Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-12-23
A CRIME WAVE OF OUR OWN
New York, Chicago and Minneapolis
Have Nothing On Emmons County
Seat When 1t Comes to Law In
fractions.


Readers of the eastern dailies would
lead one to believe that the big-town
editors are daily "chortling with glee"
at the vast amount of available live
news following what is being dubbed
"wave of crime" The big fellows
no doubt are getting their share of
it, but the capital city of the county
of Emmons, state of North Dakota, is
really "some punkins" along similar
lines, too.
Thursday of last week a force Of
some eight federal officers attacked
the city, armed with bountiful sup
ply of search warrants, and several
booze vendors, or at least, booze own
ers, were detected and hailed into Fed
eral court at Bismarck.
Sunday night, the fourth incendlary
fire broke out in period of only
about two months, burning a hotel
building, hardware store and the
former quarters of bank and cream
station.
Monday two Linton young men were
arrested charged with breaking into
box cars and appropriating to their
own use bountiful supply of good
things that rightfully belonged to an
other.
The Federal raid was under the di-
rection of Federal Officer Stone, ac-
companied by State Enforcement Of
ficer Watkins, and six other opera
tives. According to the Bismarck
Tribune, they found Intoxicating
liquors in the premises of Jos. Volk,
Jr., recent league candidate for sher-
iff; Andrew Scherr, living a few miles
northeast of town; M. Baumgartner,
of Strasburg; Fred. Kist, Linton;
Theo. Brenner, Linton; and Stephen
Goldade. Other places suspected
were searched and nothing found, it
being determined that if any contra
band was on hand, it was safely con-
cealed under the belt. of the owner.
The Record understands that Goldade
and Scherr pleaded guilty and were
fined $25 and costs, each. Baumgart-
ner pleaded not. guilty. Kist admit
ted liquor was found in his meat mar
ket, but states that il was left there
by persons, who bought and, ate
lunch at his place the night before
the raid.
In addition, we understand that the
Federal authorities took charge of the
LIQUOR and stills that were secured
last spring in raid engineered by I.
T. CLANCY, but which brought no
prosecutions on the part of local Of
ficials.
The fourth installment in the ac-
tivities of the local fre-bug but which
proved to be as completely successful
as the former attempts concerned tie
hotel run by Mrs. John Schenkenber-
ger and included the building occupied
by the Pomerance hardware store as
well. -.
The fire was discovered at about
the same time by Fred Heinrich and
F. Meier, ST., who rang the fire bell.
When first discovered the fire was on
the outside of the hotel kitchen and
close to one corner of the building.
Mrs. Schenkenberger had gone to her
home in West Linton for the night,
but Mr.. s. and 81 eral roomers were
asleep in the building and were awak-
ened by Mr.. Heinrich and son, Arthur.
By the time help arrived the fire was
beyond control. The fire engines
were brought into play, but were not
heavy enough for the job. In short
time, the entire building was in
flames, and the building on the south
occupied by Mr.. Pomerance went
along for good measure. The hotel
was two-story frame building. The
north wing of the building had been
occupied unil recently by Walter New
ing as a cream station and pressery.
The south wing was temporary quar-
ters for the Peoples State bank until
they moved into their new quarters.
About a hundred volunteer workers
removed the entire Pomerance stock
before the building burned, and the
owner arranged to use the former
Vorlander building as temporary quar-
ters..
As usual, the fire started at about
3 a. m, couple Of hours after the
street lights were out for the night,
and after practically everyone had
gone to bed. Like all former occa-
sions, there was little or no wind.
But. unlike other fires, this one was
discovered in time to make ceratin
that it started from without, and
proved conclusively that "bug' has
been at work. The Record UNDER
stands that the newly-installed fire.
whistle had been disconnected above
the roof of the power house so that
the man at the nlant was ,,nahlo r.