Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, August 27, 1910, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEE VOLUME 8. NUMBER 112. Historical Society.. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY EVENING, AU GUST 27, 1910. MINNESOT HISTORICAL SOCIETY. TEN CENTS PER WEEK. 5,000 BORN HERE OF INSANE PARENTS State Board of Control Trying to Solve Problem Not Covered By Pres- ent Law. ‘CASES FROM FERGUS FALLS BAD. Mother of Eleven Children Found in Rain Soaked House of Logs With Husband Drunk. St. Paul, Aug. 27—(Special to the Pioneer)—Five thousand children have been born of insane parents in Minnesota and are living in the The records are not complete. But statis- tics in the office of the state board of health increasing annually, with no legal state. There may be more. show the number to be means of suppressing it. There were in the institutions for the insane on July 31 a total of 4,856 some of them inmates, violently insane; some showing mental derange- slight form. As goes by many of these are liberated ment in time —adjudged sufficiently in condition to be able to care for themselves and not harmful to others. Hundreds Become Parents. Records show that hundreds of them have gone back to their homes and become parents of children, who, accordinf, to laws of heredity, are doomed sooner or later to become the wards of the state in an asylum, a prison or a hospital. “I have not kept an accurate account of these cases,” ome in spector has written the Board of Control, “but I know of many women who, after being paroled, have con- tinued to rear children.” Shows 115 Weak Minded Childern. To call the attention of the Board of Control to some of the con- ditions which exist, the inspector cities twenty separate families to which periodical visits have been made. Either the father or mother in all of them has been an inmate of one of the state institutions. In these twenty families115 children have been born, and with barely an exception all of them are either de- formed or weak-minded, and some- time probably will become wards of the state. Some of the cases of parole cited by inspector, follow: Fergus Falls Cases Cited. Fergus Falls State Hospital: ‘Woman, the mother of five children one 11 days old when she was com- mitted to the institution. Her mother insane and her father a drunkard. Husband a drinking man and not very kind. From Fergus Falls state Hospital: Woman, 37 years old, mother of five children, the oldest weak minded. Her mother insane and her father a drunkard and morphine user. Says her husband is a drunkard and “why not she?” FLEE FROMFIRE AT HOUPT BEGIN M[]NI]AY_T(] SEE Specifl Train Carries Women to Safety —30 Fight Flames at Ranier. Fires in the forest between Ten- strike and International Falls have done damage during the past few days near the towns of Blabkduck, Funkley, Kelliher, Gemmell, Little Fork and Big Falls. The Weyerhauser interests have had some of its white timber so badly scorched that it will be necessary to log it the coming win- ter. Ranger Shannon, who returned last night from a business trip to International Falls, tells of a bad scare to the residents ot Houpt, northeast of Funkley. The fires there became so serious that the M. & I. officials ordered a train out from Kelliher to carry the women and children to places of safety. Unrder the directions of Rangers Grove and Hoffman the flames were checked and the resi- dents returned. A bad fire at Ranier started in a newly plated part of the village and it took Ranger Hodson and thirty men until late yesterday to check it. Itis reported to have been set by persons working for the townsite company 1n clearing up the new addition. “There are no bad fires in the southern balf of Beltrami county’” said Ranger Shannon. ‘‘Several are burning in the ground but it would cost the state more to put them out than it would be worth. “Incidentally, it should be under- stood that all fires do not do damage. In fact in many cases they are a benefit as they assist in clearing the ground.” ROOSEVELT GIVES WARNING Announces from Train That He Favors New York Progressives. Carroll, Iowa, Aug. 27.—Theodore Roosevelt definitely aligned bimself with the progressives of New York state in a statement which he issued on the train as he was traveling acros3 Iowa. He is to be a delegate to the state convention. His state ment says: «“The progressives are emphati-- cally in favor of taking a real step forward about direct primaries substantially on the lines of Gov- ernor Hughes, proposition, but this is not the main issue, “The main issue is that we stand against bossism, big or little, and in favor of genuine popular rule, not only at the elections, but within the party organization, and above all that our war is ruthless against every species of corruption, big or little, and against the alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics, as to it has been found that, too often in the past, the boss system has offered a peculiarly| efficient and objectionable means of communication.” Merry Party Visits Itasca in Rain. Early today an automobile party composed of Mayor Parker and wife In All Parts of State. From Fergus Falls State Hospi- tal: Woman, 35 years old, mother of 11 children. Husband drunk and shiftless, They live in a house of logs built for a logging camp, miles from any town. When the inspector called, it was raining and the house was leaking. The insane families are in all parts of the state, and how to pre- vent them from bringing children into the world is the problem con- . fronting the Board of Control. | and two daughters with Miss Lucy Gilder of St. Paul and Miss Alice Hunter of Grand Forks as their guests; T. J. -Burke, and daughter ane two brothers and Dr. Gilmore and wife, left for Itasca Park. De- spite the rain the day was spent in merrymaking. General Strike Ordered in Spain. Bilbao, Spain, Aug. 27—The Workmen’s federation has pro- claimed a general strike throughout Spain to begin Monday. “DEBT DANGER”’ DRAINS Committee Appointed at Mass Meet- ing to Start Its Work at Ditch No. 11. WILL BE GONE SEVERAL DAYS Chairman Schroeder Explains Which May Save Beltrami County Thousands. Trip On Monday of the next week, according to present plans, the committee appointed by President Wedge of the Commercial club at the business Men’s meet ing in the opra house early this week, will leave for an inspection trip for six or seven days of the ditches which threaten to burden tne county with a debt of thousands of dol- lars. W. G. Schroeder is chairman of this committee and its other mem- bers are T. J. Burke, and L. F. Johnson. The committee first goes to Thief River Falls from which place they will inspect ditch No. 11. The Committee will be accompan- ied on its trip by Judge Grenland, County Attorney Brown of Warren, who recently spoke here, and two state drainage engineers. “We have delayed our trip of in- spection,” said Mr. Schroeder this afternoon, “waiting for a rain to quench the fires and also that the outsiders might join us. “We may return by way of Thief River Falls, or if we find it possible, we may cross Red Lake, taking in that district.” The committee will make its re- port to the Commercial club as soon as possible after its return, when such recommendations as it may make will be acted upon. SUNDAY IN CHURGHES HERE Pastors Urge Attendance and Insure Welcome to Strangers. At the First Methodist Episcapal church, services in Masonic temple, preaching 11 and 8, Subjects, morning, “The One Talent,” even- ing, “The Life That Lifts.” Sunday school at 12. Epworth League 7. Topic, “A Righteous Life and Acceptable Worship.” The pastor will preach at Lavinia schoolhouse at 3 p, m. Thursday evening prayer service at the resi- dence of Dr. E. H. Smith, 717 Bel- trami Ave. At the Baptist Church the Men’s Bible class meets at 10, a. m. (For men only) Morning service at 11, Subject —¢¢ Christ’s gifts to Believers.” Sunday school at 12:15, B.Y.P. U. 7:00 topic—Con- quest meeting, Mrs. H. E. Rice, leader evening service at 8 gospsl address. There will be services at the First Scandinavian Luthern church in the morning at 10:30, sermon by Mr. Glen of Aure, Minn, Sunday school, Norwegian and English at 10. Even- ing services at 8 o«clock. The will be preaching service at the Presbyterian church tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock. Mr. Rood will sing a solo at this service. Bible class and S. S, 12:15. Young peoples’ meeting 7 p. m. Evening service at 8. The public is cordially invited to all these services. MAYOR PARKER NEAR DEATH FROM MAN WHO CUTS DOWN COMRADE Bemidji Executive Just Missed By Insane Employe Who Hits Tony McGuire With Ax, Inflicting Two Dangerous Wounds. Mayor Parker, Who Narrowly Es- caped Murderous Attack. THREE KILLED IN JOY RIDE St. Paul Machine Shoots Over Embank- ment Crushing Woman and Men. St. Paul, Aug. 27—(By Long Dis- tance Telephone to the Pioneer)— One woman and two men are dead as the result of a wild “joy ride” on a lake road near here early yester- day morning. Helen Boyer, 22 years old, a waitress, was instantly killed; Henry Kalterhauser, Claren- don hotel clerk, died at the St. Joseph hospital and Harold Bywater, the chauffeur, last of the victims to be claimed, died late this afternoon. At the time of the .accident the machine was going at a very fast rate and evidently became unman. ageable, for it suddenly shot down the embankment, went over a fence, turned completely over in the air and landed right-side-up taced in the opposite direction to which it was going, about fifteen feet inside the fence. The girl was instantly killed. Kalterhauser, who is a clerk in a local hotel, suffered a crushed skull. S00 WILL NOT BUY M.&R.R. President Pennington Tells the Pioneer He Has No Such Intention. The Soo line will not purchase the Minnesota & Rainy River railroad, as had been rumored. The following from Edward Pen- nington, president of the Soo system, with headquarters at Minneapolis quiets the rumors: “I wish to say that we have no intention of purchasing this railroad, and have not thought of it at all.” This comes direct from Mr. Pen- nington. When the report of the contemplated purchase was spread, the Pioneer took the subject up with Mr. Pennington personally with the result that the above letter was received from him today. Convicted of Setting Forest Fire. Spooner, Minn.,, Aug. 27.—The case of the state against Thomas Martin charged with setting a forest fire east of Spooner was tried in Justice H. M. Evenstad’s court resulted in the conviction of the defendant who was fined $50 and costs. ' The defense served notice of appeal. The case of the state against Harry Walton for the same offense was dismissed. FIRST BLOW BREAKS NOSE; SECOND GASHES BACK Vietim Stranger to Assailant, Who Feared Log Deck Was Gallows and that He Was About to Be Hanged. MANIAC FLEES TO THE Wo0ODS; POSSE IN PURSUIT By the narrowest possible margin John C. Parker, mayor of Bemidii, missed being assassinated at Keili- her whea William Durkee, a laborer, probably crazed from drink, sprang! by him and hit Tony McGuire, an old time lumberjack with an axe. McGuire’s nose was broken and a deep gash inflicted on his back. He is now in the Bemidji hospital ina dangerous condition. The assassin escaped and is being hunted by Constable Dan Stewart in charge of a posse of thirty meny Durkee is still armed with the axe. Durkee Suddenly Becomes Violent. The attempted murder took place at the logging camp of Mayor Parker, who was directing the work at the time. “It was late yesterday afternoon when the trouble occurred,” said Mayor Parker this morning. “‘I was within a few feet of poor Mec- Guire when Durkee rushed by me and cut him down. “I said, ‘My God, man, what are you trying to do?’ when Durkee turned on me and said: Thought he Was to be Hanged. “ You can’t hang me. I know you are building them gallows to string me up, but you wont get me; 'l kill you all first. I kill you Parker if you don’t watch out.’ “We had been building a logging deck and this Durkee apparently took to be his place of execution. ‘‘As soon as he said he was go- ing to kill me, he grabbed up the axe and ran away in the woods. McGuire was bleeding dangerously and we had to devote our attention to him.” Wounds Covered With Flour. McGuire’s wounds were immersed in flour and he was taken to Kelli- her where a woman doctor and Dr. Osborne of Blackduck dressed them. Later he was brought to Bemidji, where, late this afternoon, he was resting comfortably and unless com- plications result his recovery is prob- able. Deputy Sheriff Cahill went to Kelliher as soon as news of the assault reached Bemidji and gave what aid he could in directing the search of the fleeing madman. Hit the First Man He Reached. Durkee, who is also. known as “Poker Bill,” is believed to have been -suffering from dilerium tre- mens. He is known to have been drinking heavily . for the past few weeks, He went to work in the Parker camp yesterday morning, and although melancholy throughout the day, gave no signs of being in- sane until he suddenly grabbed up the axe and struck down the first man he reached. ; Mayor's Escape Mese Accident. "It was purely accidentally that it should be McGuire as the men were unacquainted,so that it was a feeling of anger against all of the twenty-five men composing the camp which impelled Durkee to make the effort to ‘‘geta man,” rather than a personal feeling againstany one individual, ] That the mayor escaped death is due to the fact that he did not happen to be in the direct path of the insane lumberjack. Only 20 Feet Away. As it was he was not more than twenty feet from the maniac when he buried his axe in McGuire’s back at a point just below the left shoulder blade. Durkee’s first blow was hit with the broad side of the weapon and it crushed McGuire’s nose. McGuire gave a yell and started to run. Durkee ran a few steps, took a swinging blow and landed the blade square in McGuire’s back. Thonght He Had Been Killed. “He’s killed me,” shouted Mc- Guire as he sank to the ground. Durkee then defied the men to get him, shouted a warning at Mayor Parker who had started to- ward him and jumping over several logs ran like a deer, soon being lost in the woods. Both Durkee and McGuire are unmarried. In Danger From Loss of Blood. Deputy Cahill said McGuire was still bleeding when he reached him at 9 o'clock. McGuire was in a greatly weakened condition and but for the prompt attention given him probably would bave bled to death. As soon as the wounded man had been properly cared for, the lumber camp employes augmented by several farmers, and under direction of Constable Stewart began the search for the maniac, whose capture will be dangerous because of his being armed with the axe. Insane Man May Starve to Death. The search was kept up until after dark and was begun again at day- light today. It is believed Durkee will be captured within the next few hours. Should he succeed in hid- ing, most of his means of escape will be so thoroughly shut off that he may starve to death. Deputy Cahill Tells of Man’s Condition. Deputy Sheriff Cahill said: “It seems that it was about 4 p. m. yesterday when Durkee went ‘bugs.’ He was sure they intended to string him up. He is #aid to have beén drinking heavily of late and showed symptoms of ‘ delirium He had been without liquor for a couple of days and the strain seemed to be more than he could stand.” y tremens. \ § e |, —— — | H