davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

ing off the docks into the St. Law
renee. but no body was ever found.
1t was thought that perhaps his rea-
son had deserted him and that he
would turn up at some distant time
and place, but he has never reappear-
ed. 1t was reasoned that he had been
beset by thugs, robbed, his body
weighted with stones and thrown in
to the river. This accounts for the
body never appearing on the surface
but the idea that robbers could car
~ man from Il we'll lighted depot
platform Down to the river seemed en-
tirely out of the question.
Still UnsOlved.
At any rate the enigma is as in
comprehensive today as it was in
those bygone days OF twenty-five
years ago. Will the Ford mystery
ever be cleared? Will the going out
of the ice in the spring bring to light
the decomposed body of the drowned
man or will the melting OF the snow
uncover the manned and mutilated
body which had been concealed I'M
der its mantle by robbers and cut
threats? These are some of the ques-
tons which are common in this city.
Mrs. Thomas ]. Ford still sticks to
the belief that her husband will We
returned to her safe and sane, but
then similar thoughts ran rampant
through the mind of Mrs. William
Sheard some score of years ago.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENTS
Superintendent Nicholson Tells the
Agents TO Live Up to Law Regu.
latfng Passes and Rates,

Superintendent Macy Nicholson has
notified all station agents on this d.
vision of the Great Northern to live
up to the law on the matter of rates.
His letter to the agents follows:
THE law now forbids any deviation
when selling or buying tickets from
the passenger rates fixed by the tar
IFS of the different railroad companies.
Every one must pay the prescribed
rates. The corporation it's officers and
agents wilfully violating the law or
Wilfully permitting it to be violoted,
are subject to fine of $4,000 for each
offense. In addition to this, all offic-
ers, agents and employees violating
the law are subject to imprisonment
for two years. Passengers are also
subject to the same penalty for any
wilful act whereby they secure trans
portation at less than tariff rates. All
conductors. agents and ticket clerks
must see that this law is properly
carried cut by you when handling
tickets"
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
FULL TEXT OF THE
HANSBROUGH
BILL
Copy of Act Providing for
Stated Leaves of Absence to
Homestead Settlers.

The following is the copy of bill re-
Gently introduced by Senator H. G.
Hansbrough in the senate and passed
by that body on Feb. z:
An act providing for stated leaves
of absence to entrymen under the
homestead laws.
Be it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assem-
bled, that no homestead entry shall be
Cancelled and no final proof shall be
rejected because of any failure of the
entryman named therein to hereafter
actually reside upon the lands covered
by his entry during the months of
December, January, February, and
March, or any portion of such months:
Provided, that nothing in this act shall
be so construed as to relieve home
stead entrymen of the duty of resi-
dence during the months not herein
named: Provided further, that in
Communication homestead proofs no
credit for the period of actual alb
sences under this act shall be allowed.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
SAVAGE GRATEFUL FOR FAvoRs
Annually Provides Old Musical Critic
with Passes to MADAM
Butterfly.0

Before going to Milwaukee recent.
~ received word from Mr. Savage
10 look up an old musical critic whose
name ne gave and provide the man
WIN passes to Madam Butterfly"
said Steve Grady, one of the advance
men for the show, at the Dacotah the
other day. "Mr. Savage is ALWAYS
grateful for any favors shown him
and never forgets to repay what he
considers an obligation. It appears
mat several years ago, when he WA.
nrst trying to educate the American
pubic to English grand opera. h,s
company appeared in Milwaukee.
The critic in question. then ho,5,r.
d sood 1ob on one of the local papers.
was nightly impressed with The mer,f
OF the performance, and gave r.
very Hattering write-up. Mr. Savoyo
was greatly pleased with it. and has
never forgotten the critic. Fo,low,no
out his instructions, 7 called At the
newspaper Offices in an effort to To-
cate the man. After considerahle
olmcuity l finally found trace OF him
ana ran him down in saloon. Dis.
sipation, It appears, hal resulted In
n.nl losing prestige in the newspaper
world and he was out of lob. ann
ratner untidy to look upon. He SEEM
Gu witnout money or friends. When
!, eoid MN my mission he was over
Joyed' and his expressions of pleasure
were unoounded. I felt we'll renaid
up."' 'oo"'ns Mm
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
The Mysterious Disappearance
May Never be
Solved.
Case Of VIM. Shears of Al
monte, Ont, Shows strik-
ing Similarity.

The recent mysterious disappear
ahce OF Thomas j. Ford, of this city,
and the subsequent inability of the
police force and the detectives to gain
any clue or clues that might ultimate
~ lead to an unravelling Of the affair,
nave enough of the conjurer's fasclna-
ton and detail about them to make
good subject matter for book.
The idea that man in good spirits,
happy and at peace with the world,
well fixed both financially and other
wise, should be swallowed up as 1t
were In the bowels of the mystic re-
gions without as much as one tiny
streak Of light tending to show oy
what cause or in what manner the
disappearance was accomplished,
seems preposterous. Ford left the
East Grand Forks freight depot for
MS home one evening. He was last
seen walking toward the main street
of the city, distance of two, blocks.
The story ends here.
The case has brought to mind I,
Similar occurrence which happened
nearly twenty-five years ago near AL
monte. Ont. Many former residents
of that section will remember the de-
tails.
William Sheard, resident of All
monte, proprietor of the Elliot anu
Sheard WOODEN mill, capitalized a.
100000, left home in the month Of
December, boarded Canadian Cen
trail (now Canadian Paciflc) train
bound for Brockville, a distance OF
IS miles. At Brockville his inten-
tons were to have boarded Grand
: Trunk sleeper for Montreal, where he
was to purchase additional machinery
for the mill.
No money was involved, as was the
case with the Grand Forks disappear-
ance.
He was last seen on the depot plat
form at Brockville waiting for the
coming of the Grand Trunk flyer.
Similarity in Cases.
Sheard was man who seldom
touched liquor, notice the similarity
with the Ford mystery; his family
relations were of the very best, an
other similarity; he had but slight
insurance, as is the case with the
Grand Forks man; his character was
above reprcach and no cause could
be assigned with any certainty to ac-
count for his total obliteration from
the earth.
Various reasons were assigned for
the cabalisticism, none of which were
ever realized. 1t was rumored that
he had committed suicide by iumD-
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
Photo by Ball & Fryklund.

been summoned for that date, but in
case one is. the trial will then be
held. Attorney E. R. Sinkler will de-
fend him, and insanity will be set up
as the cause of the murder.
Attorney E. R. Sinkler, Weberg's
counsel is we'll known barrister of
Grafton. He was formerly states at
torney of Walsh county, and has had
considerable criminal practice, both in
representing the prosecution and the
defense. Mr.. Sinkler conducted the
case of the defendant in justice court
at the preliminary examination, and
the questions he asked of witnesses
at that time has lead to the belief
that insanity on the part of Weberg
will be alleged. The parents of the
imprisoned man are we'll fixed, it is
understood, and strong fight is to
be made in court against his convic-
ton. The trial will be held in the
court house of Walsh county, and
there will be considerable interest
conferred in the case on account of
the sensational manner in which the
murder was committed.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
an OLD TIMER IS GONE
Mrs. Inger Fagerllolt Of Walsh County
Succumbs, Following Illness
Covering Last Three Months.

At the home of her son occurred the
death of one of Walsh county's earliest
settlers. The deceased has made her
home there for the last twenty-six
years. She was Norwegian by birth
and was 81 years of age. Her health
has been constantly failing for the
last three months. but her condition
was not considered serious until about
two weeks before her death. She
leaves to mourn her loss brother in
Chicago, three daughters-Mrs. B.
Johnson. Green Bay, Wis, Mrs. Henry
Hanson, Nash, N. D., Mrs. o. A, Dahl.
Grafton, and her son, A. A. Fagerholr.
Hoople; also many grandchildren and
great grandchildren. 1t was her
earnest desire to depart from this
world and 50 the bereaved family is
not comfortess in this their sorrow.
She was buried beside her husband.
who died "a years ago.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
INorth Dakotans are
Victorious in Debate
Single Tax Question Was Up Thursday NighEDecision
Was Unanimous in Favor Of This state-Arguments
Were Forcible and Well Arranged.

The long-looked-for international
debate between the universities Of
Manitoba and North Dakota took place
last night in the Baptist church Audi
torium. The question discussed was,
Resolved, that a single tax should be
substituted for the present method III
use in America" The sYictory was
won by the North Dakotans, who up
held the negative the decision of the
judges being unanimous.
Judge Guy C. H. Corliss presided
in very happy manner. The auditor
ium was crowded. The scene upon the
stage of the stars and stripes" and
the union jack" in artistic array-of
of the debaters on one side with their
other with their purple and gold, was
not lacking in inspiration and will be
long remembered by the North Da-
kotans whose victory was glory, ana
by the Manitobans whose defeat was
no disgrace.
Prompts Dishonesty.
The debate was opened by Mr. CHS
holm of the affirmative who declared
that the present system tended toward
inequality, was complicated, uncertain
and promoted dishonesty. The pres
ent system taxed the poor man, the
consumer. out of all proportion to his
ability to pay. Secondly the present
system is not economical Twenty
one per cent of the total tax is actu-
ally paid for collection. The present
system promoted dishonesty because
of % smuggling to avoid customs
duties; CD perjury by property own
ers to avoid being taxed; (3) coun-
tenancing OF perjury and acceptation
of brides by assessors He declared
the present system to give rise 10
fraud and monopoly. 1t did not even
pay a man to improve his farm under
the present system as it meant in
creased taxes to pay.
Pay just share.
Mr.. Hutchinson opened the debate
for the negative. He began by ex-
planning the purpose of taxation. Gov
eminent is a necessity; 1t not only
protects persons and property but in
spects food. To maintain these func-
lions through the raising of revenue
is the purpose of all taxation. Land
is not gift of God to society any
more than tree or mineral. The
tiller of the soil has as good a right
to his labor as anyone. There is no
difference between private property In
land and private property Of any other
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

Deputy Sheriff Arnott stating to Il
Times reporter that he seems to rath-
er enjoy life behind the bars. 4 GER
tain portion of the day he is allowed
to be with the other four prisoners
in the Jail. Weberg joins them il,
their card games. entering into the
spirit OF the thing in manner more
like that of man cut for good
time than one who may never again
be free, and who may even hang by
the neck until he is dead.
Such is the disposition of Weberg.
Jailors are unable to explain it, and
the few VINO have visited him in his
cell have not attempted to.
Only one relative of the imprisoned
man has visited him, that one being
a brother. With him Otto talked OF
the case in much the same manner
as he does with anyone else, saying
that he can't remember anything that
was done.
The trial of Weberg may be held
at term of the district court to be
convened by Judge w. J. Kneeshaw
on February 26. AS yet no jury has
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

sort. Experience has taught us the
sacredness of private property, and
we should maintain it.
The true principle in which to base
any system of taxation is that each In.
dividual should help the state in pro-
portion to his ability to help himself.
We have besides a land tax, income
corporation and graduated inheritance
taxes. We also tax luxuries and tax
them more heavily than we tax the
necessities of life. The present sys-
TEN is indeed not perfect, but it is
not faulty in principle. The great
problem in taxation today is, how can
We compel the wealthy to pay their
just share?
The speaker referred to the problem
of the single tax, saying that the bur-
den of proof was in the negative. They
must show % that the single tax
system will raise enough revenue; (2J
that 1t is just. Americans have always
been jealous of the rights of private
property, and this is provided for in
the constitution. We should not has
ten to destroy rights so sacredly
treasured by adopting the single tax.
Fear Landlord.
The second speaker on the affirma.
tive, Mr.. Melvin, upheld the principle
of the single tax. 1t combined SIM
plicity, equality and certainty. 1t
was simple because easily applied. The
machinery is already here. 1t only
needs to be applied to one thing, name
ly, land. It furthered equality because
1t taxed land value which is created
by the presence of community and
is not the creation of any one indi-
vidual.
1t was a certain system because it
taxed the land which is always with us
and cannot be hidden from the assess
or. He declared it would do away
with great hordes of government offlc-
ials, would provide sufficient revenue,
reduce price of goods and tend to the
best use of land. Tenants in many
places" said the speaker, now de-
clare that they fear the landlord more
than they do the Lord Almighty"
~ NNOulu FulIs
Mr.. Cameron, the second speaker
for the negative. after recapitulatipg
the arguments of Mr.. Hutchinson,
showed how single tax would fail to
produce enough revenue In the
United States $915,9OO,00O of revenue
are needed each year. The total value
of our real estate is $35,7OO,OOO. Only
60 per cent Of all real estate is land
value. From these data he showed
that the rate of taxation would have
to be abnormally high; IN order to Sc
cure the necessary revenue in time
Of peace and prosperity, and that we
should have no means of providing for
such emergencies as war.
Farmer Would Pay All.
Mr.. Cameron took Vermont and
North Dakota as illustration. In the
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

beavers become a nuisance to any land
owner and that the law as now created
is made to take cognizance of this
fact-allow only the game warden to
do the killing and the proceeds go
to the state-and if this is done l am
not much afraid that the land owner
will make any complaint to the war
dens for their radiance. In other
words whatever true cry is now made
against the beavers is prompted by
the interest in the value their hides
will bring to the parties trying to
work up anti-beaver legislation.
In this county of Mclean in spite If
every effort made by law abiding citi-
zens and the vigilance of the wardens
do not think today there are over
twenty-five beaver in the county and
it is the third largest in area in the
state. In the Painted Woods lake we
have or had-for we can never tell
the day they will be Destroyed
small colony Of about or beavers.
They came into the lake in the sum-
mer Of 1901-the lake was then stag
nant and very Iowa big mud puddle
with but few fish. The beaver through
the summer built large dam-raised
the water line six feet with a back
water of six miles: And in spite Ut
illegal fishing and trapping out of the
muskrats by trappers which stopped
ventilation and caused thousands upon
thousands of fish to smother-they are
still plentiful there, especially the
perch which swarm around the venti-
lation of the two beaver houses and
are thereby carried safely through the
hard freezing of the winter months.
o. B. Wing, one Of the land owners
at Painted Woods lake, says that the
beaver there are worth 500 year t.
him in the extra hay made possible
by raise in the water level on the lake
and they are welcome to the little
brush that they may use for feed, be-
cause where beaver dams are thou
sands of young trees take root ana
thrive, that otherwise would dry up
and die for want of moisture.
Both the beaver and muskrats, with
the work they do, are valuable AMI
mails for this state of North Dakota,
and If those really interested would
give the subject a little study and
thought and watch the work of these
animals they would understand they
are blessing and not a curse to the
people here. J. H. T.
Washburn, N. d.. Feb. S. 1907.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
THEY ALL STAYED N BED
Frank Mcbride Of Souris Says State.
ments That People Stayed In Bed
Because of Cold Are O. X.

Frank Mcbride of Souris, N. D..
was an overnight visitor at the Daco-
tab, going west today. Mr.. Mcbride
has not been in Westhope for over a
week but when asked as to the truth
of the statement that the residents of
Souris had stayed in bed because Of
the lack Of fuel, he remarked that it
certainly was the gospel truth. Souris
has plenty of coal now, however.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
SIMILAR TO LOCAL MILL
Announced Today That Work on Minot
Russell.MilIer Mill Will Start
Soon.

1t was definitely announced today
that the Russell-Miller Milling COM
pany which has an 800 barrel flour
mill in this city will build one of
similar capacity at Minot. The mill
will cost 100000.
Five cars of foundation stone were
ordered yesterday and work will start
as soon as possible. This company
has mills in Grand Forks, jamestown
and Valley City.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

Since Pat Dougherty signed with
the American league club for 1907 the
fans are wondering whether his luck
will land him with another champion
ship team. He has played with two
American league organizations that
have won the pennant.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
IS LOOKING FOR BUSINESS
Wisliston Minister Has Unique Adyer.
tisemcnt In Which He Asks for
the Marrying Business.
1t pays to advertise.

IL pays 10 advertise.
For years business men have con.
cluded that there is more truth than
poetry in this brief sentence, but the
latest addition to the unlimited circle
OF advertisers is the minister, and that
up-to-date wearer of the cloth is to
be found in Williston.
That the people of Williston ar.
very much alive, despite the reported
rumors from that city of terrible suf-
fering and many deaths by reason OF
the cold, and that the people are
enterprising and are always out look
ing for business is demonstrated in All
advertisement that appeared on cards
and were distributed throughout that
section of the state by Rev. Frank 8.
Hollett, pastor of the NJ. E. church at
Williston.
Rev. HOllett is the advance ager,
for Dan Cupid and he is anxious to
have all persons who are looking OH
the matrimonial sea with view of
taking a dip to know it. He has had
cards printed and all the unmarried
young men and women in the vicinity
of Williston are receiving them. The
cards are as follows:
Are you going to be married soon?
Do you want minister to tie the
knot for you,
Would your intended bride like to
have very pretty marriage certifi-
cate?
Do you want to be married at home.
hotel, parsonage, or at church?
We desire to please you at any
hour. Come over to see me.
Frank s. Hollett, pastor M. E.
church, Williston, N. D.
Address, NJ. E. parsonage, first door
south of NJ. E. church.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
lotto WEbERG REMAINS INDIFFERENT IN
THE DARK SHADOW Of THE GALLONS
Man Being Held in Walsh County Jail Seems Enjoy Life Though
Charged With Murder in the First DeSree-Trial Nav
Come up Latter Part Of This Month.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.


Otto Weberg. on Sunday, Jun.
Is. entered the Kitchen Of the Fair.
dale hotel ut Fairdalc, Walsh coun.
ty. with rifle and rabbit in his
hands. Annie Engalsrud. u wait.
ress, was his victim. She had Just
come out Of the dining room into
the Kitchen when Weberg raised
the rifle. took deliberate aim and
fired mt the defenseless girl. Her,
death was almost instantaneous.
Weberg was ut once arrested.
brought to Grafton. Later he was
bound over 10 the district court
without bonds. Webcrg had been
in love with the girl, but she had
spurned him. On one occasion
previous to this one. he had made
an attack on her. she having cs.
capped at that time by fleeing from
the room. The murder took place
Just mt supper time. when Il mum.
Der Of guests were in the dining
room. They rushed to the assist.
ance OF the young girl, hut were
unable to do anything. Weberg,
while being held by the deputy
sheriff is alleged to have stated in
explanation OF his deed that "she
did not treat me right" Later he
claimed to have no embrance
whatever of the crime.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

Now the truth Is l do not think
there is at present over 200 live
beaver in the state of North Dakota
There were two or three small
colonies on Knife river and Square
Butte creek but they have been de-
stroyed as we'll as all that had at
tempted to build along the Missouri
on the west branch for distance OF
at least 200 miles. Those that were
killed on Square Butte creek it is
claimed was done through permission
of the state game warden of the dis
trict, whatever authority he had to
issue the order.
And further, II at any place that the
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1907.
Was Thomas ]. Ford Sluf9ed;
Have Insanity's Pan9s Smitten
or did He Perish i'm the
Icy Waters?

A reward Of $500 is hereby
offered for information that will
lead TO the finding Of Thomas
j. Ford alive or dead. Wire
Chief Lowe, Grand Forks. The
following Is the description Of
the missing mans Height 6 It.
2 In; age 81; weight s1O; hair
brown, partly bald; reddish
mustache; Gray clothes, black
fur OvercOat. Belonged to
Woodmen and Forester lodges.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

Stolidly Indifferent as to his proha
Bile fate, discussing his case with Jail
ors and his attorney with an air borl.
more OF curiosity than OF self con-
Germ. Otto Weberg. slayer Of the Fair
dale waitress. waits in the Jail OF
Walsh county the time when he sha..
be brought before jury of twelve
men to be tried on the NEST serious
OF all charges, murder in the first de-
gree.
Since being jailed shortly after his
terrible crime, his mood has been the
same. No change whatever is noted.
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
]. TAYLOR SAYS THAT
BEAVERS ARE
SCARCE
Well Known Authority on Sub
ject Discusses Matter of Re-
pealing the Law.

Joseph Taylor, of Washburn, Nc
Lean county, one of the first citizens
in North Dakota and author OF
Beavers. Their Ways and Other
Sketches" and who probably knows
more about the habits of the beaver
than any man in the state, sends IL
the following communication:
Editor Bismarck Tribune: The fol-
lowing / clip from the Grand Forks
Evening Times:
The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15

The majority Of mans good In
tentions are carried out to the dump.