The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-07-08
kIMBERLY-MoNTANA COMPANY
ROW TRANSFERRED HERE.
WANTED IT DONE SECRETLY
Creditors File Petition with Referee
in Bankruptcy-Butte Man
Appointed Receiver.

Local interest has been given the
row in the Kimberly Montana Cold
Mining company, concern operating
at Jardine, Park county. Just what
the trouble is that has divided the
company into factions is not known
down this way, Duu from what can be
+, learned 1T is very evident that it is
bitter and before peace shall have
been restored once more some de.
cidedly acrimonious and expensive
/; litigation will intervene.
man named Ryan, who is the gen.
eral manager of the company and
resides at Jardine, seems to be one OF
the prime causes OF the dlssention
that threatens the very existence OF
the corporation that admittedly is the
owner OF some exceedingly valuable
property and which only compara-
lively short time ago was in the ini-
sslal stages OF what promised to be
"a very prosperous and profitable f,-
ture. Ryan has incurred the enmity
OF major portion of the residents
of Jardine and his removal has been
asked by them. A week ago meet
ing OF some of the directors was held
at Jardine, at which lengthy protest
was submitted by the Jardineites
against the retention of Ryan, but no
heed was paid to it. In their indict-
ment OF the objectionable manager
were as many charges as were made
by the colonists against King George
and of about the same sort.
Wanted No Publicity.
One OF the factions within is known
as the Chicago men," and just now
1t apparently has the upper hand in
the fight, as it has begun proceedings
against the company to have it de-
clared a bankrupt and has succeeded
In having a receiver appointed. The
matter was done with the utmost
secrecy and efforts were made to
keep the public in ignorance by ap-
peals to keep it out of the papers,,
but Referee H. A. Firth, before whom
the action was instituted, replied that
all such matters were public and il
request were made to him for the
privilege of examining the papers he
could not refuse.
Last Tuesday Butte lawyer, an
other from Chicago and several other
men arrived from the west and at once
hunted up Mr.. Firth for the purpose
OF beginning proceedings against the
company. Application had been made
to the judge of the federal district
court, but in the absence OF that offi-
clal the clerk of the court made an
order referring the case to Mr.. Firth.
Formal petition was made to him to
declare the company bankrupt by
the Big Blackfoot Milling company,
the Anaconda Copper Mining com
pany, A. J. Campbell of Butte and
Leo Harold of Massachusetts.
Receiver Is Appointed.
No schedules of assets and liabili.
ties OF the alleged bankrupt company
We're filed, consequently no trustee,
or appraisers could be appointed,
Pending the filing of the schedules
the creditors petitioning asked the
appointment OF receiver to take
charge of the concerns property. The
set forth by them was that
the company is now engaged in the
reduction of large quantities of tail
iEgs, possessing great value, to the
detriment of the creditors, the petit
tioning portion OF whom allege to
hold claims against the company ag-
$20,OOO
In addition to the realty held by the
company, consisting of mining claims,
quartz mills and concentrators, it is
said to own personal property worth
$4,000 or $4,000.
The request for the appointment OF
q receiver was granted and James 7.
Finlen Of Butte was named for the
place. His bond was fixed at $10. 900.
1t is believed that the action taken
here is only preliminary to other liti-
cation that promises to be almost #
endless.