Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, September 23, 1905, Page 1

& Vo. XIII—No, 13 ‘DISGUSSES DRAINAGI H. G. HAYS SECRETARY OF STATE DRAINAGE LEAGUE GIVES FACTS ay wail Of IMPORTANCE a ae eet Takes Broad’, View” ‘of ee and Foresees Conversion of Southern Minnesota to Project of Drain- ing State Swamp. Lands aes Secretary H. G. Hays of the Minune- seta Drainage league was a visitor to Grand Rapids last Monday afternoon, remaining here until the midnight train went west. During his brief stay he met many citizens to whom he talked drainage, and it is needless to say that he found appreciative listeners. Mr. Hays is an experienced newspaper man, one of the ablest ed- iturs in the state and a forceful advo- cate of the interests of aorthern Min- nesota. He is editor of the Bemiaji Sentinel. Since being elected as sece retary of the league he has given the subject considerable attention and close study. He has equipped hime self with a fund of facts, figures and arguments that cannot but conviuce the most skeptical that the whole state of Minnesota should be vitally interested in the drainage of our vast tracts of swamp lands purely from a business standpoint. In an interview with Mr. Hays published in the Du- luth Herald last Saturday some sali- ent facts are set forth that should be read by every citizen of the state. In part he says: “There are some things we under- stand when we see them; other facts come to us by hearing of them; and the present problem is one we may see if we will but-louk, and of which we may hear if ‘we will but listen. Think of it: We fiud one-half the great state of Minnesota north of the Northern Pacific railway—stretching from the lake shores of Cook to the red-bordered boundaries of Polk; from the fertile dields wf Pine, ‘Tudd aud Wilkin to the sinuvus banks of ‘the Rainy and the Lake of the Woods, em- Uracing an area greater than the State of Ohio, “In this vast embrace of country is another tract equal in size to the State of Massachusetts capable of sustaining a population of 3,000,000 suuls, and this latter tract is eovered with water, with swamps, and there 18 nota foot of those swamps, engi- neers tell as, that may not be speedily and practically drained—yes, cheaply drained. This land is the property not of speculators or private parties, but it isa heritage given this com- monwealth for internal improve- ments; much of it has been given away in grants to railways, yet: there remain to the state, the property of the schools and university, which we all cherish, almost 4,000,000 acres— the balance of the submerged tract being held by the general government for Indian and other reserves. “Why should the conditions remain toour hurt? Why should not we re- claim thuse lands? Why not restore to man’s uses the very thing must needful to him and to us? Because this land belongs to us, and we have not agreed what shall be done with it and because of the general under standing that the expense is prohibi- tive and the benetits merely local. “Let us see about the expense. Engineers tell us that it will cost not to exceed 75 cents to $1.25 per acre tu construct great drainage canals from the watersheds to the various basins, and the cost on this basis of figuring would be not to exceed $12,500,000 to complete the whule task. Two-thirds of this area is held by the general government, and this would be a total of $8,250,000, leaving the state an ex- pense of $4,250,000 to reclaim the lands to which we have title. The government’s proposition would be to dispose of its lands after improve- ment and to give its wards—the In- dians—a sum equal to $2.50 per acre. Could there not be a reimbursable appropriation bill passed by. the con- gress which would preserve the ia- tegrity of the nation’s obligation and the red men be paid ia full. The state's proposition to convert an asset which is practically worth- less into actual cash for the support of the schools, and the contention of the drainage advocates is that every acre of this submerged land could be sould at the minimum price of $5 per acre after drainage, which would add Granp Rapips, Irasca County, MINN., SaturDAyY, SEPTEMBER 23, [905. proved and made arable by drainage it will sell for a greater than the minimum price; that it will sell for $7 to $10 per acre and create a fund of $28,000,000 to $40,C00,000 of money; and we base this assertion on the prices received for state lands for the pitst several seasons. “And after the sale what then? In the north half of the state, which is immediately interested in this mat- ter of «drainage, there are 300,000 people—in the balance of the state, tu the south there are $1,600,000 peo- ple. The distribution of the fund would be on the basis of population— hence for every dollar of benefit of the north half there would be $6 benefit to the people of the south part of the state. Is this a matter 1m which the north half of the state is wholly in- terested? We opine not. “What the Minnesota drainage league desires to accomplish is this: To make the people of Minnesota see the situ- ation as it isin order that they may through their legislaturs authorize the immediate improyement of this swam land section; we want to bring the facts before the individual voter in order that he may demand action on the partof his representative; we want this knowledge so general that all may understand it, and in order to do that we ha‘e effected this organi- zation and have called 1t the Minne- sota Drainage League. “We want to go still further and to secure from the national congress an appropriation for a, topographic sur-, vey of the Indian’ reservations and forest reserves and the drainage of those reservoirs; we want an appro- priation large enough <.o have the work done thoroughly and at once; we want to secure an appropriation to straighten and deeper the Red river; to straighten and dredge the channel of the Mississippi; nor do we stup there--we want to have our peo- ple educated on the importance of drainage, and we desire to see the drainage laws of this state the very best and most practical of any.” MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS Three weeks ago last Tuesday Mrs. Elmer Geer of Cohasset left home to comet Grand, Rapids ostensibly for the purpose of consulting Dr. Gen- dron for medical treatment. As she did not return when expected by her husband he came to Grand Rapids to make inquiry. No trace of the woman could be found here. She had not called on Dr. Gendron. Ticket Agent .Sitz of the Great Northern identifled a photograph of her shown him by Mr. Geer as that of a woman to whom he had sold a ticket to Minneapolis on the day of Mrs, Geer’s disappear- ance. ‘The husbaud at once left for vhat city but was unable to find any trace of his missing wife. Mrs. Geer had $150 when she left Cohasset. After traveling through North Dakota, to Winnipeg and elsewhere the distract- ed husband returned fo his home this week. He says he has spent about $400, all the money he had, und went out to Bovey in search of work. On the Sunday prior to leaving Co- hasset Mrs. Geer was a member of a picnic party from Cohasset. A num- ber of those with the pleasure seek- ers were taken sick from eating ice cream, among them being Mrs. Geer, Dr. Gendron’ was called and adminis- tered to those who were atfiicted. Tuesday morning Mrs. Geer still com- plained of suffering from the effects of the ice cream poisoning. About seven years ago a babv girl was born to the couple that lived but a few days. Since that time, Mr. Geer says, his wife has been subject to temporary spells of insanity. When in this condition her mind would in- variably be fixed on the memory of the dead child and she would start away in search of her baby. On a former occasion she went to Minne- apolis and was later found there in a hospital. Geer and his wife formerly lived in Los Angeles, Cal. He thinks she may have gone there. A FIRST-CLASS BRIDGE BUILT County Commissioners Passand and Mullins, acting as a committee ap- pointed by the board, went upto Bena Tuesday and from that point drove out to Cutfoct Sioux to inspect the new bridge just completed by E. H. Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence found it necessary to add four piers to the original plans and specifications in order to Span the channel. The com- mittee report that they found a first- class bridge, substantial and in every at least $20,000,000 to the publicschool | particular up to the requirements. fund. We go further and contend They were agreeably surprised vo find phat if this submerged land 1s im- so excellent a job done, |BIG TAX LIST PREPARED State auditor, shali ve less than such,] was closed and the two combined in Wea, The purchaser shall make | one. umediate payment to the county “| treasurer of the. whole amount for COUNTY AUDITOR SPANG AND FORCE COMPILES FORFEITED LIST ALL TAXES UP TO DATE Immense Amount of Clerical Work Necesary in Complying With Pro- visions of the Law—No More Private Land Sales, 7 County Auditor Spang las a_ force engaged in preparing the listof lands forfeited to the state by reason of the failure of the owners to pay Laxes thereon. Last month the auditor for- warded to the state auditor alist of the lands which have reverted vo the state under judgment taken in March. 1902, for taxes delinquent for the year 1900, said list. having been compiled iu accordance with the provisions of Section 52, Chapter 2, Laws of 1902, and embrace therein 512 parcels of land. It has heretofore been the policy of the state auditors, under whose di- rections the sale of whatis commonvly called tax titles is vested by law, to sell the state’s interest by private sale. The pruspective purchaser made written applicavion for the purchase of the tax title to the county auditor, and depusi'ed the amount necessary to purchase the tracts sought with thecounty treasurer, who held the amount ip escro until the state audi- tor approved of the application to purchase. ‘he county auditor upon receipt of the approval issued a aeed of absolute title, and if the applicant desired to ‘perfect” his title, it was necessary that notice of the time when redemption could be made from the sale was given, the law proyided that the notice vhereof should be given to the party to. whom the land was last assessed and that the method of service should be the same as in summons in justice an@district court, ‘The sheriff or constable to whom the notice was given made search in the county four the party to whom the no- tice was issued, and if he was unable to find the party or if there was no persun in actual pussessicn of the lands, he made return to the county auditor certifying these facts and thereupon the auditor caused notice to be given by publishing the notice for three weeks in a legal newspaper in thecounty. The notice recited that the timein which redemption could be made would expire sixty days after service thereof aud after proof of ser- vice had been filed in the county au- ditor’s office. Sixty days after the fil- ing of the affidavit of service the au- ditor certified upon the deed that no- tice of the time whenredemption from the sale could be made had been given. that provf thereof bad been filed in his uftice and thatthe time for re- demption thereunder had expired. Then it was the tax title’ was per- fected, The Jaw of 1902, however, has changed the procedure insofar as it abolished the sale of lands forfeited to the suate under judgments taken for taxes delinquent for the year 1900 and subsequent yeurs. Section 52, Chapter 2, provides that ‘All pieces or parcels of real property bid in for the state under the provisions of this act, and not assigned to purchasers, and not redeemed within three.years from the date of the tax sale at which the same were offered for sale, shall become the absolute property of the state, and shall be disposed of as pro- vided by Sections 53 aad 54 of this act. It shall he the duty of the county auditur to annually prepare and transit to the state auditor, in the month of July, a list of all such lands in his county appearing by the records of his office to which the rigot of redemption has expired.” Section 53 provides that *‘’The state auditor shall anoually cause a notice to be published in each county ina newspaper printed and _ published therein, naming one or more days on which he will offer for sale at the county seat al] tracts and parcels of land sold for taxes to which the state has acquired title.” Section 54 provides that ‘‘The sale provided for in the preceding section shall be conducted by the state audit- or, or, if he so directs, by his deputy, or by the county auditor. Every tract or parcel shall be sold for cash to the person bidding the highest price offered therefor, which shall not be less than the amount of taxes, pen- alties, interest and which any tract or parcel is sold,” ete. . Section 55 provides that “Any per- son, or his heirs or assigns, receiving absuch sale, shall be entitled to a deed from the state, and upon pre- senting such certiticate to the gover- nor he shall be authdérized to execute a déed in the name of the state to the persun entitled thereto cenveying the lands therein described, and every such deed shall vest the grantee with complete title to such lands,” etc. Thus it is that the private sale has been done away with as far as the lands becoming forfeited frem and after the passage of the act, which Was approved March 12,1902. ‘The Judgment taken against lands for taxes delinquent for 1900-was- had on March 21, 1902, hence the lands affect- ed thereby are the first to come under the operative provisions of the 1902 tuw, and three years having expired since the sale was had under said judgment. the lands bid in for the state at said sale are now the absolute property of the state. This is one of the lists that Auditor Spang has prepared, ayd in it are listed 512 parcels of land. This list is in the state auditor’s hands, ‘The old law proyided that the sale of lands which had become the abso- lute property of the state should be held under the direction of the state auditor, and State Auditor Iverson bas elected that all sales hereafter shall be had by public auction, and Nas directed the county auditors of the State to prepare a list of all lands not affected by the 1902 law and to certify to him the subsequent, and Drior taxes thereon, together with the accrued penulties, interest and costs thereon. Itis this latter list that Auditor Spang is now preparing and has under headway. The compilation of these lists has entailed a lot of work upon the auditor's office. To the average mind the preparing of these lists would seem but a small matter, but when an investigation is had it devel- opes that the labors are of much mags oftude (Phe list as provided for under the 7902 law was tirst prepared. In its cgmpi lation care had tv be taken that ne parcel was.included therein upon which a sale had been had to the state by reason of a judgment prior to that of 1902. Then the taxes for the years 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904 had to be added, together with the ac- crued penalties. interest and costs thereon. In determining the costs to be taxcd a search of the judgment books of 1901, 1902 and 1903 had to be made. ‘Tv this was also appended the county auditor’s estimated valuation of each parcel in the list contained. In the preparation of the list. now being compiled every detail is carried up to date and each separate claim against every parcel of land is set forth so that the purchaser knows ex- actly the amount to be paid by him. Under the 1900 sale the purchaser was only advised as to the amount of the original tax up to 1895 and prior years. The number of descriptions iuciuded in the list that is to be pre- pared and submitted to the state au- ditor this week are 3,687 coyering 9,582 parcels of land, of which 2,154 ure acreage property and 7,474 village lots. It has been necessary to observe the most careful ruies in searching the records, and the labor inyolved bas been tedious and exacting through out. While the preparation of ‘the present list has required much more labor than did that of 1900 no provi- sion has been made to compensate the auditor for the extra work now in and, while the auditor was paid 15 cents per description in 1900. Auditor Spang has found it necessary to em- ploy extra clerks during the past two montbs on the work. HAS DECIDED TO § SELL OUT Ben Levy, Supa eae of the Enter- prise store, has decided to move to Minneapolis to reside, where his family 1s now living. He has had this move under consideration for some tiie and has finally decided to sell out bis entire stock as rapidly as possible. Mr. Levy has been in busi- ness here fur more than five years and he is rated as one of the most success- ful. For some time he conducted two large mercantile establishments, one devoted exclusively to clothing rmen and boys, boots and shves and gents’ furnishings. The other was dry goods and all the accessories cost a toe.| tom combine to supply the general against it, unless the value thereof, |store wauts of ladies, misses and chil- ax fairly ascertained, dud fixed by tac'dren. Lust spring the clothing store A special sale lasting several weeks was conducted at that time and everything that was passing out of style’ was disposed of at greatly reduced prices. The stock now at the Enterprise is strictly up-to-date in eyery particular. Mr. Levy says he greatly regrets that his affairs have so shaped as to make his retirement from business in Grand Rapids neces- sary. He found not only a thriving business here from the start, but also social environments that have been exceptionally pleasant to himself and to all the members of his family. Mr Levy said to a Herald-Review report- er that he and his family never lived in a town they regretted so much to leave as they do Grand Rapids. Hav- ing decided to move, however, he has alsu decided to dispose of his stock as rapidly as reduced prices will do it. Itis estimated that the stock will invoice about $20,000 aud the aim will be to dispose of it in sixty days, be- ginning on Wednesday next, Septem- ber 27th. The store will be closed Tuesday for the purpose of marking goods at the prices they will be offers ed the public. The best wishes ofa host of Grand Rapids personal friends for the continued success and happi- ness of Mr Levy and his fathily will go with them to their new home, PUBLIC LIBRARY CORNER STONE On Friday, afternoon at 3 o’clock, September 29, the corner stone of the Public Library of Grand Rapids will be laid by the Grand Master of the Masonic order of the state of Minne- sota, H. M. Tusler, of St; Paul. Ata meeting of the library board held last week it was decided that the laying of the corner stone woulc be observed with appropriate ceremonies and the local Masonic order was requested by acommittee to take charge of the function. Under Masonic law none but the ‘srand Master can perform the service of laying corner stones, or pne deputised by him expressly fur that purpose. In this instance Grand Master Tusler has consented to be here.in person, The ceremonies ob- served are very formal and impres- sive. THROUGH 200° FEET OF ORE Drills on lot 1 of section 3, town 55, range 25, have gone through over 200 feet of flne ore that assays from 40 to 65 per cent and averages over 50 per cent. Ex-Governor John Lind and Congressman C. B, Burkman are the fee owners of the property. The ex- ploratory work is being done by the Oliver people, who bold an option on it. The land is situated about two and one-half miles northeastof Grand Rapids on the east bank of Prairie river. A fine body of ore has also been proven on the northeast of the northeast of section 2, town 55, range 25, owned by; L. F..Knox. George Fay and W.C. Gilbert. The two proper- ties are located side by side. ‘The in- terested parties are satisfied beyond peradventure that paying mines have been discovered. If their conzlusions are proven to be correct it will not be many moons until the railroad from Bovey will be constructed through to Grand Rapids. BEAUTIFYING GRAND RAPIDS J. B. Loeyar, of Duluth, who has been laying cement walks in Grand Rapids during the past two months, may be justly regarded as a public benefactor. The work done by him about the beautiful hemes of W. C. Gilbert and A. A. Kremer adds ma- terially to the handsome appearance of that locality. These enterprising citizens have had their premises fin- ished in a most complete manner with artistically designed walks, curbs, banisters, turned posts, retaining walls, stairways, copings, hitching posts and carriage blocks. The work was done in a substantial manner. Mr. Loeyar says he will guarantee it to last for forty years without a break. This week he has a crew of men putting duwp a ten-foot walk on Leland avenue between Second and Third streets, which will be com- pleted with curbing and gutter by Wednesday next. Other contracts that he has will keep him busy until about the 25th of October. Mr. Loeyar’s work has given entire satisfaction thus far in Grand Rapids and now that a start has been sub stantially made in substituting cement for wood, it is hoped that the habit will grow until the former is laid all over town. Mr. Loeyar say: he anticipates considerable doing in his line here next season and he is making arrangements to move his family to Grand Rapids. The con- tracts he has already completed and ‘those in hand at the present time will aggregate about $2,500, Two Dotrars a YEAR. ITASCA GOUNTY FAIE NEXT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28 AND 29. PROSPECTS FOR BIG EXHIBIT Farmers Are Preparing to Make This Year’s Show Excel All Former Efforts—Crops Are Up to Stan- dard and Well Matared. But a few days remain in which to make preparations for the Itasca County fair and it behooves those who contemplate making exhibits to give the matter a little consideration be» fore entry daysarrive, Thursday and Friday, September 28 and 29. The Herald-Beview is adyised by farmers that the 1905 fair should bea little better than any heretofore held in this county. They report that crops are fully up to the average and that yegetables are well matured. ‘The frost so far has been light and very little damage has resulted. The coms mittee on revision of the premium list was carful to profit by past exper- ience and the judgment of a number of farmers who have large exhibits every year. ‘The officers of the assas ciation have caused a general circulae tion of the pamphlet containing the list of prizes offered: Secretary Graf- fam will be pleased to forward copies to apy one making application to him. It is the aim of the association to io- terest farmers acd business men out- side of Grand Rapids agd in distant sections of the county to, attend the fair. Itis maintained for the benefit of the whole county and it is desir. able that representation, be as genera} as possible. Atan early hour Thurs- day morning everything will be 19 readiness to receiyg. and make ene tries at. the association, building on, the South Side. With favorable weather the officers, members and citizens, gengrally are confident that the fairy next-week will be by far the best ever seen at Grang Rapids. Following is alist af the officers, directors and division superintend- ents: OFFICERS President, A. M. Sissler; vice presi- dent, J. M. Rastwoad; ad vice presi- dent, Michael Hagen; 3rd vice presi- dent, John Aiton; 4th vice president, F.J.« Mueller; 5th vice president, Pat Kinney: secretary, H. EB. Graffam, treasurer, C, E. Aiken. BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. J. McGuire, Chas. Kearney, Nei} Mullins, Morris O’Brien, T. 8. Pow- ers. - SUPERINTENDENTS General superintendent, M. McAl- pine; superintendent of divisions A Band C, A, J. McGuire; superinten- dent of division D and E, Neil MeKin- ley and Neil Mullins; superintendent of division F, Culinary. Mesdames C, C. Miller and H. E. Graffam; superin: tendent of division G, Dairy, Al Hut+ chinsun; superintendents of division H, Household Man’f., Mesdames Jobn Beckfelt and Geo, F. Kremer; super- intendents of division I, Fine Arts, Mesdames W. C. Gilbert and E. C. Kiley: superintendent of division J, Schools, Mrs. Hattie Buoth; superins tendent of division K, Mercantile, Geo. F. Kremer. ADJOURNED TERM DISTRICT COURT Judge Spooner and Court Stenog- rapher Cameron were here Monday morning and the adjourned June term of the district court was re-convened at-10:30 o’clock. The only case to be tried by jury was that of the state vs. John Jones. ‘The defendant pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree and was tined $100 and costs. Three evening sessions were held and the term adjourned Wednesday evening at 9 o’clock. A large number of cases were put over the term on motion or will later be submitted on briefs. in the case of Henry Hughes & Co., vs. Angus McIntosh a judgment was rendered for the plaintiff. The petition for a writ of mandam- us in the caseof A. D. Brouks vs. the village of Deer River was vacated by the court. An amended petition will be submitted to the court in chambers at Bemidji. Lela Francis Sidi was granted a divorce from J: Quirk and the plaintiff was Ra custody of the two youngest children. Robert Dewer, who was charged with robbing the barber shop con- ducted by Joe O’Day, was sentenced to the reformatory at St. Cloud.