The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-23
Missing Miners,

ALASKA SILVER SEEKERS LOST OR ICE-BOUND.
The schooner Alaska, which left this
port on the 22d OF june last with party Of
twelve miners on board. who were en-
gagged to work i'm the Omilak cOmpany's
mine. in Alaska, is now long overdue
here, and the most serious apprehensions
are felt regarding the fate OF the schooner
and her crew. Word OF her safe arrival at
the mouth OF Fish river. in Alaska, sixty
miles from the company's mine, reached
her owners by letter brought by Govern
mcnt vessel. The trip up was made in
thirtv-slX days. the schooner arriving
safely at her destination on July 18th, and
was 10 start on her return trip by October
1st, or 18th at the latest. The trip down
would require not over forty or forty-fve
days. and the superstition is that the
schooner either got caught in the ice-pack
or else has founGered at sea.
Ii will lie remembered by readers OF the
Chronicle that some four years ago sailor
returning from trip to Alaska brought
news Of a solid silver mountain there, and
specimens of the ore. He prsfessed 10 be
willing TO stake his life upon his ability to
guide a party OF miners TO the silver noun
tain. and his description OF the locality and
the bonanza were so realistic that 4 COM
venture. formed a party 10 20 in search Of
the Alaskan silver fleece. Among the pro-
Spectors were \. r. Williams, X. Il. Hard.
&. o. Babb. and Others. of Oakland, most
of the party being residents Of Alameda
county. They sailed in the schooner March,
which foundered In Alaskan waters, leay-
ing the miners TO return the best way they
could. Some returned on the Corwin,
others on the Rush.
Williams. Hard. and others f., med the
resolution 10 send another expedition to
the region, encouraged TO this by ore they
found resembling tue famous galena ore OF
Illinois. Accordingly, IN June, 1882, Il
party OF men under Il. y. Hard went to
the Omilak country, on Fish river, and
Opened mine. Five men remained there
through the winter. and the remainder re-
turned TO tins city. The expedition OF
June last was to replace the five miners by
twelve new men, and allow Hard, Babb,
and the others 10 return 10 their families.
in this state.
The schooner Alaska. laden with two
years supply Of provisions, small
steamer, some mules, and other necessities
for working the mine, sailed rs stated,
with Captain Gallagher in command, and
Of the Omilak Mining Company there were
aboard John Lowrie. of Centeryille. and
samuel | Marston, OF Newark. Waiter
HoefTner, first mate. a number OF sailors
and the twelve miners constituted the re-
mainder Of the schooners living cargo.
While the vessel was preparing Tor
sea much doubt was expressed as
TO her seawOr Illness; man fell
from the rigging and was killed on
her deck while she lay al the wharf, and
that was regarded as IN Ill omen by all the
old salts along the waterfront. Neyerthe-
less. the Alaska reached the Omilak coun-
try as stated and was TO have returned here
last month. 1t may be that she was uneX-
pectedly locked up in the ice-ciasp OF the
suddenly frozen Arctic waters, or that on
her return trip she struck hidden rock
or reef, was capsized in one OF the numerous
gales reported from the Alaska coast, or
burned at sea. Should the schooner have
been ice-bound the miners and crew viii
experience little difficulty in wintering. as
they have ample stores. But the gravest
fears are expressed that the schooner
started for san Francisco and foundered at
sea, as returned Arctic whalers report
heavy storms that would have struck her.
The families aud friends Of the absent
miners are naturally very Respondent over
the situation.-SQn francisco ChToRcle.
A yfrgfntan Murdered I'm Kentucky.
William j. Rothwell, native Of VIZ
GINA. but who has been living IN owen