The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-03

legged "scandaf IN connectlon win
certain land selections in Idaho
county, and as it is being manufac.
tured into Democratic campaign
thunder, feel it my duty to give
Won, first hand. the exact facts in
the case. The task of fighting the
battles of the party always falls up
on newspaper men, and they are
entitled to know the facts about
anv matter they are obliged to dis
cuss.
Some time last spring the State
Land Department was informed by
the U. S. land officers at Lewiston,
that certain townships in Idaho
county had been surveyed at the
request of the State and that the
State would have a prior right to
land over everyone excepting ac-
tual settlers who were on the land
before the date of withdrawal (Au-
gust 10, 1eoo)
In my capacity as chief clerk I
was instructed by the Board to as
certain whether or not any of the
land was worth selecting. went
to Whitebird by stage and request
ed Mr.. Jones, the liveryman at that
place, to provide me with a saddle
horse and a guide. He had no
man that he could spare and after
inquiring at the hotel and else
where for someone who could go,
finally introduced me to Mr.. Har-
baugh, life insurance agent whom
he stated was we'll acquainted with
the Joseph Plains country. Har-
baugh acted as my guide for three
days. Igave him check for S.. so
for three days services as guide at
$3.50 per day. This is the only
muney Mr.. Harbaugh ever drew
from the State and the nearest he
ever came to being in its employ.
Hound the land ON Joseph Plains,
townships 20 and 2o, range west,
exceedingly satisfactory, but was
told that the other township lying
south, 26 and Fl, range west, and
49, east, were practically worth
less My report to the Board was
that between 5000 and 5000 acres
COULD be selected on Joseph Plains
and that it would take about ten
days to do the work.
A short time before the States
time expired, l was authorized to
nave the selections made. The men
detailed to do the work were M. L.
Goldsmith of Spalding, Nez Perce
county, and A. F. Hit of Weiser,
Doth men who have the highest
regulations for integrity and ability
In their respective counties. They
were total strangers to each other
at the time of their arrival at White
olrd to do the work.. Neither had
even heard of Mr.. Harbaugh until
after the selection lists were filed:
l mad met Mr.. Goldsmith (who
made the flings) but once, and that
out tor a short time one evening at
tne home of County Treasurer
hastings at Lewiston. never saw
harbaugh from the time he acted
as my guide until after the selec-
uons had been made, and 1 had
Oeen sent to determine who were
Se'ual settlers. I mention these
'"c'S 10 show the improbabiIity Of
l'0S'on between any of the parties,
all practically being strangers tc
each other. s.
Mr. Goldsmith, it trauspired, wa.
quite familiar with that vicinity
ana knew that there was also much
valuable luuds in townships 26,
,"nges east and I west. Will
Uu' nVe or six days at his dispose
=: nc realized the futility of attempt
aug 10 run the survey lines in thu
manner consistent with a iudiciou!
0e'ectlon. By the usual method
W account of the roughness of tn,
NOuntry' he would have had time t,
T ~ some 1000 or 5000 acres
ne "as' in popular parlance, sui
against If ~ h,.k -.kI