Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-24
THE TIMBER CASES.


The first case called yesterday morning, in the
large category now pending before the U. 3.
District Court, was that of the United States Us.
Roswell and Edward Garfield. The defend
ants in this cause, by Jas. A. Van Dyke and q.
V.N Lothrop, made application for continu.
ance, and upon that motion read the aftdavits OF
Edward Garfield, Samuel Potter, Jno M. Loom.
is, H. A. Mitchell, Brown, Dickson, Secor and
Mears
We had expected to lay before our readers the
contents of these several affidavits, but after
thew were read and filed they passed into the
hands of Hon. Geo. E. Hand, U. 8. District At
tornev, who declined to allow US the perusal OF
them. The affidavits disclosed state of facts,
which is not peculiarly creditable to the officers
concerned.
The affidavit of Loomis shows a settlement OF
Loomis and Ludington with Willard, payment
of $4,000 to Willard, and a payment of $500 to
John Dudgeon, who promised to use his infiu-
ence with Willard to take the $4,000; Willard
having demanded $4,000. This affidavit shows
also the discharge of Haynes, the agent of Loom
is g. Ludington, who was held under arrest until
the money was paid.
Canfeld's affidavit shows the payment of 49,
600 to Willard and $500 to John Dudgeon, paid
ing previously demanded $4,000
II. A. Mitchell's affidavit sets forth that he is
u. s. Dep. Marshal for the State of Illinois, and
that he had papers in his hands for the arrest of
the Canfields, and the statement of Willard to
Mitchell, that the Canfelds had settled and paid
$4,000, and were not to be further prosecuted,
with direction to the Marshal not to serve the
papers,
The other affidavits on file showed an attempt,
on the part of Willard and Durkee, to induce diff.
ferent persons who stand indicted, to testify
agains: and help commit the Canfelds, under the
promise of reward for so doing, and under like
promise that the indictments against them sho'ld
be dismissed if they did so.
The affidavit or deposition of Mears, shows a
sale of a large quantity of shingles and single
bolts, from Willard to Dudgeon, and a sale Of the
same from Dudgeon to Mears, and payments by
Mears, in part to Willard, and in part to Dud-
geon.
All the affidavits show the assumption on the
part of Willard and Durkee of a power to exer-
else influence over the District Court, and to hold
to trial or release such parties as they might
see fit, power which has been contumeliously
assumed without shadow of foundation.
We are under obligation to His Honor Judge
and gentemanly Clerk, for their politeness in en-.
here enumerated.
After the proceedings named above. the case
of the United States uS John Rudiman was
continued upon affidavts and the trial of VIM
Thomson proceeded in the following order:
United States u.s. William Thompsop-Han
and Frazer, for Government Van Arman and
4 Co.. Of Ind cd for i'm
timber on Government land, on town NJ, r.
Is w., Sc + and ] Of ne +, and sw of ne t.
lst count charges him with cutting 5000 pine
trees.
A warrant for contempt was issued against
William d. Durkee, of Manistee, a U. 5. witness
% st. at large 4S2, 1881.
Names of Jurumen.--John X. Pugsley, Jon.
Shearer, NV. Wortley, Marcus Wasseman, Ru-
fus HI. Darling, s. B. Newton, Barney Earl,
Horace B. Williams, Daniel Goodnow, David A..
Woodward, Thos. F. Glenn, David Gilbert.
Judge Hand referred in opening to the treaty
of Chicago, Aug. 80, 1921, 7 st. at large, 2l8.
ceding land between Grand River and ST. Joseph
Sept. l9, 1877 st. at large, 3O5. Treaty Of
Chicago, Sept 7, 1887 ST. at large, Az
Treaty of Washington-7 st. at large, 49I; &C.
ding all the country from Grand River and Hud-
son Bay river to the N E., ~, and NV.
Alonzo B. Stevenson, sworn--Lives at Crock
cry Creek, Ottawa Co., Michigan; knows the
land described in Indictment; has lived in the
township 81 years, on section Is; does not
know on what section of land defendants mills
were on; town of Crockery is 8 NJ, Is W.
knows defendant Thompson, has known him A
years and more; never saw him cut timber on
section Is; pine timber was cut in 1852 by diff.
ferent men; | knew one Of them don't know
their names, one was Mr.. Field; witness cut
some don't know any more; three or four 9TH
ers were cutting; the trees were cut into saw
logs, logs were drawn to Thompson's mill.
The conclusion of the evidence and of the
trial, will be given tomorrow.
Detroit Daily Inquirer 18th.