The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-07-08
Los Angeles Fifty Years Ago
BY J. NJ. SCANLAND

of Main and Commercial streets to pro-
tect that corner against reckless driv
ers The revolutionists had held the
town about four months. when it was
retaken by Gen. Kearney. who had ar
rived from the conquest of New Mexico.
The fort was approached by narrow
path that zigZagged up the hill. When
saw it, there We're only traces of the
walls. There were only few cottages
on tile hill. 1t was mainly used as a
pasture for goats and cows.
The miniature museum was on the
west side of Spring, between Main and
First streets. / only remember seeing a
portrait of CAPT. Henry A. Crabbe. who
led filihusterilg expedition against
Sonora, Mexico. and some gold duSss
which had heeeli found by IA herdcr
near San Fernando in the early thirtios.
The Round House" was a two-story
| frame on the southwest corner Of NJ ii,
and Third streets. 1t was in Is.
| by an. eccentric Frencllmiln named Ksy
| mond Alexander. He had been u s;,ilc'
| but of his history. never heard
called the place the Garden of Ell =.
and the garden extended throu:.', h,
block to Spring Street. 1t was il
garden. aud anything but all
Near the Main Street entrance. -
on the ground, were two figures
! ter of Paris. which he named ,dHm
and Eve The figure Of Adam VA pe'
hans ten feet in length: that
was a little shorter.
The business houses We're on Main
and Spring. extending from the plaza
to Fourth. or perhaps Fifth. On the
west side of Spring. near Fifth, was a
corral. Beyond were orange orchards.
/ Niger Alley just north Of the
plaza. was a fertile field for news. The
rookery buildings were filed with Ne
groes. Indians, Mexicans and whites
all of the lowest class. Shootings and
cuttings were almost OF nightly occur
renee.
a chinatown was also a lively
quarter, especially for criminal news
Opium dens and other dens were nu-
nervous; and fan-tan was the prevail
ing game.
Bailes." or dances. in the Mexican
quarter. were frequent. That section
was called . sonoratown,' by the Amer
leans. because most of the early settlers
, had come from the State of Sonora
Mexico Some of the Eailes We're public
and others We're select.
4 | lad been invited to a halle. and my
experience was interesting and some
what confusing. at first. Only Il few
: Americans were present. had beer
in the saloon only few minutes whel
: a hewitching Llack-eyed senorita came
/, up and crushed Il cascaron over my
!, head. \ cascaron is an egg-shell filled
!, With Tits of varicolored paper ant
cologne. ! had been posted--my com
l panion having. Informed he that sucl
r was Il compliment and that l mus
I return it. and ask the .oung lady t,
|. favor me with il dance. | crushed tw,
r cascarones over her head OVERRIDING
: the compliment The shower Of brigh
t slangles on her black hair made
t pretty effect. She accepted the com
D pliment and the invitation, and W
: waltzed out upen the floor. 1t was witt
e much difficulty that ! got through tn
mazcs of that Spanish waltz, and
:, was ewing to her guidance. She wOr
1 a beautiful Spanish costume, and wor
:. white satin slippers. ! forgot her name
0 but / still see those black, laughin.
$ piercing eyes-the kind that drive me
!. crazy.
IA have Travelled throughout the Unite
e States. and lived in many cities. town
I. and villages. Tut never sfonnd Il NOR
hospitahle and pleasant place than til
t picturesque pueblo of Los Angeles {
t fifty years ago.
s. Know and believe that humanity
e advancing and that as sure as Go
= lives the future will be greater an
e better than the present or the past
II Charles 4. Ddnd.