The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
- NMOO0OCWNn9,OM(1o 1o11zssssefs 3

all. all were on an equal footing; there
was nothing of what is called snobbery
or striving to outdo to make a place.
for there was no need. it was charm
ing. delightful. truly social" She grew
very tenderiy enthusiastic. then pro-
ceeded to reel OF names of that golden
time aristocracy in a manner that was
a bit staggering
There was Mayor Selby, then mayor
of the city. who had a beautiful home
on top of the hill; the John c. Rail
Thomas Day. whose daughter Mrn
Symmes, kept up the home for many
years; Captain Stevens. who had q
lovely place; the several Low families
p. F. Low. who was governor of Cau-
fornia about 1857. believe. and Charles
Low, father of Judge Low. on Essex
and Harrison streets; the Woodvorths.
who owned the Grand hotel property
1T was Judge Lows family VINO, a.
the way, bought the property on the
corner OF Sutter and Cough streets.
lately torn down for the Hotel Norman
die. but then so far out OF the world In
the sand dunes every one thought them
crazy. II was much like Forty-elzhth
avenue would be witkoy. hoxsss. cars
or roads from downtown now.
Then there were the Kittles. Cen
eral Aliens family; Major Kesney's
home down on Folsom street and W.T.
liam Alvord's across the street. Afrs
Il
majors death; Captain Pedarson: Cap
tain Soren d. Peterson number OF
captains; the Grifnths. who have Of
fered their fine property on the very
crest of the hill TO the city for public
park. the signature to the deed only
waiting the action of the supervisors:
the Ogdens-oh. any number of good
old families whose names it is a pleas
ure to repeat
Wednesday was reception day on
the hill There would be a continuous
line of carriages UP and down the
streets There were always balls and
parties and dances and dinners and big
affairs sometimes like the Russian
ball. Her voice trailed of into
the low tenderness OF "reminiscences
With the cutting OF Second street
came Rincon hills downfall Property
about it was ruined. adjacent land be-
came insecure. gradually the crowding
tenement. manufacturing life crept in
and its glory was no more.
OF course while these old timers
cling TO the hill for sentimental rea-
sons they are common sense enough 10
see that a hill cannot be kept merely
for a sentiment when a greater good
is to be derived. so they give a sigh
to the inevitable.
On the other hand. sentimental bat
practical withal. is another class of OBJ
Jectors. those who consider the hills OF
San Francisco her chiefest charm.
Theirs Is the largest argument for re-
tanning the hill
The. Beauty of Hills
Above all things. San Franciseo's
beauty does lie In her hills. which
ever way one looks out over the city
or from the bay. which is the view
point really. at least. to impress
strangers, the charm OF the whole In
the sweep. the many rising ana fall
ing curves OF our clty's hills. Take
away Telegraph and Rincon you have.
IL Is true. straight lines OF trafno
from the water front between Market
and Channel streets to Ninth" but
where are those dear, ever loved mon
uments Of picturesque grace which are
the nrst objects TO greet q San Fran
ciscan's eye and thrill his heart a. he
returns homo from his journeying. his
pieasurins or his business.
There 10 no city under the sun that
claims such loyal love and pride from
her children as San Francisco. Il is
said The true San Franciscan may
find fault. but the past has shown his
devotion-how he fought for her Let
any one cast siur or detract from
her good name and there Is trouble
immediately
But 1t is this joy in our uniqueness
which tells Level US or like any other
fat old town and we are just set of
money grubbers like the rest
Aosurd. POSSIBLY But when Rin-
con and Telegraph are gone. Russian
hill tunneled. the Fairmont brought
down for greater convenience. the
sand dunes carefully spoiled, as they
already are By this leveling process.
and converted into q nat plain OF
stupid houses which give one the
shivers by their sameness Of design
WELL 1t won't be so absurd. II will be
CHASTITY. Man Is stupid. that is GER
tainl His own little ideas OF the beau
tiful as opposed 10 Gods and natures
would be ludicrous il not so pltiful-
So goodby. old Rincon, Your stanch
old heart Of rock has borne all bravely.
Accept your fate with smiling courage.
knowing you take with you the love
Of loyal hearts and leave q memcry e
which any hui might be proud.