The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-10-05
Liquor Agent at Bien.
fat, Sask., Robbed
and Then Murdered

Lee Dlllakc, DuTke equity
farmer, living near Ignite, was
arrested Wednesday by Sheriff
Ed Drinkwater of Burke county,
on request of authorities at Bien-
fat, Sask., and warrant charg-
ing him with murder Of Paul
MatOff, Canadian liquor dealer, is
is being forwarded to Burke coun-
ty.
Dillage admits paying Matoff
$4,000 for two carloads of whis-
key and was present after the
shooting. When authorities ar
rived, Dillage was holding Mat
offs head, but disappeared shortly
after their arrival. He claimed
he was high jacked'' out of the
whiskey, Dillage has employed
Atty. B. A. Wilson of Fiaxton
and will fight extradition.
Bienfait, Sask., Oct. 4.-Another
one Of long list of crimes commit
ted by daring desperadoes operating
in middlewestern Canadian provinces
occurred here early today when Paul
Matotf, representative Of the Do
minion distributors, a liquor firm, was
shot and almost instantly killed by a
gang of robbers, who stole about
$4,000 from him, besides a valuable
cluster of diamonds and made their
escape, presumably into North Da-
kota. In high powered automobile.
Matoff, who has been here as a
representatives Of the Dominion dis
tributors, was preparing to have a
cargo of liquor shipped to another
point in the province. information
which authorities have CLEANED from
various sources leads them to believe
that sale Of liquor had just been
made to an American rum runner
who had paid for the goods, the
amount being approximately the
same as that reported to have been
stolen from Matof.
Authorities Working
Canadian authorities are making a
determined effort to halt the wave of
murderers, bank lootings, safe crack
ings and other depredations which
have kept small province towns in
fear for the past several weeks, and
resulting in losses to banking institu-
tions mounting into hundreds OF
thousands of dollars.
Although not confirmed, mounted
police here have learned that the
American rum runner who is sup.
posed to have purchased the carload
Of liquor, was "highjacked" short
time after starting on his run for the
states, losing his entire carload OF
booze, as we'll as the automobile.
Authorities are carefully investi'
eating this angle of the case. Accord
ing to reports, the alleged runner has
been operating out of small NORTH
Dakota town, situated quite close tt
the Canadian border. Although his
name was not disclosed, it is declared
that he has been in federal court be-
fore on charges of violation Of the
liquor laws.
@-" Death Instant
Matoff died almost instantly afte,
the shooting, which was done by ont
of the members of gang, supposed
to number about six. Physicians be
lieve that the charge was fired from
sawedoff shotgun. Matoff wa
given no warning, and was shot JUS
after he stepped from the door Of thu
Canadian Pacific depot here.
Federal prohibition agents accom-
panied by Chief of Police Larry Byrn'
of Minot and Deputy Sheriff Vande
noever, left for the north countr!
early Tuesday morning. Their desti
nation was somewhat Of mystery
tho it is said that Ignite, a NORTH
Dakota town located close to the Ca
madam border, was included in thei1
itinery. 1t is reported that a Lignit'
liquor dealer is the one who had pur
chased load of liquor from the Bien
fait dealer, and who claims that h
was robbed. The matter is being
thoroly investigated.
Simon Blocher Will Locate in Indian;
Simon Blocher will hold farm
sale, Wednesday, Oct. II. He ha:
been farming in the vicinity of Sur
rev since 1901 and intends to NOV.