The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-18
OREGON
PORILAND'S 'CRIMPS'
Sailors Who Refused to Be Shipped
by Them Are Assaulted and
Kidnapped.
British Vessel Boarded and Almost
Set Adrift- Emperors Consul
Moved to Act.

Special to The Journal.
Portland. Ore. Feb 1s.-The latest and
most dastardly of the outrages perpetra-
ted by the "crimps' Of Portland has just
come to light, and despite the protection
extended them by the authorities, bids
fair to end the series of murders and kid
mapping which for years have tainted the
fair name of Oregon's metropolis. This
latest crime has uncovered such con-
dition of rottenness in the politics OF
the state as has made the people gasp,
and has moved the British consul resident
here to declare that the strong arm OF
the. British power shall be cxerted to
end state of things which has been a
reproach not only to the state but to
every man over whom flies the emblem of
hberty-tle stars and stripes.
Harry White. one of the king crimps
of Portland--backed by a score of the
Fuffans who infest the waterfront. yes
| terday boarded the British ship Rivers
dale Captain Porter. attacked and bru-
tally beat Benjamin Cyron. F.. Pearson
and Charles Buron. the latter of whom
they. threw bruised and bleeding into
| cart and kidnapped 1t is believed he has
| died from his wounds and has been sunk
in the Willamette river to join. perhaps.
other unfortunates sent before him by
| the same nlurderous hands.
| The cause Of all the trouble is that the
! men,. contrary to the usual custom in
vogue in this port. refused to be shipped
by the icrimps but instead. made their
agreement direct with the captain of the
vessel who. ever since his arrival here.
| has refused to submit to the extortions
of the sailor clearinghouse men.
Sailor Kidnapped.
AS the sailors were nearing the yes
sell which lies at the Victoria docks some
1 three miles from the city. they were met
by the thugs who accosted them.
Are you Johnnes bound for the Riv-
ersdale?' said White, the leader. I'VE
are. said the guileless tars. I've have
shipped for the voyage to Australia, and
are just going board
i you'll never go aboard that ship for
any voyage" said White. and at once
with fists and clubs set upon the luckless
tars with all his men There was hot
fight on the dock. but the sailors seeing
they were no match for the thugs. has
tily retreated for the ship, holly pursued
by the crimps. who also boarded the Riv-
ersdale, and with clubs stones and Delay
ing pins as weapons. the battle ragged till
the decks ran with blood and till the last
seaman had gone down.
Hastily picking up Buron. who had
fallen from a frightful blow on the head
with an iron pin; the thugs vanished.
Designs on the Vessel.
Before leaving the ship, the rufians
did everything they could to set the yes
sci adrift They cut a fiveinch Manila
, hawser with which she moored. threw
, the ropes off the dock and, thinking they
> had completed their work. left the YES
| sci, as they thought. to drift to destruc-
, ton But in their excitement they over
y looked other ropes connecting the shr
e with the dock, and these were sufficient
to hold her in position, head up against
., the current of the river.
Just what will be the outcome Of the
i affair seems to be, as yet. in doubt, blu,
s,,s,, i,n IN
q United States district court prohibiting
: the crmps from further interfering will
S the sailors Of any vessel and the legisla
}, ture, stung to action by this latest out
rage, has determined to pass law pro
viding heavy penalties for future crime!
Of this sort