Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-06-10
Exonerate
Todd Of Blame for Frauds
Perpetrated by Byron

notwithstanding the fact that the
timber location contracts made by
various Salem people with Carlos L.
Byron expired May 27, the timber land
has not been delivered, nor has the
money been refunded and there is lit
tie prospect Of the 1873 Salem victims
receiving the 100000 or $4,000 ad-
vanced or realizing their dreams of be-
coming timber barons. Byron. the
party of the first part" is serving two
sentences at McNeil's island federal
penitentiary for using the mails to de-
fraud and sentence is yet'to be i'm
posed upon a third conviction, whine
numerous indictments are pending on
various counts. Inasmuch as the Sa-
lem operations were not negotiated
through the mails, Byron may escape
federal prosecution, though 1t is re-
ported an attorney has been retained
to bring suit to recover the money ad-
vanced by certain victims
There is just one chance of the Sa-
lem victims receiving back something
of their investment - regarded by
many as hundred to one shot. Byron
has decided to the committee on re-
covery, headed by John w. Todc, =
copper mining claim in the Okanogan
country. This prospect has been par
TALLY Developed and there is chance
to bond the same. 1t adjoins prom.
ising mine, and If the latter proves a
profitable property, there will be a
market for the Byron claim. II the
claim is bonded and theensuing devel-
opment proves it real mine, there is
an excellent chance of recovering the
money advanced Byron.
At meeting of the Rotary club yes
terday, a report was made by com
mittee which investigated the transae-
ton. The committe was headed by T..
e. McCroskey, who examined the mine
and secured an abstract Of the proper
ty. The report exonerated Mr.. Todd.
who proved to have been victimized
along with other investors, but who
has exerted every energy to recover
the money invested with Byron, whom
he had introduced to Salem, ignorant
of his record, and acting In good faith.
Tn oiginai contracts given by Byron
stipulated definite locations of timber
claims, which he represented were
open to entry. the original entries hav-
ing been cancelled for fraud. He rep
resented that he had sub-rosa connec-
tions with the general land office,
whereby the locations he placed would
be rushed to patent His location fee
for the first nine claims was $500 a
claim. half down For the subsequent
locations he charged $1,000 half being
paid in advance the balance when
patent was issued.
At a meeting Of investors held jan
usry 27. these contracts which ran a
year. were surrerderei to Byron, in
exchange for four months contract
expiring May 81 Speedy action was
the bait offered 70 secure exchange,
though no definite land was stipu-
lated. as in the original agreement
merely promise to furnish informa-
ton, under which Il is hard 70 see how
recovery of money could be secured or
damages recovered. These contracts
read as follows:
..For and In consideration Of the
sum Of $1,000 the receipt Of $500 OF
which is hereby acknowledged, party
Of the first part agrees 10 furnish in
formation that will enable party Of the
second part to secure from the United
states government under the public
land laws 100 acres Of government
timber land In the state Of Washington
-fstnsto Be secured 4 months from
CONTINUED on page eight