Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-16

suspends the Entries.
As before stated in these dispatches, the
secretary OF the interior, acting on informa-
tion contained In Colonel Mosby's report,
has suspended for the purpose Of cancella-
tion all these widows entries and he has
what is believed TO be authentic informa-
tion that not one-half of these women are
soldiers widows, and moreover, they never
expected to prove up on their claims. In
connection with the alleged fraudulent en-
tries, Special Agent w. r. Lesser has been
suspended by the land office and 1t is stated
he will be dismissed and his Irregularities
laid before the grand jury. The grand jury
will be asked to indict him for the use of
fraudulent vouchers uttered to obtain
money from the government. Mr.. Lesser
was appointed special agent of the depart
ment about six years ago from Iowa. He
was assigned to work in the state OF Ne
braska with headquarters at North Platte.
Mr.. Lesser was suspended November 1 and
since that time his actions have been un-
dergoing rigid investigation. At least one
false voucher has been discovered. II APP
pears that while the department believed
him in Nebraska he has really spent much
of the time during the last year at his
home at Tama, Ia, mailing all official mail
aboard railways trains so the postmark
would not give away his exact whereabouts.
Every agent Of the department is COM
PEELED to make weekly reports, showing just
where he has been from day to day and
what he has been doing. 1t is asserted
that Of the eighty-two days from March
to August l, which his weekly reports
shows he spent at North Platte. Lesser
in reality was only at headquarters nine
days during that time. The register of
| III lad . AkAN 10 .NaNA, NAAN
Lesser was really only at headquarters nine
days and has not been near since July. Mr..
Lesser's reply to this is that he was travel
ing about Nebraska on official business,
but the postmaster at Tama says he was
at his home in Tama during the time al
legged to have been at North Platte or trav-
cling.
Another account against Lesser is that
he has sent in an expense account aver
aging 800 a month, incurred in railroad
travel. 1t is asserted at the Interior de-
partment that investigation shows that
even when he did travel he rode on passes.
During all the six years Mr.. Lesser has
been assigned to Nebraska he has never
even limited to a cattleman that his fence
should be removed. according 20 the In
terror department officials. Mr.. Lesser is
credited with asserting that Senator ALI
son, who secured his appointment, will
come to his rescue and obtain his reinstate-
ment. AS yet. however, Senator Allison
has not written or spoken a word In be-
half of Lesser.
duplicates Lesser.
Colonel Mosby in a letter to Agent Les
ser. suggested that A. B. Todd Of Platts-
mouth, Neb., should be indicted for COM
plicity with fraudulent widows entries. "Mr.
Lesser" said Colonel Mosby. refused to
act. ! have seen Todd several times at
the Alliance land office in company with
alleged widows and was told he came sew
eral hundred miles as their escort. II is
not thought that he was actuated by a
sentiment of mere gallantry, or charitable |
motives"
The cases Of negro entries for the bene-
Mt of Miller and Leith In Alliance district |
and Phelan in the Sidney district, will
also be laid before the grand jury at Omaha.
Colonel Mosby says he cannot see any moral
or legal distinction between hiring pre-
tended soldiers widows, to file homestead
applications for the benefit of cattiemen
and hiring negroes to do the same thing.
The colonel does not believe fraudulent
and collusive entry is a legal defense to
a suit to remove a fence, or that one ought
to wait for a decision OF the supreme
court on the question OF the right or
wrong OF hiring a widow to make such a
claim. President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hitchcock share and agree most heartily
In Colonel Mosby's views and will uphold
him In all his future work, looking to the
removal OF fences in Nebraska or else
where, which may have been illegally
erected and maintained.