The San Francisco call., 1897-08-13
Sensation Caused by the
Arrival of Frank L.
Gardner.
HIS PRESENCE WAS A SECRET.
Barnato's Adviser Has Been Busy
Examining Mines on the
Mother Lode.
GUEST OF A FEW BIG FINANClERS.
Mr.. Gardner Is Worth Between $780,
100000 and $4O,OOO,O0O, and Is
Known as THE Rector"

Frank L. Gardner of London, one of tie
most distinguished and wealthlest mining
engineers in the world, the adviser for
the late Barney Barnato and other great
mining kings, has been in San Francisco
and vicinity for the past two weeks.
He came to examine into the mines and
ascertain the opportunities for making in
vestments. He has visited the mother
lode, and also examined some OF the mines
of Placer County and other places in
preliminary way. He is favorably i'm
pressed with what he saw.
Mr.. Gardner's visit here has been kept q
profound secret. He has not registered at
any hotel, although he has had rooms at
the Palace for the reception OF friends
who were aware of his presence.
His coming has been a sensation in the
inner circles among fnanciers and big
mining men. Mr.. Gardner left on the
Central Pacific overland for New York
last night, but he is expected to return
here soon, and will probably take up some
very important mining properties.
He met w. H. Crocker, Charles D. Lane,
Alvinza Hayward, Joseph D. Redding
and other we'll l-known people while here.
He also went with Mr.. Hayward to
Nevada for a short time. 1t has been
learned that while here he was the guest
of J. H Doolittle of the Gould and Doc
little mine at his residence Page and
Shrader streets. His family. consisting of
his wife, niece and sister-in-law, besides a
retlnue of servants, were with him.
An effort has been made to keep Mr..
Gardeners visit from being known. He
desired it himself, and his wishes have
been strictly observed. However, these
details were gathered yesterday. Joe
Redding met him abroad and since his
arrival here has been with him great
deal.
Mr.. Gardner has long been known as
s"the rector because of his quaint ways
and abstemious habits. 1t is said he
stands higher in Europe than any other
adviser on all financial matters.
EIe now wants to buy some big Califor-
MIA mines, and it wes because of this that
he visited the mining regions in person
He is worth from $50 900, 900 to $40 900, 000
1t was Mr.. Gardner who laid the ground
work of all the great deals for the Bar
natos. He was their adviser, and, it is
said, carried them through. He is about
a years of age, with dark hair and mus
tache, and has quiet manner.
Mr.. Gardner IS one of the heaviest own
ers in the leading mines at Johannesburg,
Kimberly, Perth, Coolgardie and else
where, owning, as is stated, all over the
world in gold, diamond and silver prop
critics. He is a practical mining man,
highly educated in all the branches of the
business. He is an American, too, bu.
for many years has made his headQuar-
ters in London.
He is now on his way to Paris, and on
reaching New York will take steamer o!
one of the French lines for that city. He
will return here In the fall. lit is expected
that some very large mining transactions
will be made through him, affecting Cali
fornia and bringing much money to the
State.