Pope County’s famous hog case decided by the jury

From the Pope County Tribune, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1924

Patronize the Library: The Glenwood Public Library wishes again to extend a hearty welcome to all citizens of Pope County to make more use of its reading room and facilities. We have been adding much new material for children where it was badly needed, but our last order is one that adults will find invaluable. Also, a traveling library is to be added.

A cut in price on all Ford motor cars became effective today, according to S.A. Stellwagen, manager of the Minneapolis branch. A reduction of $25 on a Fordor Sedan and similar reductions on other models has been made by the company. New prices run as follows: Runabout, $260; touring car, $290; coupe, $520; Tudor Sedan, $580; Fordor Sedan, $660; chassis, $225; and truck chassis, $365.

The regular meeting of the Civic Club was held at the home of Mrs. Geo. Cheeseman on Monday evening. Education was the topic of the evening with Mrs. Jeffers as leader. The corresponding secretary gave an extract from the President’s letter telling what other clubs of the state were accomplishing. Mrs. Hakes gave a review of John Drinkwine’s play, “Robert E. Lee.” Mrs. N.R. Olson gave an interesting talk on “The Influence of the Teacher.” Evelyn and Katherine Burns favored us with a piano and violin selection after which Mrs. Walker presented “The Visiting Teacher,” and told of the benefits derived from observation while visiting different schools. Hereafter the club will meet on Monday afternoons instead of in the evening. The next meeting will be held at Mrs. Hakes’ on Dec. 15th, with Mrs. Dalquist in charge.

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From the Glenwood Herald, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1924

The annual meeting of the Glenwood Fire Department was held last Monday evening in the city hall. A very large attendance was present. Fire Chief Achter is not satisfied with small attendance at meetings or that any of the members show any lack of interest in the important work that this department has to do. He has noticed a little slackness of late and so a committee was appointed to take the matter up with those who he felt were not showing the proper interest. As a result, the meeting was so well attended that he states that there have not been so many members present for a long time. Matters in connection with the New Year’s dance was discussed. It was found that the hall was engaged for New Year’s evening, the time when the annual balls have always been held, and so it was decided to have the dance later on. Election of officers resulted in that Joe Achter will be the chief for another year and Henry Ness will be the assistant. Geo. O. Fox was elected secretary and Henry Ness, treasurer.

High fur prices have brought prosperity to the Eskimos who are abandoning their primitive “Kyaks,” or canoes, for auxiliary schooners bought in Edmonton, Alberta. Sewing machines are in general use among these people.

Ernest Lindquist of Minneapolis, a professional portrait printer, has been added to the staff of the Voss Studio. He has been here for two weeks and it is expected that he will be connected with the studio permanently. Miss Voss is always trying to improve her studio and the service rendered to the public and she found it necessary to make this addition to look after the gradually growing business.

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From the Starbuck Times, Friday, Dec. 5, 1924

Pope County’s famous hog case was decided by the jury at 2 a.m. Thursday morning when they brought in a sealed verdict for the plaintiff for $2,500.

Wallace and Ira Hoffman in 1922 were operating the Hans Olson farm in Rolling Forks. In June of that year, Ira became dissatisfied and left. Ira owned some personal property used in working the farm and had bought three sows which were on the place. Unable to arrive at a settlement of their affairs, Ira took the sows and half of the small pigs (11) and hauled them to Starbuck and sold them to Anton Aaberg.

Wallace Hoffman and Hans Olson followed to Starbuck and the parties got together and agreed to submit their differences and the ownership of the hogs to a board of arbitration consisting of Jens Solhaug, Conrad Siverson and C.C. Heegard.

This board decided the hogs belonged to Wallace Hoffman and Wallace should pay Ira about $8.00. According to the agreement Wallace took the hogs back.

Ira was dissatisfied and refused to accept the award. He secured help from the Hans Olson farm this time and again went out and took the hogs, the sows and all the small pigs.

Wallace and Hans Olson went to Glenwood and swore out a warrant, each charging him with grand larceny. Wallace for taking of the three sows and 11 small pigs, and Hans for taking of the other eleven small pigs. Ira was arrested after a hearing was lodged in jail to await action by the grand jury. He remained there 18 days until the Starbuck Legion Post succeeded in raising the amount of his bail and was released.

When the case came to trial at the June term of court in 1923, Ira was acquitted of the charge. His attorney then commenced an action for him against Hans Olson and Wal. Hoffman for malicious prosecution and asked for $5,000 in damages. It was brought on for trial a week ago Tuesday evening and occupied practically six days of the court’s time. It was submitted to the jury Wednesday afternoon and they arrived at a verdict about 2 o’clock the next morning.