New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-16
WESTERN LAND FRAUDS.
Results of the Work of the Depart
mentS of the Interior and Justice.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.

Washington. May 15.-The Secretary OF the In
terror, with the aid OF the Department Of Justice
Is pursuing with undated vigOr the prosecution Of
the land swindlers whose operations first came to
light almost year ago and which we're described
IN these dispatches at that time. Occasionally there
appears in the public prints brief dispatch
generally from the Far West relating that this OF
that man has been indicted for defrauding the gov
eminent. that this that decision OF lower
court has been confirmed. but until the names OF
the various men who have thus far been caught
are brought together. few people realize the ex-
tent OF tho frauds committed or the energy with
which the offenders are being prosecuted.
The latest news In connection with this comes from
San Francisco. where United States Commissioner
Heacock has held F. A. Hyde and Henry p. Di-
mOnd to appear before the United States Court in
Washington for trial. this decision being the out
come or protracted legal proceedings similar 10
those conducted by the attorneys for George W
Beavers with view To saving their client from
being taken TO Brooklyn for trial
The most extensive fraud has occurred in Oregon
where the following have been indicted:
s. A. ID. Putsr for conspiracy. acknowledging.
as notary public, signatures OF fictitious entrymen
Watkins. Carson ana War"ick. and appearing
witness 10 the same in conveying the lands TO
Lmmd L. Watson; procuring 'anGs for Emma l.
Porter Maude Witt Nellie BaekGs 81 al al
~ W Tarpiey. for conspiracy. acknowledging. as
Emma Porter. Maude Wit. Nellie Baskus ct al.
Emma T. watson 5' fof e soaapraey and forgery
ana Warwick. and Of Porter Wit Bscks ct al.
knowing said entrymen to be fictitious. forging
The name Emma Porter TO entry papers for one OF
Marie l. Ware. FOR conspiracy and forgery. pre-
knowledsins, traudgient entry pepers Of watkins.
ana Observation-Disclosures - ,vyttralsrs tyaDsfers -
lands thus fTaudulenty acquired. ,forgins the
SINS, Pettls 81 al to entry papers and eOnveyances
OF tho lands thus fTaudulently acquired
Horace q. Mckinley. for conspiracy and forgery.
Watkins. Carson. warwick ct al. and acknowieds.
ms h6 notary pubic, COuFeyuuceA OF same ana
witnessing said false and fraudulent conveyance.
In fnal proof and conveyances OF said lands
curing lands bv means o. fglse and 7ra1iuieHt
entry papers and conveying the same 10 Emma L
Guy Hun FOR conspiracy and forgery. procuring
lands by Of false and fraudulent entry
papers. at TIE Instance OF Horace c. Mckinley
the instance Of Horace g. Mclllnley.
prorrng MS M c i1f 90 srks nhe ie a
fual proof papers al the instance OF a. ID. Puter
residence and improvements upon said lands.
Harry c. Barr conspiracy and perjury, procuring
papers. at the i9stanee of = a D. Puter. Emma l.
improvements upon said lands
Henry Meldrum, for forgery. signing fictitious
lie lands.
The trials OF Puter Mckinley Watson. Ware and
Hun on the indictments returned last October have
been FOR May rs. Every method Of saving their
clients from prompt trial is being resorted 10 by
the attorneys % those indicted and IL IS
alleged that I'm efforts
20 tamper with Witnesses and even spirit
them away have been discovered However. Sec
rotary Hitchcock IS confident that he will secure
a very considerable number OF convictions. and the
moral effect OF the present prosecutions has already
proved sufficient materially 20 check efforts 10
qure the public domain by fraudulent means
The thOToughness and lack Of publicity which
have attended the Investigations resulting On the
indictments thus far obtained have proved valuable,
only To those engaged In the Investigation. but
TO the officers OF the Department OF Justice whose
ends too often defeated by premature publicity