So deep laid was the alleged plot that the promoters succeeded in misrepresenting the true facts in the case to such an extent to the Oregon Representatives in Congress that they succeeded in getting them to urge the department at Washington to expedite the fraudulent claims. By presenting false proofs, entries, oaths and affidavits in respect to the timber and stone entries "to Senator Fulton and Congressman J. Newton Williamson, the indictment alleges that these men were led to urge that the claims he expedited. These claims were represented as being in every way genuine, whereas it is now charged they were illegal and untrue in every particular, and were being procured solely in the interest of the eleven men at the head of the operations.
The following letter is included as a portion of the indictment:
Washington, D. C, March 11, 1904.Hon. William A. Richards, Commissioner of the General Land Office,
Washington, D. C.
Sir—I enclose you herewith a number of affidavits of entrymen under the timber and stone act. These gentlemen are all residents of Albany, Or., I think. Most of them I am personally acquainted with and I am confident they would not engage in any corrupt practices in order to secure timber claims. Mr. Cusick, the first party mentioned, is a banker of Albany. Or., and the others are prominent business men, as a rule.
I have heretofore written you about this situation. It seems to me that a great injustice is being done these men, for they entered the land, I have no doubt, in perfect good faith. They have paid their money and complied with the law in every respect. I trust, therefore, that your department will be able to dispose of these cases at an early date and direct the patents to issue. Very respectfully,C. W. FULTON.
It is claimed that the foregoing letter referred to the proofs upon a number of the fraudulent claims. The Mr. Cusick referred to is a prominent Albany banker.
Congressman Williamson also addressed the following letter to the Land Department in behalf of the fraudulent entries:
Washington, D. C., April 2, 1904.Hon. William Richards, Commissioner of the General Laud Office,
Washington, D. C.Sir—I today forward you under separate cover, as many as 50 affidavits concerning the timber and stone claims now held up by the department in Lake, Crook and Klamath Counties in Oregon. I also inclose herewith a letter from Hon. M. E. Brink, of Prineville, Or., bearing upon the same question.
I will again add my earnest desire that these claims shall proceed at once to patent.Very truly yours.
J. N. WILLIAMSON.
The following shows convictions in land fraud cases and present status of the cases:
Henry Meldrum indicted April 2, 1904, for forgery in connection with surveying contracts, on November 17, 1904, sentenced 1,080 days at McNeil's Island and fined $5,250 and costs; serving sentence.
S. A. D. Puter, indicted March 17, 1904, for conspiracy to defraud Government, on December 6, 1904, sentenced to two years in County Jail and fined $7,500; served portion of sentence and pardoned by President, December 31, 1907.
Horace G. McKinley, indicted March 17, 1904, for conspiracy to defraud Government, on December 6, 1904; returned from Manchuria, sentenced on February 28, 1908 to two years in the Multnomah County jail and fine of $7,500.
Dan W. Tarpley, indicted March 17, 1904, for conspiracy to defraud Government, on December 6. 1904; not sentenced.
Emma L. Watson, indicted March 17, 1904, for conspiracy- to defraud Government, on December 6, 1904; not sentenced.
Frank H. Walgamot, indicted March 17, 1904, for conspiracy to defraud Government; pleaded guilty; not sentenced.
John H. Mitchell, indicted February ], 1905, for receiving compensation for service before Department while United States Senator, on July 3, 1905, sentenced to six months in County Jail and fined $1,000; dead.
John N. Williamson, indicted February 11, 1905, for conspiracy to suborn perjury, on September 27, 1905, sentenced to 10 months in County Jail and fined $500; new trial granted.
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