Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, February 29, 1908, Page 1

= — Grand Uap Vor. XV.—No. 36. ids! Herald-Nev GrRanp Rapips, Irasca County, MINN., SaTURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1g08. ia icw. “MINNESOTA SOCIETY. Two Dollars a Year. VILLAGE CAUCUS DATE 16 CHANGED Will Be Held Wednesday Night In- stead of Tuesday as First Called WOULD CONFLICT WITH LECTURE At High School Auditorium—Little Change is Noticeable in Senti- ment as to Candidates For Village Officials eee 8 NOTICE OF VILLAGE CAUCUS. Notice is hereby given that a caucus of the village electors of the Village of Grand Rapids, Minn., will be held at Village hall, on Wednesday evening, March 4,1908, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of placing in nomi- nation candidates for the following offices to be voted for at the annual election to be held in said village on March 10, 1903, as -provid- ed by law, viz: One Village President Three Village Trustees One Village Recorder One Village Treasurer One Justice of the Peace to serve two years | One Viliage Constable C. H. Dickinson, F. E. REuswie, A. B. Crair, Village Committee The village committee decided to change the date of the caucus from Tuesday to Wednesday even- ing, March 4, owing to the fact that on the first date Rev. Robert Parker Miles is billed to deliver a lecture at the High School auditorium. This will be the last entertainment of the lyceum course fos the season, and there are many who desire to attend both events. The village committee felt that no harm would result from the change to Wednes- day instead of Tuesday, 2s ample time could be given through the press and by street dodgers if nec- essary. As usual, the Independent got the dates mixed in the caucus call. It failed to mention the day ot the week and fixes the date March 3, which is Tuesday. This misstate- ment by the Independent may not make any particular difference as nobody pays any attention to what that paper says. People of this > community have learned to refer to the Herald-Review when they want the facts. The feeling that existed some time ago—or, rather was thought ‘to ex- ist by some—as to the probability of a hard battle between contending elements at the forthcoming spring election, has about entirely disap- peared. The necessity of electing a substantial, business council; a set of men who know the require- ments of this growing town, and who have the good judgment and executive ability to administer its public affairs in a proper manner, seems to be the unanimous desire of the taxpayers. Very little con- sideration will be given to issues advocated by fantastic specialists. Men who can furnish accommoda- tions in their think tanks but for one idea, and that not vefy clearly defined, are not the kind that Grand Rapids wants to shape her desti- nies. In less than a decade from this date Grand Rapids will bea city of ten thousand inhabitants or more. Men should be chosen who realize this important fact and who | are broad enough, liberal enough, energetic enough to lay the founda- tion for her future greatness. This town cannet afford to place narrow- minded, bigoted men in public office, and at the present time there appears to be little danger that it will do so. The caucus called for Wednesday evening, March 4, should be attend- ed by every voter who is interested in the wellfare of this fair village, Due consideration should be given to every nomination made. If this is done. there will be little danger of the result at the election on March 10. THEY KICK ON THE U.S. MAIL SERVICE Business men of Grand Rapids, Bovey and Coleraine are by no means satisfied with the action of the post- office department in the discontinu- ance of the star route mail service between Grand Rapids and Bovey. The mail business carried on between the county seat and the range towns is necessarily large and important. Under the new arrangement the mail between the two points goes by the way of Duluth, a distance of’ about two hundred miles, and two days’ time is required in which to make the trip. Bovey and Grand Rapids are oniy separated by a dis- tance of eight miles. Why the stage service was discontinued no one seems to know, but everybody knows that the inconvenience caused thereby is almost intolerable in this age of rapia transit and quick service. If the people in Grand Rapids and the range towns now wish to commuul- cate with each other the telephone service must be used or the trip made by team. The postoffice de- partment at Washington must either rescind the order or issue another requiring the D. M. & N. railway to extend its hne through to Grand Rapids ‘forthwith. The present atrangement will not do. It looks as though some one in authority is “plugging”? for the railroad com- pany or the telephone octopus. JAMES GODETTS GOES TO PRISON Jury at International Falls Finds Colored Man Guilty as Charged in the Indictment James Godetts. coloured, was found guilty bya jury at International Falls on Tuesday, of murder In the first degree, and Judge M. A. Spooner sentenced him to imprisonment dur- ing the full term of his natural life, at the Stillwater penitentiary. The man found guilty shot and killed an aged homesteader, named Charles Williams, on the latter’s claim, near Big Falls, on August 2, last. God- etts had a contract for putting in timber on Williams’ homestead, and some dispute arose between the two which resulted in the killing of Wil- liams. _Godetts plea of self-defense did notbold good with the jury, At one time, about 1900, Gadetts was a resident of Grand Rapids, and while here he engaged in one or two pugil- istic exhibitions with Tom Murray. He occupied a room at the Leland hotel and one night got into in a dis- pute with Bob Cochran, the night clerk and bartender. Bob, who was a native of Missouri, cut the argu- ment short by pulling a revolver on the colored man and shooting him in the ham as the latter made his get- away through the front door. The wound was not severe enough to do any permanent damage and nv prose- cution followed, although Cochran was arrested and gave bonds to ap- pear before the grand jury. in the meantime Godetts left the country and failed to appear when the grand jury convened. He was married toa white woman aud is the father of several picanninies. Williams, the murdered man, was also colored. Mrs. Booth is Popular. The big Fork Settler pays this flat- tering compliment to Itasca ounty’s popular superintendent of public schuols: ‘‘Mrs. Hattie F. Booth, our county superintendent of schools made her annual visit tu the schools in this vicinity this week. Mrs. Booth while on her yisits to this part of the county bas mademany friends teachers and pupils uuite in praising her. These facts lead us to believe that we made no mistake when she was elected to the office which she has so ably filled for four terms.” DISCRIMINATION ~—GHARGE 13 MADE | The Itasca Cedar Company Demands | Refundment From Great Northern | | ALLEGES OVERCHARGE ON FREIGHT State Railway Commissioners Will Meet at Grand Rapids to Con- sider the Allegations Made. as to Excessive Charges The Itasca Cedar company, through its attorney. C. C. McCarthy, will: test the right of the Great Northern Railway company to levy a charge QUDDEN DEATH OF A PROMINENT MAN John Rellis Succumbs to Attack of Pneumonia and Kidney Trouble CONFINED 10 BED BUT THREE DAYS One of Grand Rapids’ Most Ener- gétic and Popelar Citizens Ans- wers the Final Summons and is Laid to Eternal Rest. John Relhs died last Saturday eve- ning at 7:25 o’clock at his home in Grand Rapids, after an illness that lasted but three days. Thursday fore- noon he went to bed and in a short against it in excess of that demanded | time Dr. Gendron was summoned. of other shippers for the same class | He gradually failed until the end came who are always glad to see her, while | and kindof freight. Review has heretofore mentioned the case that is to be investigated. It appears that the Great Northern has arate charge for cedar posts, poles, ties, etc., between Deer River, and Floodwood, and intermediate points, hundred pounds. cents per one hundred pounds. not make further investigation of by the Itasea Cedar company from time Mr. Gilbert learned of the 2-cent rate giveg toother shippers of the same class of freight. He forthwith demanded a rebate of the excessive refused. The freight bills were thereafter paid under protest. Attorney McCarthy, on behalf of the shippers, presented the case to the State Railway commission which bas signified its readiness to take the matter up for, investigation at any time that may suit the con venience of the plaintiff company. The Great Northern admits that a 2-cent rate is given to shippers between Deer River and Floodwood and thata 34-cent rate wasJcharged the Itasca Cedar company for the ten-mile haul from Deer River to Cohasset. The railway company claims justification of this discrimination on the ground that Floodwood is a concentration point where the material is unloaded. in transit for preparation for ship- ment out of Minnesota, when it be- comes interstate commerce, Itseems that the railway company claims the right to charge the Itasca Cedar com- ‘pany apy rate it. may see fit, inas- much as its shipments is confined within the state. The hearing will probably be heJd early in April. An order willbe asked from the State Railway commission to compel the Great Northern to refund the dif- ference paid between 2cents per hundred and 3icents per hundred pounds, a total of $742. It Serves Us Right. Last week the Herald-Review relied upon a news item that appeared in the Independent relative tothe Public library, and of course it was all wrong, as usual. Inadvertantly the reporter neglected to verify the statements made in the Independent and hence the necessity of this item. It serves us right, however, for pay- ing any attention to what appears in the Independent, and we promise never again to be guilty of such care- lessness. Sstating that books would not be given out on Sunday here- after was a mistake. The only change made by the Library board in this matter is the dating of the time, when books are given out on Sundays, one day ahead in order that they wil) not. be returnable on Sunaay. Parties who desire will be furnished books on Sunday as well as any other day vf ; the week. The Library board re- {cently added- some very valuable literature, etc., over a hundred vol- ‘umes io all. Patrons should remem- ber that the Sunday hours for open- ing the Library are from 3 tu 6 B ™; eee from 3 to 6 and from 7 to Db. BO OR ve books on histcry, gardening, general | ‘he Herald- | Saturday evening. The doctor pro- nounced the il!ness to be a complica- tion of pneumonia and kidney trouble. Dr. Russell was called in consultation Saturday afternoon and the two physicians agreed at that time that there was little hope for their patient’s recovery,although they did not antic- about fifty miles, of 2 cents per one ipate the end wasso near. Dunng W. ©. Gilbert, | Friday mght and Saturday he suffered manager for the cedar company. ap- much, despite the efforts of the plied to the railway company fora/ physician to alleviate his pain. A rate on this class of freight between | nurse was summoned from Duluth Deer River and Cohasset, a distance | and she arrived Friday noon, All that of ten miles, and the best the trafficde- | skilled physicians and partment would grant him was 34 | could do was of no avail. At } malady had seized him witha relent- that time he was not familia: with j less grasp and his spirit passed’ into the railway freight schedules and did | the great ocean of eternity. tender care The fatal John Rellis was born in Saginaw, the matter. Shipments were made | Mich., and was forty-four years of age. He was a resident of Grand Deer River to Cohasset until the | Rapids during the past cight years, amount paid for ‘Treight ‘was about: two thousand dollars. Abvut this} coming here. from.Swan River. when he had been engaged im the hotel business four years. Prior to that time his hfe had been spent in Saginaw. Since becoming a citizen of this coun- ty, twelve years ago, he always took an active interest in the material well- charges—$742—which was promptly | fare and advancement of this growing section of thestate. In 1896 he was elected 2 member of the board of county commissioners and served the public with fidelity and ability.. He was a prominent Democrat in poli- tics and at the time of his death was chairman of the Democratic county commuttee. In business he was suc- cessful and left considerable property bequeathed to his widowed sister and ful home which he built, since the death of her husband about five years ago. He was a life member of the Saginaw lodge of Elks, No. 47, and ‘also a member of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. John Rellis was a man of generous impulses and kindly nature; he united sound sense with strong convictions, anda candid, outspoken temper which eminently fitted him as a leader in any community. He was as true as steel ‘to his friends, and there are many who might relate instances of is generous assistance in times of need. Hesnever hesitated where he | might be the Good Samaratan. It was the wniter’s gocd fortune to have kisown him long and well, and we -only knew him to esteem him more highly as the years passed by. ‘To- day we miss his kindly smile and friendly greeting. The mng of his jovial iaughter and his genial presence we shall know no. more. St, Joseph’s Catholic church, where funeral services were conducted at 9 o'clock Tuescay morning, was filled | with sorrowing friends. Rev Eather | Feehely conducted the services and delivered a most impressive and ap- propriate sermon. The remains were accompanied to Itasca cemetery by a large nee of people, every available conveyance in town being in hase and a number were sent down from Seong to accommodate those who |wished to pay their last respects to the memory of their departed friend. | There were a number present at the / funeral from Duluth and eiswhere. | The floral offerings were many and beautrful. The Hibbing order of | Elks and the local order of Eagles sent emblematic designs of fragrant : flowers, as also did the Catholic Order of Foresters. Many individual friends -added to the profusion that made so appropriate a wreath for the casket and the room in which the: remains were laid at the family residence, ‘There are left behind to mourn the Joss of 2 kind and considerate brother. five sisters and one brother. The latter, heal Rellis arrived from Sault Ste ‘her three children, Mrs. Anna Wright, | | with whom he had lived in the beauti- Ing train in time to attend the funeral. Two sisters from Duluth, Mrs. Mary Kennedy and Mrs. Frances Holiahan, and Mrs. Anna Wright of Grand Rapids were also present at the funeral. Miss Rellis of Saginaw did ‘did not reach Grand Rapids until | Tuesday night. Mrs. Burruss, another sister, of Norfolk, Va., could not be reached by wire. THE LAW IS NOT BEING VIOLATED A Correspondent to the Duluth Herald Protests Against Reports That Are Printed The following was sent to the Du- luth Herald in reply toa news note that recently appeared in that paper under a Graid Rapids date line: “In the Herald of February 18, it was stated in a report from Grand Rapids that “despite the state game laws and the efforts of the game wardens to enforce the statutes, pot hunters are said to be doing a thriving business in Itasca county. It is common re- port that many of the lumber camps in this vicinity are eating fresh veni- son regularly.” Investigations by the Herald correspondent has failed to reveal any such condition as that said*to prevail in Itasca county. There are fewer violations of the game laws in this section than ever before in its history. No complaints have been made to the local game wardens for some time past, except one that came by mail, and that was unsigned. The allegations set forth. however, were investigated and found to be without justification. The vig- orous and successful prosecutions of game violations in Itasca county dur- ing the fall and early winter has had avery marked effect on those who heretofore defied the laws and slaugh- tered game at will. The present deputy game wardens for this county were not appointed until October 5 last, by Executive Agent Avery. Since that time $552 has been cullected jn ‘fines trom violators, and others found guilty have served #@ total of 270 Usys in the county jail. As ao illustration of the good effect result- ing from the activity of the Itasca county, officers, it. may be noted that during the year 1906, when the county was twice its present size, the total number of hunting licenses issued was 420. In 1907, after Koochiching county had been organized by the di- vision of Itasca, the number of hupt- icenses issued increased to a total Cannot Tell the Truth. In his report to the Independent this week Jingo George evades the facts as usual, in order to make an in- teresting story in which “professional ethics” brings out conspicuously the name of “George H. Spear.” The report of the refundment of twice paid taxes by J. & G. K. Wentworth in the Independent article says that on the advise of the county attorney the county auditor refused to refund the amount. Jingo George knows this statement to be untrue. County At- torney Thwing did not dispute the claim of the Wentworths, as there is law which provides that the auditor may refund money under the circum- stances that existed in this case. Noth- ing, however, is said in the law relat- ing to the refundment of penalties and mterest. In order to protect Auditor Spang it was mutually agreed and stipulated between Spear and County Attorney Thwing that the matter should be submited to the court for an opinion, which was done. It is not stated in the article that while Spear was county attorney the Wentworths demanded the refundment of the money claimed, and that he prevailed upon them toforego action while the Miller case was pending, representing that the prosecution might be taken out of his hands by the bonding com- pany and thereby he would be de- ptived of the glory of securing a pos- sible criminal conviction. Spear at- tempts to make it appear that the tax- payers are, or will be losers, through Mr Miller’s alleged misconduct of his office. He knows there is not the slightest danger of this. He knows that the bonding conpany is respon- sible for repayment of every dollar of \shortage -that can be found against | Miller. Spear is dishonest, and the | Independent is a fool to permit him j to use its columns to further his own disreputable ambitions. He is known among lawyers of this district as being absolutely untrustworthy in the prac- tice of his profession. He dis- | regards his verbal stipulation with a brother attorney whenever apportun- ity presents itself, as witness his comments in the Independent on the | THE LAST DAY 10 PAY YOUR TAXES | Many Thousands of Dollars of Per- sonal Property Taxes Yet Unpaid PENALTY ATTACHES AFTER TODAY Those Who Have Failed to Pay on or Before March 1st Must Contribute an Additional Penalty of Ten Per Cent. The past few days have been busy ones in County Treasurer Kremer’s office, today being the expiration of the time limit forthe payment of persona] property taxes without the ten percent penalty accruing. A vast majority of taxpayers postpone the duty of discharging this obliga- tion until near the close of the “open season,” and as a result the treasur- er’s office force 1s kept unusually busy every year at this time. There is another class that has learned through custom and experience that on the last day of February the treasurer’s office cannot conveniently accommodate the large number of persons who appear to settle up, and they postopne payment until a few days after the close of business on February ist. This latter class do nob expect to pay the penalty, feel- ing that the short time overdue on the account should not be considered. It should be borne in mind, however, that the treasurer has no authority to waive the penalty prescribed by law on personal taxes after the last day of February. Should he do so he would be held, personally. responsible for thy amen of the penalties so waived. If the remittance is re- ceived at the Office before March Ist he is in duty bound toreceipt for it without penalty, but not otherwise. The work in the office has been so systematzed by Treasurer Kremer that he would have bis appportionment ready for delivery by March 2, if it were not forthe fact thatso many Postpone payment until sometime during the first ten days of March. If all parties realized that the penalty would inevitably attach to the amount after the first of March this inconvenience » would ve largely eliminated, and the several township and school districts would receive jthe amyunts due them atan earlier date than is now possible. Up to to- day there has been paid in between twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars. SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY BOARD An Appropriation of Nine Thousand Dollars Made For State Roads. A special meeting of the board of county commissioners was held last Monday at Auditor Spang’s office. ‘Phere were present Chairman Mul- lins, and Commissioners O'Brien and Passard. The obrincipa) business transacted was the appropriation of $9,000 for the building and improve- mentof state roads during © the ensu- ingyear. When this amount has been expended and so certified to the state auditor one-third of the amount}, or $3,000, wil! be refunded to the county road and bridge fund by the state. The assessed valuation of the per- sonal property of the Itasca Cedar company’s holdings in the town of Marcell was reduced from $27,500 to $20,000. Other applications for cor- rection of assessments and abate- ments on personal property taxes were considered and recommended to the tax commission. The next meeting of the board will be heid on March 14. Some Smallpox and Diphtheria. Dr. Gendron, county health pbysi- cian, has two smallpox cases and three diphtheria cases at the deten- tion hospital at the present time. Two diphtheria cases were discharged from his care last week and one case this week was discharged. The largest number of patients in the hospital at one tim this winter was six suffering f diphtheria and four from alipox. There have been no dea’ HISTORICAL