Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-01
PROGRESS BY GOVERNMENT
NEARING END OF
ITS CASE IN CHIEF.
Proceedings Today in Land Frauds
Trial Of Hyde, Benson, Schneider
and Dimond.

Although the government is nearing the
end of it's case-in-chief against Messrs.
Hyde. Benson, Schneider and Dimond.
charged with conspiracy to .defraud the
United States of valuable public lands
in the states of California and Oregon. in
Criminal Court No. l. the real battle Of
the trial is yet to be fought-the argu-
ments by opposing attorneys relative to
the points Of law on which the defense is
expected to base strong appeal to Justice
Stafford to take. the case from the jury
and discharge one or two or possibly all
four, of the defendants
Two witnesses have been called out Of
their regular order to testify regarding
the character of Henry p. Dimond. one Of
the defendants. and both said his repu-
tatiOn. was very good.
Horace Stevens of Portland. Ore. who
explained that he is engaged in compiling
a book on the Land frauds. and that he
assisted the government officers in ex-
aiming papers which have figured In this
case on trial. identified several lists of
alleged fraudulent land entries which he
prepared. Witness was formerly employed
in the Office of the state surveyor general
of Oregon and. Stevens said, during his
term of service most of the application
blanks for entry on public lands were
filled in with descriptions Of land open to
settlement.
Filed Applications for Land.
Robert A. Dean of San Francisco. vice
president Of the Sierra Lumber Com
pany testified that his father. his sister,
his brother and himself had filed appli-
cations for school lands and his father
also fled applications for other persons.
Asked whether he knew F. A. HYDE wit
ness said Hyde acted as attorney for
them in their cases.
United States Attorney Baker read
from a list a number of names in which,
1t was made to appear. Deans father had
flied land claims. but the witness declared
he knows none of the persons mentioned.
question by Attorney Worthington
drew from Mr.. Baker the statement that
the government expects to show that
many Of the persons brought into the
case by virtue of Mr.. Deans testimony
are fictitious. {.
When the direct and cross-examina ton
Wander Veer- directed the attention of the
court to the fact that the circumstances
were the same as yesterday when Mr..
Armsby was called out of the regular or
der as character witness for the de-
PENDANT d mond. and he asked and was
granted permission to use Mr.. Dean as a
character witness for his client.
Under Mr.. Wander Veer's questioning
Mr.. Dean said he has known Mr.. Dimond
for about ten years and knows many
other persons who knew him.
"Mr Dimond's reputation has ALWAYS
been excellent. of the BEST the witness
declared.
c. p. Lyndall Of Los Angeles. Cal.
brother in law of the defendant Schnei-
der. testified he had signed an application
for school lands. and he identified his sig
nature on an application blank and on a
power Of attorney. Lyndall never appear
ed before notary public to acknowledge
his signature. Witness said he paid no
money on the land. and he received MOTH
ing by reason of making the application.
Mr.. Lyndail was under cross exa NINA
ton when Justice Stafford ordered the
usual recess from 1890 O'Clock to 1880
o. clock.
Proceedings Late Yesterday.
By special arrangement with the gov
eminent at the court session yesterday
afternoon, Attorney Wander Veer. coun-
sci for Henry P. Dimond. was permitted
to call James K. Armsby. president of
the James X. Armsby Company of San
Francisco as character witness for Mr..
Dimond.
Mr.. Armsby stated that he has known
Mr. Dimond and known many other per-
sons who know him for eighteen years.
both socially and In q business way. and
concerning Mr.. Dimond's reputation for
honesty and integrity during the years
1901 1902 1909 1904 including particu-
larly the date Of the finding of the indict-
ment February II, 1904. Mr.. Armsby said:
His reputation has always been of the
"Did you. ever. hear anybody talk about
him during that time" Emitted States At
-