Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-03-27
MOVE AGAINST THE FENCES
Special Agent Of Land Department Detailed
to Western Nebraska
ORDERS ISSUED TO HIM ARE EXPLICIT
In Addition TO Seeing that Fences Are
Removed He Is Ordered to Inves-
tiEate Charges of Fraud
ulent Entry.
CFrom a stan correspOndent.l

in the Alliance land district in Nebraska.
Special Agent Defrees is to take up the |
work inaugurated by Colonel John S. Mosby |
in the matter Of the illegal fencing OF
the public domain and kindred subjects in |
the Alliance and North Platte land dis
tricts. This designation OF Special Agent
Defrees is significant in that It is the In
itial step looking to the ultimate over
throw OF all fences which may have been |
erected by cattlemen contrary to law.
1t will be recalled that Colonel Mosby |
made rather complete and exhaustive ex- |
animation OF the condition then, and rem |
dered a report which startled the depart |
ment regarding the practices Of csttlemen |
and their agents, who endeavored to gain |
possession OF vast tracts Of public lands and !
fence them in for grazing purposes. Colonel !
Mosby's report created quite a furore at |
the time.
The Nebraska delegation in congress con- |
ferred, and after many meetings with nen !
in congress from Wyoming, Washington |
and other western states and southwestern |
territories attempted to get through con-
gress a bill which would permit the leasing
OF public lands in Nebraska TO cattlemen.
The secretary of the interior finally con-
cluded he would give consent to the leasing
proposition, and letter was sent TO con-
gress by Mr.. Hitchcock acquiescing in the
leasing proposition. Mr.. Lacey, chairman
Of the public lands committee of the house.
had been consulted and eventually agreed,
but the leasing bill failed and now nothing
remains but to enforce the existing stat
utes and pull down all illegal fences.
As the most fragrant violations are said
to have occurred in Nebraska, the eyes OF
the department naturally turn in that d.
rection. Special Agent Defrees Is to take
up the Investigations heretofore prose-
euted by Colonel Mosby, and his directions
are said to be of such an explicit character
that abuses complained of will be over
turned root and branch.
Instructions Are Positive.
Mr.. Defrees' instructions embrace a rigid
examination OF all allegations Of fraud re-
garding entries upon public lands and a
thorough investigation OF alleged illegal
fencing. Special Agent Defrees is a man
OF experience and mature judgment and
has the entire confidence of the commits
sioner OF the general land ONCE. 1t is be-
lieved at the general land once he will
proceed upon his new duties in an intelh-
gent manner and with the utmost nrmness
carry out the instructions of the depart
ment. which IL simply that the law regard
ing Illegal fences must be enforced. Special
Agent Defrees was appointed from Indiana
and has been three years in the service.
The news OF the death Of william II.
| Amin at Phoenix, Ariz.. today was received
by his many friends in this city with pro-
found sympathy. While his death did not
come Unexpectedly, hopes, were held out
that he might recover in the climate OF
Arizona. Lately. however. Mr.. Annins
letters to his friends In this city. while
exceedingly brave, were very pessimistic.
staIey Not Talking.
James Staley, superintendent of the
Yankton training school for Indians, arrived
| in Washington today to look after several
matters connected with his of1cial work.
Among other things he secured permission
| to purchase $500 worth Of seed wheat for
the Yankton Indians and hopes before re-
turning home to make arrangements for
immediate payment to the Indians of money
due them under the treaty of 1853 amount
ing to $4,000. Asked regarding the charges
of offensive partisanship made against him
by members Of the South Dakota delega-
tion In congress and the efforts OF the
delegation to have him removed on account
Of them, Mr.. staley said:
Regarding this matter have nothing
to say, as 1t would be manifestly improper
for me to make any statement concerning
the matter, which is being handled by my
superior oficers. ! am perfectly willing
to abide by their decision"
Routine of Departments.
Ned A. Parker, Oscar Brewer and Samuel
G. Butte have been appointed regular Dan
iel Knight, Guy Lucas and William E. Butte,
substitute rural free delivery letter car
riers at Stanhepe, Ia.
The National Park bank of New York has
been approved as reserve agent for the
First National bank OF CoIman, s. d.
The corporate existence OF the National
Bank OF Ashland, Ashland, Neb., has been
extended until the close Of business March
26. 1923.
The postoffices at Holcomb, Phelps
county, Neb., and Vernon. Van Buren,
county. Ia, have been discontinued.
Civil service examinations will be held
at Beatrice. Fremont. Grand Island. Hast
. ings, York. Neb. Atlantic, Boone, Clarinda,
Clinton, Cedar Falls Fairfield, Fort Dodge,
Fort Madison, independence, Mason City,
Iowa City. Mount Pleasant Red Oak, Shen-
shdoah, Washington. oskaloosa and Web
ster City. Estherville. Creston, Newton Ia
Aberdeen. Mitchell. Deadwood. Huron, Lead,
. Yankton, s. D.. Laramie and Cheyenne,
Wyo., May 2 and for clerks and letter
carriers In postofhees in the cities named
These Iowa rural free delivery routes
will be established May 1; Charlton, Lucas
county. two additional routes; area covered
thirty three square miles; population, 955
Cincinnati, Appanoose county, one addi-
tional area. fifteen square miles; popula-
tion. sos. Dean, Appanoose county one
route; area. sixteen square miles; popula-
tion. 675. Exline. Appanoose county one
route; area fifteen square miles. popula-
tion, 500. Lucas, Lucas county, one sddi-
tional; area covered. seventeen square
miles; population, 525. Mystic AppanoosC
county. one route; area. twenty-five square
miles; population, 625. Numa, Appanoost
. county, one route; area. seventeen square
miles; population. 4s0. Oakley. Lucas
county. one route; area, sixteen square
miles; population, ass. Plano. Appanooss
county. one additional; area, seventeen
square miles; population. 43O. Unionville
Appanoose county, one additional; area
sixteen square miles; population ATS.
p Postmasters appointed: Nebraska, Rich
ard d, Campbell. Weissert Custer county
vice P. L. Allen, resigned. Iowa, Abraham
W. Buell.. Marsh. Louisa county
= Anti-CiRarette BiiI Passed.