Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 4, 1907, Page 1

4 THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEE] VOLUME 5. NUMBER 141. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRID\Y EVENING, OCTOBER 4; 1907. MATHIESON’S FATE RESTS WITH THE JURY FOR VERDICT Arguments Made By The Prosecution and the Defense, the Jury Is Charged and Retires to Consider the The jury in the Mathieson case re- tired at 3:50 this afternoon, after hav- ing been charged by Judge McClenahan. | At 1:20 this afternoon, G. M. Tor- rence began the final plea to the jury, on behalf of Peter Mathieson, whose life hangs in the balance, awaiting the verdict of the “good men and true” who have sat quietly | listening intently to all proceedings | of the trial. [ Mr. Torrance made a very carefu summing up of the case, from the | standpoint of the defendant. He retold the story of Mathieson’s life, as given on the stand by the accused He dwelt on Mathieson’s ignorance of the ways of the live in this country, the improbability of Mathieson having killed his nearest and dearest friend. Mr. Torrance brought out the| strong points of Mathieson’s evi- dence, and made the best of a case which, when he first took hold of it, looked very black for his client. His argument was of considerable length, but covered the case in its entirety, man. people, who and also of When court opened this morning | E. Gregg was recalled on behalf of the state and gave testimonyas to the actual dimensions of the build- ing in which Johanson- was killed; his evidence being for the purpose of being used in the closing argu- ment, to illustrate that the shot whice killed Johanson could not of been accidental fired. The state attempted to introduce | some testimony relative to same ex- periments which had been made in | firing the gun which killed Johanson, | but the court ruled adversely, and the testimony was not given. This finished the case, after which | County Attorney, Funkley, took up his closing argument to the jury. | Mr. Funkley spoke for an hour and three-quarter, and went over the | case thoroughly. He laid great| . Case for Verdict. stress on the improbability of the killing of Johanson having been accidental. The speaker referred in scathing terms to the ignorance of Mathieson, the “stranger in a strange land.” He again brought the attention of the jury to the manner in which Mathieson had appropriated Johan- son’s money, cashed his drafts and “blew in” the proceeds; how he believed he was far from being ignorant, but on the contrary, was |a shrewd criminal. The county attorney closed, with a request to the jury that they be mindful of their duty in rendering their verdict, in conforming with the enforcing of the law of the land. The address was a scathing ar- raignment of Mathieson, and his connection with the killing of Johan- son. At this point court adjourned until :20 p. m. Yesterday afternoon’s proceedings at the trial of Peter Mathieson were somewhat monotonous, nearly the entire afternoon being taken up with a searching cross-examination of Mathieson, at the hands of County Attorney Henry Funkley. Mr. Funkley went over every part of the direct evidence, given by Mathieson, from the time he was born up to the trial, and his presence on the stand. Mr. Funkley dwe]t "particularly on Mathieson’s taking the money and checks belonging to Johanson, after he was killed, and disposing of them; he also questioned Mathieson very closely as to his every movement, from the time he got up, the morning Johanson was killed, until the day after the killing, forcing Mathieson to repeat several times just how he handled the gun when Johanson was shot. Mr. Funkley followed Mathieson’s movements from Tenstrike to Bemidji, and from here to Portland, Oregon, his arrest, his confession, and his every act, connected with trying to secure additional money, which belonged to Johanson. Several letters were introduced in evidence, which were written by Mathieson, the authorship of which was admitted by the accused man, in which he had written for Johan- son’s mail, to be forwarded to Port- land, and also to a party who had leased Johanson’s farm, in :an en- deavor to get money out of the latter. Mr. Funkley questioned Mathie- son as to how he learned to write Johanson’s name and every other detail in connection with the letters. He also questioned Mathieson as fo his ability to talk the English lan- guage, getting an admission that he had gotten along fairly well with the new tongue. At this point the defense rested. Mr. Funkley recalled Frank Sim- aneaw, Edward Gregg, Dr. Hender- son and Wm. Fellows in rebuttal. Most of the testimony given by these gentleman' was relative to Mathieson having money, after, Johanson was killed, and also as to his knowledge of the $400 draft, which he subsequently had cashed in the bank at Tenstrike. Dr. Henderson testified relative to the nature of the wound which caused Johanson’s death. The doctor stated that Johanson’s eye was not put out by the wound, but was left intact; that the wound was not large, and that he did not think that it was larger than'the muzzle of the gun which it was admitied killed Johanson. E. D. Alger was called and testi- fied as to the dimensions of the building in which Johanson was killed. At this point the prosecution requested the privilege of resting until this morning,in order to obtain the exact measurements of the room' in which Johanson was killed, and also for the purpose of making some experiments as to the effects of shots fired from the gun which was in the court room. This request was- allowed by the court and the adjournment was taken until this morning. —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— BLACKDUGK K. P. LODGE ENTERTAIEED ROYALLY Grand Chancellor Was at the ‘‘Duck” Last Evening.---Fine Program Was Rendered. (Special to the Pioneer.)—The Blackduck lodge, Knights of Pythias held a very important meeting last evening, at the end of which a sumptuous banquet was served at the Palace hotel, and later a.musical program was given in the K. P. hall. Added interest was given to the regular meeting of the lodge, by the presence of Trank L. Young of Duluth, grand chancellor of the K. P. organization of Minnesota. The third rank was conferred on two candidates, at the meeting of the lodge. The grand chancellor paid a high compliment to the work done by the degree team, and also commented very favorably on the general efficiency of the lodge. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Knights went to the Palace hotel, where the ladies of the town, headed by the wife of the proprietor of the hotel, had prepared a sumptuous banquet. The dinning room of the hotel was crowded with guests, who, after partaking of the good things prepared by the ladies, adjourned to the lodge room, where a very fine literary and musical program was given, and where toasts responded to. were toasts were responded to as follows: “Tainted Money,” with special reference to Billy Squier’s pig, L. R. Rodenne. “The Ladies,” Dr. Freeberg. “Carving Patience to Pigs,” Dr. Koch. “Enthusiasm,” C. W. Jewett. After the toasts had been re- sponded to, those present were given a rare musical and literary pro- gram, by some of the excellent tal ent,which Blackduck alone possesses, Mrs. Freeberg presided and began the program with a very comical story, entitled “The K. P. Picnic.” Piano Duet, Mrs. G. G. Johnson and Mrs. Oberg. Solo, J. M. Freeburg. Solo, Mrs. Oberg. It was well in towards Friday morning when the program was finished, and those present left for their homes. Although the K. P.s have given several entertainments during the past year, last evening’s affair is pronounced the best of any. H. S. Chase, Jr., Is Better. Word has been received from Min- neapolis, to the effect that H. S. Chase, Jr., who was recently taken to a hospital in the “Mill” city, is improving, and that he is out of the hospital and stopping at the home of his sister, in Minneapolis. Mr. Chase has not been well for the last two years, but his friends in this city and also over west around Grand Forks, hope he will pull A. E. Witting officiated as toast- master, and under his direction, through his present illness. Local news on last page BOUND TO FORCE THE GROOKSTON MILL ON US Telegram From Crookston to Duluth News Tribune Asserts Mill Will Be Dismantled and Moved. Rumors that the Crookston Lum- ber company intends to move its Crookston mill to this city will not down. The latest is the following, which is a special telegram from Crookston to the Duluth News- Tribune: “Crookston, Oct. 2.—Information has been received from a reliable source that the large $300,000 saw- mill at this point, belonging to the Crookston Lumber company, is to be dismantled this fall and removed to some other place more advan- tageous. This coursé was hastened on account of the big increase in freight rates which are almost pro- hibitive for carrying logs. “The mill has been running every year for the last thirty years and in the last decade has been sawing on an average of 300,000 feet of lumber daily. It has afforded employment to four hundred men and has been one of the most important factors in the development of the city. “It has not been learned where the mill will be taken to but it is probable that it will be removed to some point in Beltrami county where the com- pany owns large tracts of pine land. There are in the neighborhood of 13,- 000,000 feet of logs which will be cut in the few remaining weeks of the season.” Little Jim Pleases Hibhing Horsemen. Hibbing, Oct, 3.—Hibbing. horse- men are much pleased with the per- formance of Little Jim, owned by F. A. Ansley of this rity, at the Bel- trami county fair at Bemidji. Little Jim in the free-for-all established a Bemidji track record when he: went the first heat in 2:15){. He' won the free-for-all in three straight heats. In the 2:10 pace or trot Little Jim paced a dead heat with Shamrock and then took the next two, thus winning first money in two events, as well as making a record for the track. SUPERINTENDENT RIGHIE MAKES SCHOOL REPORT First Month of Present Term Shows Increased Attendance.--- Mare Room Is Necessary. A. P. Ritchie, superintendent of the Bemidji city schools, has issued the following, as his first monthly report of the schools for the present term: ‘ “Itis with pleasure that I submit to you the following report: *“The first month ended Sept. 27, 1907. The opening of school has been very satisfactory, as!far as attendance and interest shown is concerned. During the month, 391 boys and 396 girls have been en-| rolled, making a total of 787 pupils, | against 686 for the first month last year a gain of 101 pupils, The at- tendance has been most gratifiying, but three rooms have reported an attendance below 95 per cent and tendance of 98 per cent. “Inthe case of punctuality, so much cannot be said—68 cases of tardiness were reported; 27 of these were from two rooms. These cer- tainly need waking up. Two other rooms repert no tardinnss whatever. children are on time. made to the schools during the past thirty-nine different persons, as one person makes several visits. Would it not be better for parents to visit oftener, and thus become acquainted with those in charge of instructing their children? Remember that children see things through children’s eyes. “Three cases of truancy were re- ported; more may have occurred,and not been detected. This is being rapidly eliminated and we hope will soon be 2 thing of the past. “The teachers are supposed to be in their respective rooms at least of school in the afternoon. Three have reported that on one occassion | they have failed to do so, by a margin of two minutes, and think it will not happen again. “As most of you know, we were compelled to place two rooms in the Reed photograph building. . If poorly lighted and still poorer ven- tilated rooms, struggling under adverse circumstances, trying to secure an education. “In the central building, account of the lack of room. ““I'he high school has .grown from eleven girls and one boy,in thespring This increased enrollment is most in .the number of boys, The high school room is over- crowded, by about 14. Sixty desks are all that can well be placed in the floor space; however, 70 have been crowded in. This still leaves four without desks. We have had to pupils to take all their work in the forenoon and others in the afternoon. “There are about 40 pupils in the Eighth grade, this year. Itis safe to say that at least 30 of them will enter the high school next year. “What to do with the crowded lem for the people of the district to solve in the near future. “Take it all in, all, we are not complaining, but on the other hand, teachers and pupils seem happy and | delighted with their work. P Y ] = = ¥ Wl =4 none as low as 94 per cent—an at- Parents should see to it that their “Only thirty-nine visits have been month. This does not represent | Do not be too hasty | & in judging or condemning the school | § from the reports made by children. | § thirty minutes prior to the opening |§ you visit there you will find about |§ 95 pupils huddled together in two along | § both | & of the primary grades are compelled | § to attend only half-day sessions on | § of 1904, to an enrollment of 74, of | ¥ which 32 are boys and 42 are girls. | § gratifying,and especially the increase | § overcome this by arranging for some | [ conditions of our schools isa prob-|8 SMITH-MINOR LUMBERCO. ENTERS LOGAL FIELD, Has Ample Capital and Will Have Fine Yards.---Will Erect Sash Factory In the Spring. A new enterprise, which has a substantial capital and first-class business ability back of it, is the Smith-Minor Lumber company, which was recently incorporated and which will enter into the lumber business in Bemidji, on an extensive scale. The new company has as its president, A. E. Smith, president of the Bank of Puposky, who is no stranger to the business men of Bemidji, having been interested here previous to this time. Associated with Mr. Smith is R. T. Minor, a thorough and practical business man, who formerly lived in Iowa, and who will have personal charge of the business in this city. The Smith-Minor Lumber com- pany will conduct an extensive lum- ber yard, which they are now locat- ing near the electric light plant. They will have large sheds. They will manufacture their own lumber and will also purchase the products of the smaller mills in this vicinity. They will handle all kinds of lath, mouldings, doors, building paper, lime, cement and everything else, handled by first-class lumber yards. It is stated that the company will erect a sash door factory next MINNESOTA 3 AL 1y ORIC B FORTY CENTS PER MONTH spring and will manufacture sashes and doors on a very extensive scale. Messrs, Smith and Minor are the stamp of men who will make a auc- cess of anything with which they associate, and the success of the Smith-Minor company. is assured. R:1 Lake Railroad Suits Settled. Stipulations for the dismissal of all the cases of the M., R.L.& M. Railway against the signers of the contract, for right of way, were made and filed in the office of the clerk of district court today. This settles the "cases wherein local people were compelled to pay for land secured for the right of way, of the road built from Nebish into this city. The Dixies Coming. The Ladies Aid society of the Presbyterian church have succeeded in getting the “Dixie Jubilee”singers to again come to Bemidji. This will be the third appearance here. Each time they have been well received and had a good house, At City Opera House Oct. 4. Seats now on sale at City Drug Store. Reserved seats 75c. — Building Walk from Depot. Work has been commenced in put- ting in the cement walk from the G. N. depot “up town,” and it is possible that in a few days a pedestrian can get from the depot to the business portion of the city without wading, ankle deep, in a block or more of sand. —_— Local news on last page JERRARD & COVINCTON WILL-HANDLE HARDWARE Have Leased the Boyer Building and Will Carry a Fine Stock of Goods. The Jerrard Plumbing company has been merged into a new firm, Jerrard & Covington. Under the new arrangements the company will deal extensively in hardware, in con- nection with their big business in plumbing. Messrs. E. H. Jerrard and J. C. Covington have leased the Boyer block, on Minnesota Avenue, and will occupy that place. A pew plate glass front is being put in the building and the entire interior is being renovated, and when com- pleted will give the company a most excellent stand for their business. Messrs. Jerrard & Covington will carry a large new stock of shelf and heavy hardware, tinware, stoves and all articles, comprising a geneial hardware stock. Both of the gentlemen forming the new firm are well known busi- ness men and they undoubtedly will receive a very liberal patronage in their line. Cedar! Cedar! Cedar! Wanted cedar timber, logs or bolts. Douglass Lumber Co., Bemidji, tele- phone 371. Additional local matter will be found on fourth page. e ———————————————————————————————————————————————— U Friday and § Saturday B 1000 yards German d torchon lace, 1-2 to 2 inches wide, new # fall patterns b5c ayard- 25 to ities OAVIDADLERG SONS| [[cLoTHiNg compANY| Wooltex Coats For girls and misses we are showing a fine line of d Wooltex Coats at from $10 to $20 each. We also carry a cheaper § line from $2.50 up. Lumbermen’s (C’g Fosston Shirts, Jackets and Underwear Malone Pants and Vests. Gold Seal and Wales Goodyear Rub- bers. 16¢ each ™ Friday and | Friday and Saturday 25 dozen ladies’ sam- ple handkerchiefs 25 pieces ribbons, 50 cent qual- 100 Inpre- senting the Palmer line We can|of ladies’ sell you an coats to our Adler Suit | Customers at from $15 | we feel that to $28. we are of- fering the Let us| best gar- show you. | ments that - can be put Overcoat together for from $10| the money. to $30. We are We'lll showing add another | long coats satisfied| at from $9 customer to | to $35. our list. Street coats, the very newest thing, from $25 to $35. Foot Wear “Johnson & Murphy, King Quality and Sharood’s shoes in our men’s department. Pingree ard Sely shoes in our ladies’ department. Men’s Hats In our Hat Department you'll find the latest styles. Lanpher Hats Roelof Hats Youman Hats Saturday '25¢ a yard Friday and Saturday fancy | 50 boxes of fine sta- 1907 pat- | tionery, 24 sheets and terns, sizes 60 to|24 envelopes, extra good quality 10¢ a box O’Leary and Bowser Bemidji, Minn. We Cash Mill Checks Men’s Clothing We Try to Satisfy Ladies’ Coats - Tgingmense Reliable Furs We are now showing a very complete line of Furs. Ladies’ Jackets from $20 to $70. Neck pieces from $1 to $25. HouseFurnishi The greatest. i of styles and shown in Be seen in our stock and Linoleums. ngs | 1