The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-06

which have been sent broadcast. The
contents reflect upon the integrity
and standing of professional and
business men of that community.
The circular was sent out by the
Universal News Bureau, Minneapolis,
but is dated Madelia. 1t is unsigned.
The Free Press received a copy OF
the circular which says in effect
that citizens Of Watonwan county
are taking steps to bring the matter
of alleged neglect Of duty against
the county attorney of this county,
because Of what they think is dis
graceful publicity given the county,
because of conditions at Madelia."
SO far as can be learned there is
no desire on the part Of the citizens
TO proceed against the county at.
torney.
that the town went dry year ago
last spring, and calls attention to
the activity of several well-known
gentlemen, among them j. J. Bill. the
druggist.
"Rumor was rife short time ago,
to the effect that the druggist was
,wholesaling whisky, and detective
was secured from Minneapolis, who
obtained evidence against blind
pigger, one Mclaughlin, and the
druggist and the doctors. who it APP.
peared were in league to provide
liquor via the prescription route, at
high prices per prescription.
Claim Night Court Session.
THE county attorney refused to
proceed against the trio, who are
pillars of one of the local churches,
and the attorney general was appeal
ed to. The result was that prOsecu-
ton was forced on the local authori
ties. but they managed to keep the
matter quiet by holding private
star chamber session at nine o'clock
at night, in order that no one might
learn of the disgrace Of the prohibit
ton leaders. The result Of the trial
was the filming of the doctors and
druggist, $40 each. The druggist
paid the whole fine. for all, and they
wendell their way homeward silently,
hoping the facts would not get out.
MANY people of Madelia have had
their eyes opened, by this disgrace
full circumstance, to the true reason
for many Of the waves Of prohihi-
ton" which strike localities. They
believe that too often, it is to allow
some of the leaders to have the mo-
nopoly of moonshining on their own
account, rather than allow legitimate
dealers to sell, and pay licenses to
the municipality therefor
Denied the Charge.
Mr.. Bill was shown copy of the
circular this morning. He denounced
it as a tissue of falsehoods so far
as he was concerned. He branded
the statement that he had been ar
rested as deliberate lie and he
denied most emphatically that he
had paid the fines of anyone who
had been arrested on charge Of
violating the liquor laws. He knew
nothing Of any session Of court at
nine o'clock at night. Mr.. BIZ said:
"If | can find out who the author
OF that circular is I will proceed
against him in the court. ] am go
ing at once to st. James and con-
suit Congressman w. S. Hammond,
and will ask him to make an inves.
tigation as to who is responsible
for the issuance of the circular and
the falSehoods it contains.
Statement From Mr.. Farmer.
County Attorney Farmers atte L
ton was called to the circular. He
said that the facts in the case were
greatly distorted. So far as he knew
the attorney generals office had not
been appealed to in the matter OF
prosecuting anyone at Madelia. He
advised the mayor of Madelia that
the doctors referred to be given an
opportunity to plead guilty to the
charge Of evading the liquor law.
This was done and each was fined
$50 The county attorney was not
satisfied i'm his own mind that the
original charge, giving prescriptions
for whisky without it's being used
for medicinal purposes. would stand
the test. He also said that he had
informed the mayor that If the or
jginal charge were to be pressed ne
would insist upon having some othe,
attorney prosecute as it would moi
make any difference how the tria
resulted, if he prosecuted, there
would be dissatisfaction, he being {
close friend of the defendants. Mr.
Farmer stated that Mr.. Bill wa:
neither arrested nor fined.