Philip weekly review. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 1907-1912, 1911-12-21
GOVERNMENT RESTS N CASE
Concludes Direct Testimony and
Defense Starts-Attorney for
Hyde Outlines Defense

trlal In the United States court
of Charles L. Hyde, q wealthy
real estate man Of Pierre, on an
indictment charging him with U.S.
ing the mails to defraud pur-
chasers Of town lots in some of
his additions to the city Of Pierre
and the defense has commenced
the introduction of testimony.
Charles P. Bates, of counsel for
the defense, in outlining what the
defense expected to show by its
testimony, stated that the testi-
mony would show there was no
intent to defraud. He further
stated that during the years 1907,
1908 and 1909, which are cover
ed by the charges in the indict-
ment, improvements to the value
Of IS, 100000 were made at Pierre
including a state capitol build
ing, railroad terminals, business
blocks, residences, ETC., and that
because of this the statements
made in the advertising litera-
ture circulated by Hyde through
the mails, setting forth the bright
future of the state capital, were
not overdrawn.
Hyde Heavy Investor
Mr.. Bates stated in addition
that the defense would offer tes-
timony showing that during this
period Mr.. Hyde himself invested
at Pierre the sum of 100000,
showing his faith in the future of
the city. A great deal Of this
money, Mr.. Bates stated, was de-
rived from the sale of lots and
other land at other points in the
northwest and was reinvested by
Mr.. Hyde at Pierre.
"There was no scheme to de-
fraud said Mr.. Bates in con-
clusion, "and we expect to show
Mr.. Hyde acted in good faith"
The first witness for the de-
fense was Albert Wheelon, form
er register of the United States
land office at Pierre, and now q
real estate and insurance agent
at Pierre. He testified as an ex-
pelt as to the value of the lots
which Hyde advertised through
the mails and many Of which he
by this means sold to residents of
various states of the union.
Although nothing is definitely
known, it is believed the govern
ment has not yet offered all its
testimony and will have a great
deal of testimony to offer in re-
buttal after the defense has pre-
sented it's case in the form Of
testimony.
Those Pierre Town Lots
The lots in Pierre, which Hyde
had sold to people in the east for
prices varying from $25 to $500
each, practically had no market
value, was the testimony of a nur
Der Of witnesses in the Hyde
trial and Mr.. Mcclure of Pierre,
testified that he had sold to
Hyde 295 lots in the section whic
Hyde was advertising and that b.
had received from Hyde $6.75
per lot.
O. p. Martin, city assessor Of
Pierre, testified that the lots haG
no market value and that part Of
the ground which was plated
was used for farm land, while 4
portion of it was broken and
rough and used for pasture.
The prosecution brought intt
evidence advertisements which i
is alleged Hyde had sent out in
which he told Of the college il
Pierre, Of the coal deposits, ce
ment shale, petroleum deposits
great building activity, 200 bull
dings being erected in one yea1
and steamboat navigation on tn.
river. He also referred to how
much street car lines enhanced th
value Of the abuttine propsrt,