10
TIIE MORNING O REG ONI AN, TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1908.
Ml IBS FAILS TO
STRENGTHEN CASE
Man Counted On as Star Wit
ness by Government Con
tradicts Bridges.
TELLS OF BIG OPERATIONS
ot Positive When Pinned Down as
to Facts as to Dealings With Rose
burg Land Office Prog--ress
of Booth Trial.
Frederick A. Krlbs did not make a
strong witness for the Government in
the James Henry Booth bribery trial
yesterday. Krlbs, the star witness for
the prosecution, failed In his testimony
to strengthen the contention of the
Government that the $800 check he
gave Booth was for the latter's serv
ices in apprising Krlbs of Land Office
secrets. Krlbs virtually admitted that
the check was given to Booth as com
pensation for obtaining for Kribs an
option on certain timber claims as per
the defendant's explanation of the
transaction. On cross-examination,
Krlbs admitted that Booth iad never
informed him that any of the lands
included In thelists introduced In evi
dence by the Government had been
held for cancellation. .
Krlbs flatly contradicted the testi
mony of ex-Register J. T. Bridges, one
of the Government's principal wit
nesses. Bridges testified that early in
the year 1903. Kribs held a conversa
tion with himself and Booth and made
an arrangement by which the two
Land Officials were to be paid J2o for
each selection of which Kribs was to
be advised in advance of its final can
cellation. Kribs. on cross-examination
by Mr. Malarkey. declared that he
never had a conversation when Bridges
and Booth both were present and that
lie never offered to pay them $25 or
any other sum for any information
thev might furnish him.
The witness did testify, however,
that he had complained to Booth about
losing several valuable land selections
and was desirous of being kept posted
on the subject. Krlbs said that he told
Booth at that time if he would keep
him posted Krlbs would "make it all
right with him."
Witness Is Forgetful.,
Krlbs was an unwilling witness. He
was not a positive witness for the
prosecution and he was even more re
ticent when questioned by counsel for
the defense. He Invariably prefaced
his answer with "I think," or "I recol
lect." He disclosed a wonderfully for
getful memory and his replies, with
but few exceptions, were evasive and
undecided. Seldom did he give a posi
tive answer to the most simple ques
tion. On direct examination Krlbs said he
was 48 years old and had resided in Ore
gon since February. 1902. although his
relations with the Roseburg Land Of
fice began In 1900. when he first came to
the state .for the purpose of acquiring
timber lands. He said that in W03 he
"fell down" on several state lists for the
reason that the state authorities had
failed to advise him that his selections
had been held up for cancellation at
Washington. The result was that others
filed on the same land before he could
make other selections. In order to square
the transaction with other parties to
whom he had sold and deeded the lands
before the selections were finally ap
oroved by the department at Washington,
Krlbs said it was necessary for him to
purchase lands from the persons who
filed on the land under the timber and
. tone act. so that title would be clear.
It was after losing out on these lands
that Kribs said he held a conversation
lth Register Bridges and Receiver Booth
ind suggested that he was desirous of
making some arrangement by which he
;ould be kept posted as to the suspen
ilon of any of his selections. This con
rersatlon. testified Kribs, was held either
In March or April, 1003. He said he
held another conversation with Booth at
i later date, testifying as follows:
Kribs' Account of Conversation.
Answer I remember my conversation
with Mr. Booth that his lists were liable
to fall down that I would not be In a po
sition to know anything? about it. as 1
probably would not receive any notification,
and I would like to be kept posted In the
matter; und probably I talked with Mr.
Bridges along the game line.
Question Now. did you have a special
conversation with Mr. Booth that you have
a recollection of. on that subject.
A.- 1 tplked with him once and said: I
brought in that th-y were liable to be can
celed, that I would not know anything
about if. and I would like to have him keep
me posted so that 1 couid at last protect
myself. Some of these lajids had
once been sold and I wanted the privilege
of rixing the titles up in case they did fall
down.
Q State all that was said In that con
versation and where it was In the first
place.
A. I think T was talking with him once
about that same time in Rnsehurg. I think
my first talk was out in front of the Land
Office building that I was very anxious in
the matter to keep me thoroughly posted,
nd 1 would do the right thing by him.
That ! all I recollect.
Q. Did you specify anything by what you
meant by the "right thing," or was that all
there was of It?
A. That is all there was of It.
j fA'hat did "he say he would do, if
anything?
A. Well, my recollection Is that upon
anything that would Interest me he would
keep me posted.
Testimony Regarding $800 Check.
Mr. Krlbs then testified to visiting
Roseburg on Octobpr 3, 1W3. when he
rave the $00 check to the defendant,
Booth. The testimony on this subject
was as follows:
Q Now you rnav tell whst to.-k place on
!hat OTMiori. Mr. Kribs. Tell us all of it
In your own way. Where did you have tbiis
lalk with him when you save him this check?
n the first place, where were you?
A. I was in Roseburg, and one subject
that was of great interest to me was .to ob
tain an option on what was known as "The
Military Road Grant." I believe they called
it Oregon & California Wagon Head Com
pany. Q. Well, who was interested In that?
. a. That was owiiet, or controlled by the
Booth-Kelly Company. 1 had been fignrit
on that grant, I should say. for perhaps
?toae to a year, and 1 never got it. a iatls
factory option. There were always so many
conditions that Iidid not feel like working
to very hard In trying to sell it. There al
wayft seemed to be a kind of a string tied
tn the nntlnn that thev could null it back
most any time. I had good parties In view that
I wanted to sen mis traci io. ii was vvr
large tract, ro I called on J. H. Booth, whom
I Anew a great deal better than R. A. Booth,
in belo ine out on this proposition. He tele
phoned down. He says, you can have 1 do
not know I think It was three or four months,
r something like that, it might bice been
two months. I cannot recall any mre. And
my recollection is that I was there on Oc
tober n. and the next day I went home.
down here. T gave him that $Soo check. I
told hiin as I handed It out to him: "1 am
' very much obliged for anything that you may
have done for me. or any favor you can do.
and I thoroughly appreciate getting this op
tion from you. That was the first time I
have ever had it in good shape." And I
handed him the check. And he made umfl
remark, "It ought to he worth $1000 or
luo." Something like that, and I said. "Let
It go at that." That Is about all I recall.
It 1 so long ago
, Q. And this conversation, was this con
versation subsequent to the one you had with
him before when you taled with these lists
that were "falling down?"
A. Yes, the conversations, the conversa
tion concerning the list that "fell down."
perhaps took place in the Spring of llsKl.
That was really the first conversation, then
there probably was conversation about these
land matters as well as this option in Octo
ber, llsw.
Kribs" Extensive Operations.
Kribs was vigorously cross-examined
by Mr. Malarkey. who succeeded in gain
ing from the witness the admission that
he had secured for various Minnesota
speculators between 300.000 and 400.000
acres of valuable timber lands in this
slate. Of that acreage, probably 200,000
acres, testified Kribs, were purchased for
C. A. Smith, the Minneapolis millionaire,
but he resented the intimation that his
dealings In acquiring these lands had not
been altogether above criticism.
It was further admitted by Kribs that
he secured from 2000 to 60,000 acres of
Oregon timber lands for five other Min
nesota speculators. When pressed for a
specific answer.. Kribs agreed that the
bulk of these large transactions had been
made prior to the time he testified as a
witness before the Federal grand jury
by which the Booth indictment was re
ported. Continuing his cross-examination of the
witness, Mr. Malarkey forced the admis
sion from Kribs, after offering several
letters relating X9 the transaction, that
Krlbs, In July. 1903, obtained an option
from the Oregon Land & Livestock Com
pany, of which R. A. Booth was manager,
to a tract of timber land in Eastern Ore
gon, from the sale of which he would
have realized a commission of about $25,
000. Kribs admitted further that he might
have agreed to pay James Henry Booth,
the defendant, something for securing the
option, but did not think he specified any
amount.
Kribs testified that he failed to find a
purchaser for the tract and Mr. Malarkey
then Introduced other correspondence be
tween Kribs and R. A. Booth to show
that the witness. In October, 1903, a few
days after the $800 check was paid to
James Henry Booth, obtained an option
to another tract of 30,000 acres from the
Booth-Kelly Company, and from the1 sale
of which it was possible for him to make
a commission of $20,000 under the terms
of the option. At this juncture, court ad
journed and the cross-examination of
Kribs will be resumed this morning.
Cross-Exaininatlon of Bridges.
The cross-examination of ex-Register J.
T. Bridges by the defense was not con
cluded until shortly before the noon rece6s
yesterday, and then Attorney Malarkey
reserved the privilege of recalling the wit
ness. Mr. Bridges was questioned par
ticularly with reference to all entries In
records at the Roseburg Land Office con-'
cerning Indemnity school land selection
lists and which had been offered as ex
hibits by the Government, and testified
that they were made either by himself
or one of the clerks in the office. He also
identified considerable correspondence
that had passed between the Roseburg
office and the department at Washington,
relating to the same lists. These letters
were signed by the witness, the defendant
Booth not having signed any of them.
Walter W. Thackarah. clerk at the
Roseburg Land Office since 1S94, testified
as to the frequency of the visits of Fred
erick A. Kribs to the office in 1902 and
1303. He also testified that Bridges and
Booth both lived about a quarter of a
mile from the land office, which was lo
cated opposite the postoffice in Roseburg.
LEFT ON DESERT ISLAND
California Pleasure-Seekers Find
Provisions Cut Off..
SAN PEDRO. Cal., June 29. A heavy
fog over the channel for the last week
has caused the marooning of a party of
six pleasure seekers from Los Angeles
on San Nicholas Island for more than
two weeks. The party chartered a launch
to take them over to the island, which Is
80 miles oft shore, with the understanding
that the launch was to call for them last
Thursday.
Wednesday night Captains Christiansen
Swansen left San Pedro in the launch
Nila with provisions and returned yes
terday with an exciting account of having
missed the island in the fog. Yesterday
Captain Christiansen secured the launch
California and late last night left for
San Nicholas with provisions.
Much anxiety is felt for the safety of
the Los Angeles party, which is made up
of inexperienced Summer campers, who
were short of provisions and strangers
to the island, which is a barren waste.
PERSON ALMENTION.
Mrs. H. J. Lichtenstein, of San Fran
cisco, arrived in Portland yesterday and
Is the guest of Mrs. H. Bertha Myers.
704 Everett street. At home Wednesday.
CHICAGO, June 29. (Special.) North
western people at Chicago hotels:
From Portland B. E. Stewart, at Aud
itorium Annex; E. Wr. Butler, at the
Stratford.
Chances or Woman's Recovery Good.
Physicians in attendance tipon Mrs.
Chester C Halloway, the young woman
who was shot three times by iter hus
band on Saturday night, said last night
at St. Vincent's Hospital that there
was hope of her recovery. The pa
tient's condition has remained prac
tically unchanged since the night she
was wounded and as no Infection has
developed the outlook is more In her
favor than against her. Halloway
himself Is still confined in the City
Jail, with the charge of assault with
a dangerous weapon against him.
Barnes Seeks Another Trial.
WALLA WALLA, Wash.. June 29.
Motion for a new trial in the ."'Bud"
Barnes case was made today, and will
be argued tomorrow. Barnes was con
victed of first degree murder Saturday
night, the jury being out 45 minutes.
Barnes will not be sentenced until af
ter the argument over a new trial.
Metzger fits glasses for $100.
1
T 6. -5. V
J. J. Fitzgerald.
Gin
names
COMPLETE STUFF
Deputies Appointed by New
District Attorney to Take
Office July 6.
FITZGERALD CHIEF DEPUTY
Others Are Thad. W. Vreeland, J. H.
Page, Frank D. Henncssy .and
David X. Mosessohn Will Ask
Legislature for More Help.
District ' Attorney-elect Cameron yes
terday announced the complete staff of
deputies who will enter upon the work
of the office with him next Monday morn
ing. The deputies are J. J. Fitzgerald,
Thad W. Vreeland. J. H. Page, Frank D.
Hennessy and David N. Mosessohn.
As previously announced, Mr. Fitzger
ald will be chief deputy. He is at pres
ent chief deputy in the office of City At
torney Kavanaugh. He has a long record
as a prosecutor, having served during the
terms of both C. F. Lord and W. T. Hume
as District Attorney.
Mr. Vreeland will succeed H. M. Ester
ley as prosecutor in the Juvenile Court
work.- He will have charge, not only of
the work among the children, but will
also serve in other cases in the Circuit
Court when necessary. He is one of the
best-known lawyers in the city, and sev
eral years ago was Justice of the Peace
on the East Side. He has long been en
gaged In the practice of law in Port
land. J. H. Page, who will be assigned to
prosecute state cases in the Municipal
Court, Is a graduate of the law school 'of
Stanford University, class of 1903. After
his graduation, he came to Portland,
served two years as instructor In the
West Side High School, after which he
engaged in the practice of law.
Frank D. Hennessy will be attached to
the office as a deputy. He is at present
clerk of the Municipal Court, which posi
tion he has held since Judge Cameron
took office in 1905. He was at one time
judge of the same court.
David N. Mosessohn, who will be a
special deputy, will do general assign
ment work. He is a young lawyer who
has practiced his profession for several
years In this city. He is also associate
editor of the Jewish Tribune.
Owing to the Increased volume of the
work of the District Attorney, Mr. Cam
eron will ask the next Legislature to
grant him two more deputies. He is' con
fident that he will have no difficulty in
obtaining the additional assistants.
District Attorney-elect Cameron stated
yesterday that he is satisfied with the
present condition, of Sunday-closing,
as applied to saloons, and declared he
will continue this policy. He will enforce
all the laws, he states, as that was the
platform upon which he was elected. So
far as he has been able to learn, he
states, the saloon and moral element both
are agreed that Sunday-closing of saloons
is wise.
"The only policy I will pursue," said
Mr. Cameron, "Is the enforcement of the
laws, fairly and impartially."
District Attorney-elect Cameron will
have no personal representative or private
detective attached to his office. He states
that he will depend upon Sheriff Stevens
for such help as may be needed in this
direction. He will, he states, work in
harmony with Sheriff Stevens, and when
ever any assistance is needed in the line
of detective work, the Sheriff will be
asked to provide the necessary help.
Mayor Lane has not announced the
name of Judge Cameron's successor, but
he will probably do so within a few days,
as it will be necessary for the appointee
to assume the duties of office Monday
morning. Judge Cameron said yesterday
that he will gladly render to the new
judge any assistance possible, until he
becomes somewhat familiarized with the
duties of the position.
GET DAMAGES FOR TRUNK
Loss of Jeweler's Tools Brings Ver
dict for $390.45.
Because a trunk containing jeweler's
tools was destroyed in a railroad wreck
in Dakota, R. L. Weils obtained judg
ment against the Great Northern Railway
Company for $390.43 In the Circuit Court
yesterday. The case went to trial in
Judge Bronaugh's department. The suit
asked $469.70 damages. Wells came to
Portland from Chicago and on his ar
rival learned of the destruction of his
trunk. As the railroad company refused
to pay the damages he demanded, he
brought the suit to recover.
Circuit Court Decisions.
Decisions will be announced by Presid
ing Judge Gantenbein, in the Circuit
Court this morning, in the following
cases:
Arthur Prier and others against J. D.
Hamilton; demurrer to complaint.
Arlington & Pacific Coast Railway
Company against Columbia River & Ore
gon Central Railroad Company; motion
to stay proceedings. Charles E. Benboy
against James Johns, a. boat; demurrer
to answer.
W. R. Bailey against J. A. Gorman;
demurrer to complaint.
State ex rel Susan B. Smith against
Ella Talbot: motion to vacate order of
injunction.
Newest effects in Garden Ties, $3.50
and $4.00, at Rosenthal's, Seventh and
Washington.
DEPUTIES APPOINTED
1
I
1
j
1
; 1
Thad W. Vreeland.
Crest on the north and Rose City Park on the east. It is reached by
the East Ankeny carline in 30 minutes and is just a little over three
and a half miles from down town. It is recognized as the most desir
able homesite property on the East Side.
have one for investment, if for no other reason. We allow a discount for
purchase now, another for all cash and another for half cash. Best of all,
the uniform terms of payment are $10 cash and from $1 to $2 per week
COUPON-
THE JACOBS-STIXE COMPANY,
148 Fifth Street.
Gentlemen: Will you kindly inform
me how 1 ran secure a FREE LOT in
HYDE PARK, should I decide to build
a home.
Name.
Address.
WILL ENTER PLEA
George Blodgett to Plead
- Guilty in Second Degree.
SAYS HIS MIND IS BLANK
Cannot TJemember Circumstances of
Crime Law Provides Verdict of
Second . Degree Guilt From
Jury Court Notes.
George. Blodgett will plead guilty at
2 o'clock this afternoon to murder in
the second degree. He was to have
entered his plea at 2 P. M. yesterday,
but a postponement was had because
the District Attorney's office was not
represented. It was two years ago
yesterday that Blodgett was to be
hanged for" shooting and killing Alice
Gordan. a variety actress. This was
her stage name. She was orlgnally
known as Alice Schoenfeldt, and after
marriage of Mrs. Milligan.
A stay of execution for Blodgett was
had, and the Supreme Court ordered a
new trial because Dstrlct Attorney
Manning in his argument before the
Jury compared Blodgett's case to that
of Wade and Dalton, notorious mur
derers who killed an old man named
Savers. Wade killed two guards at the
Insane Asylum, and afterward slew
his companion, Ialton. He was hanged
at Salem about six years ago.
Says His Name Is Blank.
"I have been in this cell for 22
months," said Blodgett, at the county
jail yesterday. "A fellow don't mind
it so much in the Winter tiriie, but It Is
mighty hard these nice days. They set
my case for trial twice, and the last
time continued It without day. We
had the witnesses out here from Mon
tana twice. I didn't want to stay in
this cell all Summer, so I thought I
BY GEORGE J. CAMERON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY-ELECT
fa-
J. H. Page.
Homesites in HYDE PARK can be bought
now, before the tract is formally opened, at
such low prices and upon such easy terms that
every man and woman in Portland ought to
The Jacobs-Stine Co.
The Largest Subdivision Operators
on the Pacific Coast
148 Fifth St.
had better plead guilty to second de
gree. I consulted with my lawyers,
and Attorney Jeffrey thought I had
better plead guilty to second degree,
while Mr. Logan thought it would be
better for the case to go to trial, as
the jury would probably bring in a
verdict of manslaughter.
"I am afraid I wouldn't make a very
good witness for myself now, for my
memory is a blank. I don't know why
I killed the girl. The District Attor
ney said I told him I killed her because
she wouldn't take a drink. I don't re
member telling him anything of the
kind. I don't even remember being
taken to the police station."
District Attorney Satisfied.
District Attorney Manning said yes
terday that he would be satisfied with
the plea of guilty to second degree
murder.
"It would amount to that if the case
went to trial," he said, "as the man was
drunk for two days before the murder,
and the law provides that in cases of
this kind a second degree verdict must
be returned. The plea of guilty will
save the state the expense of another
trial."
Judge Gantenbein had not made up
his mind last night whether or not to
accept Blodgett's plea, but in view of
the probability that a jury would bring
in a verdict of second degree murder
or manslaughter it is thought that the
Court will accept the plea.
The murder of Alice Gordan was
committed in the Van Noy House,
March 23. 1906. She was employed at
the time as an actress in Fritz' Con
cert Hall. Blodgett's wife, whom he
deserted for the actress, has stood by
him during his imprisonment. She is
now living at Kallspell, Mont., where
she is employed as a rural mall carrier.
Blodgett says he has sent her J150
since his Incarceration, this amount
being obtained from the sale of his
shawls.
Within the last two years Blodgett's
father, one of his brothers and an
uncle have died. The goods on the old
home place were to have been sold at
auction yesterday.
Damage Suit Dismissed.
Joseph G. Carson has dismissed the
$25,000 damage suit against Leroy H. G.
Hadley for alienating his wife's affec
tions. This follows the granting of a
divorce in the Circuit Court to Carson's
wife, June 19.
Kruse's Beach Hotel, now open. For
reservations and rates apply to J. D.
Kruse. lessee, Gearhart Park, Or.
v
Frank D. Hennessy.
w?
i if. .
4
' V-
Y
HYDE PARK is the most delight
fully located residence property in
Portland. It lies at the highest point
of the Peninsula, adjoining Belle
We have two special propositions that will
interest any man who has a notion that he
would like to own a home of his own. One
free lot for building
concession we will make
to anybody who will pur
chase RIGHT NOW before
opening day. Mail the coupon
Name.
Portland, Or.
FIXING THE VALUE
Commission Starts Work on
Railroads in State.
0. R. & N. FEEDERS FIRST
Physical Value of Three Jjines Al
ready Dealt With Work to Be
Basis of Rate-Making and Will
Take Much Time and Labor.
Work was begun by the Oregon
Railroad Commission yesterday to fix
the value of the physical properties of
the railroads of this state. O. R. & N.
feeders were the first lines taken up,
and statements were produced by the
railroad companies to show the cost of
the various branch lines In Eastern
Oregon. These figures will be veri
fied later by the Commission. The
Harriman officials also have been
asked to submit statements of the
actual cost of the different branches.
The work of ascertaining the values
ef the railroad properties will neces
sarily consume a great deal of time,
because of the size of the. task, but it
will be taken up and dealt with at
once as the Commission is free to
handle it. Information on the subject
of values of railway lines Is desired, as
these figures, it is believed, will form a
splendid basis upon which to settle
questions of rates when complaints are
brought before the Commission that
freight charges by the railroads are too
hig' on any particular line.
Three feeder lines of the O. R. & N.
were dealt with yesterday. These were
the Columbia Southern, or the Shaniko
branch; the Columbia River & Oregon
Central, or the Condon branch, and the
Umatilla Central, or the Pilot Rock
branch. Values of the rights of way
and station grounds were taken up,
and James W. Morrow, tax and right-of-way
agent for the O. R. & N., to
gether with A. C. Spencer, of the legal
David N. Mosessohn.
ft v
;. 7 - Yjp4
and the other a
COUPON"
THE JACOBS!-STIXF COMPANY,
14S Fifth Street.
Gentlemen: I would like to know all
about your SPECIAL PROPOSITION,
which you say you will make to buy
ers before opening day.
Address ....
department of the road, appeared be
fore the Commission and presented
tabulated statements of the mileage of
the branch lines, distances between sta
tions, quantities of lands owned by the
railroad and where located, together
with their value. Methods of arriving
at the totals were shown, Mr. Morrow
testifying that he was thoroughly
familiar with most of the land pur
chased, having personally bought much
of It for the various branch lines.
The Shaniko banch, 69.46 miles long,
was said to have rights of way and
station grounds valued at a total of
$147,869. The value of rights of way
and station grounds on the Condon
branch was placed at $97,3.1. This
road Is 43.31 miles in length. The same
properties held by the Filot Rock
branch were said to be worth $22,551.
The line Is 14.21 miles in length.
Later on. as opportunity offers, the
Commission will take up the valuation
of other lines in the state. The full
Commission was present at yesterday's
beHrlng.
LEAVE YOUR
PIANO WITH
US WHEN
YOU GO TO
THE BEACH
AND HAVE IT
GLEANED,
TUNED, RE
PAIRED AND
MADE LIKE
NEW.
Sherman Jglay & Co.
Opposite Postoffice
Take a Victor Talking
Machine to camp with
you. It will help to make
your Summer vacation
ideal.
PREPAKED INSTANTLY. Simply add boll
in? water, cool and serve. 10c per package C
11 grocers. 7 flavors. Refuse all substitutes. '