The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-05-22
LEO CHOSA AFOUL
Of THE GAME LAW.
EX,SUPERVISOR is TAKEN BY
BILLY" HANSON WITH %
BEAVER SKINS.

Supervisor VIM. A. Hanson of the
Superior Game Refuge assisted by
Warden Harri, made haul Fri2ay
evening in which they captured Leo
Chosa and Albert Johnson with 20
beaver hides, lodging the men in the
jailShere and contiscating their canoe,
tent and camping outfit.
Chosa and Johnson were brought
before Judge Zoretic in Municipal
Z urt Saturday where Johnson plead
guilty on two Joint charges of having
l5 and IA beaver skins illegally in
possession and was fined $50 and $40
and costs.
Chosa plead not guilty and was re-
leased on bail to appear on Wednes-
day for trial Wednesday Chosa APP
pearied with his attorney, H. j. Mer-
dink and the case was again put over
until June 2, owing to the unavoid-
able absence of Attorney Merdink.
Leo Chosa held the position of
Supervisor of Wardens on the sup
erior Game Refuge and was the first
supervisor to be appointed by Conn
missioner Gould upon the creation
of this position. At that time, the
appointment was made against the
judgement of sportsmen in this sec
ton and other sections of the state.
Chosa being an Indian of mixed
blood, had the reputation of beir@
the liking bee of the outlaw trappers
and it was the opinion of many that
this trait could not be outlived by
the supervisor even in this new pos
ition. Commissioner Gould, how
ever, held to his appointment claim
lung that Leo Chosa had it in him
to make good chief warden and if
: he displayed the same tenacity in the
conduct of his office as he did n
the trapping before that, he would
make valuable man.
Every assistance was rendered the
new supervisor by the State Game
and Fish Commissioner and his de-
partment. Chosa knew all the ms
and outs of the illegal trapping and
fur-running game; knew who was
engaged therein; knew the country
like book-in fact was the big man
for the place providing the propen-
sites shown before his appointment
were not put to the personal use
of the new warden. All this is now
ancient history.
VIM. A. Hanson, present supervis-
or, was Chosa's chief deputy and a
very valuable man. ChoSa held ris
position not quite year when he
resigned. Whether or not the res
ignation was forced, we are not pre-
- A. 70 I'll
Hanson was made supervisor after
Commissioner Gould had coferred
with local citizens.
Since the appointment of Hanson,
Chosa has been heard to remark,
so it is said, that he would show what
could be done in illicit beaver skins
and also that Hanson would not be
spry enough to catch him. Even
when starting on the trip which re-
suited in the arrest of Chosa the
latter remarked to Supervisor Han
son that he (Hanson) would not see
the equipment again upon being ON
plimented on the neatness thereof.
This same equipment is now under
confscation.
Under the. supervision of Hanson,
this office has become a terror to the
beaver poachers in particular and
several have felt the hand of the law
in this vicinity. Only three weeks
ago two Winton men were given the
maximum in fines and sentenced to
ITO days each for Illegal beaver
trapping and the possession of rides.
Hanson is doing excellent work in
the large territory to be covered by
small crews. The new system of no
licenses on the reserve, THE trapping
of predatory animals being done by
wardens in the employ of the state