The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-08-06
Count Four.

|
taxes" opposite each description in
the tax lists of Beltrami county Of
property which had been sold for
taxes, and which was subject to
redemption but not redeemed, and
thereby committed nonfeasance in
Office =
! County Treasurer George H.
French was sworn and gave testi.
mony as to this charge, stating that
but few tracts were marked sold
for taxes" ....-.- .. I -.
Mr.. French stated that a number
of tracts were marked for back taxes
for years prior to the year 1908.
Several descriptions in different
towns we're offered as evidence show
ing that the auditor had done part
of this work. ~: >sj ....- ~ ~--. p.
Mr.. French also stated that part
of the descriptions were marked
sold for taxes" after January l.
Mr.. Kahn, on direct examination,
stated that in the report he made in
1908 he gave a number of descrip-
tons of real estate sold for taxes in
1907 at tax judgment sale and not
marked by the auditor.
Upon cross-examination Mr..
Kain's report was produced and Mr..
Kahn withdrew his answer given
above, for the reason that the report
did not contain any such statement.
The fifth, and last, count against
| the auditor was then taken under
consideration by the state, as fol-
lows: --~ .>.s-.
Count Five.
That the said John Wilmann did
not make and file with the Auditor
of Beltrami County on or before
January 10th in each year and up to
and including the date hereof, a
written statement verified by his
oath, showing in detail the amount
of all fees, gratuities and emoluments
of whatever nature received by him
as such official, or in connection
with his official work. during the
preceding calendar year, for the rea-
son that the statement of the said
John Wilmann filed in 1909, shows
that he received the sum of $2O48.1
whereas, in truth and in fact the
said John Wilmann during 1908,
received as auditor, fees, gratuities
and emoluments in connection with
lis official work more than the sum
of $2076.10."
Mr.. Wilmann's report of fees,
gratuities and emoluments showed
that he had received $2O18.1O. Upon
examination of the records it was
found that he had ommitted from
this statement $3.50 received for
certificate to abstract and $24, as a
member of the election canvassing
board. 1t was proved, upon cross
examination, that this money was
Mr.. Wilmann's private money and
the county was in no wise affected
by his not reporting this $42.50.
This closed the testimony of the
state and Mr.. Wilmann was then
called as witness in his own behalf
Mr.. Wilmann stated that he had
been county auditor since January 3
1905. - 49, 49,.
His testimony regarding count
No. / was brief.
/. He stated that he and his depu
ties had collected $3.50 as his fee
for certificate to tax liens.
Miss Kiehm and Miss Hege
(employes in the auditors office
were placed on the stand and also
gave testimony as to above charges
confirming Mr.. Wilmann's statement
Mr.. Wilmann, in answering thu
fourth count (that of his failure t.
mark descriptions of land which hae
been sold for taxes and not redeemed
Sold for taxes in the tax lev,
books), stated that early in Decem
: Der; 1908, he was obliged to taxi
his wife to a hospital at Minneapolis
that before leaving he hired add
tional deputies; in fact, he doubled
the force, paying out $215 of hi
r personal money for, additional labor
Mr.. Wilmann stated that he dit
not return to Bemidji until after tn,
1st of January 1909, expecting, OF
hts return, to find everything com
lplete and in good shape.