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“HIGH-JACK”

IOWA BOOZE RUNNER

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“Phoney” Revenue

Officer Scares “Legger” into Leaving 62 Gallons of Illicit Alcohol Behind.

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CLEVER TRICK PLAYED

AT SLEEPY EYE, CLAIM

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Victim Advised by

Friends to Keep Quiet

and Take Loss, Which Is Valued at $930.

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A wet goods dealer at Sleepy Eye has developed a rather clever method of obtaining copious stocks of his wares without expending a cent, according to a story told to the Journal this week by one who claims to be fully conversant with all of the wily details of the affair. The clever trick has been successfully carried out three times, each application netting a veritable windfall of illicit booze.

“High-Jack” Booze Runner.

The man alleged to have brought the booze to Sleepy Eye is W. A. Hendrickson, of Estherville, Iowa,who is said to have been making regular trips to New Ulm and Sleepy Eye at stated intervals since the advent of Volsteadism. It is said he was to deliver a cargo of alcohol – 62 gallons – valued at $930, to Henry Seifert at Sleepy Eye, upon the latter’s written order through the mail. Arriving at his destination with the commodity, Mr. Hendrickson was told to deliver the alcohol to the Jim Dey farm in the town of Home, and did so in company with his customer. No sooner had the booze been transferred from the big Iowa car to the modest gasoline buggy of the prospective purchaser, when John J. Grimes, rural mail carrier on route 6, Sleepy Eye, is alleged to have appeared on the scene impersonating a revenue officer. At his imperative command, reinforced with a drawn revolver, Hendrickson and Seifert threw up their hands, and the “phoney” prohibition sleuth informed them that not only the cargo, but his big auto, as well were under confiscation. He also made a search of their personal belongings while their hands were in the air.

“Released” the Car.

Upon the urgent plea of Hendrickson, the “revenue officer” agreed to release the auto, provided the Iowa man would “head south” and “step on ‘er,” never once looking back. He grabbed the opportunity to escape, but did look back and saw the “revenue officer” on his trail, but he soon retraced his steps to the Dey farm. Not until he was well under way toward Sleepy Eye did it finally dawn upon Hendrickson that he had been made the victim of bold “high-jackers.” The more he thought the matter over, the clearer became his conviction that this was the case.

“Friends” Say Keep Mum.

Upon arriving at Sleepy Eye, the Iowan sought out his “friends” there and told them the details of his rather exciting and costly experience. While sympathizing with him, they advised him to keep mum and take his loss philosophically, as he would have no show in court, should he expose the perpetrators of the desperate booze holdup. The rum runner exhibited a letter at the post office which he had received from the Sleepy Eye man, ordering a consignment of alcohol. Hendrickson then came to New Ulm and consulted local attorneys, but up to the present time no arrests have been made. He was advised to keep his troubles to himself.

Matter Hushed Up.

For various good and valid reasons,the recent “high-jack” affair has been hushed up, like its two predecessors, and the perpetrators have again escaped. It is rather surprising that similar “stick-up” stunts are not pulled off more frequently, in view of the admittedly numerous visits which rum runners pay to this section. It remained for the Sleepy Eye men to inaugurate real, honest-to-goodness “high-jack” tactics in dealing with purveyors of illicit hard liquor – and get away with it. New Ulm wet goods dealers are apparently somewhat behind the times in this respect.

Grimes Resigns as Carrier.

The “holdup” took place Tuesday afternoon of last week and Hendrickson remained in Sleepy Eye several days and went to the post office one morning to identify Grimes, and they soon were in heated argument shortly after Hendrickson accused Grimes,who was about to start on his daily mail delivery. He denied that he was implicated. A personal encounter was narrowly averted on the street in front of the post office. Grimes handed in his resignation as rural carrier, last Friday, and was immediately released of his job by Postmaster W. R. Hodges.

Sheriff and Police Ignored.

Sheriff W. J. Julius was not notified of the “holdup”, nor were the police authorities of Sleepy Eye. It was sort of a gumshoe episode. While Sheriff Julius and County Attorney W. T. Eckstein drove through Sleepy Eye Monday, they made a short stop and learned for the first time that a highly interesting episode had held the boards for nearly a week and not a zephyr anent the affair had wafted to the county bastile and the sheriff feels that the word “co-operation” is a misnomer and used only by our present statesmen who aspire to high office. The Sleepy Eye police are said to be in the same atmosphere of mystery. The question asked frequently is: “What has become of the booze?”

Couldn’t Cash Checks Here.

Several weeks ago Hendrickson was in New Ulm and attempted to cash a number of checks, one of them being for $60, issued by a Tracy man. Not being known at the bank, payment was refused without local endorsement. He stated that he knew several prominent New Ulmites, but decided however, to make collection of checks at Tracy. He stated to the bank he was in the land business.

Brown County Journal

Nov. 23, 1923

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COUNTY

ENTRANTS

PULL DOWN PRIZES

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Elmer and Lurena Isaksen

Secure First Places in Different Classes on Their Calves.

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11-YEAR-OLD LAD IS

STATE CALF CHAMPION

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Highest Honors in Junior

Livestock Show Go to Mark Kelsey of Lewisville.

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The Boys’ and Girls’ Baby Beef and Pig clubs of Brown county came back stronger than ever this year at the Junior Livestock Show held at South St. Paul last week, and piled up. a string of awards unexcelled by any other county in the state. Although they were not fortunate in capturing the grand champion prize, their winnings were consistently good and always top-notchers. Thirteen placings in the upper five positions certainly speaks well for the excellent merit of the livestock shown.

Following shows how they stood and the prizes won:

Elmer Isaksen, first junior yearling Hereford, second in open class all breeds competing. Prizes won, one purebred Hereford calf offered by Potter and Dahlberg, Springfield, $32cash and bronze medal. Lorena Isaksen, first grade calf Hereford, second in open class all breeds competing. Prizes won, one purebred Hereford calf offered by O. W. Healy & Son, together with Phipps and Armstrong, $32 cash and bronze medal. Elizabeth Isaksen, second grade Hereford calf, third in open class all breeds competing, $25 cash prize.

The above three calves were shown as a county group and won first Hereford group for Brown county and a special prize of $25.00.

Armund Scheibel, third purebred Hereford junior yearling, fourth in open class against all breeds. Prize won, $16.00. Herbert Anderson, third grade junior yearling Hereford, tenth in open class against all breeds. Prize won, $14.00.

The above five steers were sold individually at auction and averaged more than 20 cents a pound. Armund Scheibel getting the highest average of 23 cents a pound and netting their owners over one thousand dollars.

Tracie Faltis, fifth purebred junior yearling Hereford, 22nd in open class. Prize won, $14.00-Jerome Johnson, seventh purebred junior yearling shorthorn, thirteenth in open class. Prize won, $14.00. Lydia Potter, seventh purebred Hereford calf, thirteenth in open class. Prize won, $14.

The above three calves sold in groups and averaged $11.30 per hundredweight. Zelda Johnson, second Chester White barrow and ninth in open class, sold at $7.20 per hundredweight. When we consider that these placings were won in competition with 225 entries from every county in the state, Brown county may well feel proud over the splendid work done by the youthful feeders and exhibitors of their home county. But the work does not end with the winning of prizes, two carloads, with a total of twenty-six baby beef calves and one fat barrow were shipped down to the show for sale and exhibition. This was the greatest contribution to the show of any county in the state. They averaged over ten cents a pound and will return to the boys and girls over $4,000 cash money.

Prize Money.

Possessed of prize money, in some cases aggregating more than $1,000, laden with cups and decorated with ribbons and medals, 400 boys and girls returned to their farm homes this week, after having had “the time of their lives” at the sixth annual Junior Livestock show at So. St. Paul last week.

The show, bigger in all respects than its five predecessors, was an outstanding success in every department.

First honors in the show classic – the calf contest, went to Mark Kelsey, Lewisville, Watonwan county, who exhibited a Shorthorn. It was a close race between his animal and a Hereford, fed by Thomas Kelly of Lake Benton, Lincoln county. Thomas was the Reserve Champion last year and the year before.

This was the first time that Mark had entered an animal in the show, though last year he was in the county contest. He is a little fellow, only 11 years old. When his calf was finally awarded the grand championship, he was lifted to the shoulders of his admirers so all in the crowded pavilion could see the diminutive lad, who had raised the best calf in Minnesota’s 1923 junior livestock club work.

Record Prices Paid.

Record breaking prices were paid for all these animals when they were sold at auction, Friday. The Grand champion calf sold for $1 a pound, the whole animal bringing $1,110, making Mark’s total winnings at the show aggregate $1,220, to which must be added a couple of cups. The champion hog sold for 55 cents a pound and the sheep for $1.60 a pound. Because of the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, high prices for the prize poultry prevailed, the champion cocks having brought 41 cents, ducks, 53 cents, and geese 31 cents.

The show was a continuous round of entertainment for the youngsters, the climax of which came Thursday night when St. Paul and Minneapolis business men entertained at a banquet. Never have the combined dining rooms of the St. Paul Athletic club seen such a crowd and never did a crowd of boys and girls have such a good time. Prominent business men made speeches, a Boys’ band played and a “good time was had by all.”

Brown County Journal,

Nov. 23, 1923

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FOUR

ARRESTS ON

“MOON” CHARGES

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Jacob Fritz, A. S. Dorn,

Chas. Lindmeyer and Arth.

Roth Plead Guilty.

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DRUNKEN FARM HAND IS

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

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Frank Wilkins, Nabbed for

Insobriety, Tells Local Authorities Where He Obtained Booze.

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Jacob Fritz, who conducts a soft drink parlor on First North street, and A. S. Dorn, one of the proprietors of a like establishment on North Broadway, appeared before City Justice N. Henningsen, Tuesday morning, and plead guilty to charges of having sold a glass of moonshine for 25cents to Frank Wilkins, a farm hand employed by Wm. Engel of Nicollet township, Sunday. Justice Henningsen accepted their pleas of guilty and imposed a fine of $25, with $4.05 costs attached, in each instance.

Two Other Arrests.

Arthur Roth, licensee and Chas. Lindmeyer, who conduct a soft drink parlor on Front street, near the Eagle mill, were also served with warrants, Monday, charging the sale to Wilkins of a quart of moonshine for $3, on October 17. Both men appeared before Justice Henningsen, Tuesday afternoon, and plead not guilty. Their trial was set for yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock, but prior to the time of the trial they visited the local justice’s office and plead guilty to the charge. Each was fined $25 with costs of $4.05 in each case.

Wilkins Informs Police.

Wilkins was arrested by Policeman Ed. Wagner, Sunday evening, for drunkenness and lodged in the city lockup, until the following morning, when he was taken before Justice N. Henningsen and plead guilty. Upon being questioned, Wilkins stated he had secured the moonshine at the Jacob Fritz and A. S. Dorn places and admitted that he had obtained the same kind of hard liquor in the Roth establishment, October 17. As a result of this information, Chief of Police Alwin Harmening swore out complaints against all of the alleged offenders and caused their arrest, under the provisions of city ordinance No.121.

Brown County Journal,

Nov. 23, 1923

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P.M. APPOINTMENT

IS BEING HELD UP

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Nearly Six Months Haye Elapsed Since List of Eligibles Was

Announced. Maneuvering of Every Description Has Been in Progress. Objections to Krook’s Appointment Filed at Washington. Congressman Clague Predicts New Examination.

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The question is often asked: “When will the new postmaster of New Ulm assume his office?” The civil service commission conducted an examination of candidates and a dozen applicants filed, and were in their hands April 17, 1923. Nearly two months thereafter, on June 8th, the ratings of the three eligibles were announced namely, Frederick Pfaender, Wm. S. Vercoe and L. B. Krook.

Postmaster Pfaender’s term of office expired July 28, 1923. The question then arose, who was to be selected by Congressman Frank Clague from the list of eligibles. After considerable maneuvering, Chairman Geo. B. Weiser of the Republican County committee and Congressman Frank Clague decided that the one on the eligible list receiving the highest number of votes from the New Ulm postmaster. The result was that Krook received 13 votes, Vercoe 9 and Pfaender 4.

After this was out of the way, it was announced that Mr. Krook would be certified and would assume his office October 1st or 15th. The time passed and no name had been certified to the department. Instead, however, the Post Office department at Washington and the Postmaster General were bombarded with objections as to the methods used in staging the election and reasons, political and otherwise, were transmitted in opposition to Mr. Krook.

Influential friends of Mr. Pfaender also opportuned the Postmaster General to retain him in his present position.

When Congressman Clague was in the city the forepart of the month, he announced that from the present outlook the entire eligible list was of no effect and that undoubtedly a new examination would be ordered and further stated that those now on the list would be eliminated entirely. This announcement is the latest phase on the political horizon and is an entirely new angle in the selection of a new postmaster to succeed the present incumbent.

Congressman Clague left for Washington last week and all the remonstrances filed with the Post Office department will receive his attention, as will other matters which are delaying the appointment.

Five and one-half months have elapsed since the list of eligibles has been announced. It is, however, nothing unusual to have appointments delayed months thereafter, and even new examinations are ordered at times.

Brown County Journal,

Nov. 23, 1923

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TWO HANSKA MEN

DRUNK, FINED $100

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Jacob Jaramoe and Bert Lind of Neighboring Village Had Spill Sunday on Bridge Street.

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JUS. HENNINGSEN TOLD

THEM MORE NEXT TIME

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Jaramoe was Driving Car.

Both Were Scarred Up Some

in Tipover. -Paid Fines With

Nonchalance.

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When fined $100 and costs for being notoriously drunk, while riding in an automobile, in Justice N. Henningsen’s court Monday morning, Jacob Jaramoe, the driver, and Bert Lind, his companion, both of Hanska, nonchalantly offered the justice their check in payment. They were informed that the cash was desired. They took the matter as an everyday matter and went out and in a few moments returned with a big roll of bills, from which the desired amount was peeled off and given to the justice. They had the alternative of serving ninety days in the county jail.

Given Severe Reprimand.

After paying the fine and the costs of the escapade, which totaled $105.05 in each case, the men prepared to leave the court, but were recalled by Justice Henningsen and given a severe reprimand. The justice informed them if they appeared in his court again upon a like charge that the sentence would be much more severe. He told them they were endangering not only their own lives, but the lives of others when operating a car in a drunken condition. He called to their attention that they might have killed others by the manner in which they were driving.

Both plead guilty to the charge, without any defense, following the reading of the warrant, and were immediately sentenced by the local justice. They did not retain an attorney.

Jaramoe was at the wheel and the car was zigzagging across the highway on Bridge street. It was with difficulty that P. H. Furth, who was driving along the street at the time, avoided being run into. Shortly after passing him they ran off the road and into a rock pile. Both were dumped out of the machine and bruised up somewhat. The police were called and gathered them in. The car was taken to a local garage and repaired. The fenders were bent and a few minor damages resulted from the rock pile episode.

Brown County Journal,

Nov. 23, 1923