davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
VICTOR CONFESSION
OFFERED BY STATE
Cell Mate Of Prisoner Tells Of
Accused Mans Story
Of the Crime.

Aberdeen, s. D., Aug. 31.-The hun
dreds Of spectators who have been
'crowding h Brown county courthouse
the past two days In search OF the
sensational In connection with the Vic
tor trial were abundantly gratified this
morning when the state sought 10 in
'troduce in evidence the confession
made by Emil Victor to States Attor-
iney Van Slyke. The matter had not
been decided by Judge McNulty at
The state put on a witness who
identified the 4-calibre revolver as
one owned by Victor, and Kelley, a cell
mate Of Victor's for several days, was
placed IN the stand and testified that
Victor had told him all the details of
the crime and how he had murdered
first ]. W. Christie, then Michael Ro-
nayne, afterwards shooting down Mrs.
Christie, and winding up the series of
murders by reloading his revolver and
shooting Mildred Christie as h sal on
the side of the bed awaiting execution,
Victor, according to Kelley's testimony.
also told Kelly OF the route he o In
escaping from the Christie farm, tally
ing exactly with the trail followed by
the sheriff's posse. Kelley was In jail
from Mobridge for a minor offense and
gained Victor's confidence. Victor APP
peared much more v than usual,
losing to a great degree the air of calm
indifference which has characterized
him since the trial began. i
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
GOVERNOR LEE LOSES
$4,000 LAW SUIT

Chicago, Aug. 30.-At close OF two
contests which were thrown out of
court, Andrew Z. Lee, who was gov
ernor Of South Dakota for two success
sive terms, appeared half a loser. He
appeared In the Harrison street police
court against VIM. r. Niles, whom he
accused of getting a large sum Of mon
ey from him by working a confidence
game, and Niles was discharged.
Then he successfully lodged a depu-
ty sheriff with summons in a suit for
500, 900 on charges of malicious prose-
cution, started in superior court by
Niles. This suit is the third filed against
Lee.
The evidence showed that former
Governor Lee had invested in a pro-
ject more than 100000. Niles asserted
that his money had all been paid to
the receiver Of The electric road and for
improvements. Mr.. Lee admitted hat
the money had gone where it was
supposed to go, but held that inasmuch
as Niles had said falsely that he vas
investing his own money along with
that obtained from Lee. 1t was fraudu-
lently obtained.
mo, Mr.. Lee" said Judge GemmilI,
1.-THE court doesn't protect. any one who
does not know how to take care of his
money. I can see no fraud. II you had
been as shrewd as an ex-governor
should be II seems to me when you
read Niles first letter asking you to
invest you would have known there
was no money to be made in such q
deal" d.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
HOW POSSE TRACED
CHRISTIE MURDERER

Aberdeen, 8. D.. Aug. 31.-The testi-
mony Of @. W. Dow, one Of the posse
who made search for the murderer,
proved the most sensational Of any yet
given in h Victor murder case He
testified that the posse covered the
tracks leading from the Christie farm
to Worthwhile with tar paper, to prevent
them being obliterated by rain or other
aus He then o one Of Victor's
shoes, which was worn off at n side
in a peculiar manner, and placed 1t in
n of the tracks. 1t fitted into the
track Of h shoe. He then
pushed the shoe down in the soil be-
side the track, and the impression made
vas an exact replica of the track. This
process was repeated several times.
. Several farmers identified Victor as
the man whom they saw passing along
the road from the Chritie farm toward
Worthwhile, the morning after the muir
der.
One Of the exhibits introduced In evil
dence, which was identified by wit
Christie, was a memorandum book used
by agents Of the elevator company for
which Christie was agent at Rudolph,
containing the numbers of the watches
owned by the Christie family. Later,
1t Is understood, the fact will be
brought out that the numbers in the
book correspond to the numbers Of the
watches found on Victor. -.
A number Of young women friends of
Mildred Christie Identified some brooch
es n other jewelry as having been the
property OF the murdered girl.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
NORTHWESTERN WILL BUILD
FROM HITCHCOCK WEST

Huron, s.. D., Aug. 28.-It is definite
ly stated here that the examination of
titles to and for the right Of way for
what is termed the Hitchcock and
Onida branch of the Chicago & North
western railroad, will begin about the
tirst of September. The proposed line
Is from Hitchcock in the northern part
Of Beadle county, to Onida, the county
seat Of Sully county, this being the
first road to build In that county. Three
hundred thousand ties, together with
immense quantities Of bridge timber and
other line building material is stored
In the yards here for use in the con-
struction of the proposed branch, work
upon which will begin as soon as the
title to right of way is secured. The
country through which the new road
will pass is one Of the richest agricul-
tural and stock districts in this por-
ton OF the state and Is rapidly being
peopled with an energetic, enterprising
and thrifty class of settlers.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
OFFICERS TO J..
= TAX MILLIONS

y Sioux Falls, s. D., Aug. 30.-Judge
Marquis, Of the Seventh circuit, has
granted an order upon the commission
ers of Minnehaha county to show cause
why they should not list for assess
ment property valued at $12. 100000,
which has escaped assessment since
the year 1900.
The case grows out Of the employ
ment by the commissioners of Savage
and Pierson as TAI ferrets to uncover
and list property which had evaded tax
payment. When the ferrets uncovered
this large amount Of property 1t pro-
duced a sensation throughout the
county, and when the property holders
who had beer evading their proportion
of the burdens of government remon-
strated with the commissioners, such
leverage was brought to bear that the
commissioners discharged Messrs. Saw
g and Pierson and dropped the in
vestigation and failed to enter the
property for taxation.
Judge Jones, OF the Second circuit,
who iG one OF the heavy taxpayers Of
the county, is absent at the present
time, and for this reason the action was
taken before Judge Marquis. The or
der secured is returnable September z,
when the hearing of the case will be-
gin.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
TO REGISTER FOR
THE INDIAN LANDS
Deserted Wives, Heads Of Fam
lilies, Soldiers Widows and
Some Minor Heirs.

Aberdeen, s. D.. Sept. 1.--Perscons
drawing a number In the Cheyenne and
Standing Rock land opening will at the
time of the assignment Of date for
filing on land, about March i, 1910, be
furnished with a map showing h al
lotted lands, the school and reserved
lands, and the schedule and classifica-
ton of lands open to settlement. The
prices will range from 80 cents TO 10 an
acre, according to the classification for
agricultural lands of the first class,
the second class, grazing lands, timber
lands and mineral lands. The latter
cannot be entered under the homestead
laws.
A married woman who has not been
deserted cannot register unless her
husband is an invalid and she car
prove hat she is tie bread winner or
the family, and consequently its head.
A deserted wife can register. Minors
cannot register unless they will be or
age before the time for filing on the
land. A man cannot register II he is
the owner of more than 100 acres OF
land in the United States. Ownership
of land outside the United States does
not disqualify a man from registration,
but he must either be a citizen of the
United States or ave declared his In
tention to become one. A homesteader
prior to February 8, 1908, may register
II his former entry was not Cancelled
for fraud or relinquished for a valua-
BILE consideration. Soldiers and sailors
after more than 80 days service, or
their widows, If they have not remar-
ried. and the minor children of a de-
ceased soldier if the mother is dead or
Is remarked and has a living husband,
can register through an agent without
going to a registration point.
The red tape of registration and
the plan of drawing will be the same as
in the Rosebud, Trip and Occur
d'Alene lotteries, and the assignment
of dates for the filing will be for the
spring of 1910,
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
LAWN LEAVES The
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF
UNITED WORKMEK
Henry Neil, Formerly Of Madi-
son, Takes His Place as
Grand Secretary.

Aberdeen, s. D., Aug. T.-Grang Sec.
rotary j.. ID. LAWN, Of the A. %. u. W.,
has forwarded to Grandmaster OLAF
Nelson, of Yankton, his resignation to,
take effect September /, and has been
notified that the resignation has been
accepted and that Henry Neil, who
moved here from Madison two weeks
ago has been appointed to fill the va
cancy, subject to the approval OF the
executive committee.
LAWN has held the position for over
20 years, and was reelected to the
position al the annual meeting of the
grand lodge at Pierre in Jun of his
year. He vas opposed for reelection
by a candidate from his home county,
but won Out. He took an active part
in the contest over the selection of
grandmother, championing the reelec-
ton of T. M. Simmons, of Huron, who
was defeated by Olaf Nelson, after an
all-day contest, by n vote, where a
total of 1900 was cast. The plan OF
assessment was the issue on which
the forces divided. Nelson's election
bringing about a change in he plan
under which LAWN had worked during
the whole period of service as Sec
rotary.
The illness OF two sisters is given
by Mr.. LAWN as the cause for his re-
tirement at this time. Mr.. Neill is the
secretary OF the Minnesota and South
Dakota Millers' association.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
MAN Is SHOT BY
DRUNKEN SPORT

Dallas. S. D.. Sept. l. In a dispute
yer a ball game, a shooting ARRAY
o place at Bucks cafe, in which
Charles w. Scott, manager Of the res
taurant, vas shot by Grover Simmons.
aged "a years, a member of the Sim
mons Coal company. The shooting
took place late Saturday night, when
a party of men were taking lunch at
the cafe. Young Simmons had been
drinking. Words were exchanged and
abusive language was used by Sim
mons, upon which Mr.. Scott put him
out. When outside Simmons drew a
revolver and fired at Scott, hitting him
in the abdomen. Simmons escaped on
a horse and is still at large.
Mr.. Scott, better known here as
"Scotty," "a taken to Omaha for
medical attention.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02

is the proud owner Of a cat named
Roosevelt, which has killed according
to careful ca%lculations) 1885 rats
during 28 years of a useful life. The
q has outlived two masters, and is
thought to be the oldest cat in the
world. Roosevelt has lived for more
than rs years in Bettsville, and has
maintained a high daily death rate
among the rates and mice of that
pleasant town. BY continual activity,
iIis teeth have been kept in unusually
fine condition, and Mr.. Neidlinger has
not spent a dollar On the cats dentist
bills In 10 years. Roosevelt works seven
days in the week.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02

During the South African war a
trooper on outpost duty one night felt
so desperately tired that he thought
he would have a five minutes mar. I'm
lacing his helmet on a dock he lay
down, and vas soon in a sound sleep.
Waking suddenly, he mistook his he'll
met for n of the enemy, drew his
sword and dealt 1t a severe blow. Then.
p~erceiving his mistake, the trooper
picked up his helmet, which he had
cut In two, and gave thanks to heaven
that he had taken 1t off before laying
down. For" he so~liloquized, had my
head been inside that, it's 10 to one
a dead man l would have been seeing
myself at this moment"
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02

Plans OF ~far-reaching importance are
on foot In Texas looking to the en-
ployment OF convicts. A large cotton
mill is to be established, to be run by
water power and operated by the prison
Inhabitants, and the Rusk p~enitentiary
pipe works and iron furnace are soon
to be reopened on a large scale. The
new state railroad, from Rusk to
Palestine. a distance of 80 miles, is
nearing completion and will be run
by convict labor. II the cotton mill
Is a success, other mills will
be established by the Lone Star state,
and all its convicts will have some
thing to do which will make them self
supporting instead of a burden on the
taxpayers.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
MoBRIDoE GETTING READY
TO RECEIVE CROWDS

Mobridge, S. D., Aug. 27.-The city
of Mobridge having been designated
as one of the registration points for
the coming opening Of the Cheyenne
and Standing Rock Indian reservations,
the Commercial club has taken the
matter Of accommodations in hand.
Many buildings are being built and
many more will be begun Immediately,
and by the time the registration opens
Mobridge will be able to accommodate
more than 1000 people daily. The reg
~istration at this place is expected to
points, because it is located on the
eastern edge of the reservation and
offers excellent opportunity for view
ing the lands.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
MILWAUKEE SINKS
NEW $15,oOu WELL


.Murdo, S. D., Sept. IA movement
is on foot for a new artesian well here.
A letter from c. A. Padley, general
land agent of the Milwaukee Land
company, of Milwaukee, Wis, states
that Norbeck & Nicholson, the Red
field well drillers, are willing to con-
tract to put down a six-inch well and
guarantee a flow of at least 100 gallons
a minute, or no pay. The contract
price is to be $4,000, Of which the c.,
M. & st. p. r. r. Co. will pay one
third, the Milwaukee Land company
one-third and the city of Murdo one
third. Immediately upon the receipt Of
Mr.. Padley's letter the city council met
and unanimously voted in favor of ac-
cepting the proposition. The city voted
$12,00 bonds for w~aterworks some
time ago, when the old we'll was tested
and 1t vas found that 1t had been
filled up with SAND n no water could
be pumped. making 1t necessary to
start q new we'll.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
RICH ESTATE REACHES
FINAL SETTLEMENT,

Ce~nterville, S. D., Aug. 2S.-The es-
Just having final settlement after seven
years In probate. The estate is valued
$500, 600 and includes 1000 acres Of land
in South Dakota. Iowa, Nebraska, Wis
consin and Minnesota. The will left
the greater part Of the estate to James
A. Langan, a brother, of Sioux City.
Mrs. Logue, a sister here, is a benefici-
airy to the extent of a life annuity Of
$500. James Langan, the principal
beneficiary in the viii lived here for
several years and still owns large tracts
of land in this vicinity.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
SOUTH DAKOTA

S~eismometers, or ~seismographs, as
they are more generally termed, are
Instruments for detecting or measur-
ing the earthquake shock or wave.
Some of the modern ones are ex-
tremely delicate and sensitive, so sensi-
tive, In fact, according to Milne, that
IL the solid column of masonry commu-
nicating with the rocky floor be pressed
with the hand. the seismograph which
rests on the masonry will be affected,
and the horizontal boom or pendulum
will be set in rapid vibration. II W
Milne s~eismographs provided with hor-
izontal ~pendulums be put on high
buildings opposite each other on one
of London's traffic streets when crowd
ed with heavy drays, they will show
that the tops Of the buildings bend over
slightly toward each other.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
DISCUSS "coFElN NAtLs.n

Lead, S. D., Aug. I'll. A, Fell,
president of the Associated School
Boards of the state, has just sent out
from here a circular letter to all the
boards in the state, calling attention
to the annual meeting of the boards
to be held here next November, in
which he outlines some Of the questions
are the anti-cigaret lew, compulsory
education and juvenile delinquency
laws, the enforcement Of which is a
mooted question. President Fell asks
that each school board in the state
send not less than one delegate to
represent it here November /, 2 and 3,
and looks for q big meeting.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
THREE ARE INJURED
IN AUTO ACCIDENT

Tr.pp, s. D., Aug. 28.-Tuesday ]. L.
Summers, w. w. Winand and Frank
Zolnowsky, of Scotland, drove up to
Trip in an auto. They started home
after dark and when about two miles
east of Trip they ran into an open
bridge. They were going down grade
and when the car jumped into the creek
II threw the back seat over against the
opposite bank The parties were all
more or less injured and were brought
back for medical treatment. Mr.. Zoi-
nowsky was taken back to Scotland in
a serious condition.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
WIND o TRAIN.

Watertown. s. D., Aug. 27.-Conduc-
tor Dillon, Of the c., r. I. & p. passen-
ger train running between WATERFOWL
and Cactus, says that his train was
brought to a dead stop by the wind
yesterday, while trying to make a
slight grade east of the city, and had
to wait till a freight train gave 1t a
boost over the hill. The wind blew
the long grass over the rails, making
the driVewheels helpless.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
BADLY CUT UP IN
A MOVING MACHINE

Elk Point, s. D., Aug. 31.-Daniel
Uldvog, a young man working for Mrs.
Taale Peterson, north of town was cut
up quite badly yesterday by a mower
running over him. While he left his
team to get a drink OF water the team
started to run and Uldvog started after
them, and in some way got in front OF
the horses and was run over by horses
and mower.
He was brought to town to have his
wounds dressed and will be laid up
for some time.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
CATTLEMEN SCORE
BY A DECISION OF
CLIFFORD PINCHOT
the Grazing Grounds Of
10000 Sheep-Would In
jure Young Trees.

Deadwood, s. D., Aug. 28.-By the
decision of Chief Forester clifford Pin
chot barring the ranging Of sheep from
the country bordering on h South
wyoming boundary line, an
important step has been taken in the
old fight Of the cattle N sheep inter-
ests in the Black Hills and this time
the cattlemen won out, although indi-
rectly.
The ground in question is part of the
Black Hills National forest and Is only a
small strip of land on the extreme west
ern border Of the state. Gradually the
sheep men have been acquiring grazing
land in that region, by purchase, lease
and permit and this is practically the
only portion they have not obtained.
That section of the country is covered
by the various sheep interests that CEN
ter in Newcastle, Wyo., some 10000
head in all and this small strip was de-
sired as a summer grazing plot Tor
the animals.
Some time ago the sheep owners
wrote to Mr.. Pinchot asking that he
make a personal investigation Of their
claims before deciding the question.
The cattlemen who 8 the disputed
land for ranging their cattle, naturally
opposed the entrance of the sheep, but
the strongest objection came from the
SAAASAA SNNNASA ~ - ~NAS NNAAA eA~
quarter section and raises small crops
for a living. Mr.. Pinchott came to
Deadwood and then accompanied by
Supervisor Paul d. Kelleter OF this
city, drove over the land. Two impor-
tant mass meetings were held. n at
what is known as Commissary G. Of the
Mclaughlin Tie & Timber company
and the second near the ranch of Ira
Bacon. Sheep and cattle owners and
settlers were all present and argued
their claims. Then a vote was taken.
In each instance the vote was three to
against the admittance of the
sheep and Mr.. Pinchott determined to
hold with the majority.
Reason for Decision.
The sheep men pointed out that mas"
much as sheep were allowed to range
on other national forests they believed
1t discriminating to prevent them here,
this Mr.. Pinchot replied that condi-
lions here are vitality different. In
other forests the sheep Craze above the
line, thus doing no harm to the
growth. The cattle range at large and
do not destroy the young growth and
here the bark beetle has left the forest
in such q critical condition that unless
the young naturally seeded pines are
the future OF the forest is
Then too, in nc other for
est is the naturalization by small settlers
80 great, consequently there Is less OBJ
to sheep which Craze close and
are usually destructive while browsing.
Mr.. Pinchott declared that his decision
was purely local in its aspect and due
to conditions not apparent In other sec
of the country.
The result of the decision is the ex-
Of the sheep from all parts of
the Black Hills national forest.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
SHOOTS SISTER WHILE
S.. PLAYING INDIAN

Wellsburg, s. D., Sept. 1.-While
playing Indian a little girl shot and
killed her sister. Their parents, Mr..
and Mrs. S. B. Fairchild, were out of
the house, when the children decided
IT would be fine sport to get the guns
and play they were killing Indians.
After procuring chairs the guns were,
with considerable difficulty, gotten
down, and the little boy snapped O.
shotgun a couple or times at the others,
when the eldest took the gun and
aimed 1t at her sister and discharged
it, killing her instantly. The charge
tore off one of her fingers and also a
large hole in her side. The children
then attempted to revive her, but soon
saw that II was useless and notified
the parents, who were horror stricken
at the sight that met their eyes.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
HOW LAND PRICES INCREASE.

Bridgewater, s. D., Aug. 27.-What is
known as the Willow Grove farm, con-
sisting of 160 acres, adjoining the
townsite on the west, and formerly
owned by G.. A. Minard, has been sold
to Louie Determan, Of Carroll, Ia, for
a consideration of 1890. or an even
paid for farm land to date in this To-
cslity, Mr.. Minard bought the farm
seven years & at $50 per acre, thus
gaining $4,000 In the advance alone.
Thirty years ago G. ID. Rasmussen
hled on this quarter, afterward selling
his REIMBURSEMENT for $500.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
SADDLE HORSE KILLED,
RIDER ESCAPES STROKE

Chamberlain, S. D., Aug. T.-Thor-
wall Oustad had a very narrow escape
from losing his life from lightning. He
was returning home from where he
was working when lightning struck the
horse upon which he was riding, killing
1t and twisting the stirrups on the
saddle. Oustad was rendered uncon-
scious and laid in the load for about
an hour, when he began to- regain
consciousness and wander around.
A neighbor saw him and came to his
assistance,
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
MOTHER
OF SONS INJURY

Lead, s. D., Aug. 31.-At pre-
cisely the hour at which he was
injured, Mrs. James Cotton Of
this city told her family that she
heard the voice Of her 1on James
who was in Terry, four miles
away, crying for help. A half
hour later the runaway team of
Cotton & Andrews dashed past
the Cotton residence and the
mothers fears were realized.
Young Cotton, who is IA years
Of age. was found unconscious
and bleeding from several in
juries received from the horses.
He was taken to the hospital
to undergo an operation, but 1t
is believed that he will recover.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-09-02
DIES OF INJURIES.

Huron, s.. D., Sept. Fireman Jay
Sherman, married, injured in a railroad
wreck near this city Friday morning,
died about noon Saturday at Tracy,
Mimi, while being taken to the hos
pital at Rochester, Mimi. Mr.. Sherman
had been in the employ Of the North
western company for several years and
was favorably known among railway
men on this division Of that system.