The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
f FOR
Queer Colony Sailed for the South
Seas.
San Francisco Call

tNSAA a iA1A'A OoAAs
Manager Reinhart, of the South Sea ISL
and coionizing expedition, is the happiest
man in seven states. He has at least $4,000
out $500 for the old brig Percy Edwards,
and say another $1,000 for necessary re-
pairs. Where the colonists are going they
do not know, and furthermore they do not
seem TO care. Nearly all of them are I'M
sophisticated farmers from the interior,
and like the unfortunates who made an ex-
cursion from Australia to paraguay IN the
Royal Tar. they seem to think they have
the ball at their feet and, all they have
TO do is to make the necessary eXertion and
a fortune is theirs.
Some OF the members OF the expedition
say they are going Ito the South Sea
islands Just for fun" and that they do not
expect TO have anything but an enjoyable
cruise after an imaginary island. The fact
still remains, however, that the Percy Ed
wards was built exactly thirty-one years
owner did not fit her out again for another
whaling cruise. The brig belonged 10 James
McKenna. and two years ago she went to
money TO pay the 81 that each member of
the crew was paid off with. Since then she
lay up in Oakland creek until the man who
invented the Adamless Eden came along,
and then there was a demand FOR a vessel
that could be bought cheap. The Percy Ed
wards is 19 tons net, 1o reet 1 inches long,
2S feet | inch beam and 10 feet ! inch deep.
She has been thoroughly overhauled and
repaired. and a cruise In ner in southern
seas will be as safe as in any whaler that
Wen, well! Welt said Henry Peterson.
the champion oarsman, yesterday, when he
viewad the preparations beng made. they
say they are going to have plenty of fun.
Well. I'm willing TO gahlDIe dollars to
doughnuts that they'll get all they expect.
Why, they dc not even know where they
are going. and God help the man who is go
ing on a rowing expedition in the southern
seas in search o~f-nothing.'
This is the worst comic opera L have
ever Witnessed" said an employe of the
Harbor Commission There. Is not the
slightest chance IN the world for a man
in New Guinea without money. and as TO
the Solomon group or the New Hebrides,
the men who go there should carry a Cat
ling gun and plenty of ammunition. There
are more cannibals than Ewes down there
and the passengers on the Percy EDWARDS
had better look out.
Nearly three years ago a similar expedi-
ton to the one planned TO leave on the
Percy Edwards next Thursday left Aus
tralia on the bark Royal Tar. 1t was bound
for Paraguay, and everything that the col
onists~had was put into the general fund
and all and sundry were 10 share and share
alike. A concession had been received from
the government of South America, and each
family was to receive so much land and
each single MAI was TO be given so much
in proportion. II was a second South-sea
bubble. and disaster followed II from the
moment the vessel reached its destination.
The colony is now almost deserted. and the
colonists are nearly ali back In Australia,
sadder but wiser men. Will the expedition
on the Percy Edwards prove more success
full is the question OF interest on the water
front just now.
First Mate briggs, of the brig. is conf
dent that the venture will be n success and
says that besides owning the vessel and
her contents there is $1,000 in the treasury.
Where they are going he does not know.
and the destination will not be known until
the vessel gets 10 sea. She will clear for
a cruise I'm the Southern seas" said he. Ac-
cording to him. the public and the press
looked upon the scheme as chimerical. but
he is certain that IL will be a success.
Three young farmers joined the eXpedi-
ton yesterday, and each paid 800 for a
chance in the glorious future that awaits
them in the new Eden. serpents and saw
ages barred.
In the meantime the Percy Edwards will
probably clear to-day on "a cruise to the
South Sea islands. and Thursday will see
.all hands and the cook aboard and ready
for the excursion.