Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-01-04
JURYFlSHING :"
FOR BIG ONES
United States Senator Mitchell and
Congressman einger Hermann In !
dicted for Land Frauds.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY REMOVED
Sensational Developments in Oregon
Investigation Mark Close Of the
Old Year. .5

Portland, Ore, Dec. 31.-United
States Senator John H. Mitchell, Rep
resentative to Congress Binger Hell
mann and George Sorenson, formerly
a deputy sheriff of Multnomah county,
were jointly indicted today by the
federal grand Jury.
The indictment alleges that John H.
Mitchell and Binger Hermann did, in
January, 1902. unlawfully and felon-
iously conspire together and with each
other and with S. A. D. Puter, H. G.
Mckinley, D. w. Tarpley, Emma L.
Watson, Palmer B. Orlnsby, C. E.
LoOmis and VIM. H. Davis and others
to defraud the government of the
United States out of a portion of it's
public lands situated TN township IL
south, of range east, by means of
forged and false affidavits and ficti-
tious persons, and that, in the further
ance Of such conspiracy, s. A. u. Pu
ter did, on March 9, 1912, pay to John
H. Mitchell the sum Of $4,000 to Sc
cure his influence with Binger Her
mann then commissioner of the gen.
eral land Office at Washington.
1t alleges that, acting upon the sug-
gestion and the wish of Senator Mitch
ell and influenced by him, knowing
that the transactions were unlawful
and felOnious, Binger Hermann used
his power as commissioner of the
general land office to expedite IL
claims in township III, and had them
passed to patent when he knew them
to be illegal and not according to the
requirements of the law.
The indictment also alleges that on
March 20, 1904, George Sorenson Of
fered to John Hall, district attorney
for the United States in Oregon, the
sum of $4,000 with intent to influence
the said John H. Hall in his Official Ca
pacity when acting on the indictments
returned against S. A. d. Puter, H. G
Mckinley ct al, to defraud the gov
eminent out of land in township II
south, of range east.
The alleged connection of Senator
Mitchell and Representative Hermann
with the alleged conspiracy dates
back, it is said, to the time when Mr.
Mitchell received a letter from "a
prominent attorney in Oregon" intro
ducing s. A. D. Puter as "a response
BILE business man of Oregon"
The government will, it is said, at
tempt to prove that Puter and Mitchell
! and Hermann were we'll acquainted
that Puter was an ardent suppOrte
of Mitchell in the senatorial campaign
of 1898, and that all of them have beer
personally acquainted for years.
2 Washington, & Dec. 31.-Presden
3 Roosevelt to-day directed the remoya
: from office of John H. Hall, Unite
5 States district attorney for Oregon
d Mr.. Hall has been prosecuting office
y of the government in the land frau
= cases and the removal is made in col
d nection with them.
e The announcement of District Alto
r ney Halls removal was made by A
e torney General Moody, as he left tn
e white house after conference wit
n the president. He declined to sa
e what charges. If any, had been mad
% against Hall, but added that for tn
r good of the service it was believe
best to dispense with him. particular
il. in connection with land fraud cas-
~ in Oregon, the prosecution of whit
a had been conducted by Hall.
. Mr.. Hall was Endorsed for re-appoi1
n ment by Senator Mitchell and Repr
sentative Hermann of Oregon, bo
-, ~, of whom recently went to Portlan
-, where they appeared before the graz
>, jury now Investigating the land fraut
ID The conduct of the district attorne!
~ office at Portland has been inquired
o' to by the government representative
. and reports of the facts adduced ha
- been transmitted here.
Va The reports allege that there n
w been obstruction of justice, that c.
u ue tain prominent men have been SHE
w ed and that attempts have been ma
lis