Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-08-27
Clementson Replies
toGovernor in klan
Parade Controversy

(EuIIOF NOI6-AI IH0 request VI
the Herald Dist. Atty. Clementson has
prepared the following statement on
the Boscobel khan parade and fray.)
Lancaster, Wis, August "A, 1924
Editor of Grant County Herald,
SIR
Will you kindly allow me the use OF
your columns for the purpose of CIV
ing the public correct information re-
garding prosecution 1 have begun in
connection with occurrences at the
recent Khan parade in Boscobel?
My first knowledge that such par
ade had been held was last Monday
the 18th, when Mayor Kicks of Bos-
cobel, with Mr.. Geo. Hunt also of that
place, and Mr.. Bert Flesch of Mus
coda called at my office to complain
of the actions of Mr.. Geo. Shields, the
night-watch at Boscobel, at the time
of the parade, on the evening of Au-
gust 10th. My informants stated that
an authorized parade of Klansmen was
held on Main street in the early even
ing, Mr.. Hunt, / believe, being the
first man in the procession. The mar
cheers wore masks or hoods, and
marched with their arms folded
Shields Makes Gun Play
At point not far from the Central
House on Main street, Shields stepped
out, with a revolver in hand, and
lifted Hunts mask. He then lifted
the mask of woman who was few
steps behind Hunt, and, again, at
tempted to lift the mask worn by Bert
Flesch When he did this, Flesch hit
Shields with his fist and knocked him
back, whereupon Shields lifted his gun
and attempted to fire point-blank at
Flesch. The gun missed fire, and by
ISLANDERS prevented its further use.
Parade Was Authorized
l told these men that if those were
the facts, the matter certainly war
ranted action on my part. I was in
formed by Flesch that there was no
justice of the peace in Muscoda, and
told him that l would prepare a COM
plant and warrant and send them to
him the next day, and that he might
take them to Justice Payne at Bosco-
bel, make his complaint and have the
justice issue the warrant. Tuesday
morning I prepared a complaint and
warrant charging assault with intent
to do great bodily harm, and sent
them out to Flesch on the afternoon
mail. Before doing this l made in
quiries and had the story which had
been told me confirmed in its main
features. I also learned that the par
ade was sanctioned by The mayor and
a majority of the council, and that
Shields was not acting on orders.
1 had instructed the justice to send
the warrant when issued to the sheriff,
but it did not come to his hands until
Saturday, the 23rd. In the meantime
and on Friday the 22d, I received a
call from Mr.. Shields, Mr.. Bert Aus
tin and Mr.. Zillmer, the latter being
one of the aldermen of BoScObel
They had heard that a warrant had
been issued and wanted to know why
it had not been served. I told them
that it had not come to the sheriff
from Justice Payne as yet. Mr.
Shields and the others informed me
that they were just as anxious to have
the arrest made as the klanSmen
were, and asked me to promise that
if the warrant did not arrive very
soon that I would have new COM
plant made by the sheriff on infor-
nation and belief, and warrant is
sued from Lancaster. On the 23rd
therefore, I had the sheriff make such
complaint before Hon. E. B. Goodsell
County Judge and Court Commission
er. Mr. Shields came over, was ar
rested and the preliminary eXamina-
ton was set for Sept. 10.
Wires Back and Forth
When I went home at supper time
on the 22d I found the following tel