1911 – March 15 – JSA to Mr. T. M. Osborne (State Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner, Albany) 

Dear Sir:
A number of office men, including myself, are frequently benefitted by short camping trips into the Benson Track of the State Preserve and as these trips are made possible by trails kept open by Mr. Seth Wadsworth and his aged father, we are interested in a proposed suit against him for cutting firewood.

You will note from the map this clearing is very small and is the only one for several miles, making it particularly valuable in fighting fires and as a refuge. If this was good timber, or on the outskirts of the Preserve, it would be different, but the cutting of a few scrub trees in this particular section is in reality a benefit.

A very beneficial arrangement, both to the State and those visiting this section, has existed for several years. This man lives in about the center of the track and travels west several miles to Silver Lake to take care of his father and goes north to visit one of his children and south to visit another and when he can afford it, travels out for supplies. In this way the whole section is patrolled without expense to the State, fires being put out and food out for the deer. This man has the welfare of this section at heart and this suit would not only be an injustice but to antagonize these people rather than continue their cooperation, would be poor economics, and I am writing you personally with the hope that you will assist in seeing the spirit rather than the letter of the law enforced in this particular case.

Very truly yours,
J. S. Apperson
Power & Mining Engr. Dept.
JSA AMB