military service. On November 17, 1922, he sent a letter to Page's agent, F. B. Long, at Tulsa, Oklahoma, in reference to the settlement of his interest and the interest of "Minnie's heirs." This was three days prior to the decision rendered by the Supreme Court in the case. In this letter he said:
"Wish I could confer with you as to the settlement of Minnie's heirs and my interest as quickly as possible after the decision is rendered in order to get an immediate dismissal of the bond. This is imperative in order to keep those people from starting a new tangle as they know the bond cannot be cancelled until the money is paid over to us and as long as that bond is up it isan enticement for them to keep hanging on. That is one reason I was so anxious for a dismissal as we could have consummated a final settlement so quickly."
Long replied by wire to the effect that they must wait thirty days after decision for the mandate. After further correspondence Hanford wired from Columbus, Ohio, December 27, 1922, that he was leaving that day. He arrived at Tulsa, Oklahoma, two or three days prior to the hearing. He telephoned the District Judge at Muskogee the day before the order of January 3, 1923, was entered and inquired about the matter. Judge Williams told him he would hear the matter the next morning in court. Hanford had ample time to reach Muskogee before court opened the next morning, but he