The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-03-11
kenosha Co. Deputy State Came
Warden Indefinitely Suspended
by Head Of the Department
WILL DEMAND lNvESTIGAT ON
Notice From the Department Simply
States That He Has Been Indefi-
nitely Suspended for Conduct
Unbecoming an Officer

Political circles in Kenosha had some
thing of a sensation today when it leak
ed out that Michael Kleist, deputy
game warden and formerly one of the
best known Of the administration and
LaFollette leaders in the county, had
been indefinitely suspended from his
position by the head Of his department
at Madison. Mr.. Kleist stated that he
had received notice from Madison that
he had been suspended for an indefinite
time for "conduct unbecoming an Of
fcer.' Mr.. Kleist stated that he did
not know the specific charges that had
been made against him, but that he had
asked that copies of the charges be
sent to him and that when the proper
time came he would be ready to meet
them. The dismissal of Kleist from
the game warden service came as
distinct surprise in Kenosha as Kleist
had been a game warden who had made
good.
When urged to make statement in
regard to the matter Kleist simply said
that he was under the civil service and
that he would take proper steps to see
just how his removal had been brought
about. Il do not care particularly for
the office, = said Kleist, but Lam not
going to be let out without being given
a chance to defend myself I was
warned some time ago that I would be
let out when / arrested man who
claimed to have a. friend who had
strong pull with the department.. I
insisted on the prosecution Of the man
and at that time his friends informed
me that they would get my scalp and /
guess that they have done it,
The friends of Kleist claim that he
has been given little or no considera-
ton in the matter and that his record
as an officer justifes him in making a
fight for the place. They declare that
his removal is due entirely to the fact
that he insisted at all times in doing
his duty as an official The statement
Of the department. in regard to the re-
moval of Kleist will be watched with
a great deal of interest The retired
official had been actively connected
with political life in Kenosha county
for the past six or seven years. He
was one of the most active Of the orr
ginal LaFollette men in Kenosha coun-
ty and when Charles B. Reinardy >re-
signed his position as deputy game war
den four years ago to become assistant
postmaster Of the city, Kleist was nam
ed to succeed him. At the recent gen
eral election Kleist was a candidate
for the Republican nomination for
sheriff and in order to be on the safe
side he asked for leave of absence
from his duties as game warden while
he made the campaign. This was
granted and after the campaign he re-
turned to his work. He was an ardent
supporter Of Isaac Stephenson for
United States senator, but insists that
he was not one of the deputy game
wardens receiving money from the
Stephenson campaign fund After
Kleist became a candidate for sheriff
he was harshly criticised by some of
the men who had been considered lead
ers in the LaFollette faction and at
that time an effort was mace to force
him to quit the race, but he refused.
At the close of the campaign John
MUTT Of Salem, was named as deputy
game warden without pay and it is
thought that at that time Kleist was
slated for retirement
Kenosha people are watching very
closely for any further developments
in the case.