Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-02-26
EXTENSIVE PROPERTY
INTEREST OF INSANE
PATIENT DISAPPEAR
Has Engaged Attorney to Trace
Sales and Have Transfers
Annulled by Court.

Pukawana, S. d, Feb. 21.-Prolonged
litigation and n series of sensational
developments promise to result from
the sale of q large quantity of property
under guardianship proceedings while
the owner was confined in an insane
asylum, from which he now has beer
released.
James Harkrader, a mysterious
stranger from Illinois, who several
years s suddenly appeared here and
at an auction sale bid in what is
known as the Stransky ranch. is the
sky ranch lies adjacent to Pukwana,
embraces several thousand acres and is
highly improved. The new owner
farmed the ranch for several seasons.
About a year ago he returned to his
former home at Decatur, ILL.,, for a
visit, and while there became involved
in a number of controversies with for
mer friends, which resulted in his being
arrested and taken before a board OF
insanity. which ordered that he be COM
mitted to q hospital for the insane,
Several months ago State Senator Shaw
Of Illinois became interested in the case
Of Harkrader, and succeeded in secur-
ing his release from the asylum.
Harkrader lost no time in engaging
an attorney and coming to South Da-
kota to ascertain what a become Of
his extensive property interests in this
state. He discovered that during his
confinement in the asylum q guardian
was appointed, and that the guardian
had disposed of his South Dakota hold
ings under the claim, hat his action
was necessary to satisfy Indebtedness
contracted by Harkrader.
During his investigation Harkrader
and his attorney found hat the per-
sonal property hat had been on the
ranch had changed hands several times
S1nna ~ nri oiy,o 1Jp y>rac cold ~, A.,
guardian. Much Of this personal prop
erty consisted of live stock. From such
few guarded remarks as himself and
attorney made during their investiga-
ton 1t is expected a suit will be insti-
tuted to a the transfers under the
guardianship set aside on the ground
of fraud.
Harkrader owns a life interest in a
40O-acre farm near Decatur, Ill, and in
addition owns other property in that
state which gives him an annual in
come of several thousand dollars.
He has a sister at Decatur who is
reported to be worth 100000.
COMMISSION STARTS
PROBE ON COAL RATES
Pierre, S.. D., Feb. 21.-The railroad
commissioners have issued a resolution
demanding within 10 days time, from
all the railroads operating in the state
a complete detailed n tented
statement showing the actual move
ment interstate Of bituminous coal
and Ignite in this state, and that the
statements so filed shall show the date
of shipment, the points of origin and
destination, the number n initial Of
h car. the lading contained therein,
and the rate II amount eXacted for
the transportation thereof"
This statement will enable the COM
mission to make a thorough investiga-
ticn OF coal rates and particularly as
to the reas6nableness of rates now in
use, for the purpose of determining
whether a new schedule should be
promulgated by the commission for in
trastate transportation of coal.
The commission has ordered the
same kind of statement to be given by
each Of the is roads operating in South
Dakota on flour, grain and mill stuffs,
this statement. however, is to be made
within 40 days, and it is proposed to
make the same kind of investigation
as to these rates with a possibility Of
their being lowered in many instances,
whenever found unreasonable.
The fuel problem is especially perth
nent in South Dakota, because of the
mines near Isabel, and particularly be-
of the coal shipments from Wyo-
ming into this state. in competition
with coal from the Sabel region.