Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, August 31, 1909, Page 1

| THE BEMIDJI D rical ‘Socx fi\sm\ or Lo MINNESOTA | |STORICAL Y PIONEER SOGIETY. VOLUME 7. NUMBER 114. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1909. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF FRANCHISE Granting of Franchise to Wa IS POSTPONED rfield Electric Company Was Taken Up by Council Last Evening.—Committee of Citizens The most come before the meeting last evening was the third reading and final passage of the electric light ordinance, granting to the Warfield Electric company a fifteen-year franchise and binding the city to use twenty-three arc lights at a rental of $7.50 per month and eighty-two incandescent lights at a rental of $1.25 per month. Citizens and representative tax- payers, to the number of fifty or more, had gathered early in the evenimg to ask further time of the council before the final passage of this ordinance; and the conditions contained in the ordinance, as well as a number of omissions, were dis- cussed at length. T. J. Burke of the Northern Grocery company, in speaking of the proposed franchise, said: “The city is up against a serious proposition, in fact a more serious positionthanit has ever confronted,or ever will again, for some time to come. “In my opinion,” said Mr. Burke, the time is too long for the city to bind itself to pay so large a sum of money, as we cannot look ahead into the future to know just what the circumstances will be fifteen year hence. “I do not believe that your body has compared the proposed franchlse with franchises recently adopted by other cities who have had to face important matter to council at their this proposition, and I think you ought to defer action on this until you have made such an investigation. ““Hudson, Wisconsin, recently went through this stage of development, and to rescind their hasty judgment, had to call in the board of utility to help adjust matters for the city.” (This state has no such board.) Mr. Burke stated that he had the highest opinion for the enterprise shown by A. A. Warfield and C. W. Warfield in developing the water- power for the city,and that he wanted further time, that the citizens might act for the best interest of the city and at the same time give the War- field Electric company a good com- pensation for the money they have invested in the power dam and lighting plant. “I, would suggest” sdid Mr. Burke, “That a committee of the council act in conjunction with a committee from the commercial club, and that they visit other towns, the commercial club and citizens to pro- vide the necessary funds for this junket.” C. W. Warfield, of the Warfield Electric company, stated that he thought the franchise was fair to the dity as well as the company. He also stated that should any small manu- facturing company desire to come to the city, the electric company will give them satisfactory power rates. Mr. Warfield was of the opinion that the council should not delay action in the passage of this ordin- ance granting to the Warfield Electric company a fifteen year franchise, as the matter had been under consideration for some time. Mr. Warfield also stated that the company wanted to make a number of improvements and this delay was hindering them in the commence- ment of the improvement work. J. H. French was of the opinions that the city, by granting this franchise, was recognized, and Were Heard. for thatreason the present ordinance should be rejected and a new ordinance passed. Mr. French also thought it not a good business policy for the council to tie the city to a contract of fifteen years, which contract carries a total considerationof over $50,000 during that period. W. G. Schroder agreed with Mr. French; he also thought that the city should have a special contract with the Warfield Electric company wherein and whereby the city could offer to manufacturing plants cheap poweras an inducement to locate here. C. W. Warfield stated that in ad- dition to concessions given by the electric company the company had filed with the city clerk an agree- ment to do the city pumping for $125 per month for the first five years; $150 per month for the next five years, and $200 per month for the balance of the period; that this was a big saving to the city and much cheaper than the city could do this work, Alderman Schneider suggested that the Warfield company with- draw their proposed franchise for the present; that the citizen’s com- mittee meet the committee to be appointed by Chairman Kirk, these committees to investigate franchises recently adopted in other towns. Mr. Mitchell of Duluth, who has been the attorney for the Beltrami Electric Light and - Power company, and who helped secure the govern- ment special act anthorizing the building of the dam, was present and stated that he had assisted in the detail work of procuring the right from the government, as well as flowage rights from settlers. He said that in dealing with this pro- position the council should take into consideration the vast amount of money invested in the power dam, and recognize the enterprise shown by this company as well as the advantage to the city of having a large power plant within her reach. The matter of the passage of the iranchise was laid over for one week. The report of the municipal court, with fines amounting to $1.50, was accepted and filed. The application of Lachapelle & Kramer for license to sell intoxicat- ing liquors in the building formerly occupied by McCall & Collins, was granted and their bond, with the U. S. Fidelity Bond company as surety, was accepted. Bids were opened for the grading for the sidewalk on certain parts of Gemmell avenue, two bids being pre- sented. John Smart, for 29 cents per cubic yard and Wes Wright for 27% cents. The bid of Wes Wright being the lowest, the con- tract was awarded to him at the bid price. The city engineer’s estimate of the work to be done was from 900 to 1,000 cubic yards. John Goodman was awarded the contract to furnish the city with 900 cement blocks for the city pumping station. His bid was 25¢ per block. The question of providing suitable quarters for city prisoners was referred to the building committee, they to go before the county com- missioners and make arrangements with the county to care for city prisoners while said prisoners are awaiting trial. The committee will report September 13. Bought Fine Launch. Walter Marcum, foreman of the press department of the Pioneer and brother of Dr. E. H. Marcum of this city, is “waxing prosperous,” judging by the excellent launch which he purchased yesterday from Floyd Brown of this city. The boat isa sixteen-foot one of the outing make with an 8-horse power engine, capable of comfort- ably carrying a dozen people. The boat was bought from the factory this season by Mr. Brown and is certainly a fine one. 1909 Diaries. The Pioneer still has a few 1909 diariesleft which will be closed out at half price. The assortment includes some of the best aswell as the cheap er books. AR AN COMMERCIAL CLUB MEETING. A special meeting of the commercial club will be held at the council chambers this evening at 8 o’clock to which the club extends a general invita- tion to the citizens of Bemidji to attend. The purpose of the meeting is the discussion of the proposed electric light franchise to the Warfield Electric company and the "terms and conditions of the passage of said electric light franchise. .W. L. Brooks, President. Clyde J. Pryor, Secretary. GHANGE OF VENUE ASKED FOR IN FOURNIER GASE County Attorney McKusick and C. W. Scrutchin Argue Motion Before Judge McClenahan Today. A motion for a change of venue in the new trial of Paul Fournier, who was once convicted of killing N. O. Dahl®near Ouiring in 1904 and sentenced to life imprisionment, was to have been heard this afternoon be- fore Judge W. H. McClenahan, in the district court chambers at Brainerd, Attorneys Chester McKusick and ing respectively for the state and the defendant. Paul Fournier was tried during the March term of the district court for Beltrami county in 1907, on the charge of having killed ahomesteader named N. O. Dahl near Quiring in 1904. N. O. Dahl and his daughter. Aagot, had been killed in a brutat manner and the trials of “‘Shorty” Wesley and Paul Fournier, charged with this crime, attracted widespread interest throughout the state, the court rooms being crowded so much that the ceilings in the offices below were cracked and the judge had to order out a large number of specta- tors. Henry Funkley of Bemidji, at that time county attorney of Beltrami C. W. Scrutchin of Bemidji appear-| county, prosecuted the caseson be- half of the state, Wesley and Four- nier being defended by C. W. Scrut- chin, Bemidji’s colored attorney, and Judge Martin of Virginia, now de- ceased. Wesley and Fournier were both convicted by the juries and Fournier was sentenced by Judge M. A. Spooner on April 12, 1907, to hard labor in the state’s prison at Stillwater for the rest of his natural life. Attorney Scrutchin immediately began trying to secure a new trial foy Paul Fourmier, his motion for re-trial of the case being denied by the district court on January 2’ 1908. He carried his argument to the srate supreme court and finally secured a grant of a new trial for Fournier, the supreme court’s decree being rendered on July 16, 1908. In this motion before Judge McClen- ahan Mr. Scrutchin alleges that the people of Beltrami county are pre- judiced against Paul Fournier and that it would be impossible to se- cure a fair trial for his client in this county, bringing affidavits to this effect, and asking for a change of venue. Firemen Meet Wednesday Eve. The regular meeting of the Bemidji fire department which was to bave been held this evening, has been postponed until tomorrow evening. Meeting called for 8 oclock sharp. Earl Geil, Chief, Local news on last page. PERMANENT ARMORY IS PROVIDED FOR MILITIA Armory Board Held Meeting Last Evening and Leased ““Coliseum” for One Year. The armory board of the City of Bemidji, composed of City Treasurer Earl Geil, Captain Adam E. Otto, of company K, and Colonel C. E. Johnson of the Third Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, held a meeting in the city last evening and after considerable discussion rented the Coliseum roller skating rink as an armory for Ccmpany XK, Bemidji’s quoa of the national guard. A lease was signed by the armory board. with C. M. Bacon and Chester Snow to rent the Coliseum at $70 per month for a period of one year. The leasing of this building is doubly good for the city as it will give quarters both for the militia boys and the city band. Heretofore the militia boys have had practically no place fit to be called an armory but the leasing of the Coliseum will now furnish them with one of the best armories in this part of the state, giving them ample room for storing their paraphernalia and for drilling purposes. The members of Company K. and Captain Otto are to be congratulated upon the excellent quarters in which they are now housed. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. PARTY RETURN FROM TRIP TO THE RED LAKE COUNTRY Visited Many Points of Interest on Upper and Lower Red Lakes, and Obtained_Mueh Valuable Data of That Region. The last of the stragglers of the party of state officials who made the trip into the Red lake country to investigate conditions as to drain- age, game and fish laws and how they were being observed, etc., re- turned to the city this forenoon, over the M., R. L. & M. railway, from the Red Lake Indian agency. After the party left Shotley Sun- day morning, they visited at Tam- arac river, for a few moments in the forenoon and then went to the Moose Creek settlement, on the north shore of Upper Red lake, where they noted conditions there, returning to Tamarac river, where Secretary Frank Day,Secretary Julius Schmahl, State Auditor Iverson and Drainage Engineer KRalph left the party and returned home by way of Shotley, Kelliher and the M. & L to St. Paul. The balance of the party took a delightful ride up the Tamarac river to the ¢Big Meadows,” where there weremany indications of moose trails and feeding places for the ““monarchs of the forest.” The trip was made on the steamer ¢“Mud Hen,” Peter Eberhardt, the owner, donating the services of the boat and himself taking the wheel and guiding the party along the picturesque route where several homesteaders are hewing .out homes and demonstrating what can be done in the timbered sec- tion of the Red lake country. The trip was especially interest- ing to Carlos Avery, executive agent of the State Game and Fish commission, and George Welsh, state immigration commssioner, Returning to the mouth of the The State Map Most complete and at- tractive. Made from the latest Government Sur- veys, Post Office Records, Railroad and Private data, Aiming to show more towns than have ever been represented on similar en- gravings, Exquisitely col- ored by counties, Town- ship and range numbers and lines, wherever such lines are surveyed. Inter- urban Railroad Lines, and all other features necessary on up-to-date and com- plete maps. Size of map plate proper, about 20x28 inches. The highest priced school and office maps are not as complete nor as at- tractive. The Palfia Canal An etching of a Topo- graphical Drawing, show- ing Nature of the land surface, locks, distances, U. S. Canal Zone and Districts, etc. U. S. Special Map lllustrating the growth of U, S. by Purchase and Wars. advance. The Bemidji Pioneer Wall Chart The World A 22x16 inch map m colors. Every country in separate tint. Capitols and important towns. i Difference in time by hours, International date line. Length ot night and day in different latitudes. Ocean distances, lines of travel, etc. Principal Countries, their Areas, Capitals, Pop- ulations, Commerce with U. S, National Debt, Revenue, Expenditure, etc. The U, S. Map Same size, style of En- graving and coloring as the ¢“World Map”, accom- panied by detailed colored maps of The Philippines Hawail Alaska Porto Rico Description of Island Possessions. Sneciamalures Portraits of Leading Rulers, Coats of Arms of Nations in colors, €tc., etc chief Our This 3-sheet, 28x36 Wall Chart is given’free to all who pay their sub- scription to the Weekly Pioneer one year in advance; or is given with a six months’ subscription to the Daily Pioneer, payment to be made strlctly n Price of map 'separate, 50 cents; by mail, 15 cents extra. The Bemidji Pioneer Tamarac, the “Chippewa” was riding at anchor and took the party aboard for the trip to Deer river, the creek which flows in the northermost point of Upper Red lake, arriving there at 7 Sunday evening. A landing was made, Commission- er Welsh, Representative Opsahl, Captain Goddard and A. G. Rut- ledge, having their first experience in “sub-marine navigation,” and being compelled to walk 100 yards in waist deep water to the shore, owing to the rowboat sinking under their combined weight. A greater portion of yesterday was spent in looking over the country adjacent to Deer River (facetiously named because of the fact that deer do not inhabit this swampy section). The party had consideraable difficulty getting to shore, in the morning, owing to adverse winds blowing ten-foot high waves. They “split up,” Mr. Avery going up the Little Creek and being shown multitudinous signs of deer and caribou tracks that indicate hundreds of each varities of the animals inhabiting the great bog and swamp that reaches back to the Rapid River. On the shore of the lake and extending back to the floating bog, there are hundreds of acres of the finest meadow grass to be found in northern Minnesota, principally red top, growing in some places, as high as the ordinary man’s head. The boat took the party back to the Indian agency, where they arrived at about 5 o’clock last even- ing, completing a trip on the Red lakes that was exceedingly enjoyable, interesting and instructive. Commissioner Welsh collected a number of ears of fine Minnesota dent corn, which had been grown at the Cross Lake Indian school, five miles east of the “Narrows” on the north shore of Lower Red Lake, and also some taken from the agency garden on the south shore of the lake. The trip was an eye-opener to the party, and they were given ample opportunity of the needs of the Red Lake section for drainage and the possibilities of the soil of that por- tion of Beltrami county along agricultural li; SERIOUSLY INJURED AT CASS LAKE, THIS P. M. Ozier Dubuque Receives Internal In- juries While Switching in Great Northern Yards. Ozier Dubuque, 2 switchman who works in the G. N. yardsat Cass Lake, was brought to St. Anthony’s hospital this afternoon, having been seriously injured while working at the “Lake” this afternoon. Dubuque was riding on a car, hanging onto the iron handles, when he was shaken between the cars onto the tracks, between the rails. Two cars passed over him, and he was injured internally. The injured man was placed on a time freight train and brought to Bemidji this afternoon, accompanied by Dr. Dumas offi- cial physician for the G. N, at Cass Lake, Dr. Dumas tells the Pioneer that :Dubuque is quite seriously injured internally; that it may be necessary to later perform an operation, but that the chances for his recovcry will be better determined with the lapse of a day or two; that he may have a being hemorrhage, in which case his chances would be much lessened. | 2