Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-21
SERIOUS TROUBLE
EXPECTED BECAUSE
OF LEAGUE BREAK

motion. Resentment Of this attitude
on my part Is. think. at the bottom
Of Youmans' insane effort to tnttmt-
date me by threatening to publish
damnable lie about me-"
Story Concerned Suit.
The story that Youmans insinuated
he would tell unless the league presi-
dent ceased attacking him concerned
the suit brought by Youmans against
former Governor Hanna. the latter's .
bank examiner, and. others. for $780,
900 damages. because Hanna had
closed Youmans' bank and had driven
him out of the banking business.
Youmans on cross-examination on
the witness stand admitted having
practiced banking methods which are
generally considered crooked. but ex-
cused himself by saying all bankers
did the same. The lower court de-
cided against him, and 30 did the su-
preme court However. after the
farmers administration and court
took office, Youmans asked for re-
hearing. He now says that Townley
offered to get him the rehearing in
consideration Of $4,000, The rehear-
ing was denied by the new supreme
court. and Youmans was finally
beaten in the case.
William Lemke and James Mama
han were two of Youmans' attorneys
in the case, and two Of the leaguers
who recently received Youmans'
threats to tell the bribery story about
Townley. In his letter to Lemke,
Youmans apologized for not telling
his attorneys, about the matter until
two years afterwards although In an
other Of the letters he says he told
his lawyers. @
Iemkc In Position to Know.
II never heard even a whisper of
such deal. although was one of
Mr.. Youmans' attorneys before the
supreme court" said Mr.. Lemke when
questioned about the matter. IF
there was any such offer by Townley,
certainly I, who was Youmans' attor-
ney and also attorney for the Nom
ley, would have known of it. YOU
mans case was prosecuted on the
square, and I would not have had any
connection with it for a minute had
there been even the slightest attempt
to improperly influence the court
elected by the farmers Of the state.
Furthermore. we have a court that
denounce any attempt to influence It.
am surprised and astonished that
Mr.. tYoumans should think that he
can discredit Mr.. Townley, the league
or the supreme court Of this state by
peddling such a story"
u MT 1OUmano, IN nls lSLAeI W Me,
said MI. Manahan. "asgtimed that
remember hts telling me about Town
ley's offer ~ the time. the suit was
before the supreme. court. Youmans
1 though i vas oils 81 i1ia attorneys,
and the story felt i1lsess nderbolt
qn me when ! got his recent letter
quote my words, when he gays he told
me abont It oyer two years ago. That
Is absolutely false. and looks to me
like an attempt to frame me up He
never. 1t any time until last week In
formed me Of this crazv story. You.
mAns' trial before the supreme court
was absolutely fair and above board
30 was the court. Youmans' attempt
ed use of this false yarn, apparently
to intimidate Townley. is one Of the
most contemplate things ever hearj
off,
Letters Made Public.
President Townley of the league al
4 SO makes public two letters he re-
ceived from Youmans containing
Christmas present checks for Mrs
December "a. 1917. and the other De.
cember 23, 1918. Both were sent by
Youmans after the alleged offer OF
Mr. Townley was made. The check.
are each for $25. On receiving the
checks Mr.. Townlev wrote in red ink
never cashed either Of them. Mr.
Townley produced the letters and un.
cashed checks from his files rs proof
that after the time Youmans claimed
} an. improper offer was made to him
} he wrote highly complimentary let
ters and sent checks to the person he
now says made that offer.
/, a" S~3c L,$A
time" Youmans wrote to Townley IL
December. 1917. 4 want you and you
family to think Of me as one of YOU
. many friends who appreciates wha
!. you have done and what you are do
ing for the common people OF thi
state and other states. Kindly accep
the inclosed, draft for s25 as .
;. bly, appreciates the privilege to sb'
claAsed as one Of your friends"
On December 23, 1918. a year later
!. Youmans wrote to the league presi
dent as follows: "Once more l wisl
to express to YOU in way stronge
: than words my appreciation of wha
> lyou have done and are doing and will
8 do for the common people as a. leade
: of the farmer league workers.
| send you herewith my check for
Christmas present for yourself an
3 family
Holds Townley Responsible.
Youmans' letter to Bank Examine
]. r., Waters asserted that Townle
was responsible for and ordered" tn
examination; Of Youmans' bank las
fall by the state examiners Office
when much bad paper was found Il
the bank. He alleges that Townle
did this out OF spite. In reply to this
Bank Examiner Waters has writte
. to Yonnaahs ~ follows
II want to say that Mr.. 'Townle
J. has never said one word to me In re
! gard to taking any drastic actio
against you or any bank or any othe
man or bank in the state Of Mort
Dakota, He has allowed me, II yo
Twill excuse the expression. to use m
: own judgment In handling hank al
. fairs In this state and has neve
horned In In any way: ~: 4 AZ
g the one man ana myself alone, VIII
insisted that you should not start an
more banks and have them finance
Z by the Savings Loan and Trust CON
2 nilpany . YoumAnS' bank)."
In his letter to n0wnley, fira
threatening to make public the stor
8 about Influencing the supreme cour
!. Continued on Page ~