Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-07-14
land FRAUD
INVESTIGATORS
r.otioued Interest in Grand Jufy's
Work-Witnesses Who are
Giving Testimony.

rollowing the eN'ue"ce VI n. a.
,.mdin. the Lewiston foundryman, be-
,ore the grand jury yesterday after
.oon says the Boise Capital News,
80 Fred w. Shaeffer, who until re-
..,,,v has been the janitor at the Lew
s.or National bank, and J. r.. Cornell,
=, Portland. who has spent a good deal
., time in the Clearwater timber re-
.,ons and is credited with knowing
a,onv Of the angles Of the land game
.s nlaved in that country, and the diff
,.rences between the Idaho and Oregon
systems.
At this mornings session the jury
listened to the evidence of H. X. Bar
nett who is in charge of the abstract
denartment Of the Commercial Trust
company, and whose business it is to
keen posted on real estate transfers.
Following him, Sam Hutchings, hack
driver, who, in virtue of this truly Je-
huesque perspacity, is always presum-
ed to knew something of everything
going on Special Agent F. M. Good
win. who has been at work in the in
yestigatiosa, was the next witness, and
then came Mrs. Mary ]. Harris, who
is said to have made one of the affida-
Wits which brought about the inquiry.
Joel H. Benton, manager of the dry
goods department Of Alexander e. Co,
the Lewiston merchants, told what he
Al A
ager of the Lewiston waterworks. None
Of the witnesses are excused after CIV
ing their testimony, but retained here
in order that they may be heard again
tail regarding facts partly brought out
by the witnesses that follow.
Thus far none of those who have APP
peared have refused to testify on the
no complaint has been made TO tb.-
court Of this nature
Interest in the question of how far
the federal grand jury will go in its
Investigation of Idaho land frauds at
its present sitting is on the increase.
From the location of the witnesses SO
far summoned 1t is apparent that the
inquiry will be. limited to transactions
occurring in the Clearwater country
and Shoshone county, yet is is rumored
there will be a few witnesses examine,
in relation to some suspicious timber
entries nearer Boise
tLn that will he
given this jury will make it impossible
10 go into any matters not arranged
for, but in order TO open a way for
getting deeper into the inside workings
Of the system that has been attend
ing to the lumber industry in middle
and southern Idaho, it was reported
today that few gentlemen would be
put under oath to tell what it is sus-
pected they know. BY this method the
prosecuting officers of the government
will be enabled to lazy their course for
the work they will have in hand when
the regular September session of the
United States court 'oonvenes.
Inspector Goodwin, who registers
from Spokane arrived in the city last
night. He has been assisting Special
Agent O'FaIlon during the past eight
months in working up the evidence now
being presented to the jury. and his
presence here indicates that the dis
trict attorney needs the assistance OF
The knowledge possessed by him in get
ing at what the witnesses ought to
testify to. and to be enabled to refresh
iauity and treacherous memories.
The reluctance on the part Of wit
nesses to talk about their mission to
snis city is not entirely on account OF
caution on the part Of the govern
ments agents. 1t may be said that
mere Is scarcely a willing witness
present. Nearly all Of them say, Il
navf no idea why I was subpoenaed: +:
Iw nothing about these cases." yet
vhen the same witnesses emerge from
me Grand jury room their appearance
lndicates that the conversation they
nave had. under oath. has not been OF
cheerful nature. 1t is presumed
.
mat most Of the witnesses have made
'noer entries and the questions OF
vnat induced them to take the land,
"no furnished the expense money. and
"no afterwards got the title. have
Dsused number to appear with flush
races and nervous actions after the
oroeal has passed.
" - known that the Potlatch Lum-
company. the weyerhaeusers and
v.nefs OF the big companies have had
ae'r agents in that field to buy all
-. lumber that could be secured. Be
ues these. there are several local
,uiators who have been accumuiat-
0ese lands in great quantities. The
t'on has been brisk among the