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Ernest P. Holcombe’s reports on his travels as special inspector to attend the hearing in the case of Holm Olaf Bursum v. Territory of New Mexico. Holcombe mentions his conversations with Judge Albert B. Fall, who was under the influence of alcohol. Holcombe details the proceedings of the Bursum case, which resulted in the Territory owing an amount of money to Bursum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-19
Ernest Hamlin Abbott, editor of The Outlook, returns the letters he borrowed from President Roosevelt and thanks him for allowing him to review them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-08
Former New Mexico Territory Governor Hagerman has refrained from addressing President Roosevelt’s statements in his letters concerning Hagerman’s forced resignation because he felt that on further reflection, Roosevelt would correct his false accusations. However, Hagerman now feels compelled to answer the accusations Roosevelt has made against him and set the record straight. Hagerman includes a detailed timeline and description of events and persons involved in his forced resignation due to accusations of land fraud. In conclusion, Hagerman says that the entire affair has hurt the standing of the Republican Party in New Mexico and asks Roosevelt to take this into consideration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
Secretary of the Interior Garfield reports to President Roosevelt regarding illegal land sales in New Mexico. Garfield states that commissioners and past governors conspired to sell more publicly-owned land than was legal. Garfield recommends that the men involved should be prosecuted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-27
Luther R. Smith, private secretary to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock, and William Spencer Sturgess met with ex-Governor Miguel Antonio Otero, ex-Attorney General George W. Prichard, and Republican Chairman of New Mexico Holm Olaf Bursum in El Paso, Texas. Smith and Sturgess tried to convince Bursum to go against joint statehood in New Mexico. Bursum declined, stating that he had told William H. Andrews and President Roosevelt that he and Solomon Luna would vote in favor of joint statehood. Smith and Sturgess then said that they are “getting up a job” on Andrews to get him arrested on some charges connected with the Enterprise National Bank. William H. H. Llewellyn is confident that joint statehood will get through unless the cause is hampered by “such fellows as Smith.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-05
Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus sends Attorney General Bonaparte an excerpt from the arguments of New Mexico Attorney General Albert B. Fall in the land fraud case there. Fall describes the disparaging attitude taken towards the officials overseeing land sales. In the current case, the Territory of New Mexico will finally be able to show the facts to the public and be vindicated in court. The specific details of the sale of the lands and whether the contracts will be voided are questions for the Territory of New Mexico alone to determine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-30