Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-01-20
SAY TODD
HADFAITH
In BYRON
Confidence Not Shak-
en- by Swindler's
Presence in Prison.
Witness Tells Jury

FoTIlauu, UT., Jan. ~. -
Especially That he became SO
enthused over the prospect Of
becoming rich from the timber
claim purchased" through John
W. Todd, former Salem school
superintendent, now on trial here
for fraud, that he purchased a
pair Of high-top boots and made
ready to journey to the scene of
the claim, was one Of the state
ments made ON the stand this
morning by F. L. Wilkinson, Of
Salem.
Wilkinson said that "slip of
paper" was all he got in return
for $1,000 invested.
Feared Investigation
That Todd told G. Roger Arun-
dell, government investigator,
that his friendship for Carlos
Byron prompted him (Todd) tf
interest his Salem friends in the
land fraud scheme was one Of the
allegations made by Mr.. Arundel
this morning. Todd made the
statement to him, Arundel charg-
ed, on February 2, 1920, when
Arundel visited Todd in Salem.
Arundel also charged Todd
with telling him he had advised
those who had contracts not to
use the mails and not to talk to
any government agent because ne
didn't wish to take any chances
with the government.
Admitted Burning Records
AT that time, Arundel said,
Todd denied having received a
cent from any of the contracts
and also insisted that he was moi
to receive a cent. He admitted
according to Arundell's testimony
that he had burned all OF the
records and correspondence Gov
ering his transactions with Byron
other witnesses examined this
morning were Ruth w. Johnson
who lost $500; A. M. Dearnsley
who lost $4,000; W. G. Young
who lost $1,5O0; and Ralph X
Jones, who lost $1,000.
J. G. Perry, of Salem, testified
that $1,000 which he had In
vested was returned to him.
Todd's Faith Unshaken.
The sight Of Byron behind the
federal prison bars at McNelfs IS
land penitentiary, did not shake
the confidence Of Todd in the 81
gantic swindler and fraud promo
ter, according to testimony given
Thursday afternoon by q. A. NIL
Ier Salem school principal.
Byron's explanation OF MS
might was taken by Todd in pref
erence to federal court records
and against the conviction OF q
man who had used his name te
sell 1870 Salemites s50,000 worth
of worthless paper contracts.
when Miller insisted thai
something must be wrong ii BY
ron was in prison he said Todd
also became insistent in his posi-
tion, and pointing his finger al
him said, miller, you're not deal,
ing with a crook" Todd is salo
to have assured him that Byron
had given the government valu,
abie information in timber land
fraud cases, and as result he was
being prosecuted by the timber In
terests. Because Todd was us
sunerior officer in the Salem
school system, Miller did not press
the case further at that time, art
ar he was assured the deal was al
right.
Refused Registered Letter.
Later Miller attempted 10 se'
his money back on several occa'
sions. he said, but failed. Once
he sent a formal demand BY reg
istered letter, he testified, pu'
Todd refused to accept the letter
The unopened envelope was intro,
s,,ced as evidence by United
states Attorney Lester W. Hun,
nbreys over the objection ol
charles w. Robinson of Astoria
counsel for Todd.
Miller said his conversation
with Todd concerning Byron wa
held after Todd had visited Me'
Nsi1,s island and seen Byron De
hind the bars, and also investl.
gated the case in Seattle. Miile'
also charged Todd with caution.
ing him not to talk to c. hoge'
Arundel, government investiga. l :,
for the day the agent arrived u
! salem. But for his confidence II