Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, September 25, 1916, Page 1

EMIDJI MAN IS ARRESTED AS SUSPECT IN D { GEORGE STERLING -8, a | | i i H { 1 { { i { I ¥4 ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF SKRIEF, MAINTAINS SILENCE Says Mind is Blank and Does Not Remember Committing the Crime. ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN INTOXICATED Starts Quarrel With Alleged “Enemy” NEW YORK SCHOOLS and Kills a Good Friend. Peter Skrief, who operated a saw will in the town of O’Brien and was|the regular opening date the first of well known in Bemidji, was shot and | the month, by the infantile paralysis killed Saturday evening near the new | epidemic which has claimed about _\&own hall of O’'Brien which is under|10,000 victims, of whom 3,000 died, : \Q?strucuon. \ Mind a Blank. George Sterling, who is alleged to have done the shooting, is in the county jail. knows nothing of the affair and t! his mind is blank. It is reported that Skrief, Ster- ling, James Haley, Jack Rabi apd other residents of the O'Brien dis- trict went to the new town hall Sat- urday afternoon, Skrief bringing a load of lumber for the hall. The men had been drinking, it is said, and Sterling became intoxicated. He lay down on a pile of lumber and went to sleep. In the meantime, Skrief drove to e Rabi home for some cement. hen he returned. Sterling-was still asleep. Sterline a Bachelor. When it came time to return to their homes, Skrief said that he would take Sterling home with him. Ster- ling was a bachelor and had a home- \ stead of 40 acres. When Sterling was awakened he ished at Haley, with whom he had |3cn at “‘outs” for years. He struck ¢ him and Haley struck back. Rabi fshed between the two men. Then, according to the story told , Sheriff Johnson, Haley and Skrief, ,‘and Maynard and Junow, two other men who were assisting at the hall, jumped on Skrief’s wagon and started to drive away. Shoots Horse, They had gone about 200 paces when Sterling opened fire with a 30- 30 rifle. His first shot went wild. On the second shot he struck one of the horses. The men then jumped from the wagon and ran towards the woods. Rabi, who was standing near Ster- ling, begged him to stop and Ster- ling turned on him. Rabi made for the nearby brush. The third shot struck Skrief in the leg. Sterling looked on while the other men made an attempt to stop the flow of blood from Skrief’s leg by tieing handkerchiefs and rope above the wound. Several of the men went to get an- other horse, a distance of about two miles, and on their return Skrief was loaded on the wagon and taken to Rlackduck. The men talked to him when about two miles from the vil- lage and he answered back. When they arrived at Blackduck they called Dr. Koch who found Skrief dead. Well Known Here, Skrief was about 40 years of age and is survived by a wife and two children, a brother at Kelliher and a brother in Wisconsin. Mrs. Skrief i§ the daughter of August Weber of Kelliher. She was notified of the death Sunday. ‘ Skrief has been operating a saw mill in the town of O’Brien for sev- eral years. He was previously em- ployed as a scaler for the Crookston 1g;mber company and as captain of steamer Beltrami on Red Lake. Sheriff Johnson was called and he, with Deputy Cahill and Coroner Ak- erberg, went to the scene. Sterling, who is a man of about 40 years,. has lived in the O’Brien district for years and always had the reputation of being a dangerous man. He is a crack shot with a rifle. "'An odd character, he has lived alone on his homestead, and when sober he was agreeable. When intoxicated he was disagreeable and at times thought to + ,be demented. \“‘All efforts to find Sterling early ’gday morning failed. ' At about six o'clock Sunday morn- ing J. F. Higgins reported seeing him ‘near the scene of the crime. Ster- ling at that time did not know of the death’ of Skrief. Sheriff Johnson secured the ser- ing that if Sterling was antagonized he would shoot to kill and would be able to hold a posse at bay for weeks. Cook went to the Sterling home- stead, followed by Johnson, Cahill and Akerberg and with Sterling walk- e i N however, because their parents still He maintalos ma"h?fi fear the disease which has baffled 1 d down the road. Sheriff Johnson then placed ‘Sterling under arrest. Sterling claimed that he did not remember anything in regard to the affair, He claims that his mind is blank and appeared as if he felt bad that his friend Skrief had been shot. He was at all times considered a good friend of Skrief’s. Coroner Akerberg will hold an in- quest at Blackduck tonight at 7:30 o’clock. The scene of the crime was about 15 miles from Blackduck. At a hearing held before Judge Fisk this morning, Sterling requested an examination. The hearing was continued to Oct. 4. OPEN TODAY (By United Press) New York, Sept. 25.—Delayed since and which cost the city a million dollars, school opened here today. +A goodly percentage of New York city’s boys and girls did not attend, city, county, state and federal auth- orities until the last few weeks. INDIAN SAYS TREATY GIVES GAME RIGHTS St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 25.—A fed- eral treaty with the Indians in 1855 may be used as a defense for John Light, an Indian, charged with kill- ing two moose cows north of Lower, Carlos Avery, state game and fish commissioner, was advised by A. Gibbs, the warden making the arrest. ‘“We will fight the case to a finish on that defense,” said Commissioner Avery, “because recognition of such a principle would mean prompt ex-| termination of moose in Minnesota. Washington authorities are being consulted by the Indian’s friends, who maintain that under the treaty more| than 65 years ago the Indians were) given perpetual hunting and fishing right in certain territory in Northern Minnesota. The case is set for hear- ing Sept. 30. BEMIDJI HIGH 26 | PARK RAPIDS 0 The Bemidji high school football team, in the opening game of the sea- son, defeated the Park Rapids eleven by a score of 26 to 0. The score at the end of the first half was 13 to 0. The Bemidji lineup was as follows: Opsahl, center; Hovey Lord, right guard; Howard Palmer, left guard; Pierre Grey, right tackle; Floy Mad- son, left tackle; Brooks, left end; Kittleson and Achenbach, right ends; Harold White, quarterback; Warfield, full back: Bailey, right half and Fred Phibbs, left half. ‘Warfield showed up much stronger than was expected and was very suc- cessful in forward passes. Bailey played an especially strong and con- sistent game. Brooks at end played a very good game, showing up well on tackling and ‘in receiving forward passes. Park Rapids kicked off to Opsahl at center and Bemidji took the ball down the field for a touchdown with- in the first five minutes of play. Park Rapids played a good clean game, playing mostly mass plays. A few forward ‘passes were ‘Successful. Bemidji played a good game, using the famous Minnesota shift success- fully. ¢ 200 BEMIDJI PEOPLE AT RED LAKE FAIR Over 200 Bemidji people went to the Red Lake Indian reservation yes- terday and attended the Indian fair. The crowd at the fair was large, there being many Clearbrook, Bagley and Crookston people present. An excellent program was given at the fair. Bemidji people were especially in- terested in the exhibits which were far superior to exhibits of former years. 8 The fair was a big success, A special train was operated over the Minneapolis, Red Lake & Mani- toba railway yesterday to accommo- date the crowds from Bemidji. A PERRITANN IS IN FIRST OF CASES FOR TRESPASSING Kelliher Man, Accused of Taking Timber from State Lands, is Freed. JURY RETURNS VERDICT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING Two Other Cases for Trespass Being Taken Up in the District Court Today. Leonard Perritann, accused of tak- ing timber from state lands near Kel- liher, was found not guilty by a jury in the district court. The jury re- tired, Saturday evening and returned a verdict early Sunday morning. First Case Up. This is the first case brought by state authorities for alleged timber trespass. Two other cases will be taken up in the court here and a number of other cases will be taken up in other counties. County Attorney Graham M. Tor- rance presented the Perritann case for the state. Attorney P. J. Russell represented Mr. Perritann. The court is today taking up the trespass case against John G. Miller. Miller is accused of operating the “Flying Dutchman,” a portable saw- mill, near Kelliher. The mill was seized by state authorities last spring. A number of state cruisers are at- tending the meeting. BEN LUNDGREN IS NAMED GAME WARDEN Ben Lundgren has been appointed as a special game warden in this dis- trict to aid Game Warden Sherm Bailey. J TELEGRAPH OFFICE IN MILL CITY BURNS (By United Press) Minneapolis, Sept. 25.—Fire par- tially destroyed the Western Union telegraph office here last night. The damage was about $5,000, Service was partially interrupted. BISHOP MORRISON AT EPISCOPAL CHURCH Bishop Morrison of Duluth will offi- ciate at services at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal church tonight at 7:45 o’clock. Members of the church are requested to remain at the church af- ter the service to discuss the question of providing a new pastor for the Bemidji church. BLACKDUCK COUPLE 'LICENSED T0 WED A wedding license was issued this morning to Albert Jantass and Gladys Smith of Blackduck this morning. NEW INSTRUCTOR AT BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL!; Miss Estelle Elke of Chaska arrived in Bemidji today to accept a position| as instructor in the Bemidji ' high school. She will have charge of the German classes and will assist ‘with algebra and English classes to re- lieve. the congestion in the school. PIONEER RESIDENT OF NEBISH IS DEAD John Bergquist, aged 51, a resident of the Nebish district for the past 17 years, died at St. Anthony’s hospital Sunday after a short illness. He is survived by a wife and son. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at ten o’clock from the M. E. Ibertson undertaking parlors. In- vices of Frank Cook, who is a good | humber of people motored to the res-|terment will be made at the Green- irlenq of Sterling’s, the sheriff know- | ervation. wood cemetery. ZEPPELIN- RAID ON - FOUND NOT GUILTY. | ENGLAND SUCCESS; MANY ARE KILLED; CRAFTSDESTROYED Houses and Stores are Destroyed; Raid is Also Made on Bucharest. ITALIANS CUT WATER SUPPLY AT TRIESTE Insurgents Control the Island of Crete; Taken Without Bloodshed. (By United Press) London, Sept. 25.—German Zeppe- lins raided England last night, kill- ing 4 number of persons, destroying several houses and stores, but doing no military damage. Seven men, eight women and three children were wounded in London. Forty-five men, thirty-seven women and seventeen children were killed in the provineces. Seventeen persons were wounded in the provinces. Two of the Zeppelins were destroy- ed. One crew was killed and the other crew captured. Britons today believe that London is secure against big damage because of afr raids. Residents are unmoved by attacks. Loss is Admitted. Berlin, Sept. 25.—The loss of two air craft in Saturday raid on Eng- lm}l%’x is officially admitted., & official statement today says| - that a German Zeppelin raided Bu- charest, the capitol of Rutnania, last night, causing much damage. Rome, Sept. 25.—The Italians have cut the Trieste water supply. New Market, England, Sept. 25.— The Earl of Essex is dead. Bucharest, Sept. 25.—The Ruma- ians have captured 6,884 prisoners north and northwest of the Transyl- vanian fronts, Invation Halted. Rome, Sept. 25.—With Russians re- inforcing them the Rumanians have halted the Teutonic invasion. Athens, Sept. 25.—Thirty tzousand insurgents have control of the Island of Crete. They took Canea and Hera- clion. Only eleven of King Constan- tine’s Cretan bodyguard remained loyal. The insurgents took Canea, the capitol, without bloodshed. HUGHES SHOWN OFF: UNABLE T0 SPEAK (By United Press) Dayton, O., Sept. 25.—Charles E. Hughes started on an oratorical marathon in Ohio today without speaking. His vocal chords are in- flamed and his wife and physicians have forbid him from speaking. The local committee, however, planned to parade him through Dayton. All day he will be shown off. AMERICANS ARE COURT -+ 'MARTIALED IN MEXICO (By United 'Press) ‘Washington, Sept. 25.—General Funston today officially reported that he had court martialed Corporal Rod- gers. and. §éven members of @ patrol of Texas cavalry for pressing into Mexico unauthorized. The Mexicans fired upon the patrol, killing a hofse. Mrs. E. L. Grady and children of Hibbing are visiting Mrs. Pearl Shores. Mrs. Grady is a daughter of Mrs. Shorés. - AUTO KILLS MORE PERSONS THAN ZEP (By United Press) New York, Sept. 25.—Figures com- piled here show that more persons are killed and injured by automobiles on American streets during a year than all the Zeppelin raids on England. Chicago and New York reports show that over 100 were killed during the year. All cities report that 1,043 were killed and 8,000 injured. In the two years of war in England, Zep- gel;ns have killed 368 and wounded 43. Every man is supposed to be the architect of his own fortune, but many of them forget to build. DISCHARGED “U” PROF. CARRYINGHODIN CANADA (By United Press) Minneapolis, Sept. 25.—It is re- ported here that Edward Throwbridge Dana, discharged from the faculty of the University of Minnesota because he said that his wife’s suicide she could not become a ‘perfect 'mother was beautiful, -was seen. carrying a hod in Canada. It is believed. that his desire of becoming ‘Tolson and getting closer to the elementary hu- man life prompted "him. ATTORNEY ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF WIFE (By United Press) St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 25.—Oscar McDaniel, prosecuting attorney, has been arrested charged with murdering his wife, Harriet Moss McDaniel, July 15. He laughed when arrested and bought cigars for, the officers. He said that lawbreakers he had prose- cuted had decoyed him from his home on-the night of the murder by a false telephone message and that they had l;glled his wife and attempted to kill im. TWO MORE ARRESTED - IN BLACKMAIL CASE (By United Press) Chicago, Sept. 25.—Two more men have been arrested on sensational charges in conmnection ‘with the na- tion-wide blackmail syndicate. : BROTHER OF HERO = ASSAILS- SOCIETY . (By United Press) Chicago, IIl., Sept. 23.—A brother of Samuel Meisenberg, Chicago ma- rine who was killed at Vera Cruz, p}unged through a crowd when a so- ciety was erecting a monument for Meisenberg. He turned on the crowd and shouted that the society had fail- ed to give the poverty stricken par- ents food. He shouted, ‘“You can’t use my brother’s grave to advertise your society.” . LABOR TROUBLES ARE BLAMED FOR EXPLOSION . (By United Press) Chicago, Sept. 25.—Labor troubles are blamed for a bomb explosion ‘in the Lpop moving picture theater this morning. The building was slightly damaged and nearby windows were shattered. _— ROCHESTER SOCIETY GIRL DISAPPEARS (By United Press) Rochester, Minn., Sept. 25.—Edna Lundberg, pretty society girl, has dis- appeared. There is no clue. She left only a bunch of love letters. MINNESOTA TAXATION MAY BE 3.7 MILLS (By United Press) St. Raul, Sept.’ 25.—Minnesota taxation is estimated at 3.7 mills, as compared to' 4.15 mills last year. Taxgble property in the state is $1, 516,000, against $1,491,000 last year. | ‘ ! U. S. EXPORTS ~ SET WORLD RECORD (By United Press) Washington, Sept. 25.—U. S. ex- ports during August set a world’s record for exports. The department of commerce today announced that the exports amounted to $510,036,- 000 above previous high record for May. The imports for August were $199,247,000. The exports for the year ending August were $4,759,- 000,000. LR R R R R RS R R He who forgets to adver- tise should not complain when the buyer forgets that he fis in business. It is just a case of “forget” all around. * *x * * * AKX KKK KKK KKK KX JOIN CROUPA IS HELDFORHUGGING SCHOOL TEACHER AT WILTON HOME. Sheriff Gunderson Requests Chief to Hold Him Pending an Investigation. HOMESTEADERS TAKE . ' 0ATH OF VENGEANCE Miss Olga iJahl Continues to Improve; Search for Assailant Continues. John Croupa, well known around Bemidji because of his peculiar ac- tions, was arrested this morning for attempting to hug ‘a ‘school teacher at Wilton. He'is also held as a sus- pect in the assault upon Miss Olga Dahl, Round Lake schm_)l teacher. Croupa, it is alleged, arrived ' at ‘Wilton last evening on the freight train and went to the Rue hotel. At the hotel he made overtures to sev- eral of the girls and attempted to hug one of the school teachers. The girls became frightened and went to their rooms, Attemnts to Follow. This morning he attempted to fol- low one of the teachers to her school. The school teacher became frightened and several boys and young men es- cort her to the school. ‘ « The feeling in Wilton against Croupa became tense and he was nlated under -arrest ‘and spirited: to this ecity. & Croupa very closely resembles the man who is accused of assaulting Olga Dahl, Round Lake school teacher, who walked the little teacher into the woods at the point of a revolver, trussed her to a sapling, attacked her after a night of torture and shot her twicg in the head. Can’t White English. Croupa, however, was dressed dif- ferently and he does not speak or write English. He has been arrested in Bemidji several times because of his actions. Last spring he attempted to get into a girl’s room in a local hotel by dig- ging a hole through the wall. He was arrested and examined for his sanity. He was released, ordered out of town and up to yesterday had not been seen in this district. He stated that he had been at Crookston and maintains that he knows nothing of the Dahl assault. Sheriff Gunderson wired Chief of Police Ripple this afternoon to hold Croupa until further investigation. Deputy Sheriff Riley of Itasca county will arrive in the city tonight to examine Croupa. Search Continues. In the meantime the search con- tinues in Itasca county for the assail- ant. Five hundred men were on a man hunt yesterday. It is estimated that 300 are still on the hunt today. Several homesteaders, foreigners, living near the scene of the crime, have taken a"blood oath of vengeance not to abandon the search until Miss Dahl has recovered or until the as- sailant has been captured. ' Saturday night a trace of the man was reported found south of Round Lake. A posse started on a search but up to a late hour this afternoon had been unable to locate the man. Twenty new deputy sheriffs were sworn in at Grand Rapids yesterday. Resting Easier. : Miss Dahl is reported to be resting easier and will recover. She is con- scious at times and tells- of meeting the stranger. She maintains that it was the man that had breakfast at the Lumien home. “Everybody is up in arms in the district,” said Sheriff Gunderson yes- terday. “I am afraid that if they get hold of the man they will string him up before the authorities have a chance.” £ Another clue was located today when it was reported that a man by the same description was in Ten- strike several weeks ago. He was posing as an evapgelist and wanted to establish himself in Tenstrike. He had a failing,for girls and at various times mentioned ‘pretty girls. He was ordered out and went to Nakoda. Later he went to Mizpah. He has since disappeared. He may have been the same man that asked the way of Constable Jones of Northome to the Round ' Lake school house Tuesday, the day before the crime was com- mitted. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Naugle, Mrs. J. W. Naugle and Archie Naugle will leave tomorrow on a motor. trip -to Norway, Mich.