South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-12
CHARGE SHERIFF
WITH EXTORTION
Eau Claire Citizens Petition
Governor to lnVeSti-
gate Facts.
Special to The News Times

Special to The Times.
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Sept
12-The republican machine was
given "a severe jolt Thursday when
charges were preferred against
Sheriff Harry r. Houge. Of Berrien
county, by The Berrien County
Journal. a newspaper published at.
Eau Claire, Mich.
The complaint. which was pre-
sented TO Gov. Albert r. Sleeper By
the complainant. Otto c. Waltsgott.
publisher OF the complaining news
paper. alleges that the sheriff has
been guilty Of official misconduct
and has also been guilty Of extor-
ton while serving his term Of office
WaltsgOtt asks that the gov
ernOr cause an immediate investiga-
ton Of the charges preferred in the
complaint, and that "a hearing may
be had 10 give relief 10 the county.
According TO the complaint.
Hogue is charged with obtaining
money under false measures while
serving as sheriff OF the county.
The complaint cites a number Of in
stances taken from a report which
was made by an investigating COM
mittee some time ago when the peo-
pie OF the county demanded a thor
ough investigation Of the sheriffs
official work.
start Investigation.
Through the efforts of leading
democrats in the county, along with
"a number OF prominent republicans
who felt that an investigation
should be made, a "whitewash in
vestigation" was started. but very
little OF the report was submitted to
the public. although just enough
leaked out from various sources to
convince those interested that
great number Of overcharges and
frauds had been practiced in the of
flee since HOgue took the ropes
II later leaked out that the in
vestieation committee was
framed-up committee composed Of
men who refused or rather did not
dare TO expose the sheriff. When
the county board Of supervisors de-
cided IL was time TO call a meeting
10 stop the talk OF misconduct in the
sheriff's office, il made rapid work
OF e. Supervisor Homer Z. Hess
OF Eau Claire. saw the chance to
recompense Hogue for the aid he
received at the polls and in a hap
hazard manner made a motion that
q committee Of five be appointed to
make a thorough investigation. ="
The motion was passed an a COM
mittee OF five, three republicans and
Il
rather, picked" and the investiga-
ton was on.
II soon leaked out that Hogue
told Chairman F. =. Culp who 10
appoint on that committee and
those mer were placed. They
found many Irregularities in the of
flee. but never made them public
nor took any action against their
friend Hogue.
Court Officer.
c. ". Rowland. a republican for
40 years and a county official for
"a number OF years, was court off
Ger at the time Of the probe, and
regardless of the fact that he said q
good many things unbecoming TO an
officer, he still holds that position.
and from all indications will hold
it until he cares TO resign.
on being asked what he would
say regarding the investigation or
the manner in which the records
show various expenses. he said. Il
have said enough and will say no
more until the time comes when &C
tion Will follow. then I will tell all
Z know and II don't do the sheriff
any good. either. I have been
around the court house for n num-
Der OF years and have not been
asleep. especially during the past
year or two
Ii is believed that he will be a
principal witness when the hearing
is opened il the governor grants it.
The complaint, which consists OF
5000 words. as sent to the governor
cites numerous instances of official
misconduct on the part of the sher
iff Instances are stated in which
Hogue is alleged 10 have collected
fees from the county for trips to
different cities and towns over the
state. both for himself and deputy
when he did not make such trips
The party in question was brought
TO Benton HarbOr or St Joseph by
the officers OF the other towns.
1T is also alleged that one Dave
VaIodish was sentenced TO COnfine-
ment in the Berrien county jail for
four months. and following a few
DAYS Jail sentence he was trans
ferred 20 Hogue's farmm where ht
was forced 10 work under trying
conditions. II also states that
three men were arrested and SEN
fenced 10 jail. but after serving a
few days were releasd by the sher-
If The men then went 10 work al
the creamery and paid the sheriff,
for his trouble. while h entered q
board bill against the county for
the care OF the prisoners. who were
at all times outside the Jail
r