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

:the money collected on account of poor taxes from said town, the peti- -tion being *<ade under the General .other election precincts 80 per cent .on account of tax levy for the poor ifund. THE BEMIDJI DAILY istori® PIONE 1 gociety: Z VOLUME 7. NUMBER 145. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6, 1909. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. SETTLEMENT AGREED ON WEYERHAEUSER TAX CASE Amount Involved Is Practically $40,000, and County Board Agrees to Settlement of Five Per Cent Discount.— Commissioners Acting Wisely. The board of county commission- ners and County Attorney Chester McKusick have finally disposed of the much-talked-of delinquent taxes of the Pine Tree Lumber company, R. L. Muser and the Mississippi Lumber company, which have been through the courts for the past three years and are for taxes claimed to be due for the years 1906-7-8. The amount involved is approxi- mately $40,000, the board making the settlement by granting the com- pany a discount of 5 per cent. In reaching this decision, the board took into consideration the probable cost of fighting these cases, the length of time they might be in court, and also the fact that the county at large, school districts, and townships in which these lands are located can make good use of the money. The Minnesota Tax Commission, to whom the 1908 taxes of Beltrami county were referred, with recom- mendations for abatement, granted the abatement on the 1908 taxes last Friday, and the board’s recom- mendation yesterday covered the 1906 and 1907 taxes, amounting to about $20,000. A. Larson, P. J. Rock and Axel Johnson, supervisors of the Town of Lammers, presented a petition to the board asking that the town of Lammers be granted 80 per cent of Laws of 1907, Chapter 27, Sections 1 and 2, which grants townships and of the amount of money collected County Treasurer George H. 'French gave his opinion on the imatter as follows: “I do not believe that the law -applies in counties whose poor fund was overdrawn. At the time the recent bond issue was floated it was figured that the 1908 levy would clear up all outstanding warrants against the poor fund. *“At the present time the poor fund warrants are paid to October, 1908, and the November settlement will practically pay up all warrants against this fund. “When this is done, I believe that towns will be entitled to their 80 per cent of the money collected in their respective townships.” County Auditor John Wilmann concurred in what Mr. French said and stated that the attorney general had told him that the law was applicaple to counties where there was no indebtedness against the poor fund. William Lennon and John Carl- son were granted a payment on their respective road contracts, amounting to about 75 per cent of the total amount of the contract. The purchasing committe “ap- SCHOOLS OF THE GOUNTY MAKING 6GOOD PROGRESS The Rural Schools of Beltrami Counly Are Rapidly Forqing to the Front. The schools of Beltrami county have, in the past two years, shown rapid progress along the line of building and beautifying the school grounds, the addition of necessary material, school apparatus and com- forts necessary to the welfare of fhe pointed for the balance of the year is composed of John Wilmann, county auditor, and Commissioners Viggo Peterson and W. G. Schroeder. The report of Roy Bliler, giving estimate of the cost of a steel bridge across the Mississippi river, sections 6 and 7-146-32 and 31 and 32-147-32 was filed, Mr. Bliler estimating that the steel bridge would have to be 315 feet at an approximate cost of $6,300. The board does not consider that a good location for the bridge, but some time during the winter will in- children, according to Superintend- ent Stewart. Last year five of the school dis- tricts received the $150 offered by the state for schools conducted under the class known as “‘Rural Schools of the First Class.” To be entitled to this $150, the school district must employ a teacher who is holding a First grade certifi- cate during the entire eight months of school required for this particular aid. To secure this aid the district must also have suitable buildings, vestigate the advisibility of con- structing a steel bridge somewhere on the east side of Lake Bemidji. Residents of Township 163, sections 34 and 35 filed a petition asking that that territory be formed into a new school district, and the hearing on this petition was setat a special meeting to be -called for December 1. Yesterday forenoon the county board took up the matter of a road contract of O. B. Olson, being on the Kelliher-Shotley road, and con- sidered the motion adopted at the last meeting, whereby Mr. Olson was notified to show cause why the road contract should not be cancelled. ; Mr. Olson was present and stated that since the adoption of the motion at the last meeting he had made some alterations in the road and had taken a trip over the road in company with County Surveyor Bliler, who had told him that the road was now in satisfactory con- dition. The county surveyor having o. k.’-d the road, the board accepted Mr. Olson’s statement, N. A. Rippy, who resides in the Town of Gudrid, bordering on the Rainy river, in the extreme northern end of Beltrami county, appeared before the board and filed a protest against the allowing of the petition which had been filed with the board asking the board to divide District No. 63. Mr. Rippy stated that the school district had but eleven town- ships and that the valuation was scarcely euough to maintain one dis- trict, let alone dividing eleven town- ships into two districts. Mr. Rippy also spoke disparag- ingly of the petition which had been filed at the last meeting of the board and intimated that the said petition did not indicate the true feeling of the people of the district. The board, after careful consideration, disallowed the petition to divide the district. New M. E. Pastor for Bemidji. The northern conference of the Methodist Episcopal church of Min- nesota made several decided changes in its districts, at the conference which was adjourned at Duluth Mon- day morning. The number of districts in the conference was reduced to four. The Crookston and the Brainerd «districts were combined to make the Fergus Falls district, some of the ‘territory also going to the Duluth district. Rev. E. K. Copper, who was at the head of the Brainerd district {which included Bemidji) goes to the Duluth district; and Rev. A. H. McKee is appointed head of the new Fergus Falls district, where Be- midji was placed, under the new districting of the conference. The appointment of pastors for the places near Bemidji shows several distinct changes. Rev. J. H. Deniston, who has been pastor of the Bemidji Methodist church for the past two years, will understood that this action was taken at the personal request of Rev. Deniston. Rev. Deniston will be succeeded here hy Rev. A. T. White, apparently a stranger here. The pastors were assigned as follows to towns in this vicinity: A. H. McKee, district superin- tendent; Akeley, R. G. Green; Be- midji, A. T. White; Cass Lake, G. O. Parish; Crookston, W.C. Hodgson; Fosston and Erskine, H. D. Green; Granfalls, G. P. Watson; Littlefork, to be supplied; Northome and Big Falls, F. A. Turner; Park Rapids, E. K. Stevenson; Spooner, to be supplied; International Falls, S. L. Parish; Puposky circuit, to be sup- plied. Notice to Band Members. Owing to the militia dance Fri- day night, there will be no band rehearsal until Monday evening of next week. —V. L. Ellis, Manager Band. Our coffees are fresh roasted every library and necessary apparatus for efficient work. The district must spend, each year, at least $10 for additional books for the library. The district must also maintain suitable heating and ventilating apparatus and minor improvements. All districts which are not ina position to be désignated as first- class rural schools can apply under the heading “Second Class.” Second- class schools require that the teacher have a second grade certificate and the district must maintain school for a period of eight months, Districts anticipating this- change should make application to County Superintendent W. B. Stewart and get the necessary blanks for the makingof this application for school aid. i Special mention is due two dis- tricts which are applying for'aid as first-class rural districts. School District No. 65, Township of Bemidji, has just made extensive improvements té, its school house, having replastered the building and installed a hot-air heating plant. The officers of this district are A. Halvorson, | director; - Herman Fenske, clerk and E. C. Olson, treasurer. These gentlemen have carefully guarded the interests of the school district and this year have employed as teacher Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a gradute of the advanced course of the Duluth Normal school. District No. 89, in the Township of Frohn, is also among this class of districts and its officers believe in the comforts of the children of the district and this year have in- stalled an up-to-date heating plant. The officers of the district are J. J. Bolstad, director; Albert Brewer, clerk, Herman Eickstadt, treasurer with Miss Florence Huck of Bemidji as teacher. Big Show at the Brinkman Tonight. Laura Montrose, a clever character song and dance artist will appear at the Brinkman Family Theater to- night and will add to the attractive- ness of the big bill being given this week. BLIND OPTOMIST GAVE A SPLENDID LEGTURE F. S. Atwood’s Able Effort on ‘“Happi- ness,” Last Night, Was Decided Blow to Pessimism. F. S. Attwood, the blind optomist, delivered a lecture at K. P. hall last evening, on “Happiness,” and those who attended were given a treat and went away convinced that, for the most part, none of them had any troubles to speak of, for all who heard the lecture could not but become imbued with the optomistic feelings with which the speaker was bubbling over, despite his infirmity. No one can meet Mr. Attwood without being better for the meeting, He smiles all the time; and the smile will impress anyone for its genuine- ness. The lecture was interspersed with some very good stories that were told in a very able manner; and alto- gether the lecture is one that every- one should hear; it will do much to drive away “that tired feeling,” and the encouraging words of the speaker will do much to stiffen the backbone of the “weak-kneed.” The lecture was given under the auspices of the local K. P. lodge, and at the conclusion, Brother At- wood congratulated the local knights on having done better by him than either the St. Paul or Minneapolis lodges had done. Additional local matter on ast page. ITHE GOVERNOR IS ASKED The grand jury which completed its labors last Friday and was dis- charged has asked Governor Eber- hart to “investigate” County Attor. ney McKusick and Court Commis- sioner Slocum, according to the St. Paul Dispatch, which says: “Gov. A. O. Eberhart was today asked by the grand jury of Beltrami county, now in session, to begin an investigation looking to the removal from office of Court Commissioner M. G. Slocum and County Attorney Chester R. McCusick. Malfeasance in office is intimated. Direct charges are made that the court commissioner TO REMOVE BELTRAMI MEN Grand Jury of This County Requests Governor Eberhart Begin New Investigation.—County Attorney MeKusick and Court Commissioner Slocum Accused. charged and collected from the county fees to which he had no right. “Governor Eberhart will place the matter in the hands of Attorney General Simpson and Public Exam- iner Anton Schaeffer. “This action follows the removal by the late Governor Johnson of three county commissioners of Bel- trami county, with the fate of the county auditor still in the balance. The auditor’s case was held up owing to Governor Johnson’s illness, andis now in the hands of Gov. Eberhart.” Elk Meeting Thursday Night. A regular meeting of Bemidji Lodge, No. 1052, B. P. O. E,, will be held on Thursday evening, Oct. 7, at Masonic Hall, Bemidji, at 8 o'clock. As there is much business of importance all Elks should be on hand early. ) There will be initiations. Visiting Elks cordially welcomed. F. S. Lycan, E. R, M. S. Gillette, Sec. on-ness’’ about it. We like the business salesmen, too, are a week. Bemidji Tea Store. Tele- not be returned to Bemidji, and it is phone 423, OU like to buy in a cheery, good-natured “home” place —where you feel welcome . —where there’s genuine courtesy — real interest in serving you. This is that kind of a store—and there’s no “put- we are in, and show it—our happy, lively, contented lot. We are all enthusiastic here about the way we're able to serve you—right now especially in our new Copyright 1909 The House of Kuppeaheimer Chicago ‘L@t This Be Your HQmStOT@ showing of fall and winter good things from The House of Kuppenheimer = It’s just such a display of clches as you’d expect “ @ to find in your “home-storc And you’ll I;;ret no end of pleasure and satisfaction in going t rough the splendid models with a salesman who knows their fine points to help you make your choice. Buy now—or later. You're just as welcome in any case to see what we have to show you. Now showing a complete stock of Kuppenheimer’s Fall and Winter Suits and Overcoats, in the fine new grays and fancy mixtures, $20 to $30. GILL BROTHERS Next Door to First National Bank. STATE BOARD RAISED BELTRAMI GO. VALUATION Board of Equalization Raised Some Items, Lowered Some.—Total Valuation Raised $3,000. At the meeting of the board of county commissioners, this morning, the returns were read from the State Board of Equalization on the as- sessed valuation of Beltrami county. The state board has increased several of the items returned by the county board, as follows: per cent Stallions, high grade mares, etc....10 Cattle, three years old and OFEL.0souscasesesssns Watches and clocks. Gold, silver and plated ware Diamonds and jewelry. All manufactured articles and manufacturing materials (ex- cept logs and lumber, flour, and wheat to be manufactured)......10 Manufacturers’ tools, implements, machinery, engines and boilers 10 Moneys, other than banks, etc....10 Credits, other than banks, etc Dogs, six months and over.... Bonds and stocks other than Village of Kelliher. Village of Baudette. Village of Spooner... Village of Blackduck. The decreases made by the state board were as follows:. per cent Horses, one year old Horses, three years old and over. Cattle, two yearsold.................. Hogs of all ages. Melodians and organs............... The assessed valuation of Bel- trami county, as raised by the county board ofequalization was $1,403,411. The increase as made by the State Board of Equalization was $16,180, making the assessed valua- tion as returned by the county board plus the increase made by the state board, #$1,419,591. Taking from this the decrease of assessment as made by the state board, $12,311, leaves the assessed valuation at $1,407,280, being a real increase of $3,869 in the valuation of the county to what was originally returned by the County Board of Equalization. Boom Cases Still ““On.” The case of the International Boom company and the Namoken Lumber company vs. the Rainy Lake River Boom companyis still on trial in district court, and to the uninitiated, the proceedings are very tiresome, the arguments of points and admissions and denials taking up most of the time before the jury. These various “boom” cases will occupy the time of the court during the remainder of the week. H. R. Trask, the local commercial traveler, departed this morning for Pine River, on a business trip. [ MINNESOTA | HISTORICAL | SOCIETY. |