favorable, but that it would be several months before they could be acted upon, as they would have to come up in their regular order.
I then asked the Commissioner if it would be possible to have the claims made special, to which he replied that this could be done, provided, however, that I could show good cause why such action should be taken.
As I could not think of any "good cause" why my claims should be made special, I hesitated to make reply and evidently looked perplexed, as Mr. Hermann came to my rescue with the suggestion that I think the matter over and see Senator Mitchell again, whom he had no doubt could prepare an affidavit for me that would be acceptable to the Department.
Acting upon the advice of the Commissioner, I called upon Senator Mitchell again that evening and informed him of the status of the entries; how all reports received had been favorable, but that, inasmuch as Superintendent Ormsby's report had been received but a few days ago, it would probably be several months before the Department could act, unless they were made special. I then informed the Senator of Mr. Hermann's suggestion that I see him. and have an affidavit prepared setting forth the facts and showing cause why the patents should be expedited.
The Senator then asked me if I could present any good reasons why my claims should be made special, and which would warrant the expediting of the patents. I replied that I did not know exactly what was required; that my anxiety concerning the patents arose from the fact that I had bought the claims one year previously, and that they were now standing in the name of Mrs. Emma L. Watson, a widow, who had considerable money involved in the transaction, and was anxious to get it out; also, that under the present situation of the title, I could not dispose of the land, or borrow any money thereon. I then handed the Senator the abstract of title, showing the claims to be in Mrs. Watson's name. After reading it over, he asked me where she was, and I replied that she was on her way to Washington City and was due to arrive at any moment.
The Senator then informed me that it would be necessary for Mrs. Watson to make an affidavit, setting forth some good reason why the patents should be expedited. This, he stated, he could prepare for her in advance, as I was probably familiar with the facts and could aid him in the preparation of a list of questions that would cover the ground. I informed the Senator that I believed this possible, so he then asked me several questions relative to Mrs. Watson's need of the money that was involved in the entries, and if there was any danger of her suffering financial loss on account of delay. I replied that she had mortgaged some property in Seattle in order to get the money to put into these lands; that the mortgage was past due, and that she was hard pressed for the money.
Senator Mitchell assured me, under these circumstances, that Mrs. Watson could make an affidavit sufficiently strong to secure the expediting of the patents, and that he would prepare one in the meantime and have everything in readiness when she arrived.
Upon Mrs. Watson's arrival, March 3rd, or two days after my conversation with Senator Mitchell relative to the affidavit, I escorted her to the Senator's rooms at the Dewey Hotel and introduced them. The Senator received her very graciously, and a few moments later handed her the affidavit, which was in typewritten form, remarking that if she found it to be satisfactory, it would be necessary for her to sign and acknowledge the same. Upon her expressing some doubts relative to the contents of the document, Senator Mitchell asked her if I had not explained its nature, and she replied in the negative, stating that she had just arrived in the city and had not had an opportunity to talk the matter over with me. but admitting, however, that I was attending to the details for her.
"But. Senator, if you and Mr. Puter say it is all right for me to sign it, I will do so," she added.
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