Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-25
CHARACTER OF DEFENDANT
Representative Cushman of Washing
ton Testifes.
w. A. RICHARDS ALSO A WITNESS
Further Examination of s. A. D. Puter
Course Of Claims Through the
General Land Office.

The seventh week of the trial of former
Representative Binger Hermann was begun
before Justice Stafford in Criminal Court
No. today. Representative Cushman of
the state of Washington, S. A. D. Puter
and Gov W. \. Richards, formerly assist
ant commissioner and commissioner of the
general land office, were the witnesses at
the morning session.
The usual order of procedure was again
interrupted this morning to permit the de-
Tense to call Representative Cushman as a
character witness. After the usual inter-
rogatories TO establish the length of time
over which his acquaintance with Binger
Hermann extended, Mr.. Cushman declared,
the defendants reputation to be good,
very good
On cross-examination the witness was
asked If he had not expressed himself as
against the land frauds prosecutions.
Not in that light" Mr.. Cushman replied.
What have said is that / do not believe
in the government compelling 493 innocent
entrymen to suffer while the Secretary or
the Interior pursues one supposedly guilty
entryman.
Asked by Mr.. Worthington whether he
wished to change the tenor of his answer as
referring 10 Hermann's reputation down TO
the present time, Representative Cushman
said he did not.
The defense also sought to place John w.
Rowland former government witness. on
the stand. but the move was blocked by
United States Attorney Baker. who de-
clared he not prepared TO cross
examine Mr. Rowland.
Examination of S. A. d. Puter.
Another hour of the morning session of
the court was consumed in the redirect
and re-cross-examination of s. A. D. Puter.
Particular attention was devoted to the
S-tn nf
the thousand dollar bills. two of which, he
had previously testified We're used to bride
Senator Mitchell. Mr.. Puter said his recol-
lection was that deal had been negotiated
In November. 1901, by which $4,000 was
paid to him, on or before December Is. 1901.
by Charles Chaffee. president of the First
National Bank. Rhinelander, Wis.
II received either a draft or check from
him in Milwaukee" Puter said. 1t was
brought by Mrs Watson, who came on
from Oregon at my request. The lands in
volved in the deal were in her name, and
she received $1,000 of the $1,000 as her
share"
Witness admitted he had seen a telegram
received by United States Attorney Baker
from Mr.. ChafTee. He declared receipt
which he found in his pocketbook since
Thursday had as much to do with refresh
ing his memory did the message.
Did you make a memorandum of the
payment OF 5000 to Senator Mitchell?'
the district attorney queried.
Yes Puter replied. Objection by Mr..
Worthihgton prevented Introduction of the
memorandum into evidence.
Telegram in Evidence.
Mr. Baker then offered the telegram from
MIR. Chaffee in evidence, and it was read to
the jury as follows:
'.Rhinelander. Wis, March n. 1907.
"Daniel w Baker, United States attorney,
District of Columbia
. II ,har
1901. through First National Bank. Mil
waukee, by First National Bank. Rhine
lander. Exchange of papers made in Mil
waukee. Have written.
tSigned) Charles Chaffee.
Gov w A Richards. who was assistant
commissioner of the general land office,
March l. 1890, until February >. 1909. when
he became commissioner, was the next wit
ness called. He testified he passed the
Puter claims to patent and also described
his connection with the Loomis report. Hol-
singer report and other documents pertain
ing to the ''elev en-seyen cases. Gov. Rich
ards declared Puter was introduced to him
as "a reliable man. by Senator Mitchell.
George r. Ogden, a clerk in the special
service division of the land office, gave fur
Their details concerning the course of the
Puter claims through the office.
Between Mitchell and Hermann.
Two letters which passed between Senator
Mitchell ana Ringer hermann were lntrO-
duced and read in evidence at the opening
of the session this afternoon. Senator
Mitchell's letter referred to affidavits made
by S \. d. Puter and Mrs. Watson, and ii
contained the request that their cases In
Eleven Seven" be made special" Mr..
Hermann's reply contained a statement ex-
planatory OF the Investigations INTO the
Puter claims and a foot note, in the COM
missioner's handwriting, saying the cases
had been made special.
DIR. Andrew c. Smith OF Portland Ore.
testified to n conversation with former
representative j. w. Williamson rela-
tive to the Blue mountain forest re-
serve The talk, DIR. Smith said. oc-
CURED in September. 1902, Mr. William
son stating he held 1900 acres of school
lands. upon which he had paid 20 per
cent of the entry fees. The ultimate
result that DE-. Smith advanced
$4,000 to Williamson, part of it as a loan
and part as purchase price of one-third
interest In the lands then proposed to
be Included in the reservation.
letter from Mr.. Williamson to Com
missioner Hermann urging the latter to
have the Williamson lands included in
the Blue mountain reserve. and Mr.. Her
mann reply, have already been placed
In evidence in the present case.
Woodford ID. Harlan, an attache of the
land office, was called to the stand for a
moment to give conhrynatory evidence re-
garding the passing through the regular
channels OF the department OF a letter z
pencil written copy OF which. prepared by
George &. Ogden, the government desired
to introduce in evidence.
John V. Wright law clerk in the land
Office, the stand when The Stars
report closed.