Iditarod pioneer., 1913-11-01
MINUTES OF MEETING
(Concluded from Page One)

process was taken-there was no fight, no scrap other than having the men arrested for trespass. Now we have the courts, for there is trouble in every community, more or less. The constitution provides for such trouble. We expect when we take this course that we will have fair trial This case was tried before Major Albrecht, and am of the opinion that Altken and the Yukon Gold Company didn't get square deal; that the court was preludlced. Sup pose you cannot get fair trial Tn court, are you going to lie down and let your property go, or are you gong to hght tor it? In this particular case the first man to be tried was Angus Mcdonald, for crlm- nal trcspass, and found mot guilty by Major Aibrecht In talking about the case afterwards he stated that there were but two notices posted on the claim. From notes taken during the trial 1t was proven that four copies were posted. In the case of Sam Adams, Major Albrecht stated that he didn't want to try the case, as he had already discussed the matter with both sides and was prejudlced against the defendant, and when Mir Stanton requested a change of venue, to try the case at Discovery, he was not sure that he could grant it, and wired to Fairbanks for authority. Judge Fuller wired back and cited case wherein he could grant a change of venue. This he grants, but later on decides that he wants to try the case himself, and sam Adams still valves jury trial. It seems Tn thls case that it would have been absolutely necessary to prove discovery at time ot To- cation. That Is what concerns us here, for few of the original stakers are in the camp. Take Flat creek 1 don't think that one of the original stakers is in the camp. And on Otter creek-Mr. Dkeman, MT Beaton and Mr Schwartz are not in the camp now and no doubt could not be gotten here with out considerable expense and loss of time. If you cant prove absolute discovery right from the start the case is dismissed and nothing is to be gained by legal action. think a decision like that is very serious one to the camp.
 Mir. klgore stated that he thought it was up to the Yukon Gold Company and MT. Aiken to lcok after their interests as they saw fit, and that it was ill advised to hold a mass meeting at the otwn of one commissioner while protesting another com missioner as change of place of trial had been SFdltCu III olie cl tie tttSeS to be helN' at Discovery.
 Mir. stanton explained that change of venue had not been granted, or at least had been revoked, and that cas was not to be tried at Discovery to lis knowledge.
 Mir Ban stated that if he was in Aiken s place he would get crowd of men together and drive the jumpers off his claim and not permit any man to come On his ground, and would like to be further advised as to the ownership of the claim This MT. Aus tin proceeded to do.
 Statement of Mr Austin: In 1911, on the Chicago Bench claim, about S2,j00 worth of work was done. Now, under the old mining law, as we all know, assessment work was not required to be recorded. At that time, in 1911, there wasn't a shalt or drill hcle put down on the claim the work consisted of delivering over lOD cords of wood, constructing approximately 1900 feet of ditch, regarding and placing road ln con diticn, and removing approximately 5000 wards of overburGen At that time, as stated before, the assessment work wasn't recorded and 1 dare say that in that year and the following year, 1912, outside of what assessment work the Yukon GOli Company recorded, there were not more th an four or five claims recorded fer as sessment work on that creek. l think in ail probability that there were Cnly a few claims on Otter creek whose assessment work was recorded in those years. Last summer runners went around the creek that the Chicago Bench had reverted to the gov ernment and that 1t was open for reloca ton Various people looked into the situa ton at that time and were convinced that the required amount of work had been done upon the claim and did nothing. Later on think it was in August, Mir. Aitken rang up Henry Roden, who was at that time in Iditarod, and as he was in the office at that time heard Mir Aiken say; "Wil wood placed on claim answer for assessment work?" Mr Rodcn reflied that wood placed on claim was sufficient, provided the wood was used Oil the claim, but if there was any question in his mind as to any danger of the claim being restaked or jumped by anybody, and to prevent any trouble, he thought it advisable to relocate the claim" Acting on Mir Roden's advice, Nr Price and Mir. Aitken relocated that claim. 1 think that if at that time Mr Aitken had stated to Mr. Roden the amount of work which had been done on the claim he would never have advised him to re locate it. Aitken did not state what claim
 it was at that time In February 1912, the ground was turned over to the Yukon Gold Company under an operating lease, and the Yukon Gold Company took possession of the claim on the 18th day of May of that year and has been in possession ever since, and intend to remain. in possession until we are thrown off, and we are not going to be thrown off very soon.
 On the Eth of this month I was on my way to the dredge when l noticed Sam Adams digging hole on the ground, and 1 was busy on the dredge for few hours Upon returning, Adams had disappeared. noticed stake there and notice of dis coyery on the 7th day of October. On the Sth I advised Mr. Aitken of this and we promptly made out written notices and Aitken personally served these notices upon them. These notices were tackled upon the posts and in places where anybody could not help but see Adams instead of departing remained upon the claim. He was advised that he was on the claim of Aitken and Price We considered this a case of crimi- nal trespass and thought the courts would be the best means of dsposing of it. War rants were sworn out for Adams McDonald Krutsinger, Knox and Ratio. All, with the exception of Adams, claimed to be working for wages and knew nothing in re- pard to the claim they were WOrkinp on