Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 1, 1907, Page 1

] — — THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER. HIST SOCIETY. VOLUME 4 NUMBER 289 BEMIDJ1, MINNESOTA, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL | ) 1907 e TEN CENTS PER WEEK McGRAW TESTIFIES “SHORTY” CONFESSED TO HIM THAT FOURNIER SHOT DAHLS Says “Shorty” Told Him Fournier Shot the 0ld Man; that He Just “Came in for the Money.”---Fred Foote Also Tells of Similar Confession, and that Wesley Contem- plated Suicide by Hanging while in Jail. When court was opened this In June of that year a warrant morning for the resumption of;charging Wesley with murder the Wesley trial, there was the same expectant crowd in at- tendance, eagerly awaiting the climax of the trial, the confes- sions claimed to have been made by Wesley. It was known that the counsel for Wesley claimed to bave some surprises in store to spring on the state, and the interest was intense. Mr. Funkley, prosecuting at- torney, stated that he intended to close his case during the day, and all his remaining witnesses were marshalled for the finale. Wesley came 1nto court look- ing bright and fresh, with a balf smile on his countenance. He talked freely with his coun- sel, and seemed in no wise dis- turbed by the evident air of ex- pectancy that pervaded the court| room, Beyond a slight redness of the lids and a somewhat shifty expression of the eyes, there was nothing but a tranquil cxpres- sion of countenance on the part: of the prisoner. He was evidently prepared for anythiiag the state had to offer. The members of the jury showed some evidences of their close continement during the trial, but were all in good physi- cal condition. Court aljpurned Saturday evening shortly beforesixo’clock, several witnesses being exam- ined in addition to those whose! testimony was given in Satur- day’s issue. After withdrawing Fieldiog, who found the overalls alleged to be “Shorty’s,” near where the skeleton of Miss Dahl was found, the state called Henry Dahlstul, who testified that he was mail] driver from Blackduck to Quir- ing during 1904, and knew James Wesley. Last saw him at Battle River, about the 20th of May, 1904. Asked what he was doing there ‘Shorty” said he was looking for a driver for the Mud River drive, but added that it was noneof Dabl- stul’s business where he was. A. O'Kelliher of Blackduck testified that he was at Quiring when the body of N, O. Dahl was pulled out from under th- stump)| where it was buried. Took some photographs of the shanty and| the body, as it laid in the hole, which the state offered in evi- dence, but the defense objected and were sustained. 0. C. Rod of Crookston, Dahl’s son-in-law identified the cap, part of suspender and pants; found on body of Dahl, also rirg. He also identitied ring found on Miss Dahl, as well as hair pin and side cowbs. was placed in his hands. Search was made for Wesley from that time until April, 1905, when he was arrested at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and brought here. MORNING SESSION Charles Martindale, who was an unwilling witness Saturday, was recalled by] the state this morning. Martindale was asked Satur- day concerning certain conversa | tion between Wesley and Fourn- ier, relative to old man Dahl’s “pile,”” and answered: I didn't testify Saturday. afraid; swore to a lie. Resuming where examination left off Saturday, witness testi- fied regarding conversation be- tween Wesley and Fournier. Question—What did Shorty say? Answer —Shorty said to Fournier, | Was 1 "1 'am going to quit this damn job, do up Krueger and get his money, and then go and dig up Dahl's wealfh”. Defense objected. After con-' ference hetween court and cmm-i sel on both sides the objection was overruled.. Questioned furthar witness testified regarding conversation between Shorty ané Fournier. Shorty said: “I am going to —— that round-headed blonde,” referring to Miss Dahl. Fournier answered: i | i *“*No, you want | all the girls in the country. 1 want her; she will be good on a farm.” Contiiuing witiess stated | Shorty made the foll )wiag state- ment: ““Get rid of the old man. Cut a hole in the ice and dump him in Red Lake, or bury him in moose wallow. The Dahls shouldn't come here and take claims, the poor people want this country.” Witness testified further that he left the Quiring country with- out proving up ou his homestead on account of the reports that Wesley and Fournier were guilty of the Dahl murder. Asked to whether he believed Shorty would have killed him, i and if he was afraid of his life, | answered: ““Yes. | was afraid Shorty would kill me. | Martindale testified further ! that at this time there was a can i of red paint in the house. Abcut; one-fourth of a five pound can, and that can was missing after the Dahl disappearance. | Cross-examined by Martin. | You say the reason you didn’t testify last week (Saturday) was because you were afraid of being killed; afraid of Wesley and| Fournier? Witness answered that he had | Rood further stated he went|talked tonoone about the trial to cabin with Caldwel!, and found things in disorder Beds| unmade, and slats in giri’s bed broken. Flour and most of pro- visions in the house gone, and also testified that the looking glass was turned toward the wall. Testified that Mlss Dahl had very light hair—nearly white, and long, almost 20 inches. Florence Melquest of St. Cloud testified to living with Caldwell’s the winter of 1904, and knew Wesley and Fournier, but gave no evidence of any material worth. John Bailey testified that he is deputy sheriff of Beltrawi since he was on stand Saturday, but had heard some one say that he had made an ass of himself, Continuing witness stated that| he had heard talk on street that the defendants would be cleared, ! and knew he didn’t do right Sat-| urday, and had made up his mind to tell what he knew. Cross-examined further said Funkley asked him if he was ready to goon the stand and tell the truth. Admitted having been around with Caldwell since testi- fying, and asked if Caldwell had spoken to him about the case made evasive answer. Witness stated he went to Dakota in August following April, 1904, but wouldn’t admit he went because afraid of Shorty and Fournier. Said he had no trouble with them except a few words about money coming from work with Caldwell. Asked again if afraid of them evaded the question, and said there were men in the world that would commit murder for $5. Asked if afraid of Caldwell on account of Caldwell being mad because he had made an ass of himself on the stand Saturday, ! replied “not a particle.” Question—Have you come here Yor the purpose of lending your aid by your evidence to convict Wesley and | Fournier of murder in the first degree and have them hanged? Answer—TYes, if they are guilty. Did you say last week youa heard Shorty say, “Kill old man Dabl and get plant?” No. You say so now? Yes. Witness stated he could not remember what he said last week, and admitted some of his statements might have been Hfalse., Witness further stated that he had studied the matter, and brought some things to mind since Salurday and was telling the truth, Why are you afcaid that Four- nier and Wesley would kill you if acquitted? Because I swore against them. You say you made an ass of yourself because you swore noth- ing against them last week, why change now; what you swore to Saturday was in their favor? Yes. Were you out of your head , Saturday? Yes. Witness ¢id not attempt to ex- plain further why he believed Shorty or Fournier would kill hite; Stited that he had not been threatenid with prosecu- tion since le:ving stand Satur- ay. Whit did Sh,rty and Fournier ever do up th re to make you afraid? Nothing. You stopped + while at Hotel ames iu Crookston, October, 1906 Y- s. Did you state at that time Eugene Caldwell killed the Dahl's? | had a suspicion of Caldwell. _ Did you state to Ben Moe on Oct. 114, 1906, that you believed Eugene Caldwell killed the Dahl’s? No. Continuing witness said he bad been afraid that Shorty and Fournier were going to complain about him cutting timber on gov- Witness also admitted that hejernment land, but was not afraid was partly out of his mind when on the stand before and some- what intoxicated. What he said then was not false, only stated he had heard nothing about shooting. No one had talked to him about the case except the county attorney this morning county, and was during 1904.|just before he went on the stand. of that now. He stated that they bad it in for everybody in -that section, and Caldwell had told them they were bad, also Mal- quist, Dahlstul and Carter, Claimed Wm. Crandell had sus- picioned Fournier and Shorty of having stolen logging rig, and that his fear of them was based on public opinion, and therefor left the community. Did you not leave for the rea- son that you heard they were going to give evidence against you for cutting timber on gov- ernment land? Witness made evasive an- swer. Further questioned -witness reiterated that he had not been influenced by Caldwell in giving his testimony - today, outside of the reasons he had already given. Mrs. Eugene Caldwell called. Direct examination hy Funk- ley. Witness testified she is the wife of Eugene Caldwell, and lives in Quiring. Was well acquainted with the Dahl’s. Last time saw either of them was March 31, 1904, when she went to Miss Dahl’s home with her husband to get picture of little girl. Had known Paul Fournier for five years. On April 7, same year, about noon, saw team and sled with Butler and Fournier drive past their house on the tote road towards Fournier’s place. After two or three hours Butler re- turned alone over same road with team. Testified further that she was home same evening that Paul re- turned. Heard dogs barking about 9:15 o’clock and were run- ning from their _place to hill to- wards Fournier’s:- Heard shrill scream followed by rifle shot. Shot and scream came from di- rection of Fournier’s place. Witness stated her husband was home at time, and went after load of hay next day after turn- ing out cattle. He came home in the afternoon, and went to Four- nier’s place. Was gone about an hour. Witness stated further that she was well acquainted with all the people of the neighborhood, and that no other woman there | hsd hair of the same color as Miss Dahl. Title Granted at Last. The original Spooner on the Rainy river near Baudette, which was staked out three years ago and application made to the government for title | under the Government Townsite Laws, has at last been patented; the title running to Francen, Stanton and others of Interna- tional Falls and the west two tiers of blocks to H. O’Neal of that village, who was one of the original squatters on the land. The clearing up of the title to|f§ this land, which comprises 160 acres, will be a great relief to quite a number of enterprising business men who erected sub- stantial buildings on some of the lots in this tract and spent much money in clearing up the streets, etc, and perfecting the title. The townsite is well located commanding half a mile of Rainy river frontage, immediately across from the City of Rainy River, Ontario, where the Shev- lin interests have a large saw- mill, and is only & half mile up|M river from the large sawmill of the Shevlin-Mathieu Lumber Co. in the plat recently laid out and called East Baudette but now in the village of Spooner. the intersection with one of the streets of Hast Baudette and turnpiked spring so that the new tract will become a valuable addition to East Baudette. Those interested in the land anticipate a rice busi- |§ ness in residence lots this year and hope to get considerable business interests in their part of the village also. townsite of |[§ At least |§ one street will be extended to|f and graveled this Continuing Mrs. Caldwell saidl she knew Wesley at that | time, and had heard him say during the winter that he would like to dig up the old man’s plantand show him how to spend it for booza. Had heard him say that twice. Mrs. Caldwell fur- ther stated: Mrs. Caldwell did no: differ from the main points of her di- rect examination, and corrotor- ated the story told by her hus- band regarding occurrenceson the night of April 7, 1904, which the state has fixed as the time of the crime. Sha said regardirg her husbaud being suspicioned |ary, regardicg scream heard on nightof trag:dy, whenhe stated she said, “:crecch must be that of an owl,” and regarding the shot, that “someone must be tak- ing a shot atan owl,” she ans- wered, ‘‘that is not true.” { Witness stated that she was }26 years of age, and had been ““One time Paul fold of holding up alof having killed the Dahls, that|@aried five years. camp on the Big Fork, and that he had |it grew from insinuations cast by | turned the looking glass to the wall| throwing reflections towards man in bunk.” Cross-examined by Martin. Fournier. Asked if the statement by her husband at the preliminary ex. amination of Fournmeer in Janu- Regarding cow incident which her husband testified to on direct examioation, she shared his view | that it was a bait on the part of Continued on last page. Theoboldi, The Violinist 33 Theoboldi, the noled violinist, will appear again at the city opera house Tuesday evening, April 2. He returns to Bemidji by special request and those who were noi fortunate enough to hear him the first time should not fail to attend Tuesday evening. Clothing House This spring apply to your clothes-buy- Our object is ing the idea we’ve applied to clothes- selling---Specialization. supply men of taste and judgment in style and quality with the things they”want. to We’ve made the test to find what’s best: and will assume all responsibility. know! We say! SPECIALIZE ON The House of Kuppenheimer We Spring Suits, Top Coats and Raincoats For the Men and Young Men $15 We Gordon Hats to $25 Say: Showing shapes fcund in few other stocks Gordon flat set brim stiff hats, wide band idea. § Telescopes—new “Cadoe” telescope, new all shapes B Novelty Suits, sizes 2 1-2 to 6 round up-and new perfecto, $3.00 We Say “Lion Brand” Shirts Exclusive Effects—Greatest Stock Spring shades feature—Maize in new satin-stripe madras and silk barret crepe $1.00 to $2.50 Boys’ “Best-Ever” Clothes 3 Young Men'’s Suits, 12 to 20 years Two-piece Suits, sizes 7 to 16 years Two-Fifty to Twenty Dollars The Local Control over Florsheim and Walk-Over Shoes