The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-08-24
BLOOD OF VIKINGS
FLOWED FREELY
League President and Secretary
Came TO Blows.
DISSENSIONS IN LEAGUE
PRESIDENT GIVEN BLACK EYE
BY SECRETARY.

President J. r. MatsOn of the Viking
league, the organization Of Scandina-
Wan Republicans which has lately
come into notoriety on account of dis
sessions within its ranks. became in
VOWED in a physical encounter yester-
day afternoon with Nels FOTsberg. the
leagues secretary. The conflict hap
pened in the Office of the Utah Poster.
where Mr.. FOrsberg makes his head
quarters. The blood of the Vikings
hOwed, but il was mostly from Presi-
dent Matson's face.
AS the story is related by eye wit
nesses. President MatsOn called to pre-
sent TO Secretary FOrsberg a draft of
charges against NightWatchman AXel
UhrstTOm intended to result in the dis
missal of the Waterman from his posi-
ton at the city and county building
The charges set forth that Uhrstrom
had been guilty of conduct, sufficient
10 disqualify him from longer serving IN
a position Of public trust
Secretary FOrsberg denounced such
q proceeding, declaring that 1t was a
scheme to get RID of a fellow SCandi-
navian Republican to make room for a
man who would pay tribute of 4 per
cent Of his salary to the
league. The secretary expressed
the opinion that the charges could not
be substantiated and declared he could
no longer affiliate with MatsOn and
Lawson without losing his self respect.
Came to Blows.
These expressions were more than
the president could stand and he called
Mr.. Forsberg d liar and a coward.
Secretary FOrsberg declared that the
president assumed a fighting attitude
and in a tWinkling the Poster man
cleared the decks for action Taking
TDr-rc ~ lot hrr NTrs
FOTsberg handed the president an up
per cut on the eye which discOlored the
optic and ended the hOstilities.
Then mutual friends inteFfered and
President MatsOn offered his apologies.
Matson then went onto the street and
joined Mr.. Lawson, who was convent
emily near, waiting for him.
At a late hour last night MatsOn had
not returned home and his version Of
the affair could not be learned.
The incident created much comment
among the Scandinavians and the an
nOuncement was made that efforts
would be brought to a focus about the
middle of September to disband the
league and to organize as Scandinavian
Republicans, with MatsOn and Lawson
and their following left out
Robertson Saves Nystrom.
It developed yesterday that City Re
cOrder NyStrOm, who is among the
fourteen Of the scandinavian Repub-
lican office holders who were expelled
from the Lawson atsOn league be-
cause they would not pay the 4 per
cent tribute upon their salaries levied
by the league, had subsequently
had his tax RENTED out of cOnsideTa-
ton for Councilman Robertson. The
evident effort it is declared, was to
placate the councilman and to retain
his favor. The letter conveying this
message to Councilman Robertson is
so extremely gracious that the cOun-
GLIDING part of it. dictated by Mr.. Law
son, is worth reading. 1t states: THE
league is glad to have an opportunity
to manifest its sincere appreciation of
your efforts and valuable services Tt
hopes that at some time it will have the
good fortune to serve you and to show
you that Vikings of the old stock keep
their friendships and their word"
But since the exposure Of the meth
DDS of Lawson and MatsOn the council
man from the Fifth precinct is not 50
sure that he wants to remain on the
leagues visiting liSk.