Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-06-06
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has been connected with the bank for
about Is years, first being employed as
janitor and errand boy. BY questions
put to him by Attorney Moore, the
witness denied in toto that he had
been connected either directly or In
directly with either or any of the de-
PENDANTS in their or his acquisition OF
timber lands. He said he had never
been party to any scheme or con-
spiracy to defraud the government out
IF lands, that while he owned eight
claims in the Clearwater section, that
he had acquired them lawfully. Rob-
nett's denial of each and every allega-
ton made against the defendants in
the indictment as far as they asso-
ciated unlawful acts with him, was
emphatic. He contended that the wit
nesses who swore otherwise against
the defendants or against himself at
his trial last fall, swore to falsehoods.
Afternoon Session.
| Mr.. Robnett was recalled to the wit
ness stand when court convened at 2
1
up the Joel II. Benton checks as fast
as they came in, giving his personal
check for them, and charging them up
against his own account.
| He denied ever saying to Benton,
shortly after the latter came from
Boise, when 1t became known that
both had been indicted. that II they all
stood together and told the same story
that they would all come out all right.
He told Mr.. Benton that there must
be some mistake somewhere, because
nothing had been done in taking up
stone and timber claims that was
wrong, adding that If they told the
truth no harm could come to them.
To that Mr.. Benton replied that he was
government witness, that he had not
been indicted, and didn't want witness
coming In there debating to him what
he should testify to.
! Then came the famous meeting at
Robnetts house, Ferris and Robinson
swearing that Billy Benton was not
there. Mr.. Robnett said that Ferris
was not there, so witness telephoned
to Virgins cigar store for him. He
came up, bringing up the plats Rob-
nett gave the boys description of the
land, taking them from the plats.
Witness suggested the boys go to ]. e.
Nickerson when it came time to maxi
ing out their papers, because he was
making out most Of the papers for
him. Robnett then detailed how 1t
was agreed that the money for incl
dental expenses and proving up was
to come from Curtis Thatcher, the
boys giving mortgage to secure the
note. The latter to be taken up when
the boys sold their claims. Robnett
denied that he ever gave the boys their
filing papers, with answers all written
in, or that he ever told them it was
not necessary for them to first go upon
their land. He also denied coaching
the boys to swear falsely when it came
to making final proof.
Robnett then told of ARRANGEMENTS
with Thatcher for taking care of about
all fees and purchase price he was to
get 5000 commission, but If he only
furnished the purchase price, or the
fees. he was to get from 500 to $125
bonus. Mr.. Thatcher only made four
or Ave loans. When Thatcher could
not carry through the Ferris and Rob-
inson loans he went to Kettenbach,
who said he would help him out. The
notes and mortgages were later as
signed to Kettenbaeh, the witness
said
The wieness then fatty contradicted
In explaining how these lands or /
mortgages happened to be recorded in
Shoshone county under the name of
g. H. Kester, he said he used bank
blanks with Kesters name on them,
and forgot to substitute his name
thereupon. One of these blanks was
introduced as evidence over the OBJ
lection Of the prosecution.
The witness denied ever having a !
conversation with Mrs. Harris to the
effect that he never told her that her
daughters could take up claims, al
though they were not of age. Robnett
admitted selling to Rester and Ketten-
bach claim. He wanted money and |
gave 1t to Kester and Kettenbach be-
bause they offered him 500 more than
did Joseph NJ. Malloy.
Claims Recorded kester's Name.
the testimony of w. o. waldman.
which has been published in these
columns several times. His examina-
ton extended from the time the mat
ter Of taking up a timber claim was
first preached until the land was final
ly disposed of. When the Ferris note
was produced. the witness said he
got 1t from Mr.. Thatcher. and stamped
1t paid with bank stamp. not to
show that the bank had any interest /
in 1t, but to show that the bank had
been paid. He said the note was his,