Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/482



and stated that it was the evident purpose of the entrymen to acquire this laud in the interest of other persons under cover of the homestead law, and that the entrymen had disposed of their claims to certain named persons.

It was shown that twenty-one entries made at or near the same date were transferred to one party for from $1,500 to $4,400 each, the lands being in the same township or the one adjoining and the sales made soon after the issuance of cash certificates on commuted entries; that twenty-three entries had been mortgaged to another party, it being quite evident that said party is to become the owner of all of the lands covered by said twenty-three entries.

A number of adverse reports have been made by the special agent and the affidavits submitted therewith by the entrymen are in all essential respects similar, and to the effect that they learned of the land through a party in Portland, Oregon, and made their entries under an assurance and agreement that said party would furnish all necessary money to make entry, the necessary improvements, the final proof cost and traveling expenses to and from their claims; and in accordance with said agreement they executed mortgages to said party and subsequently deeded the lands to him.

One entryman alleges that he assisted in getting about thirty "old soldiers and soldiers' widows" to locate homesteads on these lands, nil of whom made such entries under such an agreement with said party in Portland. Page 476