The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1921-01-20
s. Fafer Night Policeman Probably Fatally Shot by Avery
Erkq Minnesota WhSkey Runner Erickson Wounded by Faher
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by that time, told her to call additional
police and doctor. DR.. Erenfeld,
who lives in that vicinity, was called
and he ran out hurriedly in his pa
jamas, learned what was the matter,
and went back for his coat, returning
to give Fahler first aid Fahler was
taken to the hospital in the patrol,
where it was found that he was in a
precarious condition, Surgeons do
not dare to operate on him for he
would never withstand the shock. No
attempt has been made-to locate the
two bullets. Six hours after the shoot
ing, his pulse was reported stronger
and doctors say he has bare chance
to recover, unless internal hemorrage
sets in. 1t is probable that one of the
bullets entered his lungs and that
the other passed thru his stomach.
Fahler made deposition before
Asst. States Attorney Nestos telling
the facts in the case, the testimony to
be used against Erickson in case that
the officer dies.
The whiskey car, big 80 horse
power Studebaker; 1919 model. was
filled with eight large sacks of Green
River whiskey, which Erickson was
hauling from Canada to Minnesota.
There was grip, shovel, etc, in the
car and it is believed that he was
travelling alone, as there was no room
in the car for ANOTHER passenger
Erickson had just arrived in Minot
after ar all night ride down from
Canada. He had hauled whiskey thru
here three or four times before, but
he lost his bearings and was looking
for gas filling station when Officer
Fahler found him. After he was tax
en- to the hospital, Erickson talked
freely to the officers, informing them
that he was riding in stolen car. The
car carried Saskatchewan license.
Erickson declares that had he known
that Fahler was an officer he would
not have shot him,
Erickson's wife has been notified
and she is enroute from Chisholm,
Mimi. and will arrive tonight. Erick-
son is about 26 years of age. Fahler
has lived in Minot for years. For a
long time he was employed by the
J. B. Reed Transfer Co. and later op-
Sl S1CCu O"H uldy llllc JNC
name of the Fahler Transfer Co For
a year or more, he was employed by
the Northwestern Hide & Fur Co., but
for two months has been connected
with the Minot police department. He
was known to be man without fear
He has wife and one son about s
years Of age.
Officer Chris Larson was the first
man to reach Fahler after he was shot
Fahler said: Chris, Pm shot. l shot
three times. See if got him." Lar
son looked into the car, expecting to
find the man there.
Later: Erickson is very much more
seriously wounded than at first re-
ported and it~will be three or four
days before the danger point will have
passed. If infection sets in, he can
not possibly recover. Otherwise, he
is apt to pull thru, tho he is a mighty
gun entered the back two inches.
above the pelvic bone and passed di-
agonally upward striking the spinal
column and the 11th rib. 1t passed
thru his body for Is inches. The bull
let, was battered when located
Erickson talked freely Of the affair
to his surgeon. He stated that he had
stolen the car, whiskey and all in Can
ada. He had waited at the whiskey
station until the owner of the outfit
went in to settle for the whiskey,
when he jumped in the car and head
ed for the States. Erickson is fine
looking fellow and shows no signs Of
dissipation. He was quite particular
that the newspapers say nothing about
his being whiskey runner.
Erickson talked with Chief. Nc
Donald and Capt, John Reed Of the af-
fair. He said he saw arman follow
ing his car. He was driving slowly
looking for place to buy gasoline.
His gas tank was about half full, but
he intended making long run and
didn't want to stop. Fahler, he says,
came walking towards the car and
Erickson got out, walking back to see
why he was being followed. Fahler
was dressed in plain clothes and he
said he had no idea he was an officer,
otherwise he would have given him
self up, he states. He offered Fahler
$50 to let him go, but the officer said
he would have to lock Erickson up.
Fahler made the mistake Of stepping
up onto the running board of the car
to see what was in it. At that, Erick-
son shot. 4
Fahler's story comedies with that
of Erickson perfectly. He says that
after he was shot, he tried to get up,
but failed. He turned on his side and
rested his elbow on the ground SO that
he could steady his revolver, and shot.
One Of the bullets passed thru the
front side curtain Of the car, coming
out of the top.
It was found that Erickson or some-
one else had filed off all the. numbers