The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-21
LAW
UPHELD BY JURY
STEENERsON WINS VERDICT IN
KITTsoN COUNTY CASE.
Commission Company Of Duluth Found
to Have Ignored Plain Provisions Of
Law Requiring Daily Reports Born
Ian Of Hallock, a Track Buyer,
Cleared Of Fraud.

Special to The Journal.
Crookston, MINI, June H.--The Grindeland
law, passed some years ago, requiring all COM
mission merchants handling and selling grain Tor
individuals to make daily reports as to sales.
names Of purchaser and amounts received, has
been upheld in an important decision Of Kittson
county jury In the case Of the Smith Baker
Commission company Of Duluth against H. B.
Bornlan Of Hallock, a track buyer, who the
commission firm claimed, had overdrawn his ac-
count with 1t and refused to settle according to
the figures upon the firms books.
Congressman Steenerson,{ who represented the
defense, made the trial one OF the most brilliant
seen in Kittson county for several years, and
the outcome, complete victory for the track
buyer and loss for the commission company,
may be laid to the door of. the Grindeland law
regulating the action OF commission merchants
and their reports to patrons.
The Smith-Baker company alleged that Born
Ian overdrew his account some $1,124 for wheat
shipped the company in 1904 Bornlan, in his
answer, alleged that he had not been credited
upon the firms books with the proper amount.
The commission firm on the other hand, contend
ed that Bornlans weights as given in. his bills
OF lading We're padded. On the trial it came
out that the commission company had not COM
piled with the provisions Of the Grndeland law
IN regard to daily reports of sales but contended
tn Bornl Ia was the firms agent rather than
the firm Bornlans. This contention however,
was not upheld, as 1t was proven that the latter
was an independent purchaser.
Bornlan presented counter charge of 81, 100
Aor Ill olu Dill winch ne nelQ against the COM
pany In settlement of the 1908 business, and the
jury In awarding verdict found for the de-
PENDANT and against the plaintiff.
The provisions of the Grindeland law read
that every commission merchant doing business
IN the state must make report to every customer
for whom he disposes Of goods within twenty
four hours fter the consummation of the sale
and must specify time of sale, name of purchaser
and amount received. This is the first one
on record In NORTHERN Minnesota in which the
law has been brought out prominently in civil
action. lf - -s.a
Mrs. Gus Schuneman wife of Gus Schuneman,
Crookston travelling man, has begun suit for
divorce and papers in the case were served here
today Mrs. Schuneman a little over a year
ago went west, supposedly to visit friends upon
1.-The coast. About the time Of her departure a
we'll known man Of the town disappeared and
was found to be short in his accounts. War
rants We're issued for his arrest, but altho Pin
! kerton men were detailed the case no trace
| Of him could be found. Later on it was learned
| that Mrs Schuneman had departed with the
young man and that her wardrobe provided dis
gulse for the fleeing fugitive
The fact that the divorce case is based upoI
| alleged Eon-support and cruelty is surprise as
! In all Of Mr.. Schunemans career in this cit,
he has never been known to do dishonorable ac
and his friends will not believe that his wife was
driven from his home by harsh measures. e..