The San Francisco call., 1910-03-27
GIVES UP MINISTRY
TO BECOME SLEUTH

Special Officer E. E. Van Vert, who
has made several sensational arrests on
the Nez Perce Indian reservation, has
had an interesting history during the
last three years. He came to Grange
Vile from Oregon several years ago and
took charge of the Young Mems Chris
tian association. From that work he
went into the ministry, preaching his
first sermon in the local Methodist
Episcopal church. He served at White
bird, Idaho, and st. John. Wash, later
entering the congregational missionary
field on Craig mountain.
One Sunday night after preaching at
Westlake he disgu guised himself and went
to the neighboring town of Morrow,
where saloon was suspected OF break
ing the Sunday closing law, says the
New York Herald. He talked with the
boys and in the presence of witness,
previously stationed, purchased a Dot
tie of whisky. Arrests followed and
convictions were secured.
He was later responsible for driving
saloons from the Craig mountain dis
trict. Believing that he could do
greater work for temperance in the
government service. he resigned from
the church and accepted an appoint
ment as special officer of the interior
departmen and was assigned to sup
press the liquor traffic on Indian reser-
vations. On the Tama, Iowa, Indian
reservation, where he was stationed
last year. he made many sensational
arrests and convictions later in the Des
Moines court.
While attempting to secure evidence
he and a deputy and an Indian We're
attacked by a mob In a saloon ana
obliged to draw guns. The police were
called, but instead of dispensing the
mob they arrested the officers OF the
government. They were taken to the
police station and Van Werts badge
was taken away from him, with his
commission from the interior depart
ment.
Van Vert asked to be allowed to
consult the prosecuting attorney, but
the request was denied. He then asked
for a messenger, but that was denied,
and he was taken upstairs in the jail
and lodged with bootleggers he had
just caused to be arrested. The court
finally ordered his release, but not until
the iron bedsteads of the jail had left
their imprints on the preachers back.
Van Vert later caused the officials or
the town to be arrested on charge OF
interfering with federal officer in the
discharge of his duty, and now has a
5000 damage suit pending. The case
will be heard at the spring term.
Another iCdSuiS VI tiC
arrest was that Special officer Johnson
had planned to have Van Vert join him
in a joint smashing expedition in Min
nesota, but Van Werts arrest upset his
plans. Johnson was ready for the raid,
but could not locate Van Vert by wire,
and at last decided to undertake the
smashing alone.
While the smashing was in progress
a town constable secured guard and
OF ffayo ptH 10 nj h.
ing. Johnson stood them off with
threat to shoot the first man who
stepped across the sidewalk. After the
booze was all emptied, he submitted to
arrest on charge of destroying prop
erty. The department In the meantime
had learned of Van Wert's arrest and
they wired Johnson, Your man Van
Vert is in the Marshalltown jail"
When Van Vert was released he
wired the success of the courts order
and Johnson used it as a precedent In
coI1rt for obtaining his own 1iberty