The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-01-09

mitted a nuisance.
"Why didn't you arrest him." in
terrogated Attorney Mcmahon.
Because he was my superior Off
Ger and told me he would clip my
wings, if I did," responded Sullivan.
Sullivan further testified that he had
reported the matter to Chief of Police
Rice.
Charles Knutson was the most SEN
sational witness of the evening. He
testified that he had engaged in gam
bling with Nelson at the Sundling
and Lindahl saloons. In the Sundling
saloon the cards had been taken away
from them and Nelson and Knutson
had then proceeded to the Lindahl
saloon where they played "smear" for
the drinks and $40 game on the
side. Knutson testified that Nelson
had won $50 from him. He said the
game was conducted without the
knowledge of Lindahl, the money be-
ing passed under the table. Nelson
had lost the last game which was for
$5 and had had several "set-ups." ."
Knutson asked him to pay and alleg-
ed that Nelson had stated to him that
if he wanted any money from him
he would have to take it out of his
hide.
"Well, did you take it out of his
hide? asked City Attorney Morgan.
asked City Attorney Morgan.
"No, but l felt like it," responded
Knutson-
Knutson's cross-examination by
Attorney Mcmahon developed that
the witness was a laborer, that he
had been subpoenaed and brought
back to the city from a point near
Two Harbors to testify against Mel
son and that he occasionally played
cards for money. Asked if he was a
gambler he responded.
"No, if I had been a gambler l
would have won."
The testimony Of Harry Solberg
was unimportant. He could remem-
ber nothing.
Gus Allen, bartender at the Sund-
ling saloon testified to stopping the
game of cards there. He had seen
money on the table and had made the
players stop play.
Chief of Police Rice was summoned
the stand, but objections to his testi-
mony as hearsay evidence resulted in
his dismissal without examination.
Nelson Tells His Story
S. A. Nelson then took the, stand in
his own behalf. He testified that he
had been assresident of Virginia for.
II years and thai: on the night of
August ID, when the conduct on
which he was cited to appear for
hearing had been committed he had
attended meeting Of the local lodge
of Odd Fellows early in the evening
at Hawkinson's hall and had gone
from the lodge rooms to the Knife
River saloon. 1t was then three
minutes to II o'clock. He had eau
toned the proprietor about closing
his place promptly. At three minutes
after II o'clock he was in the saloon
of Thomas Campbell. Drinks were
still being served at the bar. He
cautioned Campbell and the place had
been closed up. He had then gone to
Cohen's place and in his capacity as
police commissioner had been admit
ed to the place to investigate. He had
made thorough examination and had
found no one there except the porter.
He had a cigar with Cohen and left
the place. At Kelly's sandwich wagon
on the corner of Cleveland and Chest
nut he had met his brother Joe and
the pair had walked down Central
avenue on their way home, parting at
Cedar street. He denied that he was
drunk, had ever gambled, or had ever
been accosted by Police Officer Sulli-
van. He says he did not know
Knutson and had never seen him be-
fore. He said he occasionally took a
drink and sometimes played friend
ly game of cards for the drinks.
Joseph Nelson, his brother, cor
roborated his testimony to the effect
that the two had met at the Kelly
sandwich wagon and had gone home
together. He testified that Nelson
was not drunk.
The vote on Nelson's removal was
| then taken, after brief talks by City
/ Attorney Morgan and Attorney Nc
Mahon. The council did not adjourn
until II o'clock.
| Nelson's trial and removal has beer
much discussed and is view in variou:
angles. Unbiased opinion general!
regards it as merely one of the Incl
dents to the bitter municipal election
campaign now being waged here.
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