Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-02-10
piled that he had all the land at thai
time he wanted In Texas. Bailey sur.

piieo thaf no had all the land at thai
time he wanted In Texas Bailey sug.
gested that they use part OF the Fran
cis land In the trade for the Gibbs
ranch. Francis agreed TO this and
offered Bailey Pecos county lands. but
could not 20 In with Bailey because
his Interest at that time was spread
out. He offered 10 sell TO Bailey the
Pecos county land at 81 per acre.
Witness said he did deed the land
20 Gibbs In 1900 and then Gibbs later
decided the land 10 him. He said this
deed was defective and he neglected
TO straighten this matter out for some
time.
In 1902 or 1903 witness heard his
Pecos county lands were about TO be
sold for taxes He said the Gibbs deed
had not been recorded. lie was very
much provoked over the matter and
sent for Bailey. Bailey told him that
he was TO blame for the situation and
he had 10 admit H. He paid about $500
In back taxes and penalties. Gibbs
made another deed and the property
Is now In his name
Francis said he signed, from time
10 time, deeds Of conveyance and re-
lease 10 the Gibbs ranch near Dallas
He said the only deed TO him OF the
Dallas county lands was Bailey's pur.
pose 20 secure his interests. Il would
have let him have my land without
security" said Francis.
Witness said be had nothing TO con
ceai In the matter, but he believed
Bai.ey had told him he did not want
10 involve him In a political feud.
He saw Bailey Ia April. 1900. at st.
Louis. Francis wired Bailey at Gaines
vile before the time he arrived at 81.
Louis and Bailey wired back he would
be there In a day OF two. He believed
that he gave Pierce a letter OF intro
duction TO Bailey at 81. Louis. That
was his purpose Of wiring Bailey to
come 10 st. Louis.
Witness related matters leading up
TO the letter OF Introduction. He was
a member OF the same club with Pierce
at ST. Louis known as the ST. Louis
club. Pierce was president and he
was vice president. He also belonged
to two country clubs. They were
friends socially. but never had bust
ness relations. Some time In 1900
Pierce telephoned witness and asked
for q conference Pierce told Francis
of his Texas troubles and wanted q
Texas lawyer TO help him. Francis
recommended Joe Bailey.
what. That Texas politician?'
said Pierce.
Francis said he gave Bailey a strong
recommendation TO Pierce and then
wired Bailey 10 come to 81. Louis.
Bailey said he would come. He said
he gave Bailey either a letter Of In
PRODUCTION or introduced him TO Pierce.
He denied this had anything TO do
with the Gibbs ranch. He denied any
connection with Joseph Sibley politi'
cally or In business.
On cross-examination the witness
said he resigned his position Of secre-
tary Of the interior In 1885. He said
he secured the action OF congress on
appropriations for the Worlds fair In
Jrne, sse0. The witness told OF ef
forts TO GET money and was very sorry
that almost the entire Texas delega
tion was opposed 10 the appropriations
He said Bailey did not vote for the ap
prspriations, which he regretted very
much at the time.
Al times during Ex-Governor Fran
els, testimony there were dramatic
scenes. Mr.. Cooke. who was cross
examining Mr.. Francis. stated that
there had been some question regard
ing the Worlds fair accounts. when
the witness replied rather harply to
him. Mr.. Francis objected emphat
icaiiy TO alleged insinuations and said
N the committee would not protect him
from insults he would take measures
10 proetct himself. Chairman ONeal
reproyed Mr.. Cooke for his question
and insisted that the witness be treat
ed with the proper respect.