Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-03-01

he had been called by important buzz
ness. From Vinton he wrote asking for
descriptions of other tracts. The pur-
pose of opening such a corresp spondence
was to get Lindsay on record in writ
ing. Again the arch conspirator swal-
lowed the bait, sending to Stedman in
his own handwriting descriptions of
various tracts he thought might be
suitable for his correspondents sup
posed purpose
While in the east working on the
Pittsburg angle of the case | wrote
from Erie, Pa, to Orlando Van Hise
in Cleveland, representing myself as
James Hall, sawmill owner, looking
for a new business base. Van Hise's
advertisement of timber lands had at
tracted my attention, | wrote. Van
Hise answered that he could sell ME
25,000 acres of desirable timber in ore
tract, and suggested that l come to
Cleveland to talk Ghe matter over with
him. So to Cleveland l went imme-
diately. Wearing the rough suit of
a lumberman, and with my trousers
tucked into the tops of my boots |
registered at the Weddell house under
still another name.
While the land ringsters up to this
time had no reason to believe they
were being watched they had acquired
the trait of suspicion and alertness
common to all criminals, great and
small. | could afford to take no
chances of having my identity discov-
cred by Van Hise, and therefore at
every turn covered my tracks as we'll
as | knew how. In line with this poll
icy | even took roundabout course
to Van Hise's office in Superior street.
| introduced myself as the Erie party
who had written to him
I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Hall"
said Van Hise elfusively. After the
customary small talk that precedes
getting down TO business he said:
80 you are looking for timber lands.
Well, l believe l can furnish what
you want"
Have you much land of this kind?"
asked.
plenty of it."
''At what price,"
THAT depends on the land. If yon
are prepared to take large tract |
can probably make you a price of 80
cents an acre for land that will suit
your purpose"
What arrangements can you make
for time? | have certain amount of
money. | have sold my 'muley mill,
and am thinking of buying a portable
circular mill Until | decide on this-
point | don't know just how | will be
prepared to pay down on the land"
Those matters can be arranged to
suit you. If you take the land and put
mill on it, l will have no fear of
your getting away from me without
paying the balance"
Our conversation was of the pleas
ant kind that marks a deal about to
be closed. Van Hise showed me elab-
crate maps of the Missouri districts
in which he had lands for sale, and
marked off the tract he proposed to
sell me. But did not close the deal
then, pleading that l wanted a little
time to decide on the style of mill to
use and to arrange other details.
told him l would so to Missouri to
look at the lands, and asked for de-
scriptions, which he cheerfully gave
me.
He went further, irstructing me to
make myself known to the clerk OF
the Missouri county to which l was
supposed to be going. This clerk, he
said, would be glal to show me the
land at his, Van EIises, expense, and
would give me all the information rela-
tive to this and other points l might |
desire. This bit OF accommodation on |
Van Hise's part indicated clearly the |
hold the leaguers had on certain
county officials, AMI the part the lat |
ter played in the marketing of the
stolen goods.
[To Be Continued