Washington October 23rd, 1872, East Dayton
Sir,
I am a homestead settler and am in some trouble in regard to some fine timbers that have been cut on my land 3 years ago.
I made a bargain with a man O.B. Wait for apportions of the pine on my land for so much money payable in payments once a year.
The contract that he should touch anything to interfere with the homestead rights in March 1870.
He went to cutting the timber I forbade him touching it.
He then took of what he had cut as he was not to make me any trouble.
I consider that his claim no coming into force until I prove up my claim to be void.
Wait sold the claim to J.L. Stevens of East Laginane.
In February 1871, he cut about 30 thousand feet of cork pine, I forbade them mooching it, they took it away.
I sent a complaint to Mr. Ripley then received in the land office his reply was that M.L. Stevens had been there and settled for it by having $55.00.
In March 1872, Stevens cut about 80 thousand more and drew it on to banking ground on my land.
Some of it is there yet.
Some dam the creek I made.
In March, I made a complaint by letter to Mr. Bates receiver in the land office.
I went down and made inquiries.
He said he got no letter from me and was very sorry about it.
I saw Mr. Brooks the commissioner, he and Stevens had some talk, told me I had better go home and I could not do anything with it.
He said he could not find anything paid by Stevens in the books and Bates said the same.
Henry of Lorpeer, agent for the Marshall, went in and looked at the logs said he would come in 10 days and mark the logs, he never came.
I wrote and ask him the reason and he said had met Stevens’s Agent he said they had settled with me and I was satisfied and paid his expenses.
If there were anything he would see to it, I had never seen any of them.
I sent him 4 times, he answered that he could not do anything without Mr. Bates sent him.
I sent a paper with the affidavits of the town clerk and justice that witnessed my contract.
I sent in July to Mr. Bermet, Mr. J Marshall but got no answer.
If that paper could be found it would prove that I am not liable.
One man is in Indiana now.
I have shown a copy of the contract to Brooks and other prominent men they say that I am not to blame, their claim is broke.
Stevens says he got permission from the land office to take the timber but sent through Brook that he would give me $150.00 for a right of my timber, I will not do it.
They would take anything they can find and be my defiance.
This letter is written to Washington concerning Walter Rumble’s land problem.
