F I R S TP R E V216NEXTLAST

Free Drinks!, 33 Pacific Street
In the mid-to-late 1800s, this winding pathway was one of the worse places to find yourself. Halfway down this block, on the right was the site of the saloon owned by the infamous Shanghai Kelly. Before the area was land-filled, Kelly's saloon was built on stilts over the water. Kelly's "runners" were sent to find gullible men and offer to buy them free drinks at the saloon or women at his attached "boarding house". Once inside, the unaware men were given spiked drinks or cigars laced with opium. As the victims lost consciousness they were dropped through one of three trapdoors in the floor where they were rowed away, and sold to ship's captains who desperately needed seaman to replace those who had jumped ship to mine for gold. When the victims awoke they would find themselves trapped on long voyages, some lasting as long as two years. Kelly was not alone in his trade, men and women such as Horseshoe Brown, Calico Jim, Mother Bronson, and Miss Piggott all made a living by "crimping", as it was sometimes called. A national law abolishing Shanghaiing was not passed until 1907.
[ MAP E-15 ]