Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, August 6, 1909, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI D MINNESOTA RISTORIOAL seclETY. | Y PION EER. VOLUME 7. NUMBER 93. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY. EVENING, AUGUS:I‘ 6, 1909.( FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. STATE RESTED IN HEARIN HELD AT THE COURT HOUSE H Evidence of Deputy Public Examiner Kain, Relative to Charges Against County Auditor Wilmann, Was About Completed at Noon Hour. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Smith tookup the second charge against Mr. Wilmann, as follows: "Count Two. “That the said John Wilmann dur- ing the years 1908 and 1909, did not enter in the real property assess- ment books of the County of Bel- trami a complete list of all lands subject to taxation, describing each lot or partof lot and block, showing the number of acres in each tract, and setting opposite each descrip- tion the name of the owner, and if unknown so state, and thereby com- mitted nonfeasance in office.” Mr. Kain was called for the state and cited a number of descriptions which were not placed on the tax list at the time the 1908 assessment was made and taxes extended. It also developed that later on the descriptions on which the pub- lic examiner’s office bases its charge against Mr. Wilmann were placed on the list voluntarily by the county auditor before the last examination made hy Mr. Kain, from May 5 to June 6, 1909. J. 1. Conger, deputy register of deeds, was sworn as a witness for the state and gave documentary evidence as to the record of omitted tracts listed by Mr. Kain in his direct examination. In the third count, Mr. Wilmann was charged as follows: “Count Three. “That the said John Wilmann dur- ing the years 1908 and 1909, did not present at each regular meeting of the County Board a statement in writing showing the amounts levied for the various county purposes for the current year, together with the actual cash balance, if any, remain- ing to the credit of each fund at the date of such meeting, and the amounts, if any still unpaid on account of contracts already entered into by the County Board and there- by committed nonfeasance in office.” Mr. Kain took the stand as a witness for the state on direct ex- amination stated that he had made careful search of the commissioners’ records for the auditor’s statement as to the condition of the treasury and actual cash balance, if any re- mained to the credit of each fund, and said that no such statement) was of record for the January or July meetings of 1908 or the January meeting of 1909. He further stated that he had searched the files of the auditor’s office for such statements, which could not be found. On cross-examination by Mr. Mc- Donald, Mr. Kain stated that he had never spoken to Mr. Wilmann about this duty of the auditor or given any instructions in 1908 that this statement was necessary. When asked, on cross-examination, whether or not the auditor’s month- ly trial balance would not show the conditions of the county funds, Mr. Kain stated that it would, but this was not enough to comply with the statue, which required a statement from the auditor. F. O. Sibley, a ‘member of the county board, was sworn as a wit- ness for the state and testified that he served on the county board dur- ing the years 1908 and 1909; that in July Mr. Wilmann filed a statement showing the amount necessary to be raised for taxes for the year 1909; and that during the summer of 1908 a statement was filed showing the exact condition of the county’s finances and amount of money re- quired by the bond issue to take up the floating “outstanding indebted- ness. Wes. Wright, also a member of the board, was sworn in as a witness for the state and stated that he was a member of the county board in 1908 and 1909. Mr. Wright stated that whatever information was wanted regarding the finances of the county was given by Mr. Wil mann form his records. The fourth count against Mr. Wil mann is: "Count Four. “That the said John Wilmann, during the year 1908 and 1909, failed to place the words “‘sold for .| taxes” opposite each description in the tax lists of Beltrami county of property which had been sold for taxes, and which was subject to redemption but not redeemed, and thereby committed nonfeasance in office” County Treasurer George H. French was sworn and gave testi- mony as to this charge, stating that but few tracts were marked ‘“‘sold for taxes.” Mr. French stated that a number of tracts were marked for back taxes for years prior to the year 1908, Several descriptions in different towns were offered as evidence show- ing that the auditor had done part of this work. Mr. French also stated that part of the descriptions were marked “sold for taxes” after January 1. Mr. Kain, on direct examination, stated that in the report he made in 1908 he gave a number of descrip- tions of real'estate sold for taxes in 1907 at tax judgment sale and not marked by the auditor. Upon crossexamination Mr. Kain’s report was produced and Mr. Kain withdrew his answer given above, for the reason that the report did not contain any such statement. The fifth, and last, count against the auditor was then taken under consideration by the state, as fol- lows: “Count Five, “That the said John Wilmann did not make and file with the Auditor of Beltrami County on or before January 10th in each year and up to and including the date hereof, a written statement verified by his oath, showing in detail the amount of all fees, gratuities and emoluments of whatever nature received by him as such official, or in connection with his’ official work during the preceding calendar year, for the rea- son that the statement of the said John Wilmann filed in 1909, shows that he received the sum of $2048.10, whereas, in truth and in fact the said John Wilmann during 1908, received as auditor, fees, gratuities and emoluments in connection with ais official work more than the sum of $2076.10.” Mr. Wilmann’s report of fees, gratuities and emoluments showed that he had received $2018.10. Upon examination of the records it was found that he had ommitted from this statement $18.50 received for certificate to abstract and $24, as a member of the election canvassing board. It was proved, upon cross- examination, that this money was Mr, Wilmann’s private money and the county was in no wise affected by his not reporting this $42.50. This closed the testimony of the state and Mr. Wilmann was then called as witness in his own behalf. Mr. Wilmann stated that he had been county auditor since January 3, 1905. His testimony regarding count No. 1 was brief. He stated that he and his depu- ties had collected $18.50 as his fee for certificate to tax liens. Miss Kiehm and Miss Hegg (employes in the auditor’s office) were placed on the stand and also gave testimony as to above charges, confirming Mr. Wilmann’s statement. Mr. Wilmann, in answering the fourth count (that of his failure to mark descriptions of land which had been sold for taxesand not redéemed “Sold for taxes” .in the tax levy books), stated that early in Decem- ber; 1908, he was obliged to take his wife to a hospital at Minneapolis; that before leaving he hired addi- tional deputies; in fact, he doubled the force, paying out $215 of his personal money for, additional labor. Mr. Wilmann stated that he did not return to Bemidji until after the 1st of January 1909, expecting, on hfs return, to find everything com- plete and in good shape. He also stated that the 1908 taxes contained something over 75,000 descriptions of real estate; that as the taxes were all made out, it was necessary for him to search every copy of the tax judgment record for years back; that in searching these back récords he had found a great many duplicates as well as'a number of omissions and that it required considerable hard work and that the time for doing this was short. In his testimony Mr. Wilmann s:zted that the law allowed him for clerck Yire about $1,600 and that this amount was totally inadequate for the work required in Beltrami county. Adjournek for noon. Band Concert, Friday Evening. The following is the program that will be rendered by the - Bemidji band, under the direction of Prof. Harry. Masten, at the band stand on the dock, Friday evenin March—"“The Roller King"....... Selection trom The Girl”. .Andy Jnug arr by Dalby -W. H. Kiefer INTERMISSION, March—"The Commander....... W. H. Kiefer “'Bits of Remicks Hits" ....J. B.Lampe T Want Somebody Dublin Daisies,” *“Dear lntroflncln&' to Play With,' 01d Dear,” "Daisies Won't Tell,” "I Wish I Had a Glrl " ‘My Pony."” All join in on the ‘Von Tilzer mer”. W, H. Kiefer MAURIGE WITTING WROTE SPLENDID PRIZE STORY Twelve-Year-0ld -Son of Mr. and Mrs. Witting Roegmflzed By the “Hyman Life.” “Human Life,” a popular maga- zine, recently printed a story written by Maurice E. Witting, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Witting- nf this city. The title of this story was “Moose Point,” and the editors of “Human Life” awarded Maurice a prize of $1 for the excellence of his story. The story was as follows: “There are many “small lakes in northern Minnesota. One = time there was a man crossing one-of these in a boat with his little girl. “He stopped at a place on ‘the shore and went back into the woods to hunt, leaving his little girl alone in the boat, ""After a while a' moose came out into the water and went near the boat withont noticing the little girl. Somehow he became tangled up in the rope and began thrashing around in the water. At last he plunged madly out towards the open lake towing the boat behind him. “The little girl was very much frightened and her screams only terrified the animal the more. **On they went till they reached a point of land on the opposite shore. “There the moose freed himself and ran away, leaving the little girl moored on the bank. “When her father came out where they first landed and foun dno boat he was greatly surprised. But on looking acrossthe lake he saw his little daughter safé in the boat. He soon reached her by walking around, which was only a short distance, and as he rowed the boat home she told him of her strange adventure. *‘He named the point in the lake ‘Moose Point,’ by which it has been known ever since. “Maurice E. Witting, “Age12, “Bemidji, Minn. City Warrants Payable, Notice is hereby given that there is money in the city treasury to pay outstanding warrants as follows: Warrants: on the general fund registered prior to March 1, 1909. Warrants on the poor fund regis- tered prior to March 1, 1909. Warrants- on the permanent im- provement fund registered: prior to May 26, 1909. Intérest on the above warrants will cease from and after thirty days from the date of this notice. Dated at Bemidji, Minn., this 4th day of August, 1909. —Earl Geil, City Treasurer. SCOTCH PICNIC WILL BE HELD SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 Lachlan Collie and His Band of Pipers and Dancers and the Bemidji Band Will attend.—Fine Program Has Been Arranged. ‘The second annual Scotch picnic (which fete was inaugurated last Lyear as an annual event among the Scotch descendents of Bemidji) will be held Sunday afternoonm, on the east shore of Lake Bemidji, at the outlet of the Mississippi river. A splendid program has been arranged for the day by the follow- ing, who have charge of the affair: President—John A. McDonald. Secretary—Frank A. Jackson. Treasurer—Hugh Dickie. Soliciting C o mmitt ee—Hugh Dickie, Naish McKinnon, McNabb, Charles Knopke. Andy i DA AT his famous Kiltie bagpipe band and dancers have been engaged for the day and they will entertain the crowd with some lively music and dancing. The Bemidji band of fourteen pieces has been engaged to play at the picnic and will assist in en- liveneing the occasion. The committee has also arranged for a number of sports which will include a 100-yard dash, a ladies’ race, jumping contest, tossing the caber. There will also be a quoit-pitch- ing contest which will be conducted Entertainment Committee—David McMeekin, Frank A. Jackson. Arrangements Committee—Fran. cis Egan, John A. Armstrong. The committee has secured Hon. C. W. Stanton and Attorney Henry Funkley of this city to deliver speeches and there will undoubtedly be a number of impromptu addresses during the afternoon. Lachlan Collie of Winnipeg and Mail Orders Promptly Filled Marx Clothes $20.00 Suits $25.00 Suits HE n who like smart fashions, and at the same time appre- ciate the extra quality and the big saving in prices now at $13.75 $22 and $24 Suits now af $14.65 now $17.25 $28 and $30 Suits now al $18.25 Glearance of Florsheim and Walk-Over Shoes and Oxfords Black, patent, gun metal and tan half shoes Shoss ot $3.95 $ii *$3.15 2769 Clothing House BIG Don't Overlook If you domt delay into this ; This a saving amount you spend. $10.00 Suit $15,00 Suit $18.00 Suit Values Values at $7.85 Valies at $9.85 =l Good Clothes - Nothing Else REMOVAL SALE! A slashing clearance of medium and light weight Suits, Overcoats and Raincoats, from our spring and summer stock of Hart Schaff- ner and Marx fine clothes. of a fine fabric season; handsome grays, rich tans, olives and greens, soft stone colors; silk mixtures, velours, worsteds, tweeds, spuns, flannels, blue serges and blue unfin- ished worsteds. Ask your Salesman to Pick Out the Best for You Hart Schaffner & Thls is a great chance for The finest fabrics home- looking net you equals the it $4.65 it will that Straw Hat Clearance Every $200 Straw Hat in the house 79° sale.. You’ll see $3.00 Straw Hats, at this $2 10 during the day. In addition to the small sports there will beaCaledonian tug-of-war, between two teams of four men on each side. Boats will be in service from early in the morning of the day of the picnic until late at night for the purpose of taking the pic- nickers from the city across to the outlet and back; this service will be free to those who have tickets and badges, The first boat will leave the city dock at 9 o’clock in the morning. During the day an elaborate repast will be served to all those in attendance at the picnic and special plans are being carried out to make this one of the greatest out-door spreads ever gotten up in this vic- inity. At the conclusion of the repast, and when the “inner man” has been sufficiently replenished, it is expected that there will be impromptu vocal quartets, sextets and octets, which will render some Scotch airs with a vim which only Scotch descendants can give them. While the picnic is designated as a “Scotch” picnic, no one is barred from participating in the affair, and it is expected that a large crowd will attend. REMAINS OF JAGOB FUNK BURIED IN GREENWOOD Was Accidentally Drowned, Wednesday, While Riding in Gasoline Launch on Mud Lake. The body of Jacob Funk, who was drowned on Mud lake Wednesday morning, was buried in Greenwood cemetery this morning, a large num- ber of friends of the deceased being present at the funeral. Funeral services were held in St. Philip’s Catholic church, Father Benedict Smith officiating. The body of Funk was brought to this city yesterday afternoon and prepared for burial. son, who visited the home of Funk Coroner Ibert- and viewed the body shortly after it was removed from the lake, deemed it unnecessary to hold an inquest. It appears that Funk was return- ing to his home from a trip to Pu- posky and had nearly reached the landing when, in some manner, he fell out of the boat, sinking to the bottom of the lake, which is covered with rushes and deep mud. Funk could not extricate himself and per- ished without rising to the surface. Mrs: Funk was looking out of the window when Jake was coming across the lake and noticed him in the boat. She looked again a few minutes afterwards and the boat was running wild without any occupant. No Social Tonight. On account of the inclemment weather, late this afternoon, it was decided to indefinitely postpone the social, advertised elsewhere, for this evening. Local news on last page. 5 3