The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-07-25
TRIAL OF LOG CASES.
u. 5. commissioners Court, Held
at Mississippi City, July, 23.
1S70-L. l.. Davis, Presiding.

United States vs.. John Poiteyent, charged
with depredations on public lands OF
the United States IN Hancock county
Government represented by Hon. Luke
Lea, and defendant by Hon. X. Seal.
This case has attracted great at
tention, and from the testimony OF
the witnesses examined it seems
there was "a conspiracy on hand to
persecute Mr.. John Poitevent, and
Col. Irwin and his deputy, WIN. D..
POstlethwaite, would come in for a
share of any funds which might
be extorted. To show the cunning
of Postlethwaite he stated to Mr..
Poitevent on last Saturday, that he
(Postlethwaite) had received infor-
nation from Washington that all
cases could be settled by paying
the government 20 cents per log.
POstlethwaite further said that the
whole matter would be thrown
overheard, and not to give himself
any uneasiness. Col. lIvin was i'll
terviewed on the subject BY Mr..
Poitevent, at his Office in New Or
leans, regarding the logs, which
are in the Hobolochitto river, some
of which are the property of Polite
vent & Favre, having been cut off
their lands. The matter was talked
over, and Mr.. Poitevent spoke as if
an injustice had been done him,
and that he could find justice in a
civil court. AT this Irwin flew into
a passion and said, off he (Poite.
VENT sued for those logs civilly
that he would pile criminal prose
tions on him til he couldn't stand.'
Irwin is a special agent OF the
general land Office at Washington,
and has his Office in New Orleans,
and is a successor of Eastlake.
This man is a thorough down
Easter, and in the trial the intense
interest he manifested proved the
animus Of him and his henchmeD.
VIM. ID. POstlethwaite, Twins dep
uty, a sneaking little Shylock, was
also there, and Oh the stand he re-
fused to give the name OF the party
whom he received the intor-
nation on which the prosecution
was instituted.
Hon. Luke Lea, United States
attorney, is IL nan of high
standing as to integrity and hon
ssty, and is not IA man disposed to
prosecute our people. AS q sworn
officer he does his duty.
After a thorough investigation
Mr.. Poitevent was discharged. Mr..
.%oitevent is a member of the firm
If Poitevent & Favre, one of the
argest firms dealing in lumber,
probably, in the South, and is a
nan respected for his thorough
BUSINESS qualifications, honesty and
integrity. We I glad to state
he happy termination of the caSe.
We would advise all our mill men
o be Oh the gu Uipe for these
pecial agents.
This is IA copy OF the affidavit on
which the trial was instituted:
AFFIDAVIT.
UNITED STATES or AMERICA, !
oUTHERN DISTRICT OF MIssIsSIPPI.
Personally appeared before me this day
filli. ID. POstlethwaite, q special agent
t the General Land Office of the United
who being sworn says that, from
received, which he verify he 5
ewes to he true, John Poitevent, Of the +,
istrict aforesaid, unlawfully did, on the
III of January, 1879, and at other times
! affian unknown, cause and procure to !
cut, and did aus and procure to be !
'moved, a large quantity of timber, be- .
e to atfiant unknown, from tho public
Inds of the United States, lying and he
e in the county of Hancock. State of Y
Mississippi, with intent then and there on 7
lie part Of him, the said John Poitevent, +
export, dispose of, use and employ the
in a manner other than for the use
the navy of the United States, where {
re affiant prays that the said John Polite s
be arrested and dealt with according !
law.
[Signed,l VIM. ID. PosTLETHwAITE.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, and
ven under my band and seal in said dis
let, this 10th day of July, A. d. 1879.