Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-05-12
W00DVILlE ESCHEAT CASE
Mr.. Reames Makes a Full State
ment o: Facts In the Case.
To the Editor of the Courier

NAoAa VI hJ 0AhNAoA oNto AZ Wv NoNhNos
proceedings in the Woods estate,
These criticisms have found publica.
tion in the Ashland Tribune Of April
Esd, and the Ashland Tidings OF
April 2lst, 1904. They have also
been used by certain politicians
quietly. l do not care what means
are employed to defeat my reelection
as district attorney. but when il
comes to matter which attacks my
integrity as a public official. de.
cidedly object
The appointment of Mr.. Durham as
special counsel IN the escheat pro.
ceedings, was not an uncommon
thing. The governors have always
appointed the attorneys who have
called their attention to estates in
which escheat proceedings would be
proper. Special counsel has been en-
ployed to assist the best prosecuting
attorneys in the state and such ap-
pointment is no reflection upon the
ability Of the states attorney. pre-
sumo that the legislature intended
that special counsel should be employ
ed or the act would no. provide for it.
The reason is probably that heirs can
contest for the property at any time
within 10 years after the entry of the
judgment. Hence new district at
torney would not be as familiar with
the case as would special counsel
who had been in the case from its be.
ginning. Such employment is con-
tinuing one, extending over period
of 10 years.
When the appointment Of Mr.. Dur
ham as special counsel was made,
had not called the attention of the
governor to the condition of the es.
tate for the reason that two sets OF
heirs were writing to attorneys here,
who had spoken to me concerning the
matter. i desired to wait and see
whether they could establish their
claim in the county court. The proof
they had of the heirship was not
sufficient and as the estate was not
ready for settlement, there was nc
hurry about procuring an order from
the governor, as required. to institute
proceedings The first intimation
that l had that any special counsel
was contemplated or that the govern.
or knew Of the condition of the estate
was when l received the following
letter. Of date December 18th, 1908,
from the governor, enclosing one, OF
which the following is copy, from
him to Mr.. Durham:
Hon. A. L. Reames,
Jacksonville, Oregon,
Dear Sir:
l enclose you herewith copy of q
letter have this day written to Mr.
Geo. II. Durham of Grants Pass.
have appointed him as agent of tn,
state to assist you in this matter, be
cause Of the fact that he called my
attention to the condition Of the es
tate referred to and intimated will
ingness to assist in escheat proceed
ings. trust that my action in thil
matter will meet with your aIproba
tion.
have the honor to remain,
Yours very truly,
GEO. L. CHAMBERLAIN.
Salem, December II, 1903
Hon. Geo. II. Durham,
Grants Pass, Oregon.
Dear Sir:
l am advised by you that one JOIN
Woods died intestate in Jackson
county, leaving quite an estate, bu
no heirs to inherit the same.
thank you for this information
and hereby appoint you as agent to as
sist Hon. A. L. Reames in such pro
ceedings as may be necessary to caus'
the property to be escheated to tn,
state.
/ have this day notified Mr.. Reamei
of this appointment Please keep ms
advised as to what progress is mad,
in the premises.
have the honor to remain,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) GEO. L. CHAMBERLAIN
As TO the amount allowed by th'
court to Mr.. Durham, can only sa!
that the amount Of that fee was lef
blank in the information for the rea
son that it was the duty Of the cour
to determine this amount In deter
mining 1t he would take into con
sideration the amount Of the estate
the duration of the employment ant
the possibility, If any, Of future liti
cation. For this reason the amour
Of the special counsel's fee was lef
blank in the information. When th
amount Of this fee was ordered by tn
court / was not present and mad n,
notice thereof. but it would not hay
been necessary or proper to give IN
notice as the special counsel wa
agent for the state. With the allow
anoe of the fee had nothing what
ever to do one way or the other. l
was not my business; the specia
counsel was superior to me in tn
handling Of the case, and the amour
Of the T. e, as provided by statute wa
to be determined by the court and no
by me. / was not present when th
court made the order allowing Mr.
Durhsm's fee, nor did l know Of tn
matter until after the order had bee
entered Upon this subject desir
to call attention 10 the following let
ter, written me by Mr. Durham at m
request, explaining the facts as "
both understand them
Dear Sir: / under stand that 20
are being criticised to some extent !
reference to the escheat case Of th
state Of Oregon VS.. Raymond ct sl
the estate Of John Woods. deceased
and particularly on account Of the IL