Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, September 12, 1907, Page 1

R W e - THIL VOLUME 5. NUMBER 122. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 12, 1907. TA ‘L S0CI FORTY CENTS PER MONTH MOST UNIQUE DIVORCE IN HISTORY OF MINNESOTA Judge Spooner Grants Decree to Peter Bonga, Divorcing Him from His Wife, Elizabeth Bonga.---Both Parties’ to Decree Are Indians. Marshall A. Spooner, judge of the Fifteenth judicial district, granted an absolute divorce to Peter his Bonga from wife, Bonga, otherwise known as Mah- koonce. The decree of divorce is an unique one, in that both parties to the full-blooded ~ Chippewa is believed that the the decree are Indians; and it proceedings for divorce and granting of the prayer is the first action of the kind ever among the Indian tribes of Minne- sota. ! recorded According to the decree, the| plaintiff instituted proceedings for divorce from the defendant at Walker, last April. Both are mem- bers of the Chippewa band of Leech Lake Indians. Peter Bonga is 60 years of age, while his wife is 40. | The plaintiff and defendant were married on the Leech Lake Chip- pewa Reservation, in Minnesota, on or about the 1st of July, A.. D., 1882, and thereafter lived together as hus- dand and deserted plaintiff on or about the 15th day of September, A. D. 1903, The marriage between plaintiff wife until defendant and defendant was in accordance with the customs and usages of the Chippewa tribe of Indians. According to the evidence in the case, Bonga was previously married to one Ay-zhe-quaince, under the customs and usages of the Chippewa tribe of Indians. The couple separ-| ated in July, 1881, dissolving their has | Elizabeth | relations as man and wife, which under the Indian custom was divorce from the bonds of matrimony, and have ever since lived apart. At the time of Bonga’s marriage to and divorce from Ay-zhe-quaince, they were both wards of the govern- ment and sustaining tribal relations in the Leech Lake band of Pillager Chippewa Indians. The custom prevailing among the Indians, and their law at that time, made mar- riage between man snd wife to consist of their living and cohabit- ing together as man and wife with- out any further ceremony, and these would be dis- solved pleasure of either party, separation from the other with intent to terminate said marriage relations at the by marriage relation as man and wife, and such separation constituted a divorce from the bonds of marriage. The decree states that after Bonga separated and was divorced accord- ing to the Indian cnstom from Ay- zhe-quaince,and about July 1st,1882, he was married to the woman from whom he is now divorced, the marri- age being in accordance with the laws and customs of the Indians. I'wo children were born to Bonga and his last wife, they being David Bonga, aged 7 years, and Robert Bonga, 2 Under the decree and absolute divorce given Peter Bonga, he is awarded the custody of his son David Bonga and the Robert Bonga until such time as the latter is of sufficient age to attend the Indian school at Onigum, Leech Lake. years. wife is given A Diligent Farmer. Josiah Weaver of the town of Summit, one of the oldest settlers in the county, is in the city today on business. Mr. Weaver located in Beltrami county when he was obliged to carry | his provisions for sixty miles on his| back. He stayed by the homestead from his land and is now rapidly opening it up for agricultural pur- poses. He planted ten acres of tame hay this season, which bore him an ‘excellenr yield. Attention, Odd Fellows. The members of the local I. O. O. F. lodge are earnestly requested until he now has one of the most|to be present at the meeting of the valuable farms in the county. He lodge to be held tomorrow evening, sold over half a million of pine as there will be work of importance. 7T Else Good Clothes and Nothing Mail Orders Filled (2707 Money Cheerfully Refunded Clothing House You'll Find This Store Pre-eminently a high-quality clothes store; we don’t sell anything that isn't the best of it’s kind. The difference between the price you pay and the . value you get is what makes this the place for the truly economical buyer You'll find the new fall suits and over- coats ready now at $10 to $30. We've never geen nor shown a more attractive lot of fine fabrics than these; the popular shades of gray, brown, tan, blue, olive, the most stunning plaids, checks and stripes. Whatever the price you nawe, the value is higher. The models are for all tastes, young men, school boys, old men who are believers in the value of correct style—we'll fit Copyright oy Tho . and satisfy you all. House of Kuppenheimer The odd and broken lots at $14.75 left ffom summer stock are still on separate tables; they were $20 to $25, at $14.75—they emphasize the value giving of this store, Florsheim shoes are very snappy—$5.00. Our hat section is full of late ones—Gordon’s at $3.00; Stetson’s, $4.00. STATE OFFICIALS, HEADED BY THE GOVERNOR, MAY BE HERE J. J. Opsahl Proposes a Big Meeting in Bemidji, the Last Day of the Fair, to Discuss Drainage and North- Country Development. The prospects are good for a gathering of notable officials of the state, headed by Governor Johnson, in this city, on the last day of the county fair, September 28th, when it will be possible to make a ‘“ten- strike” in development of the coun- try around Bemidji and north of here to the boundary. Representative J. J. Opsahl has been at the state capitol for several days and he has been taking up the matter of drainage and state develop- ment with ‘the powers that be’ down around the capitol. In a letter to the business manager of the Daily Pioneer, Mr. Opsahl says: “I have been visiting in St. Paul for several days, and although I was not familiar with your full program for the fair, so that I could make formal invitations to attend the gathering, yet I have talked over| several matters down here, that could be taken up at the fair, with great advantage to the north half of the state. “I had a talk with Mr. Walsh, the head of the new state immigration bureau. He is an enthusiast in the matter of developing the north country. He suggested that it would be a very good idea to get together the county auditors of our congres- sional district and Koochiching and Itasca counties, as well asreal estate men who have holdings in the north half of the state, to meet with .him at the fair and talk over the best methods to pursue in developing our country. He stated that he would prevail on the secretary of state, Julius Schmall, to accompany him on the trip. “I met Secretary Schmall and I had a talk with him concerning drainage. He assured me that he was ready at the call of the people to boost our country. “State Engineer Ralph and the members of the state drainage com- mittee will soon go on a junket to inspect the state ditch in St. Louis and Aitkin counties. Now I would suggest that the management of the fair extend an invitation to Mr. Ralph and the other members of the committee to so arrange their junket that they could swing around to Bemidji, and be there on Satur- day, the last day of the fair. Also that the fair management get Gov- ernor Johnson, Secretary of State Schmall, State Auditor Iverson, Mr. Ralph and Mr. Walsh to each make short addresses on that day embracing as to drainage and state development. * “I feel comparatively sure that if this matter is taken up at once with the governor and Mr. Ralph, that they will accept the invitation, “In talking with Mr. Schmall, I approached him on the project of visiting Bemidji, and he said he was willing, “I asked State Auditor Iverson direct and he said he would be very much pleased to wind up a trip at Bemidji, on the last day of the fair. “Not knowing the arrangements the fair committee was making for speakers, etc., I left the ground open and will do all I can to assist in bringing these men to Bemidji, as I know their visit would be of great benefit. “By the way, the drainage com- mittee will have a new survey made on the Bemidji ditch and will deepen it next season.” e ——————————————————————————————————————————— PERSISTENT DEMAND FOR DAHL MURDERS REWARD Chief of Police at Green Bay Evidently Looking for Some “‘Easy Money.” Yesterday’s St. Paul Pioneer Press contained the following concerning the attemptsmade by William E. Finnegan, chief of Green Bay, Wis., to secure a reward for the arrest of “Shorty” Wesley: * “William E. Finnegan, captain of the police force of Green Bay, Wis,, appeared before Cov. Johnson with his attorney, Timothy Burke, to urge his claim against the state for award of $500 offered for the arrest and conviction of the murderers of the Dahls, father and daughter, near Bemidji about three years ago. “Mr. Dahl and his daughter were living on a homestead near Bemidji and the neighbors found them mur- dered near their cabin. James Wes- ley was arrested by Finnegan in Green Bay in 1905 and turned over to the sheriff of Beltrami county. “After a hearing before a justice of the peace he was released but about a year later he was re-arrested on evidence furnished |by an inmate of the state prison. He haa since been convicted. “A short time after the discovery of the double murder S. R. Van Sant, then governor of the state, issued a proclamation offering a re- ward for the arrest or for informa- tion leading to the arrest and con- viction of the murderer. No claim for the reward was made untila few weeks ago, when Mr., Finnegan’s petition was received aud the hear- ing set for yesterday. Mr. Burke, who appeared for the claimant in the case, is 2 member of the Wiscon- sin legislature. Gov. Johnson has taken the case under advisement.” -County Attorney Henry Funkley has received a letter from the attor- ney general concerning the claim for reward and has written a letter in answer, which will be published in tomorrow’s Pioneer. Congress Not Afraid of Work. Crookston Times: Hon. Halvor Steenerson returned yesterday from Climax, where he went to look after the threshing on his farm near that place. Finding that the threshing crew were short of men, the tall pine from the north shed his coat and taking a pitchfork went into the field and pitched bundles with the best of them. He returned to Crookston with two large blisters on the palms of his hands, but feeling fit for a prize fight. Ben Steenerson is working on the machine right along, taking his regular place with the men, and he'can load as many bundles as any of them. Man Killed Was Wm. Kolstad. Big Falls, Sept. 12.—(Special to Pioneer.)—The name of the man who was killed here by the train Tuesday was William Kolstad, aged 45 years, and not Charles Sellback, as was reported to the Pioneer. The body of Kolstad still remains at the undertaking rooms in this village, and it has so far been im- possible to locate any of his relatives. Mysterious Affair. F. C. Clapp of Yola was in the city yesterday and today on business. Mr. Clapp resides but a half mile from the residence of old lady Chase, who disappeared some time ago, and states that it was the most myster- ious disappearance he ever heard of. THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL HAVE A FOOTBALL TEAM Most of Last Year’s Players Are Back at School.---To Play Cass Lake. Indications point to the Bemidji high school having an excellent foot- ball team this fall. Already great interest has been taken in getting together a strong eleven, and as many of the players of last season are at school again this year, some excellent material is at hand for a team. 8 The boys have already been toss- ing the ball some, and will get into hard practice before the end of the week. Among the players who will surely make the team are the following: Ralph ' Lycan, Frank Getchell, Harry Roberts, Wm.Schooks, Claude Bennerman, - Helmer Kruse and Chas. Gould. The Cass Lake high school foot- ball team has been invited to play a game with the local team here on Saturday of next week, and it is very probable that the game will be arranged. FAIR MANAGEMENT WILL CARE FOR ALL EXHIBITS Plenty of Room May Be Had By Apply- ing to President Wes Wright. There has been much inquiry dur- ing the past few days as to what arrangements the management of the fair is making to provide for space which local merchants desire in order that they may make dis- plays of their goods at the fair. In answer to these questions, President Wes Wright of the fair states that anyone desiring to make an exhibit can have a booth in the new building at the fair grounds, absolutely free of charge. It is hoped that the local business men and all other residents of this city will co-operate in making dis- plays of anything and everything that will be of interest. In this connection, those intend- ing to make exhibits at the fair should send in their entries to the isecretary at the earliest possible moment, in order that there will be no confusion, and also do away with a considerable portion of the .large amount of work that always falls to the lot of the secretary on the open- ing day. New Fall Millinery Display. Our new fall millineay display is now ready for the inspection of the public; and from now on we will be able to show you the best display of the newest fall millinery. Our stock is .complete and up to date. We have a complete line of patterns and tailored hats. There will ‘be no special opening. We are daily re- ceiving new goods that will interest the fall buyer. We invite you to make our store your headquarters. You wish to see our new styles. We wish to see you and invite you to call at the store. Soliciting your trade, -Miss L. Hetland, Grip Found. Last night the city patrolmen found a grip, the owner of which could not be found. In the grip were letters showing that it was the property of Miss Clara Helgeson, who can have the same by applying to the Pioneer office and paying for this notice. Local news on last page lGeo. PROGRAM FOR THE FAIR IS PRACTICALLY FINISHED An Excellent Line of Attractions Provided that Will Un- doubtedly Bring Big Crowds.---Balloon Ascensions, Noted Speakers, Horse Races, Ete. THURSDAY, SEPT. 26. “Old Settlers’ Day.” (The Entire First Day Will Be Given Over to the Old Settlers. Anyone wh was a Resident of Beltrami County in 1900 and prior thereto, is elegible to membership. By sending 50c. to G. W. Wetsel, or Henry Stechman, Tenstrike; L. G. Pendergast or Earl Gell, Bemidji, a receipt will be given, which will admit the holder to the fair grounds, be a memo bership acknowledgement, and also permit holder to participate in excursion on lake Bemidji, free of charge. Reunion will be held in big tent on fair grounds.) 10 a. m.— : Basfsba)ll Game, County Officials vs. City Officials. (Tke Black, Um- pire. > 2p m— 01d Settlers’ Reunion in Big Tent. Address of Welcome, L. G. Pendergast, of Bemidji. Response, Mrs. P. L. Knappen, of Tenstrike. Address, Hon. Halvor Steenerson of Crookston, Congressman for Ninth District. Address, Hon. C. W. Stanton of International Falls, County Attorney of Koochiching county. = 8 p. m— Business Meeting of Association in down-town hall. (Tent Shows on Grounds All Day.) FRIDAY, SEPT. 27. “Bemidji Day” 10 a. m.— Thrilling Balloon Ascension and Parachute Leap. 10:30 a. m.— Pulling Contest Between Teams of Horses. Team Pulling Most Weight 12 Inches or More, 1st, $25—2nd, $10. 1:30 p. m.— Address—Hon. Moses E. Clapp, Junior U. S. Senator, Minnesota. 2:30 p. m.— HORSE RACES 3:00 Class—Trot or Pace. Purse.. 2:22 Class—Trot or Pace. Purse.. (Tented Shows All Day.) SATURDAY, SEPT. 28. “North Country Day.” 10 a. m.— Thrilling Balloon Ascension and Parachuts Leap. lam— Parade of All Animals Exhibited at Fair. Awarding of Prize for Best Four-Horse Logging Team, Harness and ‘Wagon. 1:30 p. m.— Addregs, Hon. Wm. O’Neil of Cass Lake, Ex-State Senator of Wis- consin. - 2:30 p. m — HORSE RACES 2:28 Class—Trot or Pace. Purse.. Freefor-all Trot or Pace. Purse... (Tent Shows All Day.) B September 29. HORSE RACES -$250.00 -+ 300.00 2:15 Class—Trot or Pace. Purse -$300.00 2:40 Class—Trot or Pace. Purse.. 250.00 Business Good at Shevlin, Returns From Range. Iver Krohn, the Shevlin merchant,| M. A. Rivett of Salway spent to- spent this afternoon in the city on|day in the city on his return home business. He reports business at|from the iron range, where he has Shevlin the best it has ever been for | been working on the railway the past this season of the year. couple of weeks. ' IN ALL THE Necessities for the Table IN FINE Sterling AND HIGHEST GRADE Silver Plated Ware Hand Engraving Free on all goods PURCHASED OF US Moderate charges for engraving on articles Not purchased of Us - Our Stock is Large and Complete Located in City Drug Store T. Baker @ Co.