and proceed at once to the township named. Thereupon, I handed Mr. Loomis a draft in the sum of $500 and informed him that, upon receipt of patents, I would give him a similar sum, and which later was handed to Mr. Loomis, after the patents were issued. The two drafts mentioned were purchased at the Wells Fargo Bank of Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Loomis then assured me that he would go right ahead and do the best he could by me, and stated further, that he had no doubt as to his ability to make a favorable report, after which, he said. I would experience little difficulty in securing my patents.
After coming to terms with Loomis, I then wrote to J. A. W. Heidecke requesting him to meet me at Albany, Oregon, on Wednesday of that week, where I wished to see him on important business. On the date indicated I went to Albany and found Mr. Heidecke awaiting my arrival, and we proceeded to business immediately. I asked him if he was much acquainted in Township "11-7," to which he replied, that he had lived in Detroit for the past fifteen years and was not only familiar with the township itself, but was also personally acquainted with every homesteader residing therein, and, in fact, with all the settlers in that part of the country.
It was amusing to me to find Heidecke so apt in volunteering information, and particularly with reference to township "11-7," when he stated that "he was acquainted with every homesteader residing therein." His antics, in endeavoring to make me think that he knew all these bogus entrymen, especially in view of the fact that I was perfectly well aware that none of them had ever been within 100 miles of the townnship, furnished one of the most comical incidents in my experience with hirelings of his calibre. After listening to Heidecke's story, I was pleased to allow him to continue in the mind that he knew these entrymen—that I was thoroughly satisfied with the fact, and that he was just the man I was looking for.
I then informed him that I had purchased the twelve claims, and that, having learned that Special Agent Loomis would soon reach Detroit, on a tour of inspection of the improvements. I would like to engage him to accompany Mr. Loomis and show him the improvements on each quarter section. I then volunteered the statement that he would be well paid for his trouble, and handed him $10 to cover his expenses to date, in coming to Albany, and an additional $100 which I thought ample to cover expense of the trip to the mountains, when Loomis arrived.
Heidecke consented to make the trip, and promised to be on the lookout for the special agent. He stated further, that he would conduct Loomis all over township "11-7," and would show him the "cabins" and other "improvements" on the twelve claims, and in addition, agreed to introduce the Special Agent to several residents of Detroit, who were "personally acquainted" with each homesteader.
My next thought was for Mr. Loomis' entertainment and comfort, so I instructed Heidecke to have a saddle horse for the special agent to ride, in addition to a pack animal, as Indian trails were the only available routes into the region. I also cautioned him to take along plenty of good things to eat and drink, particularly emphasizing the latter feature, and in all, to take the very best care of the old man, with a view to having him make a favorable report. I impressed on Heidecke that much depended upon him, and that, if he succeeded in showing all cabins, improvements, etc., to Loomis. I would give him $250 more, for his extra trouble, as I put it.
It was part of the game to keep both Loomis and Heidecke in ignorance of any monetary consideration, as between either of them and myself; in other words, not to let my left hand know what my right was doing in this respect. I aroused Heidecke's cupidity when I told him about the prospects of his getting an additional amount, and he responded joyously, "Good; just leave it to me."
