The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-21
Meagher's Assessor Seizes 100000
Feet Of Timber Cut From
Public Domain.
Citizens Of York Urging Commits
sioner Garter to Stop the
Depredations.
He Fears Nothing Can l3e Done Until July
as there Is No Money for
Surveys OF Land

The spectacle of a deputy assessor sitting
on a log holding watch over nearly 5,0O0,OOo
feet of lumber, is what Special Inspector
Haley found last week when he went to
York, in MeaRher county, to look after
some timber depredations. The timber
had been cut from public domain, and for
that reason nobody wanted to claim it
when the county assessor went to look Ut
the owner and get the taxes on it. The set.
tiers around York. in Meagher county, sent
a petition to the secretary of the interior aa
long ago as last December asking that
something be done to stop the timber dep
relations in that vicinity. The depart
ment had Inspector Haley 60 there to
look into tho matter. He reported that
the timber had been cut from unsurveyed
lands. Nothing further was done and last
week the settlers again stirred the matter
up. Judge A. II. Nelson sent a telegram to
Commissioners Carter asking that immedi-
ate action be taken. The reply came back
that it would. This was supplemented,
however, by a letter from the new commits.
sioner, which Judge Nelson received a few
days ago. Tn letter is as follows:
Referring to your letter of Dec. &c, 1890,
transmitting a petition signed by i. d.
Spratt, II. l.. Kincaid, s. A. Harley, and
other citizens residing in the vicinity OF
York. Meagher county, Mont, asking that
certain alleged timber depredations on the
public lands in that vicinity be investigated,
you are advised that the matter was re-
ferred to the special agent of this Office,
who reports that the depredations are being
committed on unsurveyed lands within
the Northern Pncific railroad limits; that a
survey of said and will be necessary as a
preliminary to the investigation, and he
submits an estimate as to the cost of such
survey. l appreciate the necessity Of hay
ing this matter attended to at an early
day, but the appropriation for public sur
veys for the present fiscal year is so nearly
exhausted, it is hardly possible that the
work can be entered upon until after july l
next. l. have. however, given instructions
that the survey and examination shall be
made at the earliest day possible. / re-
quest that you will advise the petitioners.
"I. ii. CARTER,
"Commissioner.''
The petitioners were notified, and yester-
day they sent Judge Nelson the following;
your letter, with other matter, came to
hand last evening. 1 must confess
that ! was somewhat disappointed
T HRen j beading Of Mr. on gartor govsrn letter
not being in a position to meet the de-
mands of justice! This part of Montana is
by nature mineral land, while the outspread
talons of the Northern Pacific Railroad
company are hanging over the heads of the
men who are e%xpending money and muscle
in order to better their fortunes and devel-
op the country. This is not justice. With
the reliable evidence in this case, the idea
is to seize the timber cut there. Let all tho
parties interested prove their title to land
and timber is good. If it is proper for Mr..
Nelson and Mr.. Haley to call the attention
of Hon. Mr.. Carter to the above, please do
so. IS. A. STEyENS.@
Judge Nelson sent another dispatch to
Commissioner Carter last night, saying that
July would be too late, as all the timber
needed for mining operations near York
would be cut by that time.
The lumber hus cut, however, did not do
any good to the men who had the work
done. The assessor of Meagher county last
week found between four and five million
feet of it. He wanted to assess it to who
ever owned it. Nobody cared to acknowl-
edge ownership. SO the assessor seized it for
taxes and left his deputy in charge. The
tract cut over is about five miles long and
two miles wide.