The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-06-11
Discharge Of Hibbing Game Warden
den is Result of Investigation Car
ried on BY 5. G. Bailey Of Bemidji
MUCH HARD FEELING ON RANGE
Where Deposed Official Has Many
Friends-Result Of Numerous Com
plants Made to Commission.
CRIMINAL EVIDENCE
While Wood Investigation is in Pro-
gress Proof of Crime Against 9th
sers Brought to Light.


With the dismissal of George E.
Wood, of Hibbing, deputy game
warden, by the state game and fish
commission, a sensation is being
caused on the Iron Range.
Wood for some time has been rec
ognized as one of the leading officials
in the employ of the commission. His
record so far as arrests are concerned
is one of the best of the state.
While the announcement of his
dismissal was made in the twin city
and Duluth papers yesterday it will
be of interest to Bemidji people to
know that a Bemidji man was in
strumental in unearthing the proof
of many, charges which had been
made to the office of the commission
at the state capitol against the game
warden r.. '...>~.
Several weeks ago out of list of
about 100 wardens of the state,
Sherm Bailey of this city was selected
to visit the Iron Range and investi-
gate as to the proof of the reports.
Mr.. Bailey worked on the case for
several days and during his investi-
cation not only unearthed evidence
which will in the near future cause
sensation in criminal circles but
which encircled Wood in net, which
when reported to the Commission at
St. Paul, resulted in the warden's
dismissal. .".s. ",- .-.-~-,.
. The commission does not at this
time wish to make public the real
reasons of Woods dismissal but it is
likely that they will do 50 In the
near future. 80 -.
At the meeting Of the members of
the game commission held on June 4.
the report of Mr.. Bailey was re-.
:ceived and as result Mr.. Bailey was
instructed to go to Hibbing and re-
quest Mr.. Wood to give up his COM
mission to office and his star. For
this purpose Mr.. Bailey went to Hib-
bling Monday, but on arriving there,
found Wood in hospital, following
an operation. .. -
His physician requested that the
matter might not be presented to him
until he had more fully recovered. Mr..
Bailey did this returneing to Bemidji
that night. He will go to Hibbing
and request that the star be handed
over to him sometime this week. ::
The many friends of Wood on the
range feel that he has been unjustly
treated and that the taking OF his
commission is a rather severe pun
ishment for wrongs which he may
have committed while in the employ
of the state. Il ,<.z:-
Mr.. Bailey in speaking of the mat
ter this morning said:
"While gathering evidence against
Mr.. Wood found that he has great
many friends who are willing to back
him up to the finish. He has been
considered one of the best officials OF
the department. 8
The action by the Game and Fish
Commission comes only after care
full investigation, following q series
of complaints made by Iron Range
citizens because of the doings OF
Wood.
The following clipping is taken
from the Virginia Enterprise, which
comments on the case:
alderman s. c. Bailey of Benz
idji, formerly one Of the best known
police officers in the northern part OF
the state, now deputy game warden
of Beltrami county, and during the
investigation by the state fire mar
Fshal's Office Of the Dumas arson cases,
one OF the chief detectives for the
state, was Virginia visitor Monday
on business Of an official nature.
which he refused to divulge.
ssMr. Bailey is one Of the most
trusted men Of the state game and
fish commissions executive force In
the field and is very active in his
home county in enforcing the game
laws.
sWhile Mr.. Bailey would not In
dicate his mission here. the impress
sion is general that It had TO 90 with
the reported Investigation Of the af-5
fairs Of Game Warden Wood 8