Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/64

 homesteaders, and which affidavits Heidecke procured in short order. At this time it was about the middle of January, 1902, and the snow was at least six feet deep over the entire township. Notwithstanding this fact, Captain Ormsby, accompanied by Heidecke, started for Township 11-7, while Tarpley, believing that his mission had been fulfilled, returned to civilization, after remaining- out one night with Ormsby during the "inspection."

Some two or three weeks later I met young Ormsby in Salem, and was informed by him that his father had made out his report and had forwarded the same to Washington; also that he had seen Special Agent Loomis before doing so, and as near as he could find out, the report would be favorable.

It developed later that Heidecke had failed to carry out his part of the programme, whether because he realized that he had gone too far already in the matter of his connection with the Loomis report, or because of the insufficiency of the amount sent to him to play the same part over again in the handling of Ormsby, I have never been able to determine. I do know, however, that Heidecke had no sooner started on the trip with Ormsby toward the mountains, when he was seized with a severe attack of the "cold feet" complaint and turned about for home, at the same time, informing Forest Superintendent Ormsby that there wasn't a cabin anywere to be found up there; that he had made the trip with Special Agent Loomis some time before, and that it could serve no good purpose to do the same thing over again. Just how Ormsby and Heidecke patched up matters between them, I have never been able to learn, but of one thing I am certain, Heidecke signed affidavits for Ormsby, testifying as to the cabins and improvements on the claims of the so-called homesteaders, all of which Ormsby accepted and forwarded to Washington, notwithstanding Heidecke's personal statement to him that the cabins and improvements never existed.

Inasmuch as I was unable to learn definitely as to the character of Forest Superintendent Ormsby's report, further than the information volunteered by young Ormsby, and which was only an opinion, I concluded to call on my old friend Mays once more, advise him of the status of affairs and learn what he had to say about the matter; so, after relating to him all the circumstances, including the various transactions wherein offers of money had been made, as well as paid, to those standing in the way of patents, particularly calling his attention to the Ormsby obligation of $500, Mays said that it would be a good plan for me to go back to Washington and see Senator John H. Mitchell, and get him to help me out. He also suggested, because of the claims being in the name of Mrs. Watson, that it would be well to have her go to Washington also, as the Senator, if it could be made to appear that Mrs. Watson was suffering on account of the delay, would probably exert himself more on her account than he would be disposed to do in the case of a man, Mays remarking at the time, "a woman's influence, you know, is always supreme."

I told Mays that I thought his suggestion a good one, and stated that I would communicate with Mrs. Watson immediatey, which I did, addressing her at Los Angeles, California, and urging that it would be necessary for her to go on to Washington and requesting that she advise me if this would be agreeable to her and if so. when she could make the trip. Upon receiving a reply, in which Mrs. Watson told me that she would go to Washington and would probably arrive there about March 1st, I called on Mays again, informed him of Mrs. Watson's disposition in the matter, and asked him for a letter to Senator Mitchell and to make it good and strong, telling the Senator how important it was that the patents issue without delay, and that I would certainly make it all right with him.

Mays agreed to comply with my request, so I purchased a ticket, called again at Mays' office, for the letter, and on the following day started for Washington, D. C.

Arriving at the Capitol city, about February 28th, 1902. I went direct to the Dewey Hotel and called upon Senator Mitchell, delivering the letter which

Page 58 Page 58