The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, May 14, 1920, Page 1

» aie .labor “for the rest of his natural - safeguards offered by the law. THE WEATHER Generally Fair RIBUNE see ttt es een LAST EDITION THIRTY-NINTH YEAR THE BISMARCK T BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA. _ FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1920 PRICE FIVE CENTS ARREST, CONFESSION AND QUICK TRIAL ENDS MOST BAFFLING AND SENSATIONAL MYSTERY IN HISTORY Splendid Work of Chief of Police Chris Martineson Praised by McLean County Authorities; Slayer Was Not Moral De- | generate; Refused Protection of the Law The first 24 hours in the state penitentiary, where Henry Lay- er, self-confessed murderer of the eight persons at Turtle Lake, N. D., on April 22, will spend the remainder of his life at hard labor, were uneventful. Layer, after eating a hearty meal last night, was placed in his cell and shortly afterwards was sound asleep. : Because of a change in warden task has been assigned ‘to Layer. s at the penitentiary, no definite The slayer, whose stoical calm has not left him, will probably be given work in the factory. Dressed in. prison khaki, the murderer appears the same as any of the other inmates and unless he is directly spoken to, indulges in very little conversation. Layer is confined in a, separate compartment, where all pris- oners sentenced to life imprisonment are kept. Many of the priv- ileges granted prisoners serving for minor offenses are denied the Turtle Lake murderer. The prison authorities have left Layer pretty much alone today and wil ll keep him under sharp surveil- lance to better determine just what class of work he can be best trusted to do. Sentenced to imprisonment at hard lite,? Henry Layer, self-confessed slayer of eight persons at Turtle iLake, N. D., April 22 started serving | his” prison sentence at the staic penitentiary at Bismarck at 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon, exactly 48 hours} after he was arrested. This is believed to be the fastest administration of justice on record; in -any state. Layer was arrested | Tuesday afternoon at his home, four} miles from Turtle Lake, taken to the McLean county jail at Washburn that evening, confessed to his crimes at 12:30 Wednesday morning, was given his preliminary hearing: in justice court at noon, tried hefore Judge W. L, Nuessle in district court at Wash burn immediately after the prelimin- ary hearing, confessed and. pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter in the first degree and was whisked away to the _ state penitentiary at Bismarck, 50 miles from Washburn, starting his life sentence two days almost to the! minute after he had been arrested. ! Refuses to Delay | Although no time was lest in giving Layer his preliminary hearing and his subsequent trial -before Judge Nuessle, every opportunity was, giv- en the murderer to obtain counsel, change his plea to not guilty, request a postponement ofthe trial and plier ‘0 all of Judge ‘Nuessle’s queries, how- ever, Layer insisted that whichever way was the quickest to the penitea- tiary was the one he wished to fol- low. f Under questioning by Judge Nues- sle, Layer confirmed his confession and related all of the details leading up td. and taking place during the killing of Mr. and ‘Mrs. Jacob Woll, their five small daughters, and Jak» Hofer, the 13-year-old chore boy. At no time, either during his trial or when his confession was wrung from him, did he express the slightest sorrow or regret for his frightful deed. Thinks of Own Family When Judge Nuessle, in measured tones, pronounced sentence on the murderer, Layer’s first thought was his wife and six children, the eldest only nine years of age. ‘Please, judge, let me see my wife and babies before I go to the pen,” pleaded the) confessed slayer, Judge ‘Nuessle. however, fearing for the prisoner.# | safety in the vicinity of Turtle Lake, ! 25 miles from Washburn, denied thet request, Within ten minutes after sentence had been pronounced, Layer was placed in Sheriff Ole Stefferud’s au- tomobile. Chief of Police Chris Mar- tineson of Bismarck and_ Special Agent George McDowell of the North- ern Pacific, together with The Trib- une correspondent were the other oc- cupants of the car with Stefferud driving. The trip to Bismarck was made hurriedly and two days after his arrest Layer was placed in th2 penitentiary here. Not a Degenerate Layer is not a moral degenerate in any sense of the word. The au- thorities are confident that he never intended killing the entire family or any member of it when he first went to the Wolf home. although he had at several occasions stated he in- tended to “get? Wolf. He claims that just as soon as he saw Mrs. Wolf and the chore boy drop while he andi Wolf were wrestling for the double! barreled shotgun, he did not know! what he was doing. i Fortunately, Layer did not know that Emma, the eight months old; baby, was in the bedroom. for he acknowledged, the authorities state. | that he would. have killed her too. ‘ The arrest and confession of Layer is generally”regarded as one of the finest examples of police work in th state. Handicapped by a crime two days old without any tangible clue to work on, the authorities could only (Continued on Page Three) j GERMANS INSIST THAT MEN LEAVE London, May 14.—The German cabi- net, after a discussion with the minis- ter of federated states, decided unani- mously that Germany should not send representatives either to the Spa or Brussels conferences unless the| French troops are entirely withdrawn ; from the Maine district by May 16. according to a Central News dispatch from Berlin today. LAST OF NATION’S SAILOR DEAD ARE HOMEWARD BOUND Secretary Daniels Will Be Prin- cipal Speaker at Appro- priate Ceremonies Washington, May 14.—Bearing the bodies of 153 officers and enlisted men of the navy and marine corps, the U. S. S. Neures is expected to arrive at New York Monday or Tuesday from Brest. Arrangements have been made for appropriate services Wednesday afternoon on the pier with Secretary Daniels as the principal speaker. The Neures is bearing the first bod- ies cf American sailors to be removed from France. On board also are fif- teen bodies of officers and men. who died while on duty in Mediteranean and Adriatic waters, completed the return of its dead from all European countries except France. Twenty-six of the bodies will be brought to Washington for interment in Arlington cemetery while the re- mainder will be forwarded to their homes, . LYNN J. FRAZIER NAMED AT FARGO LEAGUE MEETING Walter Maddox of Mountrail is Named Chairman of Non- partisan Convention HAGAN MAY HEAD TICKET Fargo, N. D., May 14.—Governor Lynn J. Frazier was named today to head the Nonpartisan league ticket at the June primaries by the state convention of the league meeting here today. Frazier, who has served as gove:nor if the state for two years. was unanimously selected to run for {the gubernatorial nomination in June. John N. Hagan, commissioner of | agriculture and labor, was nominated to run on the league ticket for that office. There had been some talk { of sunning Hagan for the governor- ship, but this did not materialize. Howard Wood was elected to the nomination of lieutenant governor, the position which he now holds. S. A. Olsness. commissioner of in- surance, was the convention’s choice for the nomination to that position. Fargo. N. D.,. ay 14.—The Nonpar- tisan league state convention for the! endorsement of a state ticket was or- ganized this morning by selection of L. L. Stair of Bismarck as temporary chairman and the election of W. J. Church of Maddock as temporary sec- retary. Walter J. Maddock of Mountrail was chosen permanent chairman of the convention and W. J. Church of Ben- son county was named permanent sec- retary. On motion of the convention. the speaker appointed a committee of five to draw up resolutions and a plat- form committee of seven. The con- vention then adjourned until 1:30 p. m. HARD TO FIND MAN TO SUCCEED POLK Washington, May 13.—Withdrawal of Frank L. Polk as under secretary of state is causing considerable dif- ficuilty in reorganizing the state de- partment. Mr. Polk’s resignation is admittedly a severe blow to the de- partment and he is being urged to continue at his post as long as pos- sible. The under secretary's health is not good and he believes he could not stand another trying Washing- ton summer. The post has been offered to Hugh Gibson, minister at Warsaw. but he is unwilling to accept it, owing to a greater inclination to continue the work which he has commenced in Poland, where he believes there is far-reaching opportunity for service. = es EREEDESEES * OAKES IS GROWING The census bureau today re- | ported the population of Oakes, | .D., as 1,637, which is an in- Crease of 138 or 9.2 per cent. e— | | With the arrival | of the Neures, the navy will have! CA LL FOR BEAUTY DOCTOR! ° G OHN. ST Cass Lake, Minn—Old_ wrinkle | face's Indian name is KasBe-Nah- Gwey-Wence, which the white men here translate freely into: “John Smith. He says he's 129 years old and there’s nobody in Cass Lake old enough to dispute it. Don’t crowd, girls, the line forms on the left. aerececaca ta aa eae M’ADOO AND COX MAY HEAD PARTY AT FRISCO MEET Most Likely Combination Democratic Ticket, Staff Correspondent Believes on IS HANDICAP | “FAMILY” Former Treasury Secretary’s Relationship to Wilson Might Count Against Him / BY H. N. RICKEY, N. E. A. Staff Correspondent Washington, May 14.—Six weeks ago the situation in respect of the campaign for the democratic presiden- tial nomination was McAdoo against ‘the field. t {ing some unforeseen development it will be the same six weeks hence ; When the convention delegates as- semble at San Francisco, McAdoo Stock High In the view of the political leaders | Of both parties who follow preconven- |tion activities closely, | McAdoo’s chances have improved steadily since the race started. He is known to be the choice of a great majority of southern delegates and he has a much larger following in the northern states, particularly in the east and middle west, than any other candi- date. There is little doubt that had he desired it many delegations would have tbeen instructed for him and he would today be far in the lead in the number of énstructed delegates. Just why ‘McAdoo refused to per- mit his friends to enter his name in the primaries is not known. But he took that position at the beginning ‘of the campaign and has adhered to it consistently. So that at San Francisco the par- ;adox will be presented of the man, conceded to be the leading candidate, having fewer pledged delegates than any one of several of his rivals. The “Family” Handicap McAdoo's position in the r is not due to the fact that he is the president's son-in-law. This relation- ship is more of a handicap than a help. For entirely apart from the question of Mr. Wilson's popularity or unpopularity, naither the politi- (Continued on Page Four.) ’ WEATHER REPORT | Ce — > For twenty-four hours ending at noon, Friday, May 14, Temperature at 7 a. m. 43 | Highest yesterday » 66 Lowekt yesterday wees BS | Lowest last night 1 38 | Precipitation ... None Highest wind velocity .22-SE Forecast For North Dakota: Fair tonight and Saturday; slightly warmer ex- treme east portion tonight. Lowest Temperatures 39 Fargo... es... Williston ... Grand Forks St. Paul ... Winnipeg . Chicago Swift Current . Kansas City .. x ORRIS W. ROBERTS, Meteorologist. . 56 40 | | | MINER FINDS TWELVE POUND GOLD NUGGET London, May |4.---A lump of pure gold weighing just over 12 pounds, one of the largest nuggets ever found. has been discovered in the Kilo State Mines in the northeastern distric! of the Belgian Congo, according to the African World. It is now in the pos- session of the London Branch of the Banque du Congo Belge and will be sold on behalf of the Belgian govern- ment. It is the same today. Barr-) DARING BANDIT KILLRD AFTER LOOTING TRAIN One of Most Daring Robberies in Middle West Reads Like Movie Plot ONE POLICEMAN IS DEAD Robber, After Escaping With Registered Mail, Shoots Policeman Chicago, May 14.—One of the most laring train robberies, that has taken place in recent years in the middle west, ended this morning in the death of a Jone bandit, who last night looted the Illinois.Central New Orleans limit- ed and the recovery of currency esti- mated to total $100,000. One policeman, shot by the bandit, is dead and another seriously wound- ed. The bandit was identified as Horace | Walton, aged 32, of St. Joseph, Mo. Walton fell with four bullets in his body, after barricading himself in his apartment and fighting a pitched bat- tle with more than 100 police, includ: ing several picked rifle squads. Walton boarded the train at Gilman last night, taking a seat in a Pullman. A pouch containing registered mail was taken on the train at Gilnian. Posed as Inspector, As the flier pulled out of Kankakee, Walton stepped into the mail car and announced that he was the postal in- spector. He walked toward Elmer N.| Harris, chief clerk, and four assist-) ants, then drew a gun and commanded, | “Hands up.” The clerks obeyed him. Harris and three of the clerks were} ordered to lie down on the floor and Burke, the fourth clerk, was forced to tie their hands behind them. Walton then tied Burke’s hands and set about sorting the mail pouches. Armed with the clerk’s key, he sorted out and rifled bags which con- tained shipments of money remarking that, “It’s easy when you have inside information.” A traveling bag, appro- priated from one of the clerks, i ed a receptacle for the money. Jokes With Clerks After filling the bag, Walton kept up a running fire of banter with the clerks until the train reached Englewood station, south of Chicago, shortly be- fore 1a.m. There he opened the door and, as the train entered the depot, leaped out. Wie Fifteen minutes’ later ‘Patrolmen Roberts and Hendricks met Walton. Their suspicions were arounsed by the bag and Roberts stepped forward to question the man. Walton, with his revolver in his pocket, fired through his coat and Roberts fell shot through the side. Rifle Barrage The police rifle squad, summoned by neighbors. located the man in an apart- ment house, a half block away. They; surrounded the building and for more| than an hour poured hundreds of bul-| lets into Walton’s apartment. He re- turned the fire steadily using two, guns, then suddenly stopped. De- tective Chief Mooney led a dash on the room and found Walton on the floor dead with four bullets in his body. Patrolman Roberts was rushed to aj hospital where he died shortly later. Patrolman Serriter also was wounded, but not fatally. WELL BEHAVED'AT HOME St. Joseph Mo.. May 14.—Horace Walton, the train robber, who was killed by the Chicago police, was a Sts Joseph high school graduate, 22 years old. The youth was a railway mail clerk until a month ago when he resigned and left home without tell- ing his parents where he was going. He was a member of the local Y. M. C. A., and was well behaved here. His father will go to Chicago tonight to) claim the body. CONTAINED $105,000 Decateur, Ill., May 14.—The money. secured from a mail pouch on an Illi- nots Central train near Chicago by a train robber Thursday night, was the shipment from a local bank to a Chi- cago bank. It totaled $105,000. One Wife Expensive Enough, Persians Say Teheran, April 19.—Polygamy is dy- ing out in, Persia—another result of greatly advanced living costs, to- gether with jealousy, which is becom- ing more marked a characteristic of: Persian wives with the permeation of western ideas and standards in the east. With this change has come another -—the custom of having family name 'A year ago the Persian government ;made it compulsory for people to ‘adopt a surname. Before that only peasants had any common name in the family, the upper classes possess- ‘ing only one. A man, for instance ‘might be called Ghaffar simply, anl his son Hassan with nothing to show \their relationship. BANS SCHOOL.ARMY Berlin, May 14. — High school pupils here have been forbidden yby lthe minister of education to join any kind of military organizations. Those who already have become members are directed to withdraw. COURT TERM ADJOURNED Pursuant to an order signed by Judge Charles F, Amidon, the Bis- marck term of United States dis- trict court has been adjourned from May 11 to July 6. Notice to the effect was carried to Bismarck by Harry Tenborg. clerk in the United ‘SEEK RELEASE LES JUMPS TO OBREGON GON: GEN. PABLO . GONZALES ‘Mexico City—Generaf Pablo Gon- zales, long regarded by Carranza as! his staunchest supporter, has, accord- ing .to report, joined in the Obregon revolution. i MEXICAN REBELS CONTINUE GAINS NEAR VERA CRUZ Presence of British Consul in! Carranza’s Camp May Lead to, Trouble WARSHIPS OFF SEAPORT Break in Government Forces and President’s Troops At- tempt Northward March ‘ (By Associated Press.) Mexico rebel forces have apparently won the first phase of the battle against troops of President Corranza which have been fighting a desperate battle north of San» Marcos, state of Puebla, for the past four days. Ad- vices from Vera Cruz indicate a break in the Carranza line and an effort on the part of the president's men to break through the rebel lines and march northward. The struggle is continuing and new rebel reinforcements are reported to have reached the scene, coming up from the south. British in Danger An international incident may be foreshadowed by the fact that W. A. Body, British consul from Vera Cruz, is in the camp of President Carranza. Advices give no details as to the rea- son for his presence there, but it seems probable he accompanied the president in his flight from Mexico City. British and American authori- ties in Vera Cruz have arranged for a Mexican naval lieutenant to go by spe- cial train to the battle field and make an attempt to rescue the Englishman, Warships Off Vera Cruz French and British warships have made their appearance in the harbor of Vera Cruz and four American fight-; ing vessels are at anchor there, Negotiations for the surrender of! Matamoras, across the frontier from} Brownsville, Texas, are under way, and it is expected the Carranza forces will surrender without fighting today. Predicts Surrender El Paso, Tex., May 14.—Surrender of President Carranza and his forces, ! who are reported surrounded by revo- lutionary soldiers, was predicted in a cablegram from General Obregon to| the Mexican vice-consul in El Paso,} today. OF SOCIALISTS May 14, — Asking y decree of federal’ political risoners, a delegation of socialists | headed by Seymour Steadman of Chi- cago, socialist candidate for vice pres-| ident, appealed to Attorney General { ‘Palmer today for immediate amnesly and pardon for all federal prisoners convicted on the basis of political speeches and writings or labor union activities. Palmer Diffident Release of Debs and all other poli- tical prisoners was asked in a petition presented to Attorney-General Palmer by the committee appointed at the socialist national convention in New York, with Seymour Stedman, socia- list vice-presidential nominee, as chairman. ae The committee will see Secretary Tumulty at the White House tomor- row and present a similar petition to President Wilson, and on Monday another committee named at the New York convention will call on Secretary Baker. Mr. Stedman said the delegation did not believe the atorneygeneral had ‘been favorably impressed by the plea for general amnesty, and that the at- torney-general told him that he would take under advisement the matter of: releasing Debs. Washington, Great Britain has sold a surplus} States marshal’s office, who return- ed to Fargo yesterday. VICTORY TICKET NAMED HEADED BY LANGER; KOSITZKY AND HALL ENDORSED; YOUNG IS NOMINATED Minot Anti-Townley Republican State Convention Closes Most Enthusiastic Political Session in History of North Dakota; “Well Balanced Slate Picked Attorney General, Richard neau. County. Nielsen, Valley City. i 1 John Williams, Fargo; | VICTORY TICKET | Governor, William Langer, Bismarck. Lieutenant Governor, Frank Secretary of State, Thomas Hall, Bismarck, N. D. State Treasurer, John Steen, Rugby. State Auditor, Carl Kositzky, Bismarck. Commissioner of Agriculture, L. T. Sandstrom, Botti- Commissioner of Insurance, Henry Quanbeck, Nelson Superintendent of Public Instruction, Miss Minnie J. Railroad Commissioners, W. H. Stutsman, Mandan; i United States Senator, no recommendation, at this time. | Congressmen—First District, O. B. Burtness, Grand | Forks; Second District, George M. Young; Valley City; Third District, Geo. P. Homness of Crosby. Streeter, Linton. F. Gallagher, Beach. E. J. Kruger, Marmarth. Minot, May 14.—Without ar days of good natured contest. lot was taken. and delegations began to change Langer received 168 votes on th SIMS FALSIFIED IN NAVY ATTACKS DANIELS ASSERTS Says Testimony of Other High “Navy Officers Refutes Ad- miral’s Charges Washington, May 14.—Rear Admir- al Sims “fallacious and baseless” charges that the navy department pro- sarily was “practically the only part of unfavorable results from the many alleged sins of ommission and commis- sion,” the officer ascribed to the de- partment, Secretary Daniels today tolt the senate naval investigating com- mittee. It was fully refuted, he add- ed, by the admiral’s own testimony. “The charge of the prolongation of the war was a definite and serious one,” said the secretary. “It was made with reckless disregard of the facts and the reasoning and statistics adduced in its support are those which one might expect to find in the fan- tastic tales of a ‘Baron ‘Munchausen.” “Admiral Sims states his estimate of an unnecessary loss of 500,000 Tives {on an average loss for the allies of 000 men a day,”: Mr. Daniels said. “The loss of 3,000 men a day for four months falls short of half a mil- lion, but of course half a million sol- diers is the more impressive than the figure which would have been arrived at by correct arithmetic,” the secre- tary declared. i Mr. Daniels quoted from the testi- mony of Admirals Rodman and Wil- son and other naval officers to show that all these officers refused to sup- port. Admiral Sims’ charge of pro- longation of the war. Wilson Backs Daniels ington, May 14.—-White House is said today that President Wil- son’s wartime address to the Atlantic fleet and a message to Rear Admiral Sims were laid before the senate naval investigating committee by Sercetary Daniels with the full approval of the president. The British admiralty was criticis- ed in both of the documents and’ re- ports had been published here that the secretary might be reprimanded by the president for making them public, PEACE RESOLUTION VOTE ON SATURDAY Washington, May 14.——The provie sion in the republican peace resolu- tion requesting the president to open negotiations with Germany for a se- parate treaty ws stricken out today on motion of Senator Lodge, republi- can leader, After the provision had been stri en out, agreement was reached for a final vote on the resolution at 4 p. m. Saturday. Coal Spur Requests The board of railroad commission- ers has called a conference on June 9, at 10 a. m. to discuss the un- usual demand in the state for coal| spur tracks, which total more than twenty-five miles. Transportatfon comphnies of the state have given the commission as- equipment of 11.000 airplanes and 35,000 engines to F. Handley Page. surance that they will be in atten- dance at the conference. longed the war four months unneces- | (Special to The Tribune) ny bitter opposition, the victory ticket headed by William Langer, was named at the anti-Townley convention, which closed here Thursday afternoon, after several What little bitterness developed locally over Langer subsided and Judge Palda, one of the most earnest opponents of the attorney general, made the motion to have his nomination declared unanimous. It was shortly after noon Thursday that the first informal bal- The Langer landslide was evident from the start their votes so fast that the cor- rect footing of the first informal ballot will never be recorded. e roll call, but after changes had been made his vote was in excess of 200. Then, in the interests of harmony, the Ward county delegation made it unanimous. oo Hall and Kositzky Hall and Kositzky were named as Langer’s running mates, so that the effective combination would not be ‘roken, On the rest of the ticket, service men, professional and_busi- ness interests and last but not least, the farmers are represented. The ticket was pronounced well balanced and everyone left for home last evening, feeling that a good job had been perfected and a long step taken toward the defeat of the anti- ‘Townley forces in the state of ‘North Dakota. Senator ‘Not Selected It was deemed the better part of wisdom to pass any endorsement for United States senator and that office for the time being was passed. If it lis thought advisable later, this place will be filled by the anti-Townley re- publican state central committee, up- 1on which are representatives from | each of the central counties. | A lively contest developed in the second district for congress between Senator Davis of Goodrich and Con- gressman George M. Young. The final vote stood 53 for Young and 48 for Davis. Tu the other districts there was un- animity of feeling, Judge Crawford's name was suggested in third district, but was felt that a man in the north- ern part of the district would be more acceptable. Gallagher Endorsed The ticket was named after the gov- ernorship was out of the way in com- plete harmony. Only on the nomina- tion' for Attorney General was there anything resembling a contest. Op- posed to Mr. Gallagher was Attorney F. E. McCurdy of ‘Bismarck and George Shafer of Watford City. The vote stood, R. H. Gallagher 242, F. E. McCurdy, 738, and George Shafer, 38. H. 'H. Steele, who was nominated for Lieutenant Governor, withdrew in favor of Streeter. Mr. Steele of Bis- marck was placed in nomination by the Renville delegation and seconded by H. P. Goodard of the Burleigh county delegation. Mr. Steele gra- ciously retired in favor of a service man, Plans are being made to wage a vigorous campaign in behalf of the ticket. Croation. Peasants Start New Revolt Vienna, May 14.—Croatian peasants have revolted against measures of the Jugo-Slavs, according to dispatches received here. They are said to be posting guards along highways and picketing railway stations. Socialists Make Party Declaration ‘New York, May 14.—Public admin- istration of, the country “for equal benefit for all,” was adopted’ as the first declaration of principles of the socialist party by the national con- vention here today. TO STUDY INDIANS Philadelphia, May 14.—Distinguish- ed archeologists have organized here the Maya society, the object of which is the study of the Indian races of Mexico and Central America. Par- ticular attention will be given to t ; period of civilization when great ci- ties are believed to have been built there more than 2,000 years ago, the ruins of many of which dot the for- ests of Yucatan. First efforts, it was stated, will be directed toward discovering a key to the Maya hiero- glyphs. Corporal Dewey Murphy. who has been stationed at the Bismarck re- cruiting office, has gone to Ft. Snel ing. Minn. where he will be dis- charged.