all sat
down and al half past , a. m We all arose,
and as there was 10 Oakland boat then every
body stayed until the wind-up OF the jamboree.
Fairly Illustrative Of the spirit that
has endeared Uncle George" TO all
who knew him, while il has kept him
from cpuience is his description Of an
Interview with Governor Stanford,
who offered him the SUPPLEMENTARY
of the Central Pacific Railroad, to sue
ceed Mr. Crocker. He says
told Governor stanford that I appreciated
the honor beyond the power OF words 70 ex-
tfefs a1d with al ms heart ! thanked him
fc- h.s hattering opinion Of my capability as
~ n-re years service IN the Sacramento
valley had wen Tho approval OF such as
---e tflLrai Bacilc Railroad Com
Iary. but 7 had become enarlored Of nv hotel
life, and with many thanks / declined the
prolefeo honor. The Governor seemed some
what disappointed a. the result Of the inter-
view. ana i afterward learned that he had
come 10 san Jose with the express intention
q inducing me 10 accept the position Many
tir1cs. afterward, during my career as a hotel
kecuer' Il occurred to me that had I told the
itrst man met. after my conversation with the
Governor. that he could have the establish
Ineur Tor just what he chose 20 offer and
E'.lF nack 70 sacramento. II would have been
f1e wisest thing J could have done would
rot now have 20 think Of walking IN order 10
cc0nnnlze carfsre. And yet ] would have
r'ssed 80 much fun. and SO many tollv good
times that. taking IL all in all perhaps ii is