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Letter From Attorney General Langer To S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated November 16, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith, Langer responds to Smith's letter of November 14, 1918 regarding a confrontation over the closure of a pool hall. Langer writes that he has sent a telegram and that if the requested warrants are not issued, his office will take action against the parties mentioned in Smith's letter, as well as action to remove the States Attorney for not doing his duty with regard to the warrants.

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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General …

Letter From S. A. Smith To Attorney General Langer Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 14, 1918, S. A. Smith

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated November 14, 1918, from Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Smith describes an incident in which, on the order of the Board of Health, he attempted to close all pool halls. After a hall run by B. S. Davis re-opened, Smith's efforts to re-close the hall were challenged by Sheriff-elect Pazini. Smith writes that he has requested warrants for the arrest of both Davis and Pazini from States Attorney Gallagher, and that he will wire Langer if the requested warrants are not issued, and hopes that Langer …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities In Golden Valley County, November 13, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith, Langer replies to Smith's letter of November 10 regarding possible missing ballots, writing that he will go over the matter and write back the next day.

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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, November 10, 1918

Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, February 24, 1919

Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley …

Letter From S. A. Smith To Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities In Golden Valley County, November 10, 1918, S.A. Smith

William Langer Papers

In this letter from Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer Smith describes election irregularities involving possible missing absentee ballots.

Smith writes that in three of his precincts, where there were twenty absent voter's ballots but none for Governor Lynn Frazier, even though three voters say they voted for him. Smith asks whether there is any way to see the ballots without contesting the election.

Smith also adds in a handwritten note that he hopes Mrs. Langer is "fully recovered."

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Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election …

Letter From Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox To S. A. Smith Regarding Expense Reimbursement, October 26, 1918, Assistant Attorney General

William Langer Papers

Letter dated October 26, 1918 from North Dakota Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox to Golden Valley County Sheriff S.A. Smith regarding reimbursement for expenses incurred while capturing two bootleggers. Cox refers to Smith's letter of October 23, 1918 to ND Attorney General William Langer, in which Smith explains that he has incurred substantial expenses in a recent arrest, and asks Langer whether he can submit a bill. Cox relates that the State of North Dakota has no appropriated funds for expenses related to catching bootleggers and advises Smith to send his bill to his county.

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Letter from S. …

Letter From S. A. Smith To Attorney General Langer Regarding Captured Bootleggers, Reimbursement Of Expenses, October 23, 1918, S. A. Smith

William Langer Papers

Letter dated October 23, 1918 from Golden County Sheriff S. A. Smith to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer reporting that Smith has caught two men coming in from New Salem, ND with "booze." He writes that he turned the two men over to the U.S. Marshall's Office. Smith explains that he has incurred a lot of expenses related to the case and asks if he has permission to send Langer a bill.

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Letter from Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox to S. A. Smith Regarding Expense Reimbursement, October 26, 1918

Letter From Attorney General Langer To Don C. Smith Regarding Law Enforcement Situation In Marmarth, Nd, September 23, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated September 23, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Don C. Smith, Langer acknowledges Smith's letter of September 19 regarding the law enforcement situation in Marmarth, ND, and writes that he will do what he can "in the premises," and that he will be glad to get Smith's viewpoint.

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Letter from Don C. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Law Enforcement in Marmarth, September 19, 1918

Letter From Don C. Smith To Attorney General Langer Regarding Law Enforcement Situation In Marmarth, September 19, 1918, Don C. Smith

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated September 19th, 1918, from Don C. Smith to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Smith describes the current state of law enforcement in the city of Marmarth, ND. Smith writes that city officials are doing nothing about the unlawful sale of alcohol and are actively hindering the local police and sheriff, and that the local telephone exchange is conspiring with transporters of illegal alcohol to warn them of plans to intercept them, while refusing to place calls to the county sheriff and county attorney, claiming that those lines are out of order. Smith asks Langer …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To Sheriff George Laney Regarding Gambling In Napoleon, Nd, August 28, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated August 28, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Sheriff George Laney of Napoleon, ND, Langer replies to Laney's letter of August 26, 1918 regarding gambling in Napoleon, writing that as far as he understands, the party Laney mentioned in his letter is still engaged in gambling, and expresses his confidence that Laney will take the necessary actions to stop the gambling.

Letter From Attorney General Langer To T. N. Hartung Regarding Threats To Jacob Hehn, August 8, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated August 8,1918, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Stark County Sheriff T. N. Hartung, Langer refers to a letter he has received describing threats of death and arson to Jacob Hehn and his family, and listing Mrs. A. Kehrli, Mrs. John Knecht, Mr. John Knecht, Mrs. A.C. Palmer, and Miss Blanch Florek as parties who can corroborate the story. Langer asks Hartung to investigate the matter.

Letter From Attorney General Langer Replying To F. H. Lohr Regarding The Night Kersey Gowin Was Killed, Situation In Minot, May 3, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated May 3, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to F.H. Lohr Langer replies to Lohr's letter of April 29 regarding the night of Kersey Gowin's killing. Langer asks whether Lohr can go to Minot if Langer is able to arrange to have his expenses paid.

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Letter from F. H. Lohr to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Night Kersey Gowin was Killed, Situation in Minot, April 29, 1918

Letter From F. H. Lohr To Attorney General Langer Regarding The Night Kersey Gowin Was Killed, Situation In Minot, April 29, 1918, F. H. Lohr

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 29, 1918, from F. H. Lohr to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Lohr refers to being in Minot, ND the recent Friday night when two "force" men [one of them undercover detective Kersy Gowin] were shot. Lohr writes that on Saturday all the "vice holes" had closed out of fear of the police. He also offers the general assessment that the drinking in Minot is worse than ever, and that the chief of police is "nothing more than a bag of hot air" and a "co[w]ard."

Lohr explains that he was called home …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To Kersey Gowin Pledging Protection And Payment For Snow And Requesting Report On Situation In Minot, April 17, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 17th, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Kersey Gowin Langer responds to Gowin's letter of April 15, assuring him that he will protect Snow in every way he possibly can. Langer also attaches a blank bill for Snow to sign and return to him promptly. Langer promises to get Snow the money he needs.

Langer also urges Gowin to give him a full report of the situation in Minot, ND, and pledges to do all he can to help "O. B." out.

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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General …

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Regarding Beer Labeled "Great Northern Dining Services," April 17, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 17th, 1918, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer Gowin refers to beer acquired from bootleggers that appears to be labeled as Great Northern dining service product. He says part of the label has been torn off, but is "a nough to show where it come from."

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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging and Prostitution in Minot, October 29, 1917

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Reporting On Situation In Minot And Requesting That Langer Contact Irs Official J. A. Coffee, April 16, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 16, 1918, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Gowin informs Langer of rising prices for bootlegged alcohol and asks him to contact Internal Revenue Collector J. A. Coffee in Aberdeen, South Dakota and ask him for a list of people who have paid for government licenses, and to suggest that the two offices might cooperate with mutual benefits to both.

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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Langer's Stay in Fargo, Judge Coffee, April 18, 1918

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Regarding Payment For Snow, April 15, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 15th, 1918, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Gowin refers to a man named Snow who did some work for Gowin on the recommendation of "Dan" (likely Assistant Attorney General Daniel V. Brennan, who had recently died), who hadn't been paid because Dan "is no longer here."

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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging and Prostitution in Minot, October 29, 1917

Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Reporting Return of "O. B.," death of Dan Brennan, and Payment to Gowin, April 3, 1918 …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To George Laney Regarding The Henry Biersdorf Case, April 14, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 14, 1918, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Sheriff George Laney of Napoleon, North Dakota, Langer refers to the death of Henry Biersdorf, writing that Laney should investigate the Biersdorf's death, as Langer believes him to have been murdered. Langer adds that Laney may or may not need to hire additional detectives.

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Regarding Keg Party, Fundraising To "Beat The League", April 13, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 13th, 1918, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer Gowin updates Langer on the situation in Minot. Langer tells of plans being made by "Smith and the PM" for a keg party, and warns that E. H. Stenvick "has a scheme to get a democrat into Dan's place and one they can trust, I am told." He elaborates that the Democrats and Republicans are working to "beat the League men this fall" and gives information on donations locals have been making in order to "beat the League."

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Regarding The Death Of Dan Brennan, April 8, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 8th, 1918, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Gowin refers to the recent death of Assistant Attorney General Daniel V. Brennan, of pneumonia. Gowin expresses his condolences and his admiration for Brennan, and thanks Langer for arranging a recent payment. Gowin writes that he needs to hire another man, as one is not enough "with the Police & Sheriff Office all on the other side." Responding to Langer's statement in Langer's previous letter, that since Brennan's death everything is "up in the air," Gowin expresses his willingness to continue in …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To Kersey Gowin Reporting Return Of "O. B.," Death Of Dan Brennan, And Payment To Gowin, April 3, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

Letter dated April 3, 1918, from Attorney General William Langer in response to Gowin's letter of April 1, 1918.

Langer assures Gowin that "O. B." is "right back on the job, laments that "Dan" has died and that "Poor Dan died yesterday and our plans are all up in the air." Langer informs Gowin that he will soon receive his money for Sheridan County, and is enclosing a letter from the State's Attorney.

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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer regarding Drunkenness in Camps, April 1, 1918

Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Payment …

Letter From Kersey Gowin To Attorney General Langer Regarding Drunkenness In Camps, April 1, 1918, Kersey E. Gowin

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated April 1, 1917, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Gowin reports that he has just seen "O. B.," who is "feeling fine and says to go all the way down the line." According to Gowin, "O. B." was previously "inclined to go Slow, but on March 29 our Boys were going to the camps and about a dozen of them got pretty drunk...Mr. Henrickstad says we will now go to them and clean them up again." Gowin asks that, if possible, "D. V. B." (Assistant Attorney General Daniel V. Brennan) can …

Letter From Attorney General Langer To Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, January 25, 1918, William Langer

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated January 25, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall, Langer responds to Marshall's Letter of January 23, 1918, regarding the case of ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom. Langer writes that Lindstrom was in Bismarck a few weeks before and they went over the case thoroughly. Langer writes that Lindstrom has secured a divorce and that Langer is satisfied that Lindstrom's wife was the one at fault.

See also:

File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917

Letter from Salvation Army Ensign Marshall to Attorney General Langer …

Letter From Salvation Army Ensign Marshall To Attorney General Langer Regarding Oscar Lindstrom's Planned Visit To Bismarck, January 23, 1918, Marshall

William Langer Papers

In this letter, dated January 23, 1918, from Salvation Army Ensign Marshall to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Marshall refers to the planned visit of ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, and writes that he has been expecting Langer to call him to the meeting with Lindstrom since Langer's last letter on December 15, 1917. Marshall speculates that Langer must be busy and have good reason not to call. Marshall also writes that he would like to hear from Langer about the case as soon as convenient.

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File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 …