Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, August 9, 1909, Page 1

THE B MIDJI D 1.Y PIONEER. MINNESOTA I HISTORICAL - i sociery, ! J R | VOLUME 7. NUMBER 95. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 9, 1909. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. OFFICIAL EXAMINATION IS NEARING COMPLETION Temporary Adjournment Was Necessary, This Forenoon, Because of Case in Court Necessitating Absence of; Attorney Russell. —Good Progress Made. At the convening of the court of investigation, this morning, it was found necessary to adjourn until 1 o’clock this afternoon. The adjournment was necessitated by the fact that P. J. Russell, at- torney for Messrs. Wright and Sib- ley, is trying a case in the district court and could not be present at the hearing this forenoon. The examination of the charges filed by Anton Scheaffer, public examiner, against F. O. Sibley, A. W. Danaher and Wes Wright, mem- bers of the board of county com- missioners of Beltrami -county, was commenced shortly before mnoon Saturday. Assistant Public Exam- iner M. F. Kain conducted the examination together with Assistant Attorney General L. A. Smith who, as adviser to the governor, is seeing that the evidence is properly brought out, E. E. McDonald appears as attor- ney for A, W. Danaher and P. J. Russell as attorney for Wes Wright and F. O. Sibley. In addition to the personal testi- money given their defense, F. O. Sibley and Wes Wright have each filed separate answers to the charges as made by the public examiner’s office. F. O. Sibley, in his answer, admits that in the year 1908 the amount levied for the revenue fund was $33,000 and that the expendi- tures of the board exceeded that amount, giving as his reason that the sum of $33,000 was not a suffi- cient amount to defray the expenses of the county. He alleged that the district court expenses far exceeded the amount apportioned for that fund. Regarding Count 2 Mr. Sibley denied the allegations therein con- tained, stating the sum of $15,000 was levied for “road and bridge” purposes and in addition thereto there was the sum of $2,425 appor- tioned by the State of Minnesota to Beltrami county for that purpose (Chapter 405, Laws of 1907). Answering Count 3, Mr. Sibley admitted that no such statement as required by the statute had been made, alleging that he was not aware of the existence of such a law. He further stated that during the three terms he has served as county com- missioner he has never been advised by the county attorney or county auditor that such was the law; alleg- ing further that he presumed this was the duty of the public exmamin- er’s office, or their deputies. Mr. Wright in his separate answer, stated that he has been a resident of Beltrami county since its organiza- tion, twelve years ago, and that nine of these years he has been county commissioner from the first com- missioner district; that he has seen the county struggle for existance when its revenue by taxation could not, by law, exceed $12,000 per an- num, and this at a time when the county had not a mile of fairly pass- able road, no court house, no jail, or public buildings, though it had a set of county officers to pay and an annual term of district court to main- tain. Mr. Wright admitted that the taxes extended in the year 1908 for the county revenue fund amounted to $33,000 and that the expenditures of the board and the pecuniary lia- bilities incurrrd from the different sources amounted to more than that, but alleges, most emphatically, that such excess expenditures were in- curred only after the most persistent demands therefor from the people of the different commissioner dis- tricts. He alleged that no other county officer is so frequently con- fronted with problems and situations which call for judgment along the line of expense. He alleged that half the homestead lands in this county have not yet been proved up and are not taxable; neither are the owners paying any taxes; that the assessed valuation of the county is $7,000,000.. Mr. Wright alleged that the pres- ent bond issue will take up the out- standing indebtedness and °that those who now have homesteaded in the county will in the fifteen years (the time which these bonds run) pay their porportionate share of the improvements of Beltrami county— for its public buildings, roads and bridges. He denied that the board exceeded its authority on expendi- tures on the road and bridge fund, and the amount used was a trifle less than the appropriation. Answering the third charge Mr. Wright states that the board did not examine the accounts and vouchers of the auditor and treasurer and make a written statment required by law, but alleges further that the re- cords in the auditor’s office, back to the organization of the county, show no such reports to have ever been made or filed by the county board; that no loss or injury to the county or the people therein has beem shown by such failure or neglect of the county board. County Auditor Wilmann was called as the first witness on behalf of the commissioners and stated that the revenue fund January 1, 1908, was overdrawn $110,122.27; that during that year there was collected from all sources and placed to tbe credit of the revenue fund $3,408.21; that on December 31 of that year the outstanding warrants issued against the revenue fund amounted to $131,036.90; that at their meet- in July, 1907, the commissioners levied for use of the revenue fund $41,400; levy limit but $30,194.01 of this amount was actually extended and placed on the tax list. E. E. McDonald, attorney for A. W. Danaher, imposed an objection to any testimony being taken on this count, for the reason that, owing to the number of appropriations fixed bylaw and over which the commissioners had no control what- ever, it was utterly impossible for the commissioners to comply with this statute, and the fact that the funds were overdrawn on this show- ing, the charge did not state the fact sufficient to constitute mal- feasance in office on the part of the commissioners. Mr. Russell, on behalf of Mr. Wright and Mr. Sibley, imposed further objection and stated that they were charged with spending the 1908 tax levy, which in fact, should have been in 1907. The commissioner overruled this objection. Mr. Wilmann again took the stand and stated that the collections of back taxes during the year of 1908 amounted to $1559.87. Saturday afternoon the state, together with the respondents, made careful examination of the 1998 financial statement and found that of $53,547.90 expended out of the revenue fund $44,479.28 was fees, salaries and expeditures fixed by law and over which the board had no control whatever, leaving the small sum of $9,068.62 worth of claims which the board were required to pass upon, the several items being as follows: Miscellaneous . justice court ex- penses, $108.40, Books, blanks and $3807.99. . Court house and jail (material and repairs), $273.52. Telephones, $260.30. Sundry miscellaneous $2149.61. expenses, Subscribe For The Pioneer. that owing to the 5-mill|} stationery, GASOLINE FIRE GAUSES NEARLY FATAL RESULTS Gasoline Had Leaked in V. L. Ellig’ Launch.—Was Ignited, and Five Narrowly Escaped. Through the of escaping gasoline from the igniting of fumes tank in the gasoline launch owned by V. L. Ellis, last evening, Mr. Ellis and the other occupants of his boat narrowly escaped being burned to death, and but for the cool pres- ence of mind of Mr. Ellis and his prompt action, it is certain that at least one person would have perished. As it was, Miss Beulah Brannon was quite severely burned, as was also the little baby daughter of Mr. Ellis. Mr. Ellis had filled the large tank in his boat at 5 o’clock in the after- noon and he states that he probably spilt about a quart of gasoline in the boat while filling the tank. Another party in an adjoining stall had also filled the tank in his boat and the boathouse had become pretty well surcharged with the fumes from the gasoline. Mr. Ellis, accompanied by his wife and two little daughters, and Miss Beulah Brannon, went to the boat house, shortly before 7 o’clock last evening, for the purpose of tak- ing a ride on Lake Bemidji. All were seated in the boat, and as the engine did not start readily, Mr. Ellis unscrewed the spark plug to look at the igniter. There wasa sudden sheet of flame which enyel- oped Mr. Ellis and started fire on Miss Brannon’s clothing. The rush of the flames knocked Mr. Ellis down, but with great pres- ence of mind, he grabbed Miss Bran- non and threw her into the lake thereby extinguishing the fire on her clothing, at the same time yell- ing to his wife to escape through the door of the boathouse. Mrs. Ellis and the children safely made their way out of the boathouse, but in so doing, the little baby was quite severely burned. Mr. Ellis managed to get Miss Brannon out of the lake and sank the boat before it was very badly Aamaged by the flames, An alarm of fire was turned in, and the firemen responded, but their services were not needed. Miss Brannon suffered quite se- verely from the shock and burns which she sustained while her cloth- ing was on fire. She was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gullick- son, where her burns were attended to by a physician. Mr. Ellis and his party narrowly escaped being instantly killed or burned alive. It was only through his cool actions that one or more of the party were not burned to death as it was. Insure with the T. J. They Moral: Miller Insurance agency. write motor-boat insurance. R Gun Club Shoot. The members of the Bemidji Rod & Gun club held a shoot Satur- day evening and also Sunday, at which fairly good scores were made, which will be given in the Pioneer tomorrow. The Ladies’ Aid of the Presbyter- ian church will hold an ice cream social at the home of Mrs. A. E. Smith, Tuesday {August 10) after- noon and evening. TO MAKE COUNTER CHARGE Mrs. Castle Will File Complaint Against Man She Shot. New York, Aug. 9.—Mrs. Mary S. Castle of California, the former ac- tress who shot at William B. Craig, a New York lawyer, in the elevator of the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria last Tues- day, attempted to prefer a counter charge against Cralg when she was arraigned on a charge of felonious assault. The nature of the proposed complaint was not announced and the magistrate adjourned the hearing. ‘While testifying Mr, -Craig started to say “T have believed that this de- fendamt was mentally incompetent and now I know ——.” But the magis- trate stopped him by saying that such evidence was improper at this time. The magistrate promised to entertain Mrs. Castle’s charge. Accordingly Craig was subpoenaed to appear. LOGAL BASEBALL TEAM DEGIDEDLY UNGALLANT Defeated the Chicago Ladies’ Baseball Team by a Score of Nine To Six. ‘ The ungallant members of the Bemidji City Baseball Team, yester- day afternoon, defeated the*Chicago Ladies’ Baseball Team,” in an exhib- ition that gave considerable amuse- ment to a fair-sized crowd that had assembled to see the contest, the final score being 9 to 3, and Bemidji could have gotten a few more, had the boys so desired. Miss Birdie Carlton is the owner and captain of the team, and she also plays first base, doing quitewell with the assistance of a large mitt fthat received the ball with a re- sounding whack. There are four male players with the Ladies’ team, the pitcker and cather, the shortstop and an out- fielder, and these players give enough strength to the team to make the games interesting. The pitcher in yesterday’s game is being tried out and he was fairly good, but Bemidji got to him when necessary, and with-a weak-throwing catcher made runs enough to easily win the game. All of the ladies did their best and some of them can really play good ball. The team is weak as it played here, and Miss Carlton has sent for additional players to take the place of the men who have been playing with them, and it is certain that within a few days the team will be strong enough to give any of the semi-professional players a hard tussle. Baumgardner and Eckel were the battery for Bemidji; and _“Baum” had a fine time “tossing ’em” in to the girls. The members of the ladies’ team are well-behaved and conduct them- selves in an unapproachable manner atall times. THE SCOTS HAD SPLENDID TIME AT ANNUAL PICNIC Pipers and Dancers Added to Patriotic Enthusiasm.— The Band Played, Judge Stanton Delivered Fine Speech, and Everything Lovely. The-second annual Scotch picnic, given by the residents of Bemidji who are of direct Scotch lineage or are of Scottish decent, was held yes- terday, on the ‘east shore of Lake Bemidji, at the Mississippi river out- let, and the affair was largely-at- tended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The affair was of a strictly Scotch character, and the manifestations of loyalty to Scotch traditions was very prominent. A feature of the picnic was the presence of Lachlan Collie and his band of pipers and dancers from Winnipeg, who had been especially engaged for the occasion. They included Mr. Lachlan Collie and Robert McCall, pipers, and Duncan and Allen Collie and Willie David- son, dancers. The Bemidji band, under the direction of Prof. Harry Masten, was also present and rendered selections throughout the day. On account of the treatening weather in the morning, many who had intended attending the picnic where kept away; but a small damp- ness has little effect on the en- thusiasm of a genuine Scotchman, and the members of the committee were astir early, getting matters in readiness for the day’s enjoyment. The band and the pipers appeared on the street about 9 o’clock and a crowd quickly gathered at the dock and were taken across the lake to the picnic grounds. At the grounds, the committees had prepared stands, etc., where sandwiches, beans, and other eat- ables were served free of charge to those who had purchased tickets. INOUR NEW § WEDNESDAY when we will be ready for business in Our new quarters. . . ... ........ . ’Leary-Bowser C o ORE We are moving from our old place of business to our new store in the O’Leary- Bowser block, and we will be closed until ednesday, Aug. 11, 8 a. m. Mr. Lachlan and Mr. McCall got busy with the pipes as soon as they reached the grounds, and when the Collie boys and Master David- sonbegan to dance they were greeted with cheer after cheer. The pipers were in excellent tune, and the little dancers gave Scotch reels, strath- speys, sword dance, etc., with great frequency, exhibiting the greatest good nature in responding for em- phatic requests for “more, more.” In the afternoon, the exercises were held, F. A. Jackson acting as chairman. The band rendered a selection and the pipers played a ’ patriotic Scotch air, after which Chairman Jackson introduced Judge C. W. Stanton as the speaker of the day. Judge Stanton spoke most elo- quently, and his words were so patriotically Scotch that they elicited cheers at many pointsin his address, being both historical and humorous. The judge told of the intense loyalty of the Scot and asserted that residents of the United States who were Scotchmen made most excell- ent, steadfast American citizens. He alluded to the picnic as an indica- tion of the unity of Scotch people generally, During the day F. A. Jackson and J. J. Conger won the team quoit- pitching championship, defeating all contestants in average number of games won. The crowd was decidedly informal everyone doing just as his or her desire moved them, and the result was a bappy, contented bunch of picnickers who had the times of their lives. Dayid McMeekin sang a number of Scotch songs in so able a manner as to win for him round after round of applause. The last of the crowd did not return to Bemidji until late in the night, and the general verdict of all was that it was by far the best-con- ducted and most enjoyable out-door picnic ever given in this vicinity. Much credit is due the following committees for the universal success of the picnic. President—John A. McDonald. Secretary—Frank A. Jackson. Treasurer—Hugh Dickie. Soliciting C o mmitt ee—Hugh Dickie, Naish McKinnon, Andy McNabb, Charles Knopke. Entertainment Committee—David McMeekin, Frank A. Jackson. Arrangements Committee—Fran- cis Egan, John A. Armstrong. The grounds, prettily located, are the property of Theodore Snyder, who donated their which are very use to the committees, free of charge. Bids for Plastering Schoolhouse. Notice is hereby given that the clerk of School District No. 6, Bel- trami county, will receive sealed bids for the plastering of the school- house in said district, also to build chimney, 12x16 inside, the district to furnish all material. Bids will be received up and to the 10th day of August, 1909, until 6:30 o’clock p. m. of that day. Bids to be opened at the school house in said district. The board reserves ‘the right to reject any or all bids. Dated at Bemidji, Minnesota, this 30th day of July, 1909. —Herman Fenske, District Clerk, Bemidji, Minn. Band Dance Friday Nigbt. The Bemidji Band will give the first of a series of prominades and dances in the armory, Friday night, August 13, commencing immediately after the concert at city dock. The music for the dance will be furnished by the full band. A cordial invita- tion is extended to all. —V. L. Ellis, Manager Band.