The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1903-10-22
To the Republican Editors of Idaho

going the rounds just now concerning
an alleged scandal in connection with
certain land selections made in Idaho
country, and as it is being manufactured
into Democratic campaign thunder, l
feel it my duty to give you, first hand,
the exact facts in the case. The task of
fighting the battles of the party always
falls npon the newspaper men, and they
are entitled to know the facts about any
matter they are obliged to discuss.
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 prior right
to the land over everyone excepting
actual settlers who We're on the land
before the date of withdrawal august
Is, 190O)
In my capacity as chief clerk l was
instructed by the Board to ascertain
whether or not any of the land was
w5rth selecting. l went to Whitebird
by stage and requested Mr. Jones, the
liveryman at that place, to provide me
with saddle horse and guide. He had
no man that he could spare and after
inquiring at the hotel and elsewhere for
someone who could go, finally intro
duced me to Mr. Harbaugh, a life in
surance agent whom he stated was well
acquainted with the Joseph Plains
country. Harbaugh acted as my guide
for three days. / gave him a check for
81 30 for three days services as guide at
$2 so per day. This is the only money
Mr. Harbaugh ever drew from the State
and the nearest he ever came to being
in its employ.
found the land ON Joseph Plains,
townships % and 80, range 1 west, ex-
ceedingly satisfactory, but was told that
the other townships lying south, 26 and
q, range 1 west, and 26, 1 east, were
practically worthless. 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 have the
selections made. The men detailed to
d. the work were M. L. Goldsmith OF
Spalding Nez Perce county, and A. F.
Hit of Weiser, both 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
bird to do the work. Neither had ever
heard of Mr.. Harbaugh until after thu
selection lists were filed. had met
Mr.. G oldsmith (who made the filings
but once and that but for short tim
one evening at the home Of Count,
Treasurer Hastings at Lewiston,
never saw Harbaugh from the time h
acted as my guide until after the selec
tions had been made, and | had beel
, sent to determine who were actua
settlers. l mention these facts to shov
the improbability of collusion between
any of the parties. all practically hein
strangers to each other.
I Mr.. Goldsmith, it transpired, wa
quite familiar with that vicinity an
knew that there was also much valuabl
: land in townships 26. ranges 1 east an
l. si do
his disposal he realized the futility 9
F, attempting to run the survey lines
= manner consistent with judiciou
u selection By the usual method, O
u account of the roughness of the country
! he would have had time to secure som
J 1000 or 5000 acres He was, in popula
parlance, ''up against it, but ratht
u than lose to the State some $4,000 acre
y of land easily worth $1,000 an acre, l
decided to make a blanket filing. I'll
necessity for this was explained full
through the newspapers and by lette
{ at the time, and assurances given thu
the rights of every bona fide settler al
. mineral claimant would be respectt
II and relinqushments made to them
o the State This has been done, ar
: over 8, 900 acres have been released
- favor of those who were found to
- legally entitled to the land.
:, This blanket filing also covered,
y addition to the valuable land mentione
-, an equal amount of winter grazil
= lands along the Snake and Salm
- rivers that have advised the board
release. This land, though it is eager
sought after for grazing purposes at
ge annual rental of 121 cents per acre,
or not, ia my opinion, of sufficient value
lr. retain. We wish to fill the States la
81 grants with the best lands obtainable.
lin After the selections had been ms
ch the Land Board discovered that
lie notice of withdrawal for survey /
Ter been illegally published by prevlC
rm Democratic administration and the
yht fore the land of all bona fide settlers
tN. NaI