Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-02-22
ROBNETT TELLS
OF LAND FRAUDS
Former EmplOye Testifies Against
keSter and Kettenbach

/ BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 21.-Clarence
| w. Robnett, former bookkeeper in
the Lewiston National bank, took the
stand in the case of the United
States against William f. Ketten-
bach, George w. Kester and William
Dryer, to testify against his former
benefactors and employers. Rob
netts testimony was of sensational
character and plainly forms the back
bone of the governments case. Step
by step, the witness told of CONVEX
sations he had heard while at his
| post of duty, from the inception of
the alleged conspiracy to its consul
nation
Attorney Miles S. Johnson of Lew
iston was entered, upon motion of
Assistant Attorney General Gordon,
as associate counsel for the govern
ment. Johnson is the attorney for
Robnett, in the bank cases, but
made a statement in open court de-
nying he had ever been consulted by
his client regarding the timber trials
Tor permitted his client to discuss
such matters with him. Aside from
Robnett's statements to the effect
that the conspiracy was formed and
did exist, he declared they had plan
ned wholesale contesting of the
claims Of homesteaders, but this
answer was stricken from the rec
ord.
''MOney in Timber
The witness related that in the
spring of 1902 he had overheard
conversation between Hester and
Kettenbach, with reference to the
purchasing of timber land. He con-
tinued: There had been a good deal
of discussion relative to timber and
Kettenbach spoke to Kester and
stated that, Il believe we can make
great deal of money out of the
timber If we can get started into it
right and get lined up with Dwyer.
who thoroughly understands the tim
Der. There is money to be made in
it. There are great many people
who are ready to dispose of rights
for small consideration and think
by working along we can get quite
number to take up claims.
Robnett stated the timber referred
to by Kester was in the vicinity of
Potlatch and Pierce City. After ov-
erhearing the conversation, witness
said he desired to get in on the deal
and approached Kettenblch, who in
formed him that George would have
most of the work to do, and he had
better talk to him.
Offered RObnett Funds.
What was your conversation with
Kester?" asked Prosecutor Gordon.
81 said, George, l have been talking
with Will and he told me to come
to you in regard to the timber and
if there was any chance whatever to
make any money out of the timber
wanted to get into it. George says,
Clarence, we would like to help you
out, but at the present time we are
in a deal with Bill Dryer on the To-
eating and taking care of the tim
Der. He is to do all the work in the
timber, cruising out, and Will and |
are to help him get entTymen and
furnish the money, and we couldn't
enter into any agreement whereby
you could get any benefit out of 1t;
but II you want to get into the tim
Der on your own hook, why, it's all
right with us, and If you need any
money we will see that you get what
you need; also that If any time you
have any entrymen or anybody else
that will file on claims and sell their
right to us for 500 and not to ex-
coed 5000, when we have the claims
and haven't any entrymen for them,
why, We will treat you right If you
turn any of these people to us and
assist us -
To Divide Profits i'm Thirds.
WAS anything said during the
conversation about the arrangements
that these defendants had among
themselves" at was stated that
they were to divide the profits in
thirds. one-third each, and George
stated. Now, any time that you To-
cate anybody or have anything to do
with any timber business, we want
fcnntinned ON Second Par.n