Witt and Geo. L. Pettis $600 each, it might be stated that they were close personal friends and had an understanding with us from the beginning that they were to be "preferred" to that extent. In the case of Emma Porter, the sum of $800 was paid her, for the reason that she had acted as a go-between, in so much as these lands were all transferred to her, to be held in trust until their sale was effected. In consideration of these services, she was paid for her claim nearly its entire market value.
A few weeks after final proofs were made, while McKinley and I were at a hotel in Albany, a man named J. A. W. Heidecke approached McKinley and stated that he had lived for a long time at a little place known as Detroit within thirty miles of Township "11-7," and that he had heard of twelve people making proofs to homestead claims in that township; also that he was informed that McKinley and I were at the bottom of the deal, and that he knew very well none of the entrymen had been on their claims, nor had they complied with the homestead law in any manner. Heidecke hinted that unless he could get something out of it he would report the matter to the Commissioner of the General Land Office. The upshot of this conversation was that McKinley settled with Heidecke by paying him $50, for which amount he agreed to keep his mouth shut.
However, it was not many months after final proofs had been made, before "Lookout" Tarpley learned through Special Agent C. E. Loomis, that the latter had received instructions from the Commissioner of the General Land Office to make a thorough examination of our twelve entries in Township "11-7," charges of fraud having been filed against them by somebody.
Immediately upon learning these facts, I consulted with F. Pierce Mays, and explained to him the entire situation; how these lands had been taken up—twelve claims in all, explaining further, that the parties interested had never seen the lands and knew nothing about them, except that they were somewhere in Township "11-7," and that, as the matter stood now, McKinley and I were the sole owners of the entire twelve claims, although they were being held in trust for us by Mrs. Emma L. Watson.
After listening to my story. Mays advised that I see C. E. Loomis, Special Agent for the Oregon City Land District, suggesting that it would be an easy matter to "fix" things with him. He said, in fact, that it was about the only thing I could do.
Thereupon I wrote Loomis at Oregon City, stating that I wished to see him, and he called upon me at once at my home in Portland, when I advised the Special Agent of having learned that he had been instructed by the Land Department at Washington to investigate the homestead entries in "11-7," and upon the advice of my attorney, Mr. Mays, I had requested this conference, as I was the owner of all twelve claims.
Loomis professed to be well acquainted with Mr. Mays, and questioned me rather closely regarding the entries. I told him that I knew nothing whatever about any improvements or residence, but that, inasmuch as I had purchased the claims in good faith, I was naturally anxious to secure the patents with as little delay as possible, especially since it was my intention to use them as base in the selection of other lands. I protested against becoming involved with the Government on account of any controversy over the titles, and suggested that he make it convenient to visit the claims personally at the earliest date possible, and report his findings to headquarters at Washington without delay.
I have no knowledge of Mr. Loomis having seen Mr. Mays before calling on me, but thought at the time, as I still believe, that they had had an interview relative to the subject, as Mr. Loomis lost no time in assuring me that he would do everything in his power to have matters adjusted, and he expressed the opinion that all would terminate to my entire satisfaction. Thus encouraged, I went on to explain to Loomis that the trip to "11-7" would prove an arduous one, and quite expensive, and as I wanted to secure the patents immediately I would gladly contribute to the expense, if he would defer action on all other business
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