The San Francisco call., 1897-09-18
MINERS ALMOST
CREATE A RIOT
Gold-Seekers Who Took Pas
sage on the LA Ninfa
Exasperated.
The Directors Removed and an
Investigation Committee
Appointed.
For Three Weeks the Leaders Have
Been Putting the Men Off With
Promises.

There was almost a riot in the vicinity
of the topsa!l schooner La Niafs yesterday.
Forty angry and discontented miners
were lowering around the ship ard await.
ing the advent ofone man, who, if he had
put in an appearance, would have Jared
badly. Finally, however their anger SUBJ
sided, and they all agreed TO await until
Monday morning for further develop
ments.
Several months ago the La Nina was
purchased py a syndicate, of which H. R.
Renton was president Charles Green
treasurer. Richard Fripp secretary and
DR.. Presley and Captain Sunrend direc-
tors. Forty men paid up $3.50 each for a
trip to the Copper River in search of gold.
The project was to get the schooner up
the river before the winter set in. The
miners would live on the vessel until the
spring and then they would start out in
pari on prospecting trips. The start
was 10 have been male three weeks ago,
but Yesterday The expedition was no nearer
its destination than it was last July.
Several meetings were held IN the cabin
of the schooner. but the miners were al
ways put off with promises. Wednesday
last the storm broke. One of the miners
was making another excuse, and said {:
''Me and my partner have exactly 10 cents
between US outside of the money We have
sunk in this venture. Now, this vessel Is
going 10 sail, and sail at once, or some
body will get hurt. There is supposed to
be provisions In the hold to keep the en-
tire party for eighteen months. Now, l
intend to get away from here and do my
share OF eating up some of that grub in
q a m W
my last nickel in San Francisco"
This brought forth speeches from al
most every member of the expedition.
An investigation was demanded and w
w. Phillips, Neil PRESLEY ana George NJ.
Rolph were appointed to look into the
matter. AS result of their investigation
the entire board OF directors was sus.
pended and new board will be elected
this afternoon at o'clock. In looking
over the provision list the committee
could not help laughing at some of the
articles tha had been ordered for a winter
in the frozen north. There were fifteen
tons OF potatoes, and as even at this early
date, some OF Them had commenced to
turn rotten, ten tons were put out on the
wharf Then there were 2000 pounds OF
raislns, large quantities of taploca and
sago, citron peel and lemon peel, various
kinds of expensive sauces, extracts of
meat, canned roast beef and mutton and
various other little toothsome articles,
which, as Mr.. Rolph remarked, "makes
one think Of French restaurant" When
these articles were either cut down or cut
out OF the list altogether it was found that
a saving OF $7G0 colld be made.
In talking about the matter Mr.. Rolph
said: Everybody took Mr.. Renton's
word for it until things assumed such
shape that something had TO be done.
Some of the mem bers of the expedition
have not cent with which to buy their
meals. AS part OF the provisions on
board is undoubtedly theirs insisted on
the galley being opened and the cock
being put to work. For this last few DAYS
all the miners who wanted 10 have been
living on board. We expect to make a
start Monday morning. All the money
will be turned over 10 W. w. Phillips of
Phillips & Wilson, who will pay ali the
bills and clear the ship. When every
thing is settled up think there will be
small sum left in the treasury. We are
taking up 2j-horsepower steam launch
with as and 1t will be used in exploring
and prospecting the various tributaries of
the Copper River next spring.
"lt came very near to an outbreak
among the men yesterday morning, but
better counsels prevailed, and 1 think
every body will be on friendly basis when
the ship sails Monday morning."
Among the people who will go up on
the schooner are Mr.. and Mrs. Frank lie
Tevre. Mrs. lie Fevre is determined TO
face all the hardsh hips of a mining camp
and VOWS that she will not return until
she comes back with her husband.