The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-08-25

Became Peeved Over Sale of
Stock in Anchor Shipbuilding
Company by w. NickOlaysen.
Echoes of the organization of the
Anchor Shipbuilding company in
this city by w. Nicolaysen are being
heard in the United States Court
at Superior this week in a trial in
which Thomas Tollefson, of Superior,
former County Clerk of Oneida Coun
ty and a former bank cashier, is
being tried on the charge of misuse
of the United States mails, in which
the life of Nicolaysen was said to
have been threatened. The follow
ing Superior dispatch tells of the
case:
SUPERIOR, Aug. 22.-Thomas
Tollefson, former cashier of the AL
louez State Bank of this city and for
many years county clerk of Oneida
county, was placed on trial before
Judge C. 2. Luse in federal court late
in the afternoon charged in an in
dictment with illegal and improper
use of the mails. 1t is charged that
Tollefson devised scheme to trick
and defraud w. Nichalayson, form
er president of the Anchor Ship
building company of Washburn.
A series of startling revelations
were made by District Attorney Will
liam Dougherty in his Introductory
address to the jury.
Bomb Threat
The government will content that
Tollefson at various times threaten
ed the life of Nicholayson both by
letter and worth of mouth.
1t will also charge that number
of letters were mailed Nicholayson
at his Duluth home, 623 Thirty-ninc
avenue West, by Tollefson stating
that if $100 was not paid him, the
residence would be blown up by a
dynamite bomb.
1t is alleged that letters were
signed by Tollefson with the prefix,
yours for a square DEAL
money Or gore," was the word
ing over at least one of the letters,
say the government officials.
The alleged threats on the life of
Nicholayson the government will
claim, were the result of the pur-
chase of $500 worth of Anchor Ship
building company stock by Tollefson.
Later Nicholayson servered his con
nections with the company and it is
alleged that he was approched num-
erous times by Tollefson who desired
to resell the stock Nicholysor re-
fused to buy the stock and the letters
resulted.
as evidence yesterday by District
a sevidence yesterday by District
Attorney Dougherty.
Bomb Actually Placed
When Nicholayson and his wife
each received letter purported TO
be from Tollefson on July 10, 1919,
the federal postal authorities were
notified.
1t was charged that a dynamite
bomb had been left nthe porch of
the Nicholayson home by Tollefson
or some one in Tollefson's employ.
The fuse had been lighted ard an
explosion had been prevented by the
fact that the fuse had been broken
a short distance from the bomb.
District Attorney Doughery also
alleges that Tollefson also mailed
various newspaper clippings con-
tanning stories of violent deaths in
an effort to terrorize Nicholayson.
Many Jurors Know Him
Tollefson was apprehended at Min
neapolis written by Post Office In
letter writtenu by Post Office In
spector Flemming supposed to con-
tain money from Nichaloyson was
called for.
IlC "AAA AAN-ONS~SN -
alleged written confession to the
entire plot said to have been signed
by Tollefson.
Fully two hours were required tc
draw a jury panel to hear the case
A number of talesman claimed ac'
quaintances with Tollefson, who is
widely know in northern Wisconsin
Ncholyason was the first witness
called to the stand by the government
He was on the stand at the close OF
the session at Friday undergoing
cross examination by H. w. DIETRICH
attorney representing Tollefson.
Alleged Confession
Thirteen exhibits including letters
and an alleged signed confession 0