Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 2, 1908, Page 1

e THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEE Histotical Society, VOLUME 5. NUMBER 268. IMMIGRATION BUREAU IS HELPING TO GET LABORERS State Immigration Commissioner Welsh Doing Excellent Work in Supplying Wants of Farmers, and Also in Placing Laborers Who Desire to Work. The work being done by the Min- nesota State Board of Immigmtion,: through the energetic commissioner, George Welsh, in interesting other| sections of the United States 'm_‘; Minnesota and furthering the best!| interests of the state generally, is| resultlng in much good. | the last six months Mr. Welsh has been in correspondence | During GEORGE WELSH, Commissioner of the Minnesota State Immigration Commission. with landseekers, farm laborers and many in other walks of life, with the view to interesting them in the won- derful resources of the North Star| State. One of the matters taken up by Mr. Welsh was that of securing com- petent help for the farmers of Min- nesota, who are desirious of getting steady, reliable employes to assist them. Recently Mr. Welsh received the following letter relative to at least one case where his efforts in that line had been productive of good: “Fountain, Minn., Feby. 25. “George Welsh, Esq., Comr. of Im- migration, St. Paul, Minn. “Dear Sir:—I write to inform you that the correspondence opened with you last fall relative to securing a farm laborer has resulted in securing a man through the Federal Bureau from New York. He arrived here yesterday., He isa Norskman, just what I applied for, and apparently a good fellow. “I sent a long list of the names of first-class farmers to Washington today, requesting that blank applica- tions be forwarded to them at once. “I sent $22.80 to pay his fare, which of course, comes out of his wages. “Thanking you for past favors, I remain “\'ery Respectfully, “John F. Healy.” This seems to open a channel through which a long and much- needed want can be supplied. The immigration department isin com-| munication with a great many men throughout the eastern states who are desirous of seturing employment upon farms in Minnesota. If the farmers who are in need of laborers will communicate with the commissioner, giving the wages they will pay, etc., no doubt the subject of farm laborin a very short time will be, to a large measure, solved. If efficient farm laborers could be secured in the state of Minnesota, well-to-do farmers would have no desire to leave the farms, and the exchequers of the state wonld be greatly increased by having them remain and having them supplied with efficient laborers. Indicative of the efficient work of Mr. Welch in attracting laborers to Minnesota the following letter will show the good work being done: “Arbor Hill, Va. 2-18-08. “Dear Sir:—I read your ad in the Notional Stockman and you speak of good chance for farm labor. I can bring you several good young men not afraid of good people. The wages here in Virginia are very small and too long hours. “I am 38 years old, weight 165 pounds, and can handle any kind of farm implements, and would like to get a job that is steady. The last place I worked I was with the man for five years. Had charge of everything. If my work is not satisfactory I do not want any pay. | The times are very hard and money is scarce. I am willing to work for a man and show him what I am, and what I can do for him. “Iam honest and will prove it by my actions. of money and I would like to go to work right away. and he is a good worker. In fact, they are all good. return mail, please, and how to come bv the way of Chicago and over the Great Northern. I will make it all right if the place I have | @ is such’ as live and yet live. “Yours truly, “C. H. Bosserman.” Residents of the state should co-operate with Mr. Welsh in his work and the results will be far more reaching and beneficial than any one at present is cognizant of. Mrs. Henderson Entertains. One of the most enjoyable social events of the winter was an after- noon at bridge given by Mrs. A. E. Henderson last Saturday. The spacious parlor and living-room were tastefully decorated with red roses, white carnation and ferns. At six o’clock the guests laid aside the fascinations of the game for an equally alluring dinner. Favors were won by Mrs. Bolton of Duluth and Mrs. Shoemaker of St. Cloud. Mrs. Henderson was assisted by NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION of Independent School District of Bemidji. Whereas a petition has been presented to the undersigned as clerk of said district. re- auesting that a special meeting of the legal voters of said district be called at the time and pl set for! e, nfldfl for the purposes hereinafter , an Whereas the board of education of sald dis- trict hason this day by resolution requested and directed that notice of suc ing be glven, as requircd by la Now therefore. notice is hereby given, that a special election of the legal voters of Inde- pendent school district of Bemidjl will be held at the Central school house located in block four (4) of the first addition to Bemldji, in the city of Bemidil, Beltrami county, Min- nesota, on Thursday, the 1%th day of March, 1908, at seven o'clock p. m., for the purpose of voting upon the proposition of purchasing the following tract of 1and for a school site and the erection of a high school building thereon, In said district, natffely: Rlock D. ot Bemidji Townsite & Improvement Company’s Sub- division of Outlots C. D, and E. in Bemidjl, Minnesota,—and that the bonds of said dis: trict, in the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), in denominations of each, bearing interest at the rate of fi Der cent per annum, payable in fifteen from date of issue, interest payable semi- annually, be issued for that purpose. Dated this 20th day of February, 1908, GRAHAM M. "II(]RRAI‘((%E.k ork. Mrs. Erwig and Miss Donaldson. The guests were Mesdames Brooks, Spooner, White, Torrance. Mayo, Bowser, Ike Black, John Spooner, Kline, Marcum, E. H. Smith, Mc- Kenzie, Lycan, Rattenger, Crocker, |§ Budge of Grand Forks, Bolton of Duluth and Shoemaker of St. Cloud. Irvine Camps Closing. Blackduck American: exception of the Irvine company will complete their work about the 3rd of March. The break-up occurs much earlier than last year but this is because of the favorable logging weather which prevailed during the past winter. The season just drawing to a close has been ideal for operations in the woods and without exception the loggers this year are retrieving any losses they may have sustained dur- ing the previous year or two. Apron and Fancy Work Sale. The Ladies’ Aid of the Methodist church will give an apron and fancy work sale the first week in April. Parties wishing to donate to this may do so by notifying Mrs. Minor, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs, Larson or Mrs. Butler. I am very scarce _ I have one |# friend that wants to go with me|§ Now, if|j you can place me let me know by |2 With the | § Big camp at Pine Island the camps of . the J. A. | BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1908. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH -Kelliher’s New City Hall and Water Tank, This handsome brick block cost $8,000 and is owned jointly by the Village of Kelliher and the Township of Kelliher. The low cost of the village hall and the waterworks system is due, in a large measure, to the diligence of William Lennon, president of the Kelliher village council. The hall was formally opened to the public Friday evening, Feb. 21. REV. WARD, SKY PILOT, WAS FOUND; NOT INJURED Man Who ‘‘Roasted” Bemidji, Apain Appears in His Role of Lumber- ¢ jack Preacher. Walker Pilot: The following letter an inquiry sent out by the Pilot, which explains itself. Mr. Ward, as was explained in last week’s Pilot, mysteriously disappeared while con- ducting evangelistic meetings in the M. E. church. The letter which follows is of sufficient interest to warrant publication: “Dear Pilot—In answer to your letter asking me to tell the Pilot what I know about the much missed was received Tuesday in answer to| Sky Pilot. Briefly told it is this: About 9:30 Wednesday evening I heard a ‘knocking, knocking at the door.” Being busily engaged read- iug the day’s papers at the time, my wife answered the call at the door, and he (the Sky Pilot) being one of the kind of men who can ‘spéak for yourself John,’ I heard the conversa- tion. “He asked for entertainment for the night, saying he was very tired! having traveled from Bemidji since morning. My wife informed him there was no spare room; in fact gave him the ‘marble heart’ Of course she did not suspect he was a Rev. nor did I. Had such been the case he would have been kept if I had been comipelied to sleep with the dog. He was directed 1o V. J. Warren’s where he found the ‘glad hand,” Mrs. Warren getting out of bed to get him his supper. After breakfast in the morning he de- parted without offering pay. “Akeley was his destination, and his business at Bemidji had been to geta job in a logging camp as clerk. A word in extenuation of our failure to keep him over night. We live close to the G. N. railroad track, and sometimes about forty- leven men ask the same favor in one day. “Thankfully yours, “D. C. Jenkins.” The Rev. Ward referred to above was the editor of the “Lumberjack,” the Woodsmen’s paper which was published at Fergus Falls for some time. Aseditor of that publication, Rev. Ward, about a years ago, paid his respects to Bemidji, and likened this city unto Soddom and Gomor- rah of holy writ; saying we were very wicked and there was no hope for our betterment. Good Clothes; Nothing Else $15 to $22. prompt attention. i wear—now ., ., at $1I. §l TROUSERS — None less than $2.50 — g strictly Wool Kersey for sprin; wear— o $1.65 Clothing House ial this week . Let us educate you in what’s what in the new spring wear in Suits, Overcoats, Boys’ Clothes, Shirts, Hats, | Shoes and other good things. SUITS AND OVERGOATS FOR MEN AND THE "YOUNGER SET" UNDERWEAR—Derby ribbed elastic wool § underwear—$1.50 quality—spec- Money Cheerfully B Refunded $11.00 g | The chief legislative and land de- | for all this drainage—that is, the e | settlers who filed on government 4 | 81.25 per acre charged for the com- E | mutation proof. But the worst fea- k| ture, it was said, was the fact that You're in luck, if} you only knew it; and| here’s why. This ex-| tra special sale of odd Suit lots. We have put about a hundred of black and fancy weaves in men’s and young men’s sizes into a clearance sale There is only one or two of a kind; medium and heavy; they’re worth It’s an extraordinary occasion; werth your We shall have to charge for altera- | tions on these. Your choice this week each settler who had filled since 3| would sell for at the time of proof. b | Then the settlers could not hope to ! 10 years, judging from history in B | Will Represent Bemidji High School in B | the selecting of two representatives gl | to be held in Park Rapids March 13. Baudette, Feb. 29.—Settlers and business men of Beltrami county have taken a decided stand against the pending drainage bill before con-| gress and at a meeting held hereI this week of those vitally interested | in the subject, a resolution was drawn up in which their sentiments were strongly set forth. The mass meeting was under the auspices of the Spooner and Baudette Commer- cial clubs and was for the purpose of discussing the drainage proposi- tion as proposed for all the untaken federal lands in what was formerly embraced within the old Red Lake Indian reserve. This reserve ex- tends or did extend, all along the international boundary from Black river (a confluent of the Rainy river) on the east to a point about six miles west of Warroad, a distance of 70 or 80 miles. The resolution adapted was sent the Minnesota congressional dele- gation and asks that they use their power to have the northern portion of the ceded Chippew: lands ex- cepted and excluded from the opera- tion of the act of June 21, 1906, and also the Indian appropriation act approved March 1, 1907, as well as a protest against the proposed law. After a full consideration of the drainage proposition as embodied in the laws above mentioned and in bills recently introduced in both houses of congress it was the the unanimous sentiment that they were not to the benefit of the people of these parts. Many settlers have been urging Congessman Steenerson to ad- vocate drainage fot northern Minne- sota and this seems to have been a great demand in this state for years. partment as a whole would not con- sider these cries from northern Min- nesota without taxing the settlers land since March 1, 1907— and they would be taxed anywhere from $2.50 to $3 per acre plus the usual the settlers could not prove up nor get title to their land until the sur- vey and great ditches had been com- pleted and the cost asessed against March 1, 1007. This is much more money than an ordinary settler can pay and much more than this land get title to theirland in less than SPOONER PEOPLE OPPOSE - DRAINAGE IN THE COUNTY Mass Meeting Held at Baudette, and Resolutions Adopted Asking that Northern Portion Chippewa Lands Be Excluded from Federal Drainage Provision. similar matters. This latest plan is bodied in a pending bill. A great per cent of the land in northern Beltrami county, say 60 per cenr, is covered with a deep layer of decayed vegetation and moss and is undoubtedly the most fertile land in Minnesota. If this was drained too extensively it would cause great areas to burn two or three feet down into the clay subsoil, ruining the territory. These lands which are proposed for drainage are very high and the slope is from two to five feet to the mile, affording good drainage as soon as roads are put in and the settlers clear off the timber. It was also thought that the state is fully able to take care of the drainage whenever necessary. Farmers, settlers and business men from Warroad, Swift, Roosevelt, Williams, Graceton, Pitt, Baudette, Spooner, Clementson and Frontier as well asfrom from the Lake of the Woods, numbering in all 300, voiced their opinions against the drainage issue. It was also urged at the gather- ing that congress dispose of all the pine forties which have been re- served and most of which have but little pine on them, be sold and a chance be given the settlers to get them. This is the best land, being along streams, and is a means of keeping the settlers scattered. Attorney Middleton was elected chairman of the conference Attorney Geo. E. Ericson, secretary. Among the speakers were Albert Berg, presi- dent of the Spooner Commercial club and mayor of that town; C. R. Middleton, George E. Ericson,Harry Cnrry, H. P. Imsdahl and W. B. Bliven of Pitt, Editor Huss of Spooner and Editor Dalquist of Baudette, besides a number of other people who spoke to leave off drain- age as proposed. [Whether the above action on the part of what is termed a ‘“‘mass meeting” correctly expresses the views of the settlers in the northern part of the county,.is a matter of conjecture. Certain it is that drain- age is desired to rid a large portion of the lands north of Red Lake of the over-abundance of “swamp liquid,” in order that the lands may be made tillable and desirable for farming, It is just possible that the meet- ing and the attending resolutions were the result ot a scheme of some interested parties to block the plan to add value to the north-country lands.—Ed. Pioneer.] GLARA FISK AND BERNIGE BENTLEY WERE SELECTED Declamatory Contest at Park Rapids March 13. The preliminary contest held in the high school last Saturday even- ing was very successful, froma lit- erary standpoint, The object of the meeting was to the annual declamatory contest between Park Rapids, Grand Rap- ids, Akeley, Cass Lake and Bemidji, Rev. Deniston, W. B. Stewart and G. W. Campbell acted as judges and gave universal satisfaction. The contestants chosen by the judges are Miss Clara Fisk, for humorous and Miss Bernice Bentley for the serious selections. The declamations were well ren- dered and the high school is justly proud of her representatives. Several fine chourses were given Rl by the high school and Miss Graling favored the audience with a solo. Following was the program as rendered: Chorus—"“The Bees”.. 85 -High School Piano Solo « .Supplied Declamation—"Jimmy Brown’s Sister’s Wedding”. . . Jessie Moore Reading—"‘Selection fromWhite Aprons”........ Bernice ‘ Bentley Ladies’ Quartette...... High School Recitation—"To Utterly Utter” ............. ++++...Clara Fisk Declamation—"‘Tousaint Lou- verture”....... Clarence Shannon Reading—"Race Scene from Black Rock”...... Decision of Judges. Chorus—"“I Know a Bank” e el L e High School Commissioners Meet Tomorrow. A special meeting of the board of county commissioners will be held at the commissoners’ rooms, com- mencing tomorrow _morning. The board have a number of applications for new school districts to act upon at that time as well as to receive and open bids for road work. At this meeting road ‘work in the county will be taken up and consid- ered, as wellas a humber of other important matters. S y s