Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/139

 "Have you ever worked for the Southern Pacific railroad?" continued the Colonel.

"I have," softly murmured Wilson.

"Did you ever locate a homestead claim in Township 11 S., Range 7 E., Willamette Meridian?" the Inspector went on, in monosyllable tones.

"No sir, I never did," came the innocent response.

"Are you acquainted with that township, or do you know any person who has ever filed a claim therein?" "No, sir."

"That's very strange," mused the Colonel, thoughtfully. "I notice that you are lame, and such a person has been described to me as the one who took up a claim in 11-7 under the name of Joseph Wilson." "Can't help that," replied Wilson; "it must be some mistake."

Greene then asked him to write his full name, which he did in his natural hand, as also the name of Thomas Wilkins. The Government officer thereupon handed Wilson some documents bearing the signatures of "Joseph Wilson" and "Thomas Wilkins," both of which Wilson recognized immediately as having been written by himself. While still holding the original documents in his hand, he was asked if he did not think they were written by one and the same person. After examining the signatures closely, as if to convey the impression that he was desirous of passing judgment upon them from the standpoint of a handwriting expert, Wilson raised his head, and without batting an eye, replied:

"Most undoubtedly, they were written by the same person!"

The Inspector next requested him to write some other names, besides a few capital letters, so taking the prison register from the desk, he did as desired in his natural hand.

In telling me about it, Wilson declared that the statement he had made to Col. Greene that the names of Joseph Wilson and Thomas Wilkins were written by the same person, was the only truth he expressed in the course of the whole interview, because he was well aware of the fact that both signatures had been written by himself.

"The interview," continued Wilson, "lasted fully an hour, and was concluded by Col. Greene handing me the typewritten transcript of my testimony from the stenographer's notes, which he asked me to read, and if found to be correct, to attach my signature thereto. This I did in my natural hand.

"Returning to my room, I felt greatly relieved to think that the ordeal was over, though sore at heart, and with anything but a guiltless conscience. The very thought of having to sit there all that time, in the presence of the Warden, a man for whom I entertain the highest regard, and whom I believe has unbounded confidence in me, and to make those false answers to Greene's questions, was more than I could stand. It was a frightful experience, and completely shattered my nerves and unfitted me for business; so I took another swig at the bottle, which filled me with a sort of 'Dutch courage,' and called down stairs to the Warden, complaining of not feeling well, and requested permission to be relieved from duty for the balance of the afternoon, to which Warden James assented.

"Some days later Col. Greene called upon me again, this time to inform me that he had had an interview with Frank H. Walgamot. of Portland, one of the entrymen in Township 11-7, who claimed to be acquainted with me, and it was desired that I should accompany Cot. Greene to Portland in the effort to establish any identity that might exist. I realized right off that Walgamot would recognize in me the person who located one of the claims, but I had no other alternative than to pretend to be exceedingly glad of an opportunity for straightening the matter out, and consented to go with him to Portland.

"While waiting for the train at the Salem depot, I managed to communicate with 'Lookout Dan' over the 'phone in Portland, apprising him of my predicament. Tarpley advised me not to worry, as he would see Walgamot before we could get there and coach him how to act. Page 133