Alpo Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 The Barbary Coast The history of the Barbary Coast properly begins with the gold rush to California in 1849. Owing almost entirely to the influx of gold-seekers and the horde of gamblers, thieves, harlots, politicians, and other felonious parasites who battened upon them, there arose a unique criminal district that for almost seventy years was the scene of more viciousness and depravity, but which at the same time possessed more glamour, than any other area of vice and iniquity on the American continent. The Barbary Coast is the chronicle of the birth of San Francisco. From all over the world practitioners of every vice stampeded for the blood and money of the gold fields. Gambling dens ran all day including Sundays. From noon to noon houses of prostitution offered girls of every age and race. This is the story of the banditry, opium bouts, tong wars, and corruption, from the eureka at Sutter’s Mill until the last bagnio closed its doors seventy years later. Free ebook. https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20220827 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted August 16, 2022 Author Share Posted August 16, 2022 One of the associate judges who helped the Alcalde try the Hounds was William M. Gwin, later the first United States Senator from California, and the hero of one of San Francisco’s favorite dueling stories. In 1855 Gwin met on the field of honor one Joseph McCorckle. The duel was fought on a marsh north of the Presidio, several miles from the Gwin home in Jackson Street. Relays of horses were provided, and a messenger was engaged to carry the news of the duel to Mrs. Gwin. In due time he galloped down Jackson Street, rushed into the house and shouted: “The first fire has been exchanged and no one is hurt!” “Thank God!” cried Mrs. Gwin, and with the other members of her family knelt in prayer. A little later the messenger again dashed into the house, crying: “The second fire has been exchanged and no one is hurt!” “Praised be the Lord!” said Mrs. Gwin. Again the messenger rode down Jackson Street. He knocked at the door, tendered his card, and was ushered into the parlor. When Mrs. Gwin appeared he said: “The third fire has been exchanged and no one is hurt!” “That’s good,” said Mrs. Gwin. On his next appearance the messenger was invited to remain for dinner. He ate heartily, and after some casual conversation about the weather, remarked: “Oh, by the way, the fourth fire has been exchanged and no one is hurt. What do you think of that, Mrs. Gwin?” “I think,” said Mrs. Gwin, “that there has been some mighty poor shooting!” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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