Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 28, 1910, Page 1

THE Mistorica) Socfety, MINNESOTA 'xl SOCIETY. e e BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER. VOLUME 8. NUMBER 9. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENINC, APRIL 28, 1910. BRUTAL ATTEMPT AT MURDER-SUICIDE John C. Gibson of Kelliher, With Knee On Wife’s Breast Endeavors To Kill Her. BULLETS BREAK LOWER JAW AND DISFIGURE WOMAN FOR LIFE Thinking Dastardly Work Done, Gibson Takes Own Life.—Divorce Proceedings Involved. One of the most brutal crimes ever attempted in northern Minne- sota was committed last evening, when John C. Gibson of Killiher, while kuneeling on his wife’s breast‘ shot her twice in the lower jaw and then committed suicide by placing the revolver against his right temple and blowing out his brains. Gibson had been drinking heavily for several weeks and upon entering his home last evening carried out the threat he had made six weeks before to kill his wife. Quickly attacking her, he bore the unfortun- ate woman to the floor of their pretty bome and drawing a .38 caliber revolver, attempted to shoot her. Mrs. Gibson struck his arm up- ward and and the first shot buried itself in the ceiling, but second and third bullets struck her on the chin and bearing to the right, one came out of her face just in front of the left ear and the other lodged just behind the ear. Thinking he had completed his dastardly work, the man shot himself, dying 40 minutes later without regaining con- sciousness. Gibson had been drinking heavily for the last two years, having form- erly owned a saloon at Kelliher and worked for several lumber and cedar companies. Six weeks ago his wife instituted divorce proceedings through a Bemidji attcrney and spent most of her time in this city. Gibson drank harder than ever and publicly threatened to kill her. He was arrested by the Kelliher authori- ties and lodged in jail over Sunday but Mrs. Gibson refused to appear against him the next morning and he was discharged. Mrs, Gibson who charged her hubsand with cruel and inhuman treatment, failed to appear with her witnesses before P. J. Russell, her attorney, 10 days ago, and it was thought that Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were making up their differences. A few days ago she went to Kelliher and visited the wife of former Mayor Henry Pfund. The house in which the couple had lived was a pretty cottage, belonging to Mrs. Gibson. She rented the house yesterday to A. Gilmour, the Kelliher druggist, and went over there about 7 o’clock last evening to put the furniture in final order for the new tenants. It was then that Gibson, who had been in an ugly mood for several weeks, appeared at the door and committed his crime. Mrs. Gibson retained her mind in spite ot the wounds. and ran out on the front porch, where her screems and the shots had attracted the attention of Justice A. A. Magill and Mr. Pfund. The woman was laid on a bed in the house, and Dr. Cooke of Blackduck was called by telephone, coming up on the even- ing train. Dr. Cooke put Mrs. Gibson under the influence of chloroform and extracted the bullet which remained behind her left ear. He found that several teeth had been shot away and most of the lower jaw had been shattered. Neighbors watched over the woman last night and today. The} right side of the unfortun- ate woman’s face was found to be paralyzed this morning. Dr. Cooke said today, “I think Mrs. Gibson will live, althouugh she is naturally week from the chloroform and the nervous shock. But there is danger, especially from blood poisoning. I shall go to Kelliher tonight and bring Mrs. Gibson to the hospital at Blackduck tomorrow morning.” Considerable excitement prevailed in Kelliher last evening over the shooting. The coroner at Bemidji was notified, and will go to Kelli- her tonight. No arrangements have been made yet for Gibson’s funeral. It is said that Gibson drove his first wife away from his homestead near Littletork in the dead of night about eight years ago. The woman had to tramp several miles through the woods and later died of the shock and exposure of her cruel treatment. Gibson was about 40 years old, and married the second Mrs. Gibson three years ago. The wounded woman is about 32 years of age. THIRD WRECK AT LAPORTE WITHIN LAST FIVE DAYS Fifteen Cars Piled up Yesterday When Rails Spread—Trains Run Over G. N. Tracks. Three wrecks near Laporte in five days is the troublous record of the M. & I The south-bound freight train was wrecked late yester- day about two miles this side of Laporte, at the same point where a car had gone off the track the night before, and a similar wreck had occurred a few days previous. Fifteen cars of cedar poles, lumber and brick went off the track when the rails spread and it was several hours before the “wrecker” could be sent down from Bemidji and the de- bris cleared away from the track. The north-bound passenger trains which arrive at 5:50 p. m. and 4:15 a. m. were run onto the Great Northern tracks at Walker and came over that system to Bemidji. The train to Minneapolis this morn- ing was enabled to run over the company’s own tracks. SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT OF ARTIST EUGENE LALLA England’s greatest eccentric comedian, Mr. Lalla, is on his way to the Orpheum Theatre, St. Paul, but stopped over one week to pay a visit to old friends, Callahan and Cain. Upon hearing of this great coster singer Mr. F. E. Brinkman immediately went to him and en- gaged his services for the balance of the week. Mr. Lalla will appear for the first time at this popular play house to- night. He is a high salaried artist and Bemidji’s play loving people should not miss this unusual oppor- tunity. It is the first time that a real coster singer has ever appeared be- fore a2 Bemidji audience. Go and see the “Britian Kid” and his beautiful gown, HORSE THROWS GEN. Washington, April 28.—General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A,, retired, was thrown from a horse he was riding 1n Potomac Park late yes- terday. One rib was broken, he received a slight scalp wound and was bruised somewhat on his shoulder and side. It is not thought that he suffered any internal injuries or that the scalp wound will prove serious. When picked up by one of the park policemen, Miles was uncon- scious, but shortly regained his senses and refused to be taken to a hospital, declaring he would go to his apartment. Doctors who at- tended him there said today that there was no cause for alarm, Free Show Coming. Will be at the Armory Hall Tuesday evening, May 3rd, for three weeks. The Quaker Medicine Co, has rented the Armory Hall for three weeks, where they will give a high class vaudeville and moving picture entertainment each even- ing to advertise their remedies. A small admission fee of 5c will be charged to all under 21 years ot age.. Adults will be free, Doors open at 7:30, performance at 8:00. Come out and see a good, clean entertainment, THE THREE LEADERS Winner of * Besse Cochran.............. Ollie Curtis.................... By a margin of over one million five hundred votes, Mrs. J. M. Free- burg is winner of the Model 10 Buick “The Pioneer” automobile, offered by the Bemidji Pioneer in the big contest that came to a close last night. She was followed by Miss Besse Cochran who takes second position among the leaders and is winner of the $450 Kimball Piano Mahogany finish Style 16, The contest between Miss Ollie Curtis and Miss Jennie Sater was cloge and the winner could not be determined until the very last ballot was in and counted. The Bemidji Pioneer’s $2500 Mammoth Contest was the largest of its kind ever held in Minnesota or the Northland. As anounced at the beginning. of the contest was not a ‘‘something for nothing scheme.” The Bemidji Pioneer meant that the prizes should be given as a reward for energy and ambition and did not vaunt itself as being in the pleasant task of giving away valuable prizes from pure motives of philanthropy. It was not a charitable under- taking but a business proposition. By the means of the contest the Bemidji Pioneer is a welcome visitor come to stay in hundreds of homes not heretofore reached. The conditions of the contest carefully considering the serve as the judges, which they R. H. SCHUMAKER. [Photos by N. L. Hakkerup.] eight years. midji and Northern Minnesota, he is a prominent figure, R. H, Schumaker is a director and the cashier of the First National Bank, with which he has been connected for the past He is well known to almost every resident of Be- in the business circles of which In Many Instances. IN THE BIG CONTEST. DISTRICT A. Mrs. J. M. Freeburg ........ .ee..3,728,095 Votes The Pioneer.” ....... ceeenness.2,140,496 Votes Winner of The Kimball Piano. DISTRICT B. veveene. 709,650 Votes Winner of $100 Diamond Ring. were so easy that it proved attractive from the very start, and before a week had passed the men, women and children were engaged in a friendly rnivalry, "seeking votes for their favorite; nip and tuck they fought for six weeks, each vote add- ing to the interest of the contest. At not one time from the opening of the battle was it possible to pick the winners so close was the fight. From time to time many per- sons took a guess on the possible winners but the opinior was hardly expressed before another large bunch of votes was recorded and their choice was: found among the lower ones. Division Into Districts. There should be no disappoint- ments, and the efforts of the will- ing workers will not go unre- warded, even tiough they did not win either the Capitol or Grand prize the Contest Manager divided the City and the surrounding territory into sub-districts and offered prizes.in each one of them, This increased the interest in the contest and resulted in the satis- faction of everyone which is the chief desire of the Pioneen. Slowly at first the votes began to come in then they increased gradually for a while until the workers got thoroughly warmed THE MEN WHO COUNTED THE VOTES AND AWARDED THE PRIZES IN THE PIONEER'S MAMMOTH CONTEST In selecting the judges to canvass and count the votes in it's Mammoth Contest, the Pioneer looked for men who were well known and whose inte issue and consulting the have agreed to do. W. L. BROOKS. W. L. Brooks is well known to all the citizens 'of Northern Minnesota and Bemidji. For the past ten years he has been a director in the Northern Na- * tional Bank and its cashier. His long record in its service has made him a well known figure in business circles of this section, 2 grity would be beyond a question. ‘After contestants, Messrs, R. H. Schumaker, W. L. Brooks and W. H. Haines were decided on and requested to FINAL COUNT REVEALS THE WINNERS IN THE PIONEER'S MAMMOTH CONTEST Mrs. J. M. Freeburg Awarded Automobile “The Pionmeer” After a Spirited Race, with 3,728,075 Votes.—Only a Few Votes Decide the Battle The Judges’ Findings. We, the undersigned committee of three, appointed to canvass the official votes of the Bemidji Pioneer’s Mammoth Prize Contest, do hereby state that, to the best of our know- ledge, the contest was conducted on fair and business-like methods, every candidate receiving treatment alike; and upon official count of each vote we find the above named persons to be entitled to prizes as offered by the Bemidji Pioneer. R. H. Schumaker, W. L. Brooks, H. W. Haines. TWENTY PRIZES TO BE AWARDED.---ALMOST TEN MILLION VOTES CAST DURING THE ENTIRE CONTEST. up and rolled in such numbers that the total run into millions, The friends of . the contestants desired to see them win, and in- sisted on making the fact public by voting for them and: getting their triends to do likewise. More than one man stole an hour from’ his office at intervals during the contest to make a personal can- Regret Heffron’s Resignation. Resolutions, thanking C. L. Heff- ron for the interest and energy he has displayed and for the marked progress of the Nymore schools during the four years in which he has been inlcharge of them, were passed at a recent meeting of the Nymore school board, when Mr. Heffron’s resignation was accepted. The board expressed regret that he could not continue with them. Mrs. Matilda Baillif of Tenney, a graduate of the University of Minne- sota and instructor at the state uni- versity, was elected principal to suc- ceed Mr. Heffron, at a salary of $85 per month. J. C. McGhee of Ten- strike and A. L. Giles of Fisher had also applied for the position. The school board decided to employ only first-grade teachers for next year. SHORT WEIGHT GAUSES HIGH GOST OF LIVING Congressional Committee Finds Trade Restricted to ‘‘Satisfactory Com- petitors” in Some Cases. Washington, April 28—Short weight packages and agreements be- tween wholesalers and retailers are largely responsible for the high cost of living, according to statements yesterday before the house committee investigating‘ the subject. Dr. William C. Woodward, health officer of the District of Columbia, told of short weight bread, flour and other necessaries of life. Repre- vas for some contestant who was his friend and many a dinner dish was left unwashed while the lady of the house went calling in- cidentally lookiug for votes for one of her friends, . .. Was Absolutely Fair. The Pioneer is receiving praise from every side, disinterested persons, business men and the contestants themselves, for the treatment accorded each and every contestant, Every thing possible was done to facilitate the work of the contestants and their friends and the result is: everything has terminated in the most gratifying manner. Value To Advertisers. No contest in the history of newspaper enterprise has been more succesfull than has this. In fairness to everyone of the can- didates who worked during the [Continued on Page 2.] and business men, the - W.H. HAINES, W. H. Haines has been a resident of Bemidj tor the past ten years and figured largely in its present growth and develop- ment, On the organization of the Security State Bank, three months ago,-he was elected a director and the cashier of the institution, . he is one of the best known business men‘in. the Northland. today. sentative Moore (republican), of Pennsylvania, chairman of the com- mittee, introduced what purports to be printed copies of letters passing between ' wholesalers - and retailers showing that . thege partics— were banded tozether to restrict the sale of articles of merchandise to those who proved to be “satisfactory competitors.” Colonel W. C. Haskell, superin- intendent of weights and measures, declared that every one of the 300,- 000 barrels of flour sold in Washing- ton were short four pounds each of the advertised weight- and that Wzshingkonilns werepaying annually $42,000 for flour which they never received. Other items were in pro- portion, he said. Nearly every package sold in grocery stores, he said, was short four ounces, accord- ing to the investigations of his officers. MILITIA GETS JUBILEE SINGERS FOR CONGERT Mason’s Colored Singers Will Appear At Armory Friday—Have Good Reputation. Company K has secured the well known Mason’s Jubilee singers for a concert at the armory Friday night. An excellent singing program is assured. Ticket sales are being conducted at Hanson’s drug store. In speaking of the recent appear- ance of this troupe at Muskegon, Mich., the Muskegon Daily News said, ""Mason’s Jubilee Singers gave one of the most pleasing jubilee con- certs ever given in this city. The program included everything from the popular national airs, the South- ern folk song, and the camp meeting choruses, to the sacred airs of the hymnal, the clever imitation of natural and mechanical sounds, and the good-natured wit and humor of TEN CENTS PER WEEK. ROGERS IS DEGLARED PRESIDENT OF WILTON Election Contest Case in Neighboring Village Is Decided by Judge Stanton. Charles F. Rogers was declared president of the village of Wilton in a decision filed by Judge C. W. Stanton in the district court yester- day. The case was an election con- test brought by Mr. Rogers against T. J. Brennan. The village council, acting as a canvassing board just after the spring election, declared that Mr, Brennan had been elected presi- dent by a majority of one vote. Mr. Rogers contested on the grounds that two men engaged in “Soo” conmstruction work had been allowed to vote for Mr. Brennan, and the court held thata man coming into a precinct to engage in temporary public ser- vice or railway construction, can- not acquire a residence in that precinct, E.E. McDonald appeared be- fore Judge Stanton for Mr. Rogers and Jonn L. Brown for the de- fendant. NEW PAPER MILL TO BE BUILT AT GOST $750,000 The Output Daily It is Estimated, Will Be About Forty Tons of Print. Spokane, Wash., April 28.—Jay P. Graves. president of the Spokane & Inland Empire Railway system, who will be head of the pulp paper mill to be erected near Spokane by a syndicate of Wisconsin, * Illinois, Nebraska, Massachusetts, California and Washington capitalists, an- nounces that the plant is to cost be- tween $750,000 and $1,000,000, will be in operation within a year. Charles B. Pride, formerly of Appleton, Wis., will build the mill, which is to have capacity for producing 40 tons of print paper daily, and it is given out that the output will be marketed in the western and Pacific states. C. W. Howard of Neenah, Wis., will be general manager, the secre- tary being G. W. Davidson of Spokane. Mr. Graves said an ex- amination by experts with regard to suitable woods has disclosed the fact that there is an almost inex- haastible supply of raw materials in’ the vaudeville stage. In fact, the program included everything neces- sary to provide an evening’s whole- some entertainment to the average American audience.” Development Meeting. Plans for the Crookston congress of the Northern Minnesota Develop- ment association will be arranged next Saturday, April 30, at a meet- ing of the executive committee in Duluth. The meeting will be held at 8 p. m. at the Duluth Commercial club. W. R. Mackenzie of Bemidji, secretary of the association, will attend the meeting. the forests east and north of Spokane, adding: “Investigations have also satisfied us that the entre output of the mill can be readily sold in the northwestern country.” GRAFT JURIES EXGUSED. Pittsburg, April 28.—Last trial of councilmen indicted in the bribery scandal, has been held in Allegheny county. Tampered juries have caused the district attorney to take a step that has been rumored for several days, and yesterday without warn- ing Judge Robert S. Frazer dis- charged the entire panel, while a jury was still out considering the case of former Councilman Maurice S. Coffey. It is expected that in all the re- maining cases of indicted council- men a change of venue will be ob- tained. These facts were confirmed to the Associated Press by District Attorney William A. Blakeley last night. Regular Officer Inspects Co. K. Captain J. Bugge, a regular officer of the United States army, stationed at Fort Snelling, held annual inspec- tion of Company K, Bemidji’s quota of the Minnesota National Guard, at the armory last evening. Captain Otto’s company made an excellent appearance, but the men were given some sound advice by Captain Bugge on the necessity of drilling frequently and paying strict attention. S " Subsaribe for The Pionesr. HISTORICAL | {