Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-01-07
HIGHOFFICIALS ARE INDICTED
U. S. SENATOR MITCHELL AND
CONGRESSMAN HERMANN.
Federal Grand Jury at Portland, Ore,
Accuses Them Of Being implicated
In Land Frauds in State Of Oregon
Other Prominent Men In the Same
Boat-Explanations In Order.


tor John H. Mitchell, Representative
Binger Hermann and George Soren-
son, formerly a deputy sheriff Of Multi
nomah county, were jointly indicted
Saturday by the federal grand jury.
The indictment alleges that John H.
Mitchell and Binger Hermann did, in
January, 1902. unlawfully and feloni-
ously conspire together, and with each
other and with s. A. ID. Puter, Hor-
ace G. Mckinley, d. w Tarpley, EN-
ma l.. Watson, Salmon b. Ormsby.
Clark L. LOOMS and William H. Da-
Wis and others. to defraud the govern
ment Of the United States out of a
portion of it's public lands, situated in
township IL south, of range Z east,
by means of forged and false afiida-
Wits and fictitious persons, and that
in the furtherance of such conspiracy,
s. A. d. Puter did on March g. 1902
pay to John II. Mitchell the sum of
81, 900 to secure his influence with Bin
ger Hermann, then commissioner of
the general 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 gen
eral land office to expedite 70 claims
in township II range Z and had them
passed to patent when he knew them
to be Illegal and not according to re-
quirements of the law. The indict-
ment also alleges that on March 2S,
1904. George Sorenson offered to John
II. Hall, district attorney for the Unit
ed States in Oregon. the sum of $4,000
with intent to influence the said John
II. Hall in his official capacity when
acting on the indictments returned
against s. A. d. Puter, Horace G.
Mckinley. ct al, to defraud the gov
eminent out of land in township II
south of range 7 east
SOrenson Is indicted for having Of
fered a bride of $4,000 to District At
torney Hall on March % last. when
the indictment against the conspira-
tors who were convicted in the recent
trial was pending in the federal court
The alleged connection of Senator
Mitchell and Representative Hermann
with the alleged conspiracy dates back
it is said, to the time when Mr.. Mitch
ell received the letter from "a promi-
nent attorney in Oregon" introducing
S. A. d. Puter as "a responsible BUSH
ness man OF Oregon" The govern
ment will. it is said attempt to prove
that Puter and Mitchell and Hermann
were well acquainted; that Puter was
an ardent supporter of Mitchell in the
senatorial campaign of 1898. and that
all of them have been personally &C
quainted for years.
In 1902. the government alleges. Pu-
ter went to Washington on business
connected with the lands of III, in
which he was at that time interested.
The lands were held up in the general
land Office and Puter thought that II
would be Of benefit to himself and his
fellows to go to Washington and see
what could be done to expedite them
to patent.
Before he left Portland. the govern
ment will attempt to prove, he went
to f. p. Mays and secured from him a
letter to Senator Mitchell, though in
fact. according to the government, he
was already well known to the sena-
tor. Arriving at Washington. the land
Spectator went. so evidence will be
offered, to the Office of Senator Mitch
ell and conferred with him in regard
to having his claims taken from the
suspended list and put through to pat
ent as soon as possible ne told the
senator, 1t is alleged, that he had al
GRADY sunk a large amount of money
in the claims. and that Emma L. Wat
son, a hard working and honest girl.
had also invested in them at his sug-
gestion. 1t was necessary for him to
have some influence with the commits
sioner Of the general land office to
secure favorable recognition of his
claims, and he therefore would like
to have the help of Senator Mitchell.
The government will attempt to
prove that he promised to make it
right with the senator in event that he
could secure the good will and assist
ance of Mr.. Hermann.
Mitchell's Denial.
"If anybody says Puter ever paid
me any money in connection with land
frauds or anything else he is a id
liar!"
John II. Mitchell Oregon's aged and
veteran senator, thus denounced the
against him in an interview
at the depot in Spokane, while on his
way to Washington. d. c. At the same
time he declared that the Indictment
against him was "a cowardly and dam
nable conspiracy, and the chief con-
spirators are Secretary Hitchcock and
this man Heney," meaning the special
government prosecutor who secured
his indictment. He says he wants an
trial.
Senator Mitchelrs Career.
Portland, Ore.-Senator John H.
Mitchells career since he came to Ore
gon in 1860 has been fraught with
many sensational incidents. beginning
during his first term. Bitter opposi-
ton resulted in bringing to light the
fact that his name was not Mitchell
at all.
Scandal after scandal vvas unearfh