Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/67

 Senator Mitchell then explained that the affidavit was prepared for the purpose of showing her interest in the lands, as a basis for having the patents expedited. We then took a carriage and drove to the Commissioner's office, where Mrs. Watson was introduced to Mr. Hermann by the Senator, the latter explaining to the Commissioner how Mrs. Watson had come all the way from the Coast, in order to try to secure patents to her lands, and mentioned the fact that he had prepared affidavits for the purpose of showing why the claims should be expedited, and which he would send to the Department immediately.

Mrs. Watson, the Senator and myself then drove up to the United States Senate Chamber, where we were introduced to a notary public, who took Mrs. Watson's acknowledgment, and also that of my own to an affidavit similar in effect to that made by Mrs. Watson.

While in the carriage on the way to the Senate Chamber, Senator Mitchell advised Mrs. Watson that it would be a good idea for her to call around and see the Commissioner quite often, as it would help her out by getting acquainted with him in this way and it might also tend to stir him up. He said that she would find Mr. Hermann a very agreeable man to talk with, and that he would take an interest in her case.

Mrs. Watson took the hint and made a practice of calling frequently upon Mr. Hermann, and he would invariably request some clerk to let him know how matters were progressing with regard to certain claims about which he had given instructions, and upon receipt of the information, Mr. Hermann would advise Mrs. Watson as to the progress being made, explaining to her on the occasion of each visit, that the work involved was of considerable magnitude, and that much time was required in its execution, thus soothing whatever anxiety she might have entertained in this direction.

Within four or five days after Mrs. Watson's first call on the Commissioner, I decided to pay him a visit personally, and upon arriving at his office, Mr. Hermann picked up a document from his table, remarking as he held it in his hand, that he had received it but a few minutes before from Division "P," and which document, as Mr. Hermann explained, contained a full report of the findings of said division, the result of which knocked us out completely on the twelve claims at issue.

This was a body blow which well nigh took my breath, but recovering my composure, I said: "Mr. Hermann, what am I to do?"

To which he replied in substance: "Now Puter, can't you return to Oregon, round these people up again, and secure proofs sufficient to warrant the issuance of these patents?"

Mr. Hermann's demeanor throughout, after stating that we had been knocked out completely, was such as to inspire me with hope, that, if certain conditions were complied with, the patents could be pulled out. Not stopping to ask what these conditions were, or making further inquiry into the contents of the document which Mr. Hermann held in his hand, I cut the conversation short by asking that he, as a personal favor, would defer further action on those claims until I could have a talk with Senator Mitchell, which request the Commissioner readily granted, assuring me that ample time would be extended for that purpose. Thereupon I went up to the Senate Chamber and waited for the Senator to come out.

When Senator Mitchell appeared, I took him to his hotel in a carriage, and in the course of the interview that followed, I told him exactly what Mr. Hermann had said. The Senator expressed his regrets at the turn of affairs, stating that he did not expect anything of the sort. After thinking the matter over for a few moments, he asked me if I did not think it best to follow Mr. Hermann's suggestion, and return to Oregon, where additional proofs might be secured.

I replied that it was simply out of the question—that the entrymen, after making final proof, had scattered to the four winds, some of them going to Page 61