The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-06-04

1t was registered in the name of the
Diamond Mining company, Of which
Franklin was apparently the presi-
dent and chief stakeholder. Well, Mer-
ivale wrote to Franklin and asked if
he wanted to SELL He did not get an
answer for some time. Franklin was
evidently investigating through other
sources to see what was up. Finally
came the answer, which l have here
and will read:
81 would be willing to sell pro-
viding you can meet my price The
tract referred to being now the most
promising gold land in the west,
do not propose to part with it for
song
Several letters passed between
them, and finally Merivale made a
proposition that they should open
the mine as joint owners. He would
put in all the necessary appliances,
which he had near at hand; would
stand all the expenses, take all the
risks, and give Franklin half net of
the gold output the first year. After
that they were to share expenses and |
profits together. A letter to this |
effect is also in my possession.
Finally there came hitch in the
transactions. Wright had learned
something of the value of his tract
through Moses Dennison, formerly
of this part of the country, but who
had moved to Colorado years before,
and who had purchased this very
tract for Mr.. Wright. Mr.. Dennison
rather plumed himself in his sagacity
in having picked out such a big thing
20 years before, and he wrote to
Wright in very enthusiastic man
ner. Merivale got wind of the fact
through Dennison that Wright
claimed the ownership, and he wrote
to Franklin to know whether he
could give a clear title. By various
Misrepresentation, which the letters
in my possession set forth, Franklin
managed to get considerable sums
out of Merivale, and with the money
thus obtained the work of thievery
and assassination was carried on.
81 found Merivale to be very good
sort of fellow, and straight as that
kind of man generally is. He was
tricky and cold-blooded when it came
| to the manipulation of stocks. He
didn't care where he hit provided he
had his own way, and he was not the
kind Of man to stop and shed any
tears over the corpses cast along the
| shores of finance by the food of
speculation; but he wasn't a thief, a
murderer or an assassin, nor know
ingly a partner of one. He received
me very cordially, and when had
got fairly acquainted with him 1 gave
him an inkGng of my business, and
then l began to stuff him full of my
suspicious and surmises regarding
Franklin. 1 satisfied him that Frank
lin had been using his money for
criminal projects, carried out to Sc
cure unlawful possession of the prop
erty. 1 persuaded him that Franklin
was deceiving him in a most indie
feasible manner, and that he was
doing himself an injustice in further
ing his schemes.
II then made a proposition to
Merivale. / told him that i would
alter my appearance and go back to
Nilus, taking his name; and that by
pretending to sympathize with all OF
Franklin's schemes / should get INTO
his confidence and worm from him
the truth. In return for this priv
lege, / promised Merivale that
would use all the influence l had, re
enforced by Mr.. Everett, to induce
the real owners of the mine to con
sent to the proposition he had made
to Franklin. He studied over it for g
while. 1 could see that he rather
enjoyed the idea. 1t would be rare
Joke and rare revenge, but / coulC
see that he hesitated. Doubtless he
was little apprehensive as to wha'
use l would make of his name; so
told him that he could write to Mr.
Everett, and that gentleman would
stand for my doing nothing tina
would bring discredit on his name
At last he consented, and at my sug
gestion he wrote a letter to Col
Franklin stating that he would be il
Nilus in short time. He then mad
arrangements to depart for Sal
Francisco, where he had some inter
ests demanding his attention. Befor
left he placed in my possession a.
of Col. Franklin's letters to him, a
| well as copies of his letters to Frank
lin.
I'm order to personate Merivale,
transformation was necessary. ha
. my hair cut as close as if it had bee
: shaved, and then purchased blon
, wig, which l mutilated and trimme
, so that when put on l appeared to
growing bald rapidly. Then l ha
, my beard trimmed and parted. and !
this shape 1 blOndined it, With "a re
. dye | frightened my cheeks, and wit
a pair of cloudy spectacles ! dulle
j my eyes. And SO, armed with Franl
j Inns letters and Meriyale's name,
j came to Nilus as an easter
= capitalist and took the best roo
e in the best hotel. Before ] reIat
d what hammered i'm Nilus. i will fir