Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-07
PINE LAND ROBBERIES.

More of Them observation-disclosures I
Next Friend, L. Fletcher, Implicated.
Since the issue of the GLOBE of the 4tt
inst, in which it was suggested that il
"might be we'll to commence, without loss Of
time an examination of the amount of pine
trespass on Red Lake river and the REQ
Lake Indian reservation ETC., we have been
informed that the commissioner of the
General land Office has instructed agents
here to procure competent parties to proceed
at once to Red Lake river and Red Lake In
dian reservation, and find out the amount OF
trespass, not only on government lands, but
the amount that has been stolen from the
poor Indians-as the Christian people would
call it. For this purpose Mr.. John L. Davis,
with all the necessary force, left Saturday
morning for the above named localities.
Mr.. Davis is an old explorer, and thorough
ly knows his business. He, his father and
his uncle, were the examiners of pine land
trespass from 1870 to 1875, and upon their
showing all the verdicts for trespass, either
civil or criminal, were gained, not one with
which they had anything to do going against
the United States. With great experience
and thorough integrity, they are just the
men for the delicate and important investi-
cation upon which they have now entered.
AS is well known, upon the Red Lake
river and Red Lake Indian reservation, there
are large bodies of the most valuable pine
lands in the State. In fact, they are the
very best. There has been cut, it is currently
reported, IN the past four or five years
within the State statute of limitations
through which many of the big trespassers
hope to escape pnnishment-from $4,000, 900
to 2O,0OO,O00 feet of pine logs, and in the
few years Immediately pr ceding this desig-
mated, as many millions more.
The principal operators in this trespass
are said t.: be ] Fletcher & Co. Other
honorable gentlemen outside of this firm
had hand in denuding these lands of their
valuable timber; but Fletcher q Co. did tue
business on mammoth scale, the logs be-
ing run down the Red river to Fort Garry
and there sold at $40 and $12 per 1000.
Parties who know, say that these timber
lands have been Mr.. Fletcher's golden egg,
and naturally renewal of the trespass
investigation, and above all the sending of
Mr.. DAVIS to find out the trespassers, the
amount of timber stolen, and the proof
against them, is anything but pleasant to
Mr.. Fletcher and his silent partners, one of
whom is currently reported to be no less a
parsonage than William D. Washburn.
In addition to tie pine timber stolen. it is
stated there has been cut many thousand
cords of wood from the government lands
along the Red river, but this is comparative
ly small matter alongside the log steal.
Now that the government has taken anew
start in the investigation of this trespass
business it is to be hoped that
nothing will be allowed to interfere
with thorough sitting of the whole bust
ness to the bottom, let it strike where it will.
The big offenders have too long heen chuck
ling over their immunity from punishment.
The departure of Mr.. Davis for the Red Lake
country has created some considerable con
sternation in their ranks. This uneasiness
might be considerably increased, and very
properly, too, by initiatory proceedings
against offenders who come within the SIX
years limitation. There can be scarcely a
doubt the decision Of Judge Dillon will he
overruled. Every day these trials are
postponed Increases the chances Of escape
for the guilty parties. Necessary witnesses
may die, or move away and al. k out of sight
so that their evidence can,ot be Sc ;ured
when wanted. Prompt action now on the
part of the agents of the government will
close this avenue of escape for the big fish,
and place them on an equality with the small
fry already prosecuted and punished.