Medford mail tribune., March 19, 1923, Page 3, Image 3

PAGE THTtEB
INSIDE SIORY OF ALLEGED MEDFORD OIL
LAND SWINDLE TOLD IN SECRET INDICTMTS
AT FIRST BAPTIST
MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE. MEDFORD, OREGON, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 192?,
rORTLAXD. March 19. Promo
tion of a wildcat oil lund scheme by
which tho public 1ms been swindled
out of largo sums of money, possibly
(is high as $00,000, Is charged In a
secret federal grand Jury indictment
annliiHt Lcroy E. Ulselow, John
O'Connor, Oconto W. Nellson nnd N.
C. Jamison, which became public
Satuiduy afternoon.
Tho Indictment was removed from
tho secret file of the federal court by
Chief Assistant (.'tilted titates Attor
ney Thomas H. MuKtiire after ho had
been advised that Hlgclow and O'Con
nor had been arrested in Heattlo and
released on bond. Nellson was ar
rested ill Medford and Jannsen in
Yakima several days uko. Tho four
were Indicted jointly and charged
with using the mulls to promote a
fraudulent scheme.
Indictment Socict.
Copies of the indictments of a simi
lar nature returned by the grand Jury
at Heattle a few weeks ago against
liiltelow and O'Connor have been re
ceived by Magulre. Tho Portland In
dictments were returned during the
Jjceembor Besslon, but have been kept
secret pending tho arrest of all de
fendants. In tho fall of 1019 and tho spring
of J920 O'Connor and Uigelow, then
of Medford, conceived a schemo to
defraud credulous Investors to pay
them and their associates $10 to $250
for being located upon 20 acres of
land Included in an association placer
oil filing in Jackson county, accord
ing to tho indictment. They are said
to have recorded these locations in
Jackson county, but In such a man
ner as to make them of no value to
tho investor.
Lenses "Worthless.
Following the act of congress of
February 25, 1920, withdrawing nil
oil lands from disposition under the
mining laws and putting them under
the general land office. O'Connor and
Klgelow nro said to have interviewed
their investors who had been "lo
cated" under the association placer
act and secured from them a further
sum of $10 for each 20-acre interest,
advising them that if they would Join
in a lease proposition, it would avoid
the necessity of doing assessment
work on the land included In their
claim, the government charges.
Theso alleged leases wero filed
with tho recorder of Jackson county,
nnd not in the government land of
fice, us federal statute requires, thus
rendering them worthless to tho in
vestor, the grand jury found.
Intcr O'Conner and Bigelow are
alleged to have sold eighth interests
in these association placer oil loca
tions through quitclaim deeds, which
wero cnncelled at tho time nf such
sale by tho net ut February 25, 1920.
The "eighth interest scheme," ac
cording to Magulre was to get eight
people to form an association and
tnko out a lease in compliance with
the new oil land law, each person
to bear one eighth of the expense.
In cnrrylng out this scheme the de
fendants are said to have filled out
the association blanks with dummy
signatures,- after getting one or two
bonn fide signatures to head the list.
Tho so-called dummy signatures tire
said to have boon made by the de
fendants and their relatives nnd
friends. This scheme is charged ns
deceptive, as tho "dummies" put
nothing into the association.
Kucourngc Business.
To encourage' business, the-defend-ints
arc said to have introduced
O'Connor as a geologist andjHlgclow
as n mining engineer who were per
sonally nnxlous to secure a large
ncrchgo of these lands for themselves,
and would Join in an association
placer oil filing for 160 acres.
. They are also churged in tho In
dictment with boosting their business
by claiming that eastern capitalists
and oil companies wero anxious to
get hold of tho lands nnd with stat
ing that the Standard and Shell Oil
companies had Iensed 16.000 acres in
the nrea for exploration.
The claim is also said to have been
made that the blue shale land was
worth the feo asked, outside of its oil
value.
Claims Overlap.
About January, 1921. they are
ichnrged with taking applications
from tho public generally for "leases"
prospect for oil, at the rate of $1 per
which were in fact applications to
ncre. They nre said to hnvo formed
17 such associations lo lease. oil lands
from the government, nnd to hnve
been so active ns to overlap claims
In some cases, nnd allow several as-
For CcJtls,
Influenzal
and as a
Preventive
Take f-
Lsxatlv9
Bromo
Quinmei
tablets
Tte First and Original
Cold and Crip Tablet
The box bean this signature
30c
floclntlons to "sell' tho same loca
tion B.
When tho Modford flold became
exhausted finanniallyi, 1$kc1ov nnd
O'Connor uro said to have moved to
Portland, where Jannsen und Neilsi-n.
the hitter a railroad mun, uro wild
to have been tntereHted In the
scheme.
Shortly after tho Portland office
was opened, Xeilson is said to have
written a iwter to another railroad
employe In California, usking him to
secure applications under the asso
ciation placer act.
"Plcklus" KUm.
With tho asdistance of O'Connor
and Uitfclow the Cullfornla railroad
man l said In tho indictment to have
secured many victims In Jiortnern
California.
Juiinscn, who Is n well driller, In
troduced O'Connor to a friend in
eastern Washington resulting In
O'Connor landing many victims there
also, according to Ihe charges.
As the "pickings" became slim
around Portland, tho activities are
said to have turned toward Seattle,
but all the time tho schemo is said
to have involved the Jackson county
lands.
In Seattle, ns a side Issue, tho de
fendants nro charged with having
sold units in the Seattle oil & (ins
Syndicate at f 100 oaeh. This syndl
cate dealt in leases on patented lands
according to information furnished
Magulre., The literature of this .vn
dicate, copies of which the" govern
ment has seized, boosted O'Connor
personally and gnve the names of
geologists who huvo passed favorably
upon the Jackson county blue shnle
regions as a prospective oil produc
ing section.
Knst Included.
Federal agents In their reports to
Magulre commented that tho "geolo
gists" nre "hard to locate as such.1
Magulre said that government geolo
gists who have examined the Bectlon,
report no signs that It will ever be
oil-beaiing.
Fast Included.
Most of tho reputed investors in the
location scheme live in the three Pa
cific coaHt states, but tho government
has evidence of investors In New
York, Illinois, Wisconsin and North
Dakota. They hnvo also obtained
copies of tho defendants' bank ac
counts, showing how rapidly they
grew.
Tho list of victims named in the
indictment includes. Koy 1. Fred
erick. Henry Keck II. L. Cray, J. I
Brelt ling, D. C. Downen, Edgar
H. Lawrence, II. A- Mitchell, Hoy F.
Durbin, J. P. Noud. John Brett, Guy
W. Connor, Mrs. Flora Wicks, E. S.
Howard, J. Zimet. Mrs. C. S. David
son, George Hhlntaffer, Fred Durig.
K. k. Anibroso and O. II. Traviranus.
Addresses of the above nro not given
except for Frederick and Lawrence.
Frederick, n resident of Tacoma, in
said to have sent tho concern $300
on January 15, 19'JO. Lawrence,
resident of Klamath Falls, is said to
have sent them a $25 check through
the mails. The Indictment has seven
counts.
Lucky "13", Rialto
Th author of the magazine story
from which "Hell Boy 13," Thomas H.
Ince's Intost cotuetly-fnreo was adapted
had no Intention of writing anything
autobiographical when he penned his
story, but by coincidence he wrote in
several sequences what might have
bee drawn from the life of Douglas
MacLean, who plays the titlo rolo In
the picture.
MacLean, whose lather was
prominent minister In Philadelphia
and who was destined first to be a
civil engineer and then a bond sales
man, was perfectly at home In the
role of the young bond broker.
"Hell Boy 13" tells tho story of a
young college chap whose bond-broker
uncle disinherits him when he tries
to elope with an actress and who turns
bell hope to prove he can earn a liv
ing. Douglas MacLean, in a bell boy's
uniform, has put over one of the fun
nlest characterizations of his career.
The picture will play nt the Rialto
theater through tomorrow.
Double Bill, Page
"Forgot-Me-Not," one of tho sweet'
est stories Medford fans have been
given the opportunity to seo for some
time, hends the- present program nt
The Page. Inrry Semon In "A Pair of
Kines" Is on the same hill.
"Porgot-Me-Not" is tho story of
crippled girl, Anne, who plays with
another waif In an orphanage. The
boy is adopted by a kindly visitor. A
tender-hearted organ grinder, learning
that tho cripple has been left nlone
returns to his homo, discards the rags
of poverty for the habiliments of a
gentleman, lie Is, in fact, a wealthy
musician, cynical and disgusted with
glory, lie adopts the cripple and
trains her as a violinist.
Her meeting with her oldtinio piny.
mate leads up to a climax that Is full
of human interest nnd romance.
Larry Semon. In "A Pair of Kings
showing the popular comedian both
as an emigrant nnd ns n king of u
mythical monarchy, In getting a laugh
with every foot of film. As Ihfe king
he is stern nnd somewhnt hnrd-fncod
while ns the emigrant ho Is tho pro
verbial booh. Tho comedy Is staged
tor the most part In the throne room
of a enstie, but there nre several splcn-1
did sequences aboard n boat wherein
Larry has a checker game nnd In -i
comijdy move clears the board.
Queen Wllhclmini. of Holland,
sneaks Knglish, German, Trench and
Italian.
Tho pro-Easter revival meeting at
the Flint Baptist church opened Hun
day in a very encouraging manner
to all concerned. ' Two largo and
well pleased audiences Breeted Ilr.
d. J. Held, the evangelist. Dr. lteld
arrived in the city on the morning
train and was taken to the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Wni. Davis, whero he
will make his headquarters while in
Medford. He met a well attended
Hundny school and spoke to them,
and announced thnt next Sunday he
would have a special message for
them, nnd desired tho largest pos
sible attendance. At 11 a. m., he de
livered his first sermon in a -simple.
yet convincing and stirring manner.
Two persons husband and wife,
uinde puhlic confession of Christ at
the close of the sermon. Tho house
was well filled at the evening service,
when tho speaker made a powerful
appeal to the unsaved in a discourse
which was a forceful presentation of
the plan of salvation.
A call for consecration was re
spond to by large numbers. Tho choir
had some excellent music at both
services.
This evening, Dr. Held will speak
at 7:30 and ench evening this week,
excepting Saturday. Beginning to
night, a fifleen-iiiinuto stereoptlcnn
lecture will be given on Bunynn's
Pilgrim's Progress. This great book
will be made impressive by the pic
tures and spoken message. A gene
ral invitation is given to tho public
to come out nnd enjoy these meet
ings, which will be helpful in them
selves and will propuro all for the
Easter celebration.
Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Illchman and
Mrs. It. E. ltichinan were Grants
Pass visitors last Tuesday afternoon.
Henry linker and Webb Neat-
hamer were transacting business at
Jacksonville Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Caris were
Grants Pass visitors Saturday.
Jim Nealhamer nnd J. E. Smith-
peter are moving to Welders saw
mill this week, where they have em
ployment this summer.
Miss Clara Griffitts passed away at
her home near Wiiner nt one a. m.,
March 12. Miss Clara was 14 years
old and had been a sufferer from tu
berculosis for several years and came
here last summer In hopes that this
cllmato would benefit her benlth.
Very much sympathy is felt for her
parents and- other relatives in their
bereavement.
Albert Van Gothm Is running Mr.
Uichman's tractor this week.
Tho farmers In this locality are
taking advantage of the fine weather
and nro very busy putting !n their
spring crops-
In Turkey a new law malting mar
riage compulsory was recently intro
duced in the Turkish Nationalist as
sembly nt Angora.
EVANS VALLEY
. Keep fit and fine with -
after every meal. !; V
.Eat wisely, chew your
food well then dive your
digestion a "kick" with
WRIGLEY'S.
Sound teeth, a (food
appetite , nnd proper
digestion mean MUCH to
your health.
WRIGLEY'S fls a helper ta
all this work a pleasant,
beneficial pick-me-up.
Pure materials, scientific
manufacture, absolute
cleanliness then sealed
against all Impurity. That
Is WRIGLEY'S
ii& ii iresn ana
mm 7m Flavor mm
l ..." -,,i4' l vi-.-iJ " i " '
With the near approach of the end
of tho season and the nock-nu .'.-neck
positions of four teams in tnt por
ceutnpc column. Interest In tho Y. M.
C. A. leaguo Is keen. Tho north and
Swilli M, E. teams are tlol for first
plHOC-oach with a percentage of
.(: The Baptists an.l Christians
are only mo Jump behind -u-ia ,Hh
:i pi-c'i cH'nKo of .572. . win or lot.o
in any quurter at this time means tho
shurp rise or fall of stock lu tho raco
for pennant. Tho pennant, by tho
way. Is a handsome one und Is being
displayed In n local show window.
Tonight the first game will bo
played as usual at 7:30 and coiulsU
of a tanglo between tho South Metho
dists and tho Christians. The second
argument Is between the Presbyte
rians and the .North M. E'b.
Practice days this week as are fol
lows: Tuesday, March 20. Baptists.
Wednesday, March 21, North Meth
odists.
Thursday. March 22, Christians.
Friday, March 23, South Metho
dists.
Saturday, March 24, Presbyterians
Mr. Frank Ober of New York City,
former editor of Association Men, tho I
official publication of tho Ybunff!
Men's Christian Association, will bo
in tho county Tuesday, and will speak
to various groups us can be arranged
for . Mr. Ober is a man of wide ex
perience in association work and a
dynmnlc speaker. He will be cordial
ly welcomed by the local organiza
tion. EDCKWOOl) IMHK
DKVKLOPIXG STAItTRI)
Edgcwood Park on Itoguo river Is
taking on real growth theso days. E. I
G. Trowbridge. Jr.. Is bet-inning r.
fine summer cottage on one of his
lots purchased from D. E. Millard in
this fine exclusive summer home site
park. Herbert Gray Is also building
and several others will begin the
erection of cottages very shortly.
Some -of the latest lot purchasers
in Edgcwood Park aro Mr. and Mrs.
Klccker, Dr. I. D. Phlpps, and Mr.
and Mrs. J. D Rlckort. There are a
few very beautiful river front lots left
and those contemplating a lot whero
thov can spend week ends In the big
trees and on the river should investi
gate Edgewood park for it is a beauty
spot and is destined to be the finest
colony of summer homes on the
r'ver. D. 10. Millard is tho owner and
'ni'ormntion can be secured by .phon
ing 133. ..Mr. Millard is expecting to
move lo , southern California April
1st. nnd exnects every lot to bo sold
by that time. .-
Good digestion!
tliey regulate the system
Dr. KING'S PILLS
-for constipation
Try the
P.K.
uithiti
peppermint
as you tfet
iuu - uavoreu.
W4
Does
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Furniture & Hardware Co.
mm
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