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CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
ten to twelve per cent, a month, and invested. A revulsion 
was inevitable, and when it came it was accompanied by a con¬ 
flagration that devastated the entire city. Business was paralyzed, 
and firms that had been thought to be worth millions, were not 
only penniless, but with heavy debts hanging upon them from 
which tfiere was no prospect of relief. All found themselves 
overwhelmed with liabilities, and with a very few exceptions, 
none could even make a fractional dividend in favor of their 
creditors. One of the most extensive firms in the city, a firm 
that within two short weeks had considered themselves worth five 
millions, now found themselves indebted to almost that amount, 
without a dollar in hand, and nothing in prospect by which they 
could even expect to make a comfortable living. The partner 
who established the firm, became a citizen before the gold ex¬ 
citement. He was in the prime of life, universally beloved for 
his courteous and gentlemanly bearing, and one of those chival¬ 
rous spirits who never turn their backs upon a friend or foe. 
He was a terror to the “hounds,” and other organizations of 
villainy, in San Francisco, and was the most effectual instru¬ 
ment in organizing the self-constituted police; this reverse of 
fortune, however, together with the loss of an accomplished and 
beloved wife, so preyed upon his spirits that he made an attempt 
upon'his own life. 
Miners were returning to town by scores, driven in by the 
scarcity of provisions, owing to the impassable condition of the 
country, and merchants of the interior were driven from their 
posts by the same cause. All could not get employment in 
town, and but few were able to remain in idleness; the conse¬ 
quence was that many sailed for the Sandwich and other Pacific 
islands in search of labor, or in hopes of finding a less expensive 
place to spend the winter. Others were preparing to return 
home. These causes, together with the arrival of large con¬ 
signments of provisions, were soon most sensibly felt. Flour 
was offering in the market at $25 per sack; many having heavy 
stocks on hand for which they had paid $40, and with money 
for which they were then paying ten per cent, a month. Every 
steamer from the interior, as well as those clearing from the 
port, were crowded, and passage tickets selling at a premium. 
Every house in town was full; comfortable accommodations 
