New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-22
CROOKED LAND DEALS.
Frank Confessions of Witness an
the Hermann Trial.

Washington. March A.-Again to-day S. A D..
Puter testified for the government in the Hermann
trial regarding fraud and bribery in many land
deals. Just as the cross-examnation was closing
Mr.. Worthngton, for the defence. asked: Were
you ever promised immunity by representatives OF
the government for your testimony
ITO certain extent. have BEEN. was the
answer.
Puter then allowed to explain that after he
had been convicted in tho case which he is now
under a two-year sentence In jail, in Oregon he
had gone at once to District Attorney Heney and
offered to tell all he knew about land frauds. He
had many conferences with Heney, as result OF
which the witness testified.
''Heney told that II I became a witness for
the government he would not press those other in
diotments against me, but would have them dis
missed when the time came"
Puter said ne received special favors in jail,
but was locked in cell. any other prisoner He
had he said served nearly year Of his term. He
a witness for the government in land fraud
cases in Oregon last September. and Mr. Worth
ingtOn read from his testimony at that time state
ment that he regretted he did not know more to
tell about the Blue Mountain forest reserve deal
He said Mayes had not let him in that deal
had been promised
did you try 70 brbe the grand jury that indicted
your asked Mr.. Worthington.
y did" the answer
The witness then explained that he had given
man named Brownell $50 to influence two OF the
grand jurors TO see that true bill was not re-
turned against him. This effort failed.
Were you engaged in criminal operations after
your conviction ana nrior to your sentence" was
the next question OF the examiner
Yes certain extent That is I was dealing
in great deal OF land with alleged fraudulent
title"
Questions BY Mr.. WorJhington developed that
Puter had not been asked about the correspondence
he mad with Hermann by United States attorneys
until last January. although the witness said h.
must have told Heney about the letters or the
government attorneys would not have followed the
matter up by coming o. min IN jail District AT
tVEney Baker said at this point that a search was
being made in TIE land Office for the letters written
Mr.. Baker produced letter written by Puter
10 hermann taken from tho files 90 the office. but
which related to two timber claims. This pu5
IN evidence ~ Mr. Worth!ugton. who. after read
Ing ~ turned 10 the witness and asked:
Was that deal crooked too"
I BE witness asseUted with nod OF his head but
explained that u wa Of different character frour
M other matters. II was Il timber claim.
Nj. WorfEingtou dwelt time or the state
Inent II Pu;er that he had. while IN Washington
In 1907 regarding the "eleveu-seven' claims talked
rect question whether Hermann had not told the
witness that tho matter had beer turned over 10
Richards ard hat he would attend To IT, the wit
ness answered IN tho negative.
Regarding the two 81 0o9 bills which the witness
said yesterday he the late Senator Mitchell 10
FIX things regarding these claims Mr. Worth
tuEton brought ont the statement that the witness
Tot them from Charles ChafTee president OF tn,
Wisconsin National Bank OF Milwaukee lie re-
ceivcd six such bills loan property
before reaching Washington that visit. Mr..
WorthingtoN also obtained the admission from the
witness that he had registered at various hotels
IN Washington under assumed names.
At the conclusion OF the cross-cxamination court
adjourned until Monday.