The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-11-24

Johnston to The Free Press. He
said also that late yesterday after
noon he had conference with Mayor
Taylor and several of the city com.
missioners to find out by what au.
thority Commissioner Bangerter had
given permission to two butchers
TO kill the deer. 1t is understood
that the commissioners explained to
Mr.. Johnston why the deer were
slain. The cost of feeding and
maintaining such a large herd was
considerable of drain on the city
treasury and it was thought advis-
able to reduce the number in the
herd.
Statement From Mr.. Humiston.
Commissioner J. ID. Humiston stat
ed to The Free Press that some
time ago, when he and Mr.. Lamm
were in the northern part Of the
state hunting deer, the other men,
bers of the council discussed the
matter of the cost OF keeping the
nineteen deer quite thoroughly. They
agreed that the expense of keeping
such large herd was too great and
therefore thought it best to dispose
Of them. The manner of diSpOSi-
ton was left TO Commissioner Ban.
Serter. Mr.. Bangerter went to St.
Paul to confer with III. A. Rider, but
said that he received very little
satisfaction from Mr.. Rider.
City Attorney Is Num-,
When asked if he had been con.
in regard to the Staying Of the deer,
Axt ;ol lint
he knew nothing about the matter.
When the question, did Commits
sloner Bangerter consult you in re-
gard to the killing Of the deer" the
city attorney persisted in saying
that he knew nothing about the
matter.
Deputy Warden Johnston is re-
ported to have told the. commits.
sioners, after listening to their ex-
PLANTATION of why the deer were
killedy"tliat~ It was quite evident
that NO one intended any wrong, but
that the deer were slain illegally
was evident. However, no action
can, it is said, gain Roadway against
the council.
confiscated Hides and Meat.
Mr.. JohstOn visited the meat mar
kets in the city and confiscared
about 100 pounds of venison and
four hides. A fifth hide was &C.
counted for also. A meat dealer on
North Front street had purchased
it but had given it to his brother
who lives in Belgrade, so he said.
The meat dealer gave his word, after
he had been jolted by the warden,
that he would have the hide in
Mankato today, on the promise that
Mr.. Johnston make no arrest. An
other butcher was compelled to give
up the entire deer that he had i'm
his possession. He had just carved
it into the various cuts and had
not sold pound, while about thir-
ty-five pounds were confiscated at
a South Front street meat market.
The others had disposed of their
venison.
The game warden stated that he
had no trouble in getting the vent
son, although some of the butchers
made a feeble attempt to hide it.
Four of the hides he found at one
hide and fur store and these were
tagged. They will be taken pos
session of later.
Mr.. Johnston called up Executive
Agent Rider on the long distance
telephone last evening and had a
talk with him. Mr.. Johnston was
advised to go ahead with the inves-
tigation. Mr.. Rider took the matter
under consideration and although ne
may give orders to the local game
warden, it is believed that no ar
rests or prosecutions will be made
today. Some time during this week,
however, some definite action will
be taken.
When asked il he would try to
smooth over the matter, Mr. John
ston said that he had no authority
to do anything Of the kind. He was
merely going to fulfill the law and
enforce it. He said that he would
do nothing further until he had re-
ceived word from Mr.. Rider at st.
Paul.
Mr.. Johnston returned to his home
at Lake Washington last night.
Thsre Will Be Prosecutions.
The Free Press this afternoon had
a talk with State Game Warden
Rider, who stated that he was await.
ing a written report from Deputy
Johnston before proceeding with
prosecutions In Mankato. 81 am of
the opinion that the law has been
violated" said Mr. Rider, "and the
guilty parties will be prosecuted"
How about the parties who pur-
chased the deer meat from the
butchersw
"They can be prosecuted Also"
replied Mr.. Rider. "The penalty Is
from $25 to 500 in each instance: .
This is the penalty that can be
assessed up to those who killed
the deer; also the parties who sold
the meat can be fined from $25 to
500 in each Instance.
Mr.. Rider stated that action will
not be taken for a day or two
against those who are said to have
violated the law. Mr. Rider said
that the facts may be laid before