those making final proofs, as well as familiar with the character of their improvements. This proviso was easy enough to overcome, as one homesteader acted as a witness for the other, and vice versa.
As township "11-7" is located near the very top of the Cascade range of mountains, and at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet, it is very rough, rocky, and broken up with deep gorges, and covered with a dense undergrowth of brush and fir timber, with snow covering the entire district to a great depth for three-fourths of the year, thereby rendering it imposible for any one to make a living in the township under existing conditions. In fact, not a soul lives nearer than thirty miles.
Under the circumstances, it was an easy matter for us to play fast and loose with "11-7," as there was not much likelihood of anybody disputing our assertions relative to improvements, or anything else. As a matter of fact, not one of the ten who made proof on the dozen claims had ever been nearer to them than Albany, and there were no improvements on any claim.
In passing the Homestead Act, it was the intention of Congress to open up lands to legitimate settlers, who would actually reside on the property for five years before proving up; build a residence on same; till the soil, and in all, make such improvements as would justify the homesteader in remaining on the land, and making it his permanent home.
Final proofs were made on the twelve claims within a few weeks after the filings, and as no improvements whatever had been made, nor had the entrymen even gone to the expense of inspecting the lands, which they were supposed to have lived on and made their homes continuously for five years, it can readily be seen that the parties to this transaction were fraudulently attempting to secure them purely for the purpose of speculation.
As McKinley and I did not wish to be known in this matter, we arranged to have the entrymen, as soon as proofs were made, execute deeds to Mrs. Emma L. Watson, she being one of the entrymen, having taken up a claim under the name of Emma Porter, later deeding it to herself. Arrangements had been made previously between Mrs. Watson, McKinley and myself, whereby she agreed to make conveyance to any person whom we might designate, in the event of a sale. The actual cost of these claims to McKinley and myself was as follows:
| Emma Porter | $800 | |
| Maud Witt | 600 | |
| Geo. L. Pettis | 600 | |
| Nellie Backus | 150 | |
| Alexander R. Brown | 150 | |
| Harry C. Barr | 150 | |
| Frank H. Walgamot | 150 | |
| Zenas K. Watson | 150 | |
| Joseph Wilson | 150 | |
| Thos. Wilkins | 150 | |
| Henry A. Young | 150 | |
| Geo. A. Graham | 150 | $3350 |
| Land Office Fees | 300 | |
| Incidental Expenses | 150 | 450 |
| Total Cost | $3800 |
Filings were made by the claimants in October, 1900, and final proofs submitted six weeks later.
As McKinley and I bore all costs, not only regarding amounts paid to the various so-called homesteaders, but also the land office fees and incidental expenses, it will be seen that each homesteader profited to the extent of the amount credited opposite his or her name. As to our reason for paying Maud
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