Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-08-27
ram from Gov. Blaine:

Madison, Wis, Aug. %, 1924.
Geo. B. Clemenston, Dist. Atty,
Lancaster, Wis.
On my return to the capitol I am
creditably informed that a masked
mob of Klansmen at Boscobel a week
ago today insulted a police officer and
that assailants were masked with the
white hood. If assailants are known
immediate proceedings should be in
stituted, and if they are unknown, then
John Doe proceedings should be COM
menced to determine identity of as
sailants and followed by prosecution
Law provides double penalty for
criminal acts when committed by any
person masked. Report Immediately
John ]. Blaine, Governor.
At the first opportunity, the morning
of the 23rd, 1 replied by telegram:
Answering your telegram, I would
say that I shall arrest officer you
mention some time today, on charge
of assault with intent to do great bod
lily harm. Facts seem to warrant
such action, and both khan and anti
khan adherents urge it, including Of
ficer himself. Preliminary examina-
ton will show what actually occurred
I shall also investigate mob feature
Will write you fully tomorrow.
Geo. B. Clementson, Dist. Attorney
Grant county"
In the course of the same forenoon
and without postponing the matter,
wrote the governor giving him all the
info1 nation I had.
Late in the afternoon of the 23rd, ]
received the following telegram from
the governor:
"Your suggestion of arrest of police
officer to try out mob violence is put
ting the cart before the horse Hood
ed Klansmen doing violence create 6
serious situation and there must be
no farce tolerated in preventing moi
violence. The circumstances involve
more than local affair and the whole
state is interested in preventing moi
rule superseding government.
John J. Blaine, Governor"
Denies "MOb Violence"
In reply | sent the following mes
sage:
answering your last telegram, in
which you repeatedly use the words
mob violence I would say: There
has been no complaint or claim on the
part of anyone but yourself that there
was any mob violence at Boscobel
So far as I can learn there was nc
disorder whatever except in connec-
ton with the interference with the
Khan parade by the night watch
am concerned at this time simply
with the case of one citizen pulling a
gun on another, apparently without
justification, and it is immaterial in
my view whether those concerned
were Klansmen and anti-Klansmen,
or Hottentots and Zulus. The laws OF
Wisconsin do not permit free gun play
am doing my duty as it plainly ap-
pears to me and shall continue to dc
it without partisanship. AS an i'm
partial officer of considerable exper-
fence it seems to me that I am better
able to judge of the action the situa-
ton requires than you are in Madi-
son. When you speak of farce, ii
would certainly be a farce if 1 tried
to create a mob out of the materials
possess in this case.
Geo. B. Clementson, Dist Attorney
GRAVITY County"
In conclusion I would say that nc
complaint or charge of mob violence
has been made to me, or even claim OF
disorder. except as above stated The
hearing will develop the facts, and il
anything appears which will justify
Governor Blaine's use of the words
| mob violence" appropriate action
will be taken.
GEO. B. CLEMENTSON, Dist. Atty