Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, January 26, 1914, Page 1

VOLUME 11. No. 229. YOUNG GIRL, HELD FOR MURDER ONCE LIVED IN BEMIDJI Mrs, Nellie Staples, Accused of Kill- ing Her Baby, Was Married Here In 1912—Pleads Innocence IS NOW 16 YEARS OF AGE Charged With Having Killed Her Child and Then Throwing Body In Mississippi Ravine Mrs. Nellie M. Staples, the 16 year old wife of James Staples of East St. Cloud, and who is held in the jail of that city on a charge of murder in the first degree, is a form- er Bemidji girl, and was married here on November 18, 1812, at the age of fifteen. She is accused of having murdered her infant child, and then throwing the dead body in- to a ravine near the Mississippi river at St. Cloud. The Court Records Records in the office of Fred Rhoda, clerk of court in this county show that on the same date mentioned above, James Staples se- cured a license to marry Nellie Beu- ers. Miss Rose Barrette who was then deputy clerk of court, granted the license after the parents of the girl, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Bau- ers, had given their written consent to the marrige, the bride to be being in her fifteenth year. The files in the office of the clerk of court also show that the wedding cenemony was performed by Rev. Charles H. Flesher, who is now a resident of Indiana, and that the mar- riage took place at the home of the bride, 816 America avenue. The father was at that time an employe of the Crookston Lumber company, but his whereabouts are now un- known. Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Nelson were witnesses at the wedding. Claims Innocence Mrs. Staples, although she is be- lieved to have made a confession, maintains an attitude of innocence, in her St. Cloud cell, and claims that she knows nothing of the crime of which she is accused. She admits ‘that on the night between December 9 and 10 that a baby was born to her, but that she can remember nothing and knows nothing of what followed. Detectives were put on the case fol- lowing the finding of the body of the dead babe, and this resulted in the arrest of Mrs. Staples, charged with the crime. She will be arraigned tomorrow at Sauk Centre, for hearing. BOYS' CONGRESS MEETING A. T. Powell Will Address Residents 0f Bemidji Concerning Plans For Convention Here Next Month COMMITTEES TO BE NAMED A. T. Powell, of the Minnesota Sun- day school association, will be one of the speskers at a meeting to be held at the Baptist church this evening for the purpose of forming plans for the “Boys Congress,” which is to be held here on February 21 and 2, and which is attracting the at- tention of all northern Minnesota. John Alexander, “The Boys Friend,” will be here at that time. But one other Congress of the same kind will be held in the state, this being in St. Paul, immediately follow- ing the Bemidji congress. The pupils of the schools were ad- dressed by Superintendent Dyer this morning, and several business men of the city will talk this evening. Committees of boys, with business men as chairmen, will be nam- ed this evening , and they will have charge of the arrangements for the congress. e | The Congress is not a sectarian af- fair, and every citizen of Bemidji is asked to take an interest in it. HOMESTEADER DIES HERE Victim Of Pneumonia—Owned Valu- able Land Near Big Falls Orvis van Dolah, 45 died Saturday -at the Samaritan hospital from pneu- monia. Van Dolah has made his home on a claim 12 miles from Big Falls during the past few years and :about a week ago walked to that vil- lage and complained that he was not feeling well. He was brought to Bemidji Fri- ‘day but died shortly after. Mr. Go- renflo of Cass Lake took charge of the ibody and it was pre- pared for shipment by R. F. Murphy. Funeral services will be held at Red Wood Falls, Minnesota where the mother of the dead man resides. Miss Edna Peterson had as her over Sunday guest, Miss Lottie Rauk, of Shevlin, yas S e JOSEPH H. CHOATE. Former Ambassador Able to Enjoy Birthday Cake. Joseph H. Choate of New York city, former ambassador to Great Britain, was able to have a birthday party after all. At his home it was said that he would be able soon to go out for a walk. By the order of his phy- sician Mr. Choate was limited to one slice of the cake, which was studded with eighty-two candles. SHELBY CULLOM IS SINKING Family Prepared for Death of mer Senator at Any Hour. Washington, Jan. 26.—Former Sena- tor Shelby M. Cullom was very low again and his family was prepared for the end at any hour. A rally after a sinking sovell renewed hope that life might be prolonged, but he grew weaker during the night. LAMMERS FARMERS UNITE Organize Club For Betterment of Community—John A. Thoren El ected President—Other Officers For. 13 WILL MEET ONCE EACH MONTH At a meeting of farmers living in the town of Lammers an organiza- tion was formed which will be known as the Lammers Farmers’ €lub. Plans for the carrying on of club work were discussed and officers elected as fol- lows, Presiden, John A. Thoren. Vice-president, Willlam Hemmin- ger. Secretary and treasurer, Nels Salt- ness. There are about tweaty charter members of the club and at the next meeting which will be held on Febru- ary 14, the number is expected to be materially increased. The main pur- pose of the organization is to pro- mote co-operation and to give the members a better opportunity to ac- quaint themselves with the agricul- tural advantages of the day. Meet- ings, at which there will be programs will be held once each month, WILL PRACTICE TONIGHT Members of Cast In “College Widow,” To Meet at Library.. . Rapid progress is being made by the young people of the city who are to present “The College Widow” on February 23. Regular rehearsals are held and each individual is working hard to master his part. Over 20 will take part in this four act comedy which promises to be the hit of the season. The next rehearsal will be held this evening at the public Li- brary. FATAL FIRE AT THIEF RIVER Citizens State Bank And Two Stores Destroyed—One Man Injured 'While no direct information could ibe secured from Thief River Falls to- day, it has been learned here that the were destroyed by fire yesterday and that one man man was hurt. The fact that the vault of the bank was small makes the fire unusually serious for many important papers are believed to have been lost. Damage $100,000. SCOOP THE CUB REPORTER SAFER RAILROADS ! IS STEPHEN'S PLAN Cause Investigation of Roads Before and Not After Accident Occurs, PLACES GOVERNMENT AT HEAD Companies Must Furnish Commission All Necessary Information Relative To Work Along Safety Lines. From Congressman C. H. Tavenner. Washington, January 26.—Con- gressman R. B. Stevens of New Hamp- shire, has inrtoduced in the House a bill giving the Interstate Commerce Commission authority to investigate unsafe railroad conditions and order them changed BEFORE an accident happens. The difference between the system which Stevens proposes and which now actually exists is that now the Commission has power to in- vestigate AFTER the wreck occurs, and then it can only “recommend” changes which ought to be made. The Stevens bill has been referred to the Committee on Interstate Commerce, and its author thinks it has a good chance to receive favorable consider- ation. Certainly it seems that the time has about come when Congress and the government should take a hand in the prevention of railroad acci- dents. The railroads themselves are seeing the need of greater safety as the numerous “Safety First” organi- zations attest, but there is no guar- antee that all railroads will adopt this plan of safety, or that business consideration will not prevent the adoption of reforms shown to be ne- cessary by the railroad’s own Safety First investigations. The Stevens bill would put the government at the head of the na- tional Safety First'movement, and it would enforce the mandates of this organization by giving them the force of law. ) Show Great Need. A recent railroad accident in Georgia shows the meed of greater attention to the enforcement of safe- by the government. The Inter- state Commerce Commission investi- gated this accident—of courge, AFTER it occurred. The finding was that this disaster, which cost the lives of nine and injured in various degrees 390, was plainly preventable. The company’s own equipment was at fault, and it must have had notice time and again of the faulty char- acter of its roadbed. The «train hit a broken rail and piled up. Later agents of the gov- ernment went over the scene. With- in 630 feet they found 81 rotten ties. With their unaided hands inspectors pulled five spikes out of the rotten wood within a few feet of the brok- en rail. The company liad plenty of warning of this condition. During the 30 days preceding the acctdent, track walkers found 14 broken ralls in this one section of broken track. Tnstead of being replaced by mnew rails, repairs were made of all the defective rails but ome. One new rail was laid. Must Obey Law. When railroads so flagrantly dis- regard the laws of safety in this fashion, there is nothing to do but make them maintain safe conditions by law. The Interstate Commerce Commission has advised such action. The Stevens bill requires the rail- roads to furnish the Comimission all information concerning the safety of track and operating conditions and gives the Commission power to en- force its orders designating changes and improvements and orders pre- scribing the use of various safety ap- pliances. Sleds Delayed On Road Because of the heavy ' snow fall, Garry Brannon driver of the Bemidji Fire team is some what anzious owing to the delay in shipment of the sleds for the fire rig. The sleds were Citizens State Bank and two stores|shipped from Crookston on January 19th but have not arrived in this city. A long drive with the heavy wagon would be an impossibility un- der the present conditions and every iprecaution is being taken to prepare "for emergency calls. Has Bill In Congress Which Will HELD BY POSTA QFF!GIALS Mill City Man Charged With Defraud- - ing Farmers. St. Paul, Jan. 26.—Simon Peter Les- selyoung, operating under the name of the “Farmers” General Service com- pany” - of Minneapolis, has been brought from Red Lake Falls, Minn., to Bt. Paul by Postal Inspector R. M. Hugdahl to answer a charge of using the mails to defraud. It is alleged by the postoffice in- spectors that ‘Lesselyoung obtained the notes of farmers in_ Minnesota and North and South Dakota to the amount of more th2m $125,000 with- out giving value received. * Lesselyoung was afraigned before United States Commissioner Samuel Whaley and his bail set at $2.500. VOTE ON LICENSE ASSURED Petition Filed by Rév. 8. E. P, White —Comprises 110 Names, Twenty- five More Than Necessary. OTHER POLITICAL NEWS ITEMS That citizens of Bemidji will be given an opportunity to vote on the “no license” question at ~ the city election which is to'be held February 17, was given final assurance Sat- urday when the petition bearing 110 signatures was filed with George Stein, city clerk. The petition was filed by S. E. P. White, of the Presbyterian church, and included the names of 26 voters more than would have been neces- sary, 86 being sufficient, as there were only 856 votes cast at the last election. ¥ That the churches of the city are taking quite an interest in the sa- loon question, as a € a large number of the business men, is shown by glancing over the niames of the peti- tion. With the exception of the filing of the Guenther petition for alderman in the third ward, no new filings have been recorded, although several are now complete. Thomas Bell, who was named by the Socialist referendum as a candi- date for alderman in the third ward, announced this morning that he will not be a candidate, and that he never gave his consent to enter the race. Mr. Bell is considered the only hope of the Socialists in this ward, and his action further assures the return of Alderman Smart to the council. Quite a stir has®beencaused. -in political circles by the rumor that E. L. Guenther, candidate for alderman in the third ward, is a Socialist. Mr. Guenther takes exception to the ac- cusation, and claims that he never was and never will be connected with that party. TO PROTECT DEALERS Is Purpose of Inland Motorist Says M. C. McFadden In Minneapolis Daily News—Officers in Mill City MOUTHPIECE OF ASSOCIATION In commenting on the Inland Mo- itorist, the magazine being published in Bemidji by the Minneapolis Retail Automobile dealers association, M. C. McFadden, manager of the automo- bile advertising of the Minneapolis Daily News says: C. W. Jewett, president, and P. C. Frazee, secretary-treasurer of the (Minnesota Retail Automobile Dealers association, are in Minneapolis with W. H. Frazee in the interests of the association. Mr. Jewett is from Bemidji, where the Inland Motorist, the official pub- lication of the organization is print- ed. The Frazee brothers live in De- troit, Minn. The Inland Motorist is a new mag- azine that will look out for the in- tterests of the retail automobile men. It is the purpose of the organization to put a stop to the sa-called “curb- stone” brokers and to protect the dealers in the towns woutside of the Twin Cities. The new. magazine will be the mouthpiece of the organiza- tion in this work. Mimneapolis dis- tributors are giving the new maga- zine their support and are encourag- ing the officials of the association in their work. The February Motorist is practical- ly ready for distribution. [EX-SENATOR WILL NOTOPPOSE WRIGHT C. C. MoCarthy, Of Grand Rapids, An- nounces That He Will Not File In Opposition to Re-election of Jurist “CHANGED MY MIND,” HE SAYS Withdrawal Leaves Only F. J. Me- Partlin of International Falls In Field Against Parks Rapids Judge Sen, C. C. McCarthy of Grand Rap- ids, will not be a candidate to suc- ceed Hon. B, F, Wright of Park Rap- ids, as one of the judges of the fif-) teenth judicial district, according to an anouncement which has _been made by the former member of the state senate. i Will Not File “I shall not file to run against Judge Wright,” declared Senator Mc- Carthy. “I have changed my mind in regard to making a campaign, and will not enter the race.” It was Senator McCarthy caused a mild sensation in political circles of this judicial district last November when he stated that he would oppose Judge Wright for the Jjudgeship, should the Park Rapids Jjurist be a candidate for re-election: Closely following the announcement 'of Senator McCarthy, F. J. McPart- lin, former county attorney of ‘who Koochiching county, made known *his candidacy. Expected Opposition In speaking of opposition Judge ‘Wright, who is now serving his sixth year on the bench, and is now pre- siding at the Koochiching term of court said, “I of course expect to meet with opposition, but the announce- ment that Senator McCarthy would be a candidate surprised me. I have fbeen informed that there are several other laweyrs of the district who have ambitions to be promoted to the ‘bench.” 1 [ Two To Be In Race Unless other candidates enter the Tace before May 6, the last dayj for filing, Judge Wright will be oppos- ed for re-election by only Mr. Part- lin. There is aleo a possibility that ithe Socialists will have a candidate, ‘even though the June primaries will be non-partisan. ) HORSE THIEF MAY BE HERE . Royal Northwest Mounted Police Searching For Lester E, Smith Bemidji authorities were notified this morning to be on th& watch for Lester E. Smith who is wanted in Saskatchewan, Canada for stealing two horses, set of heavy harnedqs and a buggy. The Royal Northwest Mounted police traced the man as far as Grand Forks where he had stayed over night and had left the horses in a livery stable of that city. His wife fand two children were also traced to Brom Head, Canada, where they had purchased tickets to Bemidji. The Canadian authorities believe that Smith joined his wife here and is now employed in a lumber camp in north- ern Minnesota. According to the story told by the man from whom the team had been stolen, Smith had rented a farm ad- joining his and had offered to care for the neighbors stock while he was away on a vacation. Mrs. Edna Smith, wife of the horse thief left Saskatche- wan four days ahead of her husband and drove to Brom Head with her own horse. Her husband followed with the team stolen from his neigh- bor. _Sheriff Andrew Johnson is work- ing on the case here and will con- tinue to follow up all clues until it has been ascertained whether Smith is in this vicinity. Polk Gets Gotham Berth. New York, Jan. 26.—Frank L. Polk, a great nephew of President Polk, was appointed corporation counsel by May- or Mitchel. The position pays $15,000 a year. Mr. Polk is forty-three:years old and a Yale graduate. He served in Mr. Mitchel's campaign as treas- urer last fall. Wealthy Newport Matron Files Suit for .Divorce. H \ - “ Photo by American Press Association. Mrs. Elsie Whelen Goelet of New- port and New York, through her at- torney, Samuel Untermeyer, filed pa- pers in the supevior court in Newport asking for a decree of absolute divorce from her husband, Robert Goelet, son of Ogden Goelet, possessor of proper- ty valued at $35,000,000.. Under the statute Mrs. Goelet alleges that her husband has been guilty of extreme cruelty and other gross misbehavior and wickedness repugnant to and in violation of the marriage covenant. PRISONER CUTS. Andrew Johnson, While In City Jail, Uses Broken Bottle In Suicide At- tempt—Will Live THREE HOURS WITHOUT AID THROAT Attempts by Andrew Johnson, 42, to end his life by cutting his throat with jagged pieces of a broken whiskey bottle, were dlscoveteq by Sergeant Bursley early this morning when he visited the cell of Johnson in the city jail, where he had been given lodging. Johnson was admit- ted to the cell at his own request claiming that he was out of work and not feeling well. He was under the influence of liquor. Noticing that the man was in a critical conditon Sergeant Bursley, notified W. A. Walker, night watch- man, to watch him carefully. This Mr. Walker did making repea‘ed trips to the jail to see that there was no trouble. His last trip was made at 3a. m. Sergeant Bursley went on duty at 7 a. m. and on going to the jail found Johnson with his throat badly cut. He had secured the bottle from a fel- low prisoner, taken it to the adjoin- ing cell and there broke it. Dr. Ward, city physician, was immediately- called and rushed the injured man to the Samaritan Hhospital where his cuts were dressed. It is believed he will recoved. ANOTHER FEATURE AT GRAND “Prisoner of Zenda” Attraction There Tommorow and Wednesday Nights. James K. Hackétt and special company will appear at the Grand in ‘the movies -on Tuesday - and ‘Wednesday nights in “The Prisoner of Zenda,”” according to an anounce- ament made by C. J. Woodmansee, manager, this morning. There will be a special matinee Wednesday af- ternoon at 3. This is a film in.four parts, a dramatic, exciting master- ‘Piece of love, romancé and adventure. IMPORTANT CASE NOW ONTRIAL HERE Judge Stanton Brings McDonald .Against Mrs, MacMillan Case To Bemidji for Completion IS ATTRACTING WIDE ATTENTION Three Governors, Eberhart, Hadley And the Late John A. Johnson Im- plicated In Testimony The trial of the action brought by the Chicago Ore company and Mit- chell W. McDonald egainst. Mrs, Am- ber Hamilton MacMillan, Judge J. W. Molyneaux, and others, which was in progress at Grand Rapids all of last week, was resumed in this city this morning. The change in in order to enable Judge Stanton to give a portion of his time to various legal matters, set for hearing during the present week, This legal battle is attracting wide attention because of the prominence of the parties, the great value of the property involved, and the many sen- closed by the evidence. tiffs are represented by J. R. Zane of Chicago, and Twing and Rossman of Grand Rapids, and the defense is conducted by Larrabee and Davies of Minneapolis. Is Mine Owner Mr. McDonald alleges himself to be the owner of nearly all of the stock of the Chicago Ore Company, which company, owns a royalty of 12 1-2 cents per ton in all of the iron ore in the Brae mine near Nashwauk, in Itasca county. He alleges further that in the year 1908 he was mental- ly incompetent and while in that state was fraudulently induced to ex- ecute a written assignment of four cents per ton of such royalty to Mrs. MacMillan, then Mrs., Hamilton, or to Judge Molyneaux, who was then her attorney, as trustee, for her and in her behalf. 9 This royalty of four cents per ton Mr. McDonald contents is worth $500,000, and he brings the action, now on-trial to set aside the assign- ment. nEEy In Settlement of Suit The defendant, Mrs. MacMillan, in- sists that the assignmen is a good and valid document; that Mr, McDonald was in fine possession of his mental faculties when it was executed, and that she was not guilty of any fraud or deception, but that it was volun- tarily made by Mr. McDonald in set- tlement of a suit which she had ibrought against him to recover $250,000, because while he wag a married man in May 1908, he re- pesented to her and caused her to believe thaa he was a single. man, and induced her to marry him. Such, in substance, are the issues involved, but many side- lights are developing as the trial progresses. Three Governors Implicated On Saturday the testimony disclos- ed a chapter of the case in which Ex-Governor John A. Johnson, Gov- ernor Hadley of Missouri, and Gover- nor Eberhart were actors to some ex- tent. It appears that in 1909 a war- rant for the arrest.of McDonald was issued in Missouri; that Governor Hadley requested Governor Johnson to authorize his arrest in Minnesota and permit him to be taken to Mis- souri; that Governor Johnson did not do so and that Governor Hadley withdrew the request; that in 1911 Governor Eberhart asked Governor Hadley to renew the request; but it ley did so. Is Now Divorced 1t appears that since the occur- rances involved in 1908 and 1909 Mr. MacDonald has been divorced by his wife, with whom he had lived many years and that the defendant Amber The picture is produced by the Fa-|Hamilton has become the wife of D. mous Players’ company. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller of Du- 1uth were visitors at the L. P. Eck- strom’ home yesterday. D. Macmillan, of Minneapolis, secre- tary of the Cargill Elevator company. STOCK COMPANY RETURNS, St. Clair' Stock Company To Play At Brinkman For Indefinite Period. The Harry St. Clair 8tock company opened an engagement of indefinite length at the Brinkman theatre last night, when the play, “Sex Against Sex,” was produced. The theatre was crowded, showing that the play- ers of the stock company are favor- ites with the tlieatre goers as was evidenced during their previous stay here several weeks ago. ‘The Walker papers are loud in their praise for the company which played in that city one entire week. Joint Installation There will be & joint installation of the Royal Neighbors and Wood- “man tomorrow evening. the place of trial became necessary . sational features that are being dis- The plain-/ does not appear that Governor Had- -