The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-01-06


ferred against prominent citizens in
Lewiston alleging "lahd frauds" in re-
lation with the government timber in
this state. The following is a text of
the dispatches appearing in the various
papers in the country:
1t was stated at the interior depart
ment today that two inspectors are
hurrying to Idaho to investigate
charges of gross fraud in the Lewiston
land Office The Boise land office is
,, also involved and will be investigated.
but no mention is made of this ONCE
| in the affidavits which were received
at the White house and afterward for
warded to Secretary Hitchcock for ac-
ton. With reference to the Boise Of
fice It is known that the department
has asked for 219 names of locators of
| as many timber claims in Boise county.
| Patents have already been issued for
these claims, and from other facts 1t
| appears that an extensive investiga-
| ton is already under foot in connec-
ton with locations and transfers there.
As to Idaho Senators
Efforts are being made to connect
Senators Dubois and Hepburn with the
Idaho land grauds, but their friends
say thus far nothing has developed
which reflects upon them to the slight
est degree. 1t was rumored today that
the charges filed by Senator Dubois at
I the White house implicate Senator
Hepburn. AS soon as the report be-
came known to Senator Dubois he i'm
mediately called upon Senator Hey
bubrn and assured him Of the falsity Of
the report, adding that it could only
have been started by some malicious
person.
The investigation of alleged frauds
has been brought about by affidavits
addressed to President Roosevelt by
Fred Culver Of Lewiston. Idaho. can
didate for attorney general of his state
on the democratic ticket two years ago.
The aff1davits charged frauds against
w. +. Kettenbach, president of the
Lewiston National bank and George
Kester, cashier of the bank. and Clar-
ence Robnett. all of Lewiston. The
charges are made in con.ection with
the entry Of over million dollars
worth of white pine through ]. b.
West, register of the land office at
Lewiston. Mr.. Culver sent the affida- :
Wits to Senator Dubois, who. without
comment, transmitted them to the
president.
Secretary Hitchcock. to whom the
affidavits were referred by the presi-
dent. instituted the investigation.
Alleged Syndicate
In connection with the Idaho affida-
Wits it is alleged a syndicate exists
formed to acquire valuable timber
lands from the government. Other AZ
fidavits Than those named are expected
shortly in the Idaho cases.
Montana May Not Escape
n Rumors are current tonight tha
: gross frauds in Montana have been dis
: covered which will eclipse frauds per
e petrated in any other state. Senator
& Hitchcock declined to affirm or den!
0 the reports, stating merely that he vii
e give the public such information as Il
Il in the possession of the department a
: the proper time.
n An inspector of the department.
= to investigate the charges made by tn
q affidavit as to frauds in Idaho, am
y he is believed to have already begu
s. his labors. No information on tn
7. subject could be obtained at the in
l. terror department, and Secretar
l. Hitchcock will not discuss it. The pa
is pers in the case, however have bee
IN forwarded to the inspector. 1t is ex
lie pected that he will keep Secretar
,r Hitchcock promptly advised of all de
!. velopments.
ID In connection with the above dis
IF patch from Washington states ths
j. Senator. Hepburn defies any attempt
ut connect him with any land frauds {
y any nature and gives the further ir
n format ton that he has rendered h
of services to the government TO unearf
tn the alleged frauds, If any.
Of The friends of the accused parties
It. this city are indignant over II
to charges made and many have expresse
It. the opinion that there is nothing TO
TT 1t is stated that the charges ha'
he grown out of the recent factional fig
he in the republican party in this count
he that has been carried on in the Ia
on campaign but others have said tn
ds there is no connection at all with it.
Yesterday and today rumor hi
been persistantly afioat that an il
spector from Washington had alrea'
]. arrived in the city and was makil
I'M Investigations but the officials at I
Ike land Office disclaim any knowledge
of such facts. Register West and r
re ceiver CARLY of the local land ON
are not uneasy over the alleged info