Evening journal., 1922-10-26

leggers.
BY NEA Service
KINGSDALE, Minn.-war to the
death, war with rifles. revolvers,
fire and dynamite is being waged in
this little community between an or
ganized gang of IS bootleggers and
a small group of Kingsdale citizens.
Heading the citizens is Charles r.
Grace. community leader and
staunoh upholder OF law and order.
Acts Of terroriEation which the
desperadoes have committed in
clude:
The burning Of Graoe's lumber
camps, with a loss Of $4,000.
The dynamiting Of his $4,000
hotel and business block, endanger-
Ing the lives OF himself and his
family.
The shooting up" OF the town
with revolvers and rifles, and
three-hour reign OF terror
The driving of four preachers
from Kingsdale.
Open threats of death against
Grace and his family.
BUT
They are not going to make me
quit" says Grace. Mine was the
second family to settle here. 1t is
my town. They may get me, but
Klngsdale will be here when I'm
gone"
In Armed Camps
Grace has appealed TO the COVER
nor and TO federal agents for aid.
Meantime the two factions face each
other from armed camps.
The bootleggers have established
themselves in an almost inaccessible
stronghold in the dense woods along
the Minnesota Wisconsin boundary
near the junction OF the st. CroiX-
and Tamarack rivers. Sentrtes
with loDg-range rifles, stationed at
far outposts, guard all approaches.
The gangsters are familiar with all
the thicket passes-a knowledge not
possessed by dry law enforcers. 1t
is believed that nothing but a
strategic attack and a pitched battle
can dislodge them.
Here in Kingsdale is the Other
camp, that OF Grace and his sup
porters. They also have armed them
selves with revolvers and long-range
rifles. Before the entrance to
Grace's hotel and business block
continually stands an armed sentry.
In his general store his son, Ches- |
ter. and his three daughters, Eliza |
beth. Florence and Ida, go about |
their business, but guns are within
easy reach--and they all know how
to use them effectively.
The war started when Grace was
reported to have tipped off dry |
agents to the bootleggers' activi- |
ties. There was a raid upon 20 big |
stills near here. and 1000 tons of !
sugar and thousands of gallons Of
mash were seized.
Dynamite Building
Seeking revenge, the moonshiners !
rode into town en- masse, placed |
dynamite in front Of the store and /
set il off. There was n blast which |
shook the country for five miles /
around. Grace and his family were I
hurled from their beds. His sons |
back was wrenched, and n guest and |
the hired man, John Jacobson, were /
severely cut by flying glass from |
shattered windows.
And yet. with the exception of
Grace and his little band of follow
ers Che can almost count them on
one hand) no one could be found |
who knew anything about it. They
gazed at the debris which Uttered
he street-and kept mum.
The blast failed 10 shake the
courage of the little group.
I'VE will stay and fight TO the
inish." Grace cnnounced. my
family win not desert me. They
will stick, too"
rcrrorize Town
Then. a few days later, Is OF the
gang rode into town. firing as they
anne. The inhabitants fed before
hem into the shelter OF their
homes. For three hours the raid
FRS rode up and down the main
street. spreading intimidation and
error.
I'VE will stick" again announced
trace. following the raid.
Grace bought the Kingsdale town
ite nine years ago. moving here
With his family. The little town,
ituated about 100 miles north of
Il. Paul. on the Wisconsin bound
.ry, grew into a typical little orderly
rontier settlement of some $50 in
labitants. The nearest town is Pine
,ity the county seat, 40 miles away.
Preachers.
For six years. Grace ruled over
he town peacefully. Then came,
And. according to
trace. many turned their efforts TO
making moonshine for smugglig
nto St. Paul, Minneapolis and Du-
nth.
Three years ago an attempt was
made to start a church to counterfeit :
he evil effects of moonshine. But
t the first meeting band OF in
aders entered the schoolhouse
where the meeting was being held.
nd demanded in forceful terms that
he minister leave town. He left.
Three other minister's who came \
o Kingsdale also were driven from \
own by threats Of the opposing ele- ]