The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-01-05
FIRST VILLAGE TO
OPPOSE FEDERAL
TREATY BY LICENSE
]. 0. Harris, Hotel Proprietor, Former
Register Of Deeds, Secures
Privilege.
/ OTHERS TO MAKE
~ APPLICATIONS
May Mean Test Case; Will Attempt
to Nullify Treaty; Federal Men
to Confscate "Booze."

Despite the fact that the village
of Kelliher is in territory governed
by the Indian treaty of 1855, and
despite the fact that under the treaty
no liquor is permitted to be intro
duced, the council of that village has
granted license to conduct sa-
loon in that village.
ToJ. O. Harris.
The license was granted to ]. o.
Harris, hotel proprietor at Kelliher
and formerly register of deeds of Bel
trami county. The license was
granted at regular meeting of the
village council at which one mem
ber of the council, J. H. Hermanson,
was absent. Trustee Lindquist voted
against the granting of the license.
First Broadside.
The granting of the license is the
firing of the first "broadside" against
the Indian cid" by Kelliher men.
Two other men, r. J. Poupore and
Gust Olson, have made applications
for licenses and it is expected that
several others will also apply. Most
of the business men of Kelliher are
in favor of saloons and members Of
the village council are opposed to the
Indian treaty. -
No Blind Pigs" Now. -
The licenses were issued in def
ance to the campaign now being cOn-
Quoted by Sheriff Andrew Johnson
and County Attorney Graham M. Tor
rance against "blind pigs" Now that
license has been granted the saloon
keeper cannot be arrested for con-
Quoting "blind pig"
Seven Arrested.
When the campaign was begun by
the county officials, seven Kelliher
men were arrested. They pleaded
guilty to having unlicensed drinking
places and were fined $50 each. Sew
eral weeks later several of thea
same men and several others, seven
in all, were arrested. This time
only one pleaded guilty and the bal
ance asked for trials. The trials
which were to be heard in the NUM-
cipal court before Judge Croweu to-
morrow have been postponed for two
weeks on account of the illness Of
the judge. T. Mccarthy, who was
one of the Kelliher men arrested for
selling liquor, this afternoon appear
ed before Judge Crowell at his home
and pleaded guilty. He claimed that
it was his first offense and that he
would not go into the business
again. He was fined $50. The
other men arrested and whose trials
will be taken up in two
weeks are Andrew Stormoen, L. J.
Kramer, R. j.. Poupore, William
Begsley, Harvey Johnson and J. o.
Harris.
| Attorney A. A. Andrews of this
city is defending the Kelliher men.
Is First to License.
Kelliher is the first village to op-
pose the Federal treaty by granting
a state license. 1t is stated that
some five points can be brought up
if the matter is made test case,
which might effect the nullifying Of
| the PROVISIONS of the Indian treaty
under which the saloons in this part
of the state are closed. Should it be
found that liquor licenses can be
granted many other villages and
cities in the "dry' zone, it is expect
ed, will take action.
Can Confscate Liquor.
Government authorities, although
a license is granted, can conf1scate
all liquor found, and in case Of in
!
Federal charge. The authorities do
not believe that the state will inter-
fere with the Federal act. It is ex-
pected that many Federal men will
be sent to Kelliher to confiscate IL
quor and to make arrests under in
PRODUCTION charges.
Just what action will be taken by
the county in the matter was not.
stated this morning by County At
torney Torrance.
First for Appeal.
1t is believed that the action of
the Kelliher men is the first step for
an appeal to be made to congress to
abrOgate the treaty The treaty has
been referred to as "a federal blight
and an unjust act of the Indian bu-
lreau. .