The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-21
PERFORMERS AT
EXCELSI SUED.
ALLEGED "BLIND PIGGER'
WANTS $1,000 DAMAGES.
Released on Habeas Corpus After Con-
victlon, He Seeks Remuneration
Prominent Citizens Made Defend
ants-Other Suits Threatened, but
Reform Movement Goes On-Town
in Turmoil.

The village of Excelsior is once more
aroused over the liquor question, and it
is stated that before the strife ends,
about one-half Of her prominent citi
zens will have lawsuits overhanging
them.
Papers in a civil suit were served
yesterday upon thirteen of the most
prominent men connected with the To-
cal branch Of the Minnesota Anti-Sa-
loon league, and damages amounting to
SIS, 100 are asked. The complainant is
Samuel Day, an employee Of an Ex-
celsior amusement company, who was
recently convicted OF, selling liquor
without a license, sent to the county
jail and subsequently released by Judge
Holt on habeas corpus proceedings.
The defendants in this action in
clude four ministers, one doctor, one
lawyer, one school superintendent and
charges conspiracy, alleging that the
leading conspirator, Rev. Donald
Mckenzie, is acting as the agent Of
a secret body banded together to en-
force the liquor laws, "and in SO do
ing, did conspire to ruin the complain
ant by. causing his arrest, conviction
and subsequent Incarceration in the
county jail. - The papers say that
Day, in return, should be remunerated
in the sum of $4,000 to cover damages
and 500 which he had expended in
defending himself. In addition, Days
hackers. promise heavy personal dam
age suits next week against Justice
Williams, who committed him, and his
bondsmen; Marshal John Powers and
his bondsmen, and additional suits
against Rev. Donald Mckenzie.
To add fuel to the flames the attor-
neys of O.. J. Hawkins, saloon
keeper who was convicted Of running a
"blind pig,'' fined $50 and costs and
his "booze" and fixtures confscated,
states that they will enter the game
by suing for damages on, the ground
that their client was deprived Of his
place of business for some days without
legal justification.
''Reformers" Not Sleeping.
The "reformers' have not been
ton Of Mr.. Mckenzie have prepared
for some interesting developments
They look upon the damage suits as a
huge joke meant only to scare the tenn
perance people. Instead Of soaring,
they claim that it has made them fight
ing mad and they will push their cam
paign against illegal liquor selling to
AS first bomb into the enemy's
camp, Mr.. Mckenzie appeared in the
municipal court yesterday and swore
out another complaint against Day on
the charge of selling liquor without
license; also similar one against
Captain Champion, owner Of Mime
tonka boat, who, it is alleged, supplied
Day with the beer that was sold to the
"spotter.'
There is no doubt that the trouble
will result in dividing the citizens Of
Excelsior and warfare will be strenu-
GUS thruout the season, probably af-
fecting politics and business and
church organizations.
May Put Lid on Sundays.
Yesterday the state labor commits
sioner appeared In Excelsior and call
ing at the Excelsior Casino, ordered all
the boys in the bowling alleys to stop
work because they were violating the
state labor laws relative to the employ
ment Of minors. He said his action
was taken upon a complaint received
at his office. The management of the
Casino sees in this the hand of the
present license fight and believes it is
connected with the Day case on account
of his employment at the Casino.
Before the trouble is over it is be-
lieved that Excelsior will be very tight
on Sunday an dali business interests
will be closed, including the pavilions,
bathing beach, etc. There is no doubt
that every state law will be put into
effect and they will be reinforced by
the local ordinances which are strin-
! gent ="