Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-31
TESTIMONY FIXES
LAND VALUES
Witnesses for Governmental Over
flow Case Occupy the Stand

Yesterday afternoon the taking Of
expert testimony in land values along
the st. Joe river was continued be.
fore Register Batting of the local
land Office. Thomas p. Campbell, q
resident of St. Maries from 1889 Il
1894, and from 1902 to 1905, was
introduced by the government and
testified to passing over the lands in
controversy in 1889 from, Chatcolet
to st. Maries afoot. horseback, by
wagon and by bicycle and found the
lands dry and wild grass growing
generally over the land. Saw much
baied hay loaded on barges to be
shipped to Occur d'Alene. Saw cat
tie and horses grazing on the bot
tom lands along the river presum-
ably belonging to the Indians, but
did not know. Saw these cattle and
horses prior to 1907. Estimated cost
of ditching at about $40 per acre.
Ditched land worth $25 before ditch
ing; would be worth nearly as much
as high land after ditching. High
land worth $3.50 per acre. High
water prior to 1907 commenced in
spring; reached highest point latter
part Of May to forepart of June.
Gradually receded until dried up,
about first of July. Witness valued
the land from st. Maries to Chatco-
let along the river bottom In 1906
at $50 to $3.50 per acre.
On croSs-examination witness tes-
titled to owning 35 acres of land on
the opposite side of river to St.
Maries, which he sold for $500.
Raised carrots. cabbage. potatoes and
onions. In 1891 the Buffers put in
"a lot of hay along the high banks
in section IL and harvested timothy
in 1924. In 1906 saw hay cut
along river at several points. Bot
toms in section 80 were dry enough
to cross before 1907. Witness re-
ceived considerable attention atten-
ton from the companys attorneys
because of his apparent willingness
to testify.
Alfred Ducommon, an ex-soldier,
formerly stationed at Fort Sherman,
now living on a small farm 12 miles
above st. Maries. was placed on the
stand. He testified to making two
trips to the lands in controversy
during his service as a soldier at
Fort Sherman. On one trip he camp
ed on the st. Joe river opposite Ben
wa lake and travelled afoot for a
quarter of mile north from river
over bottom land in May, 1889.
Found ground dry and grass grow
ing over it. On second trip went
eight miles up st. Joe river on steam
boat. In 1891 travelled over lands
from st. Maries to Chatcolet every
day from July LIST to late in August,
carrying the mail. Cut across bends
in river on north side of river.
Found ground dry and much grass
growing. Was discharged from
army because of disability. Is not
an intervenor nor filed any claim
agains the Washington Water Pow
er company.
The government placed Mayor
Boyd Hamilton on the stand this
morning in the Washington Water
Power company's hearing as an ex-
pert on land values along the ST.
Joe river, including the values OF
lands overfiowed by the Washington
Water Power eompany's bear trap
dam at Post Falls Was a farmer
in Spokane county. 10 miles south
of Colfax. from 1893 to 1897. while
he was from 16 to 10 yours of age.
Now a banker, cashier of the Occur
d'Alene bank & Trust company at
Occur d'Alene. Have been hunt
ing over lands in controversy a good :
ly number of times from 1903 and
1909. Prior to 1907 land in sec
tion S2 adjoining the o. R. & y.
railway trestle was dry enough to
walk over In 1909 from the trestla
to the narrows one large lake only
few stray spears of grass appear
ing above the water. Have hunted
over lands in question many times.
Took my family and several lady
friends to St. Joe: took canoe there;
dropped down river two or three
miles; camped on bank of river and
came to St Maries next day. Left
St. Maries in canoe; eamped on