The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-12-14
Two INDICTMENTS
Of MILLIONAIRE HYOt
CuAS. L.. HYDk. INDICTED AT Az
EiuDEEN, Is ACCUSED OF
FRAUD IN TNE POSTAL
DEPARTMENT.


Pierre, S. D.-Thc case OF the
United States VS.. Charles L.. HYDE,
OF this city, widely known as South
Dakota's wealthiest citizen. which is
about to come to trial in the federal
court at Sioux Falls. is creating
great deaf of in'erest.
The trouble grew out OF the ac-
lions OF n young man. formerly an
employee in one Of Mr.. Hyae's insti-
tutions at Pierre. where he had OPP
portunitS to secure q complete list of
Hydes clients. Leaving Mr.. Hyde's
employ after Il little disagreement.
he went to another state. where he
issued a circular. ana mailed n to
each OF Hyde's clients. advising them
TO complain at once to the postoflice
department, and the result of the
matter was that at the term Of
court held about a year ago. Hyde
was indicted, charged with using the
mail for fraudulent purposes, that
he had mailed to clients for asiver-
Using purposes a map showing a
street railway in Pierre, and he used
stationery on which was printed an
arch. made up CT blocks showing the
different Industries and products of
the city and vicinity. one of which
read two street railways"
1t is alleged that as the result
one man to purchase six lots lying
2 h,.on Sp,,r Ia, Nr n ,,,;l, rr~p, {Io M nj
toll for $3.50; another to buy six lots
less than one mile from the state
house for $210; while another pur-
chased six lots, n and one-eighth
miles from the capitol for $500.
making an aggregate for the is lots
of $500. There is no evidence that
these purchasers expected to occupy
the lots, but that they held them for
purely speculative purposes.
Hyde's Explanation.
XII of the foregoing is admitted
by Mr.. HYDE, and he asserts that
the map and stationery in question
were made many years ago, wher
there was one street railway in ope-
ration and another in process Of con,
struction, but which was discontinue
ed before completed because of the
dropping out Of the early boom;
that he continued to use the map ir
Ibis business, solely for the purpost
Of showing the, location of property
that this was the only available MAJ
of the city of Pierre, and has beer
!, used generally by real estate mel
and citizens without any view to de
,lfraud; that likewise he has continu'
!, ed to use the stationery, which wa
/ ma.i;a at q time when the statement:
thereon were justified; and that thu
lots sold were really worth what wa!
paid for them. -
Postofiice Sleuths Active.
The vigilancegot the %postofice au
thorities~Ahas sunearthed anothe'
charge on which Mr.. Hyde was in
dicted at the ,secent term at Aber
deem. This charges him with tb'
use OF postal cards, which he sen
a through the mail. notifying non
resident OF their taxes due in Hughe
: county. The language employed i
! this: "Your tax in all amounts t.
: $40. If YOU will send me $1,000.
will pay your taxes. and advanc,
. your subscription to the Pierre Rust
!. Ter for n year. In fact the rec
: ord amount OF the tax Would be y
in each case being 81 less than stat
ed. Mr.. Hyi5ae thus secured the pay
> ment Of 81. the usual fee for payin'
taxes. and a years subscription t.
his paper. the Pierre Rustler. 1t j
charged that the language was frau
dulent. and misled his client to be
= lieve that in consideration for sub
\ scription to the paper. that Mr.
: Hyde paid his taxes. Hyde contend
: Hyde paid his taxes. Hydeconten'
/. that the language, your tax in all
G includes the record tax and tn
| usual fee.
In the past FIVE years Mr.. Hyde ha
: expended nearly 100000 in build
, ing operations in Pierre, chiefly un
der his own direction. In thi
branch of his business he has use
printed stationery labeled "Chas. L
Hyde, Builder and Contractor" TIL
postoffice department is now endeav
! oring to secure an indictment agains
him on the ground that this sta
: %ttonery might lead wholesalers Il
: sell him building material.