Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 9, 1907, Page 1

F THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONE MINNESGTA HISTORICAL QCIETY. VOLUME 4. NUMBER 296 BEMIDJ1, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 9, 1907 TEN CENTS PER WEEK PROSECUTION IN THE PAUL FOURNIER CASE County Attorney Funkley, However, Gets In Practically Same Evidence as in Wesley Case---Defense Objects to Con- necting Name of Miss Dahl with Evidence Against Fournier--.-Partially Sustained Owing to the early hour to which court was adjourned yes- terday evening there was but a small crowd in the court room when the case of the state vs Paul Fournier, charged with having killed N, O. Dahl was resumed at 8:30 this morning. The opening of the case yes- terday afternoon was devoid of any sensational features; many of the opening remarks of Coun. ty Attorrey Funkley being simi- lar to those used 1n the trial of James Wesley,who was convicted last week on the same charge for which Fournier is being tried. However, it is known that the state has some new evidence which will be introduced at this trial that is fully as stariling as that with whichWesley was con-§ fronted last week. Paul Fournier, the defendant, maintains hisextreme composure and gives scarcely any percept- able sign that he is atall inter- ested in the proceedings. He! looks well, andis far from being disconcerted. MORNING SESSION C. C. Strander was the first witness called. Mr. Strander was a son-in law of the late N. O. Dahl, and he/ testified as to his intimate re- lations with Mr. Dahl and his daughter Aagot, who were mur dered, as charged by the state, on April 7th, 1904, - The witness ftold of Mr, Dahl taking a claim in Quiring township, proving up on the claim, selling the mer- chantable timber on the same for $1800 and what Mr. Dahl did with the money, taking but be- tween $70 and $80 with him to his claim. Mr. Strander also stated he saw N. O. Dahl alive tho last time in Januvary, 1904. Many objections were made by Mr. Scrutchin, who evidently intends to fight for every inch of advantage. Mr. Strander told of relatives at Crookston not receiving letters from the Dahl’s and of going to the homes of the Dahl’s at Quir- ing, after their disappearance had been noted, about June 1, 1904. Witness had found the cabin of Miss Duhl in its usual order, except Miss Dahl’s bed, in which some slats were broken down and conditions otherwise in the cabin. Mr. Strander also identi- fied ring, cap and other articles exhibited as belonging to N. O. Dahl. Mr. Strander testified to see- ing Miss Aagot Dabl in Crooks- ton in September, 1903, but an attempt to connect the ring which Miss Dahl then wore with having been seen at the time her bedy was found brought an ob- jection from the counsel for the defendant, which was sustained by the court. Cross-examination Scrutchin. Witness reiterated he saw N. O. Dahl at Crookston the last time alivein January, 1904 and that Mr. Dahl had sold his tim- ber and witness gave him be- tween $70 and $80 of the money which he testified M. Dabl had by Mr. in law of N. O. Dahl, testitied to| practically the same things as did Mr. Strander. He stat- ed that Mr. Dahl’s health was not good, and that he was econ- omical and sober, and that the last word received from the Dahl’s was the firstipart of April, 1904. Mr. Roode’s other testimony corroborated that given by Mr. Strander relative to the condi- tion of the Dahl cabin when the search was made for the Dahl’s in June, 1904. Question—Was your attention called to the looking glass in Miss Dahl's cabin? Answer—Yes, sir. toward the wall. Mr. Strander testified that there were no provisions in the cabins of either of the Dahl’s at the time he visited there,in June, 1904. Objections by defense as to introducing tangible evidence as to Miss Aagot Dahl partially sus- tained. Mr. Strander testified to offer- ing rewards for reccvering the body of N. O. Dahl, paying $250 to Caldwell and French. A member of the jury asked as to whether the Dahl cabins were | locked. Mr. Rood stated that padlocks | were locked nn doors, but that staples were very loose and he pulled same with finger. Cross-examined by Mr. Scrutchin, Mr. Strander said only knew that Dahl and his daughter lived together by let- ter received from Dahl's. Dahl had sold timber year before the last time he saw him alive. There was nothing in cabin of Miss Dahl to show there had beena tussle. On re-direct examination by Funkley, witness stated that bedding in Miss Dahl’s cabin did not l.ck as if left that way by woman, Charles LaRock called. Direct examination by Funkley. Witness had lived near Quiring three years, and knew Dahls. Was at home of Dahls last of February or first of March, 1904, accompanied by Mr. Carter, bav- ing taken Dahls from Carter’s; house at time Mr. Dahl came back from Crookston and Miss Dahl had been stopping at Cart- er’s. Took over a box and bar. rel of provisions and was in house a few minutes. Was at Dahl’s again after that skidding | logs close to Miss Dahl’s house one day. Mr. and Miss Dahl were there then, and he took dinner with them. Was at the old man’s house last of March or first of April after potatoes which were in old man’s cabin. and he bought 20 bushels at §1 per bushel. Was also to buy some other articles in old man’s and girl’s shack, and was to get same in June when girl proved up and did not need them. Saw old man later, when he went over to measure potatoes on Monday, first part of April. Went by girls house and saw it locked. It was turned That was the last time he had seen Dahl. Eugene Caldwell called. Direct examination by Funk- ley. Caldwell testified that he had lived in Quiring for nine years, and had known Dahl and daugh- ter for about four years, The last time he had seen Dahl alive was the latter part of March 1904, and he went to Miss Dahl’s cabin one afternoon with his wife after some pictures taken by Miss Dahl. They had visited there for three hours. During the early part of April witness was hauling hay over the Black- duck-Red Lake road, and passed Miss Dahl’s house, within about 20 rods at a place where there was a strecth of clearing. On the nightof the fifth or sixth, he had been late getting home, and saw light in the windows and sparks flying from the chim- ney. On the evening of April 7, Caldwell was home and heard the dogs barking outside in the direction of the barn. Later he had heard a shrill scream and a rifle shot in same direction, Next day witness went to meadow after load of hay and turned out cattle, fifteen head in number. 1n the afternoon, while looking for cattle, passed Miss Dahl’s house and noticed deor locked. Saw a number of tracks leading from cabin to the swamp in direction of the beaver dam. In following cattle went to Dahl’s house and noticed the snow tramped up and tracks leading towards the spruce tree. After Caldwell returned from searching for the cattle he changed his clothes and went to Paul Fournier’s place. Witness found Wesley and Krueger there with him. He had stayed half an hour and went away with Krueger. When they went Four- nier had said to Krueger, ‘‘there is your gun,” and the latter had taken rifle. Witness had known Wesley for four or five years and had known Fournier longer. Stated it was customary for woodsmen to know each other’s tracks. Whose tracks was it you saw com- ing out of Miss Dahl’s cabin the morn- ing you was there? Paul's and Shorty’s, in my best judgment. Were they the same as the tracks at the big spruce free? Yes. Cross-examination by Scrutch- in. What siza shoe does Fournier wear? No. 6. On cross-examination witness stated that the pecvliarity of Fournier’s tracks was that he walked on his toes, and any No. 6 shoe made the same size track. Witness admitted having had trouble with Fournier on several occasions and that they were not on the best terms. that the last time he saw light in Miss Dahl’s cabin was either the fifth or sixth, but did not notice light on the fourth or the seventh. Cornered he stated he could not Witness went to Dahl’s place when he left Crookston in Jan. uary, 1904. 0. C. Rood called. Direct examination by Mr. Funkley. Mr. Rood, who was also a son- over the old logging road, as he could not drive team over trail. After getting the potatoes the old man locked the shack and tell exactly what night he had seen the light, but that it was nothing unusual to see lightin a neighbor’s house. Witness further testified that went to the girl’s house, and|he was on friendly terms with there witness paid him $33.50.|the Dahl’s. Knew when Dahl had honeymoon. Reiterated | proved up and sold his timber. The Quiring country, said wit- ness, was quite heavily timbered and there was much underbrush. The trail by the spruce tree was also enveloped in the timber and it was impossible to see a man 200 yards distant. Witness was lead by theattor- ney back to the night he had heard the scream and shot, and had made the remark to his wife that someone was trying to scare the owl away. It was also brought out that he had been on bad terms with Fournier on April 8, the day after hearing the shot when he went to Fournier’s cabin. Stated fur- ther that sound of the shot came from south, the direction of Fournier's place from Cald- well’s. A member of the jury asked i witness had not heen pa.yiugf close attention, would he have heard shot. Caldwell answered he was out of doors and thought anyone would have heard it. Question by court as to dis- tance away shot was fired, wit- ness said one-fourth of a mile. Question by Funkley—Was shot in direction of big spruce tree, three-fourths of a mile distant from house? Answer—Distance from house to big spruce tree and distance from where shot came from about the same, one-fourth of a mile. Continued on last page. DIED FROM INJURIES HIT WITH AX HANDLE Man Named Frank Frawley dead at Grand Rapids---Participated in Drunken Row. Grand Rapids, April 9.—(Spe- cial to Pioneer.)—What has every indication of being murder, has been unearthed here through the death at the Benedictine Sisters’ hospital, last Saturday, of a man supposed to be Frank Frawley, who received injuries at Big Fork last Tuesday, and was brought to the hospital here. Not much has been revealed by the county officers relative to the circumstances surrounding the death of Frawley, but itis known that he was struck on the head with an ax handle or some other blunt instrument. James Maher and John Irvin are being held in the county jail awaiting the outcome of the in- vestigation which is being con- ducted. Dr. Russell, county coroager, will hold a post mortem this forenoon. It is known that Frawley’s death was the direct result of a drunken row in which the dead man, Maher and Irvin participated. Wedding Today. A quiet and pretty wedding occurred at the Presbyterian parsonage this merning, when Mr. Clair Craig and Miss Helen Koskan, both of Blackduck, were united in marriage. Rev. S. E. P. White officiated, using the beautiful ring ceremony. The bride was dressed in rich white silk, made with exquis'te simpli- city, and carrying bride roses. The witnesses to the ceremony were Mrs. Healy and Miss Clara Koskan, a sister of the bride. Affer the ceremony a sump- tuous wedding dinner was served at Armstrong’s cafe, and the happy couple left on the noon train for Duluth and. points east where they will spend their PRESBYTERY PROSPEROUS: | ANNUAL MEET LAST NIGHT Local Congregation Now Self-Sustain- | ing and Will Accept no More Aid | From Home Mission. ‘The annual congregational meeting of the Presbyterian church was held last night. All members and friends of the con- gregation were invited. Supper was served from 6 to 7 o’clock. A social hour mntervened and at 8 o’clock the business - meeting was called. ? The reports from the auxiliary | organizations were read and all showed good progress and sub- stantial gains. The Sunday school report was especially good, .the superintend- ent reporting that the member- ship has so increased as to tax the building to its utmost capac ity.- The average attendancs for the quarter just closed showing a gain of forty over that for the same quarter last year. The finances of the school are in good condition, the year closing with $24 in the treasury and all the heavy running expenses met. The Ladies Aid society report receipts for the year from all sources $585, the balance now in the bank being $316.11. The church treasvrer reported the best year in the history of| the church, pastor’s salary paid in full and everything else in The session reported 27 mem- bers received during the year and excellent contributions made to all the eight church boards. Altogether the year just closed has been the best year the church has yet seen, and as a climax to a perfectly harmonious meeting, the congregation voted last night to become self sustain- ing, receiving no more appropri- ations from the Home Mission Board. This action makes the Bemidji Presbyterian church one’ of four self-supporting churches in Adams Presbytery. AN ATTEMPT MADE T0 BURN DEER RIVER HOTEL For Second Time Within Year, North- ern Hotel Has Been Set on Fire. Grand Rapids, April 9.—(Spe- cial to Pioneer.)—Oscar Fergu- son was arrested last Saturday on a warrant charging him with arson. It is claimed he attempt- led to set fire to the Northern Hotel at Deer River, by starting a blaze near the oil room of the hotel building. The Northern is the same hotel which was nearly burned a year ago, and of which Jerome Kelliher is the proprie- tor. The attempt to burn the hotel a year ago resulted ina sensational trial that was the talk of the north half of the state good condition. for several months. BEMIDJI WILL PLAY BALL T0 HAVE TEAM IN LEAGUE Enthusiastic Meeting Held Last Night--- Over Half of Needed Funds Sub- scribed on Spot. League team assured. A large and enthusiastic meet. ing was held at the Markham Hotel last night to discuss the matter of Bemidji taking a place in the proposed new base ball league to consist of Fargo, Grand Forks, Crookston, Jamestown, Bismarck, Minot and Bemidji. The consensus of opinion of the meeting, which was attended by the principal business men of the city, was that Bemidji should be represented. It was brought out that it would be necessary to raise at least $1200, and over half of the amount was subscribed at the meeting. Three committees were named to solicit additional funds, and F, - S. Lycan, who has had many year’s experience with the man- agement of league clubs, will at- tend the meeting to be held at Grand Forks tomorrow. The committees appointed to secure the necessary funds are making a canvass of the business section this afternoon, and are meeting with fair success. The|Pioneer at all times has in stock office supplies of every description Money Cheerfully Refunded ¢~ You can be as well quality here. That's sell. Because? They’re the fied. Gordon: Hats, Full Spring “Lion" Bra $1.50, $2. 3109 lothing‘ H;)use SPRING o Any Other dressed as you want to be by this store, whatever the price you want to pay, but no price can buy poor something we don’t" WE SPECIALIZE THE House.Kuppenheimer Fine Suits" Overcoats best—best for you (in the satisfaction they give you)—best for us (in the security we feel that you'll stay satis- We are showing Springtide’s finest styles in exclusive models, patterns, fabrics. The very pick of this season’s productions. of Quality, $3.00 nd” Shirts, $1.00, 00, $2.50 “Best Ever” Clothes For Boys of all ages, from high school tellows down through the grammar school grades to the kindergartners, $2,50 to $20. Send for Style Book and Samples Time coppese et oy W C. sam e £