The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-03-13
LAND GRAFT c

When Governor Crawford spoke in
Mitchell Friday evening, he said he
vas ready to meet any charge that
had been made against him. among
which he included that Of land
grating, and his friends were hoping
that he would make some explanation
OF bis connection with the efforts
made to secure some land up in
Walworth county by having several
young men file on the land, and after
completing q residence on 1t, make
relinquishment to Mr.. Crawford.
The governor has taken little
cognizance Of the matter on the plat
form. other than to say that 1t was
mere matter Of persecution on the
part Of the stalwarts, and declares
that he was exonerated by the federal
Jury, before which the information
vas fled with the idea Of indicting
him. This whole matter was ex-
planned in q speech by Congressman
Mann, Of Illinois, which appeared
10 the Congressional Record one year
ago, In which aff1davits Of two
young men were made touching on
the proposition to take the land for
the benefit Of the Crawford Cattle
%, Of which the governor was a
member.
The af1davit Of one Of the young
mon 10 given below, and there is no
question but what IL is as plain a
uase q any could be made. The
governor does not attempt to
prosecute the young man for de-
1amation Of character and at no time
In the past has the governor shown
the sljghtest inclination to make
ths young man. Thompson, answer
Tor making any such . charge. II
the young man has falsiied his
Statement, It was the duty OF the
governor to begin proceedings against
him under the laws OF the state and
proaecute him for defamation, but
upst0 the present time no such action
has been commenced. With an am
dayit Of this character standing
aGainst the governor what can be
ti1e attitude Of the people Of this
1tatea Must IL h~esnscesaary for the
1uOnfSentst osgainresor 70 the white
Wash brush % groom the governor
lof thu SENATORIAL position? Below
W0spf1nt tho af1davit Of Mr.. Thomp-
lson, one of the young men who died
onsthe land, and his statement could
not 30 clearer or more convincing Of
tbe connection OF Governor Crawford
With tho effort 10 secure the land In
question IN absolute violation Of the
land laws Of the United States:
County Of Beadle, State Of South
IhoGaasH. Thompson, being first
dH11.acn his oath deposes and
sa;Df FL 2 SoeOc N. mir
- a. 49, b0oNk1og
fe my Mhee. 1he0m Th0D~.
M . m0nso e2nthing store - fffs
Il Go III Of 1909 Julian.Blount,
Who. j : stenoRrspher for Crawford
TAYLOR, lawyers, 10 Huron, s..
OAK. came q me and asked me II ]
did not wis1 to 60 with him and
take upsclAim. ! AK him "Where,,',
and he replied. GIN WaiwoYfh Conn.
fy.iv ne foid ma / conld mate oi00
l6s nv richt ma ma All mv ~.
pcla6oo paid: tliat III I took the claim
~. Coe /. CraWford Wonld nv IN
I nade proof. He said that HAIRY
L1ampo 20 FLOYD Vaientine had
fAknn = clnfm nndar m aana IN.
di1inns .heSore.
L tolds nm / mad not naed nv
rioht ana thar i would 90. We.
Vslentine. Lsmpe. ma Rlount'
atarted Tor the Ind some Nina IN
fho eorly mart Of November. 1909.
We vent to Bangor. where blount
ana myoolf died On iand. We dloye
out g CrSwfofd's ranch before ifiline
0nsthe land and looked Il oyar. M.
~Coa =. CraWfofd,s brother met us n
Jaya, { think, and drove % out "a
tao land. We then went to Bangor
70 tic court-inouSe and made tie
0ljna. do not know before whom
~ flied nor do / remember the
-