Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, September 24, 1909, Page 1

THE BEMIDJ1 AILY PIONEER VOLUME 7. NUMBER 135. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 24, 1909. MEMORIAL SERVICES WERE VERY LARGELY ATTENDED Bemidji Attested Love and Esteem for Late Govermor Johnson, Yesterday Afternoon.—Schools Were Closed and Business Was Temporarily Suspended. "He Giveth His Loved Ones Sleep." He sees when their footsteps falter, When their hearts grow weak and faint. He marks when their strength is failing, Though there be no word of complaint. He bids them rest for a season, For the pathway has grown too steep, And folded away in green pastures “He giveth His loved ones sleep.” Weep not that their toil is over; ‘Weep not that their race is run. God grant we may rest as sweetly, ‘When like theirs, our work is done. Till then we would yield with gladness Our loved ones to His keep, And rejoice in the sweet assurance, “He giveth His loved ones sleep. —"Doc.” As a token of the esteem in which the'late Governor Johnson was held by the people of Bemidji, several hundred local citizens assembled in the city hall yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock and participated in the exercises which were a tribute to the memory of the chief execute, who_ was personally known to many Bemidji people. All of the principal business places in the city were closed between 2 and 4 o’clock and the schools were dismissed at mnoon. It had been arranged to start the exercises in the city hall at the same hour that the funeral services were being conducted at the old home of the governor in St. Peter; and promptly ai 2 o’clock, the program was announced by P.J. Russell of this city an old personal friend of the governor, who had been chosen to act as chairman of the occasion. The stage was beautifully draped with American flags and black crepe. In the center of the stage was a picture of the late Governor Johnson, which was also draped in black. The exercises were participated in by the Bemidii orchestra, under the direction of Prof. Harry Masten, with Mrs. A. A. Warfield as pianist; the choir composed of Miss Hanson, Miss Warfles, Mr. Rood and Mr. Warfield; E. E. McDonald, A. P. Ritchie and Archdeacon Parshall, with Miss Leila Stanton furnishing a violin solo. The first number on the program was the hymn, “Nearer, My God, To Thee,” which was sang by the choir, accompanied by the orchestra. As the beautiful notes of the grand old hymn vibrated through the hall and down the stairway, a silent tear was shed in memory of the lovable man whose untimely demise was so sincerely regretted. P. J. Russell spoke a few brief words, which were from the bottom of his heart. He said that the occasion was the saddest in the an- nals of Minnesota; and that Minne- sota was weeping as she never wegt before. Mr. Russell referred to the ap- pearance of Governor Johnson in the same hall, on previous occasions when the chief executive had been greeted with tumultuous applause and hearty bhandclap. The speaker stated thatit had been kis privilege to know the deceased very well, he and the late governor having been born within a few miles of each other, and they had enjoyed a personal friendship for thirteen years. Mr. Russel spoke a few words of praise of the exemplary character of Governor Johnson and concluded by saying: “May his rise from a humble position to the highest office in the gift of a great state be an inspiration to the youth of Minnesota for years to come.” Miss Leila Stanton rendered a yery beautiful violin solo, in an artistic manner. The selection was of a subdued character and appro- priate to the occasion. Archdeacon Parshall was the next speaker, He stated that the people of Bemidji had been drawn together by the most profound sorrow in the history of the state. The people were present to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of John A. Johnson, as a man, not to pour hon- ors upon him; they were not there to think of the governor of the State of Minnesota, but of John A. Johnson. He said that he had known Gover- nor Johnson for twenty-five years. He had known him as a man ready to meet difficulties; one - who had overcome the adversities of his youth and conquered all obstacles. “Governor Johnson w a s an ambitious and fair fighter; he always gave his opponents a fair chance. He advanced by the application of all his energies towards success. Johnson was a clean man because he believed in something. He was a member of the Christian church— one who made his Christianity a part of that great development of his success.” The governor was not a self-made man, said the speaker; he simply brought to his assistance and made use of all of the better opportunities and conditions that were at hand. He was broad-minded, kind-hearted and just. “John A. Johnson was a fine ex- ample of what can be accomplished by unity of purpose and true man- hood. Itis a success not marked by the dollar mark; and John A. Johnson’s success was not recognized by the dollar mark.” The entire audience san g “America,” being accompanied by the orchestra and choir. E. E. McDonald,who had for many years been a close personal friend of Governor Johnson, was the next speaker. Mr. McDonald was much affected by the solemnity of the occasion and it was with difficulty that he held his composure at different points in his address. He referred to the death of Senator Davis and of several justices of the state supreme court and told of their bringing honor and distinction to the state of Minnesota; but he be- lieved that the death of Governor Johnson was one which affected the people more than the demise of any of the gentlemen named. “Deep as this feeling may be.” said Mr. McDonald, “yet the feeling that now overcomes us, as his body is slowly lowered into its last resting place, isthe overwhelming sense of realization that comes with the thought that we have lost a friend, a brother, one near and dear to us. “He was a good man. Dignified, yet sociable; firm and decisive, yet kind; truely unselfish. His was a temperament of perfect equilibrium that made it possible for him to say No, when he should without leaving a sting. True to himself and to those he served. He was an ideal man, a true friend, a good son, a devoted and loving husband; un- blemished purity in private life and it has been well said: ‘His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, ‘This was aman’ No man ever came under his influence, without being better therefor.. You felt him a friend or a brother. “In his early life he exemplified honest services rendered his em- ployer; in newspaper work he set a high standard of clean and instruc- tive journalism; in the halls of the legislature his influence was marked in the direction of wise legislation; as governor, he has left a shining, imperishable and overpowering ex- ample of an honest, economical and wise administration of state affairs that insures to this state future administrations of the highest kind. “When we have forgotten the les- sons of pure journalism he taught, and when our state administrations have followed him so long that we forget in whose footsteps we follow, then will some _mother successfully urge her faltering boy into greater achievemerts by reciting to him the story of the life of Governor John- son, our self-made man. And as the boys follows the life and copies the example recited in the story, so will he be a better boy, and make a bet- ter man.” Prof. A, P. Ritchie was called upon to speak of the governor and his relations to education and his great admiration for the children. Mr. Ritchie said that it was ap- propriate, meet and proper that all business should be closed and acti- vity suspended on this, the day when was being buried, forever, the greatest man of them all in Minne- sota. Mr. Ritchie said that he had known Governor Johnson for many years, and he referred to the humble birth of the governor and his youth- ful struggles. The speaker compared Governor Johnson to President Lincoln, and said the governor’s obscure birth and early adversity were similar to those of President Lincoln; and their characteristics were similar. Mr. Ritchie told of a meeting of educators at St. Paul, when Governor Johnson told how unseemly it was to him, who was born of foreign parents, to attempt to deliver an address on “Correct English,” and that the governor had followed with one of the most delightful discourses he had ever heard. Cyrus Northrup, president of the University of Minnesota, had, on this occasion, paid Governor John- son a splendid compliment, con- cluding with the remark that “of all the great men of his knowledge, he would prefer to refer boys and girls of the state to Governor Johnson as an ideal after whom they could pattern their own lives.” Prof. Ritchie coucluded his re- marks with a splended tribute to the memory of the late governor. The choir rendered, in a most beautiful manner, the great hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light.” When the song had ended Mr. Russell thanked all who had parti- cipated in the exercises and dismis- sed the crowd, all of whom had been attentive listeners to the remarks of the speakers and the rendering of the beautiful music by the choir and orchestra. Basement Warm Mackinaws Children’s Underwear Blankets Window Shades Carpets, Rugs and Linoleums FOOTBALL SATURDAY Bemidji High Eleven Will Gon- test wiih Fosston High Eleven, . The Line-Up. Fosston—Otto Olson 1h, Herbert Whaley rh, Leland Kronschnable fb, Ignatius Pedereon qr, Martin Jes- ness le, Francis Stadsvold (captain) re, Sigurd Hillestad 1t, Gordie Olson rt, Henry Berg lg, Homer Larson c. Hjalmar Johnson rg, Ansgar John- son and Orton Hoel subs. Bemidji—Faye Brenneman c, Charles Gerlinger and Will Russell guards, Ralph Lycanand Louis Lar- son tackles, Danie Gould and Ernest Neuman ends, “Babe’” Kreatz (cap- tain) quarter, Warren Gill and Mayne Stanton halfbacks, “Bill” McDonald fulleack. The opening game of the football season in Bemidji will be played in the down-town park Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock, when the Be- midji and Fosston high school e a0 i elevens will line up for the initial contest of the schedule of the high school championship which the local team has arranged for the season of ’09. The Fosston high school has among its members some of the best young athlieletes in northern Minne- sota; and its football elevens have always given Bemidji a “run for the money.” This year, the Fosston high school is turning out what is supposed to be the best eleven in the history of the school. The Bemidji high school eleven is said to be fully as strong as was the team which finished up the sea- son last year, when the Grand Rap- ids champions were decisively de- feated on the local gridiron. Quite a number of last year’s players will play with this year’s eleven, which gives experienced veteran players, for the most part, to make the first team. Fay Breneman, who subbed at center last year, will play center this year. We have FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. For guards there will be Charles Gerlinger, a new player here, and Will Russell, who will be playing his initial game on the first eleven. Ralph Lycan, one of the old stand-bys, and Louis Larson, who subbed last year, will occupy the tackle positions. Danie Gould and Ernest Neumann, both experienced players, will play end positions in the line. “Babe” Kreatz, who played full- back last year with such splendid success, will succeed Hallon Huffman as quarterback and captain of the eleven, Huffman having retired from school. “Babe” is a splendid player and will undoubtedly make a fiast-class captain. C Warren Gill and Mayne Stanton will play their old positions as half- backs, and there are no better in any of the high schools in this sec- tion. “Bill” McDonald will play full- back. He is an exceedingly agressive line-bucker as well as being a tower of strength on defense. A second team is being organized which promises to give the first team plenty to do to hold their laurels. Much commendation is due Prof. Robinson for his very efficient coaching of the team. Historical Society to Issue Books. Warren Upham, secretary of the Minnesota Historical society, was a Bemidji visitor Wednesday, in search of the different names of the town- ships, postoffices, lakes and histori- cal spots of Beltrami county. He was also getting the history of the different names and for whom the different townships, etc.,, were named. It is the intention of the society to, some time next year, issue a book devoting space to each county, showing this important imformation as well as any special information he may be able to get in his travels through the different counties of the state. . Mr. Upham left on the morning train for International Falls, expect- ing to return to Bemidji in about a week. Mr. Upham is being given the hearty support of local citizens in his work. Fire at Malcolm. Saturday evening the barn and warehouse of Mrs. Hendrickson, postmistress at Malcolm, t his county, was destroyed by fire, the loss being total. Mr. Hendrickson, who had been a resident of Malcolm for sometime past, died at a Crookston hospital some two weeks ago and Mrs. Hendrickson was appointed post mistress to fill the unexpired term of her husband. Mrs. Hendrickson is left with the care of five small children. The fire destroyed all farm machinery and a self binder. All of the hay cut and taken care of for the stock during the coming winter, was also burned. Moral: Insure with the T. J. Miller Insurance Agency. St. Paul, Sept. 20. A. G. Rutledge, “Bemidji Pioneer” Bemidji, Minn. My Dear Mr. Rutledge:—On Sept. 15th, an interview appeared in your paper with some one from Big Falls, which was aimed at the management of this office as regards state swamp land contests. A similar complaint was sent down by a gentleman by the name of J. W. Hilliard, dated from Grand Falls and addressed to a certain paper in the Twin Cities and I made a reply to Mr. Hilliard’s observations. I do not know the name of your interviewer, so I do not know whether he had any personal interest in the swamp land contests or not, but I am going to ask you to be kind enough to print my reply to Mr. Hilliard’s | criticism, as the general statements therein contained will apply with equal force to the criticisms made by your interviewer. Your people are entitled to know the truth. I would like to refer to a part of the interview of the gentleman from Big Falls. He refers to an- imus of these swamp land contests. Anyone who is acquainted with me, or my work here, will be surprised to learn that there is any insinua- tions of animus or motive back of my efforts, for certainly if there is animus, there must be some motive. I emphatically object to anyone attributing improper motives. You are at liberty to publish this letter also if you wish to do so. I havea large number af good friends in northern Minnesota, whose friend- ship and respect I prize very highly, who are entitled to know the other side of this question. Yours very truly, S. G. Iverson, State Auditor. “I find that J. W. Hilliard, of Grand Falls, is contesting the right of the state to certain swamp lands. “The attorney, Hon. W. E. Culkin, of Duluth, who handles these cases for us, made a report, dated July 17, 1909, as follows: *‘On July 6th, 1909, there came on for hearing the case of John Wesley Hilliard, against the state, involving the title to the SE% of SW of Section 23, the N% NW of Section 23, and the SW% NW % of Section 26-68-25. Hilliard is a_saw mill man in business at Grand Falls, Koochiching county, his wife and family have been on the land involved. All the four forties, of which, according to the reports of the three inspectors are clearly swamp. This case was treated at some length, and I feel well satisfied with the way it was put in. We introduced a large number of kodak pictures, showing clearly the swampy character of the land in question. In due time we will hear from the local office.” “Mr. Hilliard, in his communication, omitted to state the business in which he was engaged, and that he was himself, or had been, a contestant against the claim of the state to certain swamp lands. MAKE IT A POINT to see and examine our new fall line of mer- chandise before buying and you’ll be better satisfied. throughout of high class merchandise. We also have a large basement that we keep filled with special bargains. means good clean goods at low prices. Visit our store and the different depart- ments+and convince yourself. O'LEARY-BOWSER CO. an entire new line This Basement SPECIAL Friday and Saturday Men’s Band Shirts, worth $1.00-$1.50, 79c One lot Men's Un- derwear. worth $1 89¢c One lot Men’s Work Shirts at 39c One lot Misses’ and Children’s Shoes, worth $1.50 - $2.50 98c Ladies’ Hose 8c Men’s Sweaters from 75c¢ 1p STATE AUDITOR IVERSON ANSWERS HIS CRITICS Replies to Communication Recently Published in the Pio- neer Concerning State Swamp Lands.—Tells Wherein State Is Involved in. Contests. “It will be recalled that the swamp land selections are made from the field notes of the survey by officers of the Interior department of the United States. This department, or the State of Minne- sata, has absolutely nothing whatever to with the selection of the land. It is aly done for us by government officials, in other words, we receive what they are pleased to give us, or which is shown by the field notes of survey to be of such a swampy character that they inure to the state under the Swamp Land Grant of March 12, 1860. “I' may be pardoned for saying here, that from my personal familiarty with the people, and the settlers, bona fide and otherwise, in northern Minnesota, that I have endeavored to give the honest, genuine settler and home-builder the best possible show for obtaining his land, and my instructions to the attorney, who is conducting the cases, and the examin- ers in the field, to make a careful exami- nation of the lands under contest, and if SAMUEL G. IVERSON, State Auditor, they are not clearly swampy, within the meaning of the grant, then, we will dis- miss the state's defense, notwithstanding that they have been regularly selected by the federal officers. “It should also be remembered that the swamp land claim portains only to those tracts which are selected, errors of sur- veys against the state result in a loss of acreage. Under the policy we have adop- ted, errors of surveys, in favor of the state when the facts are so shown, result in a loss which is never regained. I have always maintained that the state should only claim those tracts which are, in fact swamp, and under no circumstances will we or have we embarrassed, or attempted to cause hardships to intending home~ steaders on lands which have been desig~ nated by the federal officers as state swamp lands. “I have been elected by the people to take the control and management of the large trust fund land interests, and if I did less than I am doing, or have been doing, the people of Minnesota would have just cause to complain. In my desire to be perfectly fair with the con= testants, I have placed the conduct of these contests, wholly in the hands of northern Minnesota people. Honorable W. E. Culkin. former Register of U.S. Land Office at Duluth, a man noted for his eminent fairness and his devotion to northern Minnesota, and its people. I furthermore selected three examiners, Frank W. Walker of Two Harbors, T. L. Duncan of Northome and Nels Otter- stead of Turtle River, Beltrami county. When I tendered this position to Mr. Duncan on the 3rd of March, 1909, he was at first loath to accept, as will be shown by the following letter from him, dated March 5th: “‘I presume that you wish me to examine swamp lands, and If so do not expect me to find swamp where swamp does not exist. Iam well aware of the fact that the state has been defending claims to tracts that would not fall under the swamp land grant, if careful examina- tions had been made by the U. S. sur- veyors at the time of the original surveys. However, I can make an honest endeavor to ascertain the facts and present them at any hearing.” “On March 9th, 1909, I sent the follow- ing reply to Mr. Duncan: *“*Your letter received. Itshould hardly be necessary to assure you that in our efforts to protect the state’s interest to the swamp lands which have been selected for us by the officers of the Interior Department, we have been actuated only by 'a desire to do justice, not alone by the state, but by all parties concerned, and do not think that this department deserves auy criticism for what we have attempted to do. Had we have done Iess than we have done the Iaw-abiding citizens of the state would [Continued on Last Page.) T —— MINNESGTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. !