William Langer graduated from UND in 1906 and had a long career in politics. He was North Dakota Attorney General from 1917 until 1920 and served twice as Governor: from 1933 to 1934 and from 1937 until 1939. Elected to the United States Senate in 1941, he served until his death in 1959.
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Letter from G. Grimson to Attorney General Langer Requesting New Warrant for Hiram Stepp, February 22, 1919
G. Grimson
In this letter, dated February 22, 1919, from Cavalier County, North Dakota (ND) States Attorney G. Grimson to ND Attorney General William Langer, Grimson refers to the case in which Hiram Stepp is accused of the statutory rape of F******* D**. Grimson writes that the D** family has now filed a written complaint with Justice Power and is asking for a new warrant to be issued for Stepp's arrest.
Grimson explains that Judge Kneeshaw has advised against a issuing a new warrant, and that Justice Power won't issue a warrant without authorization from Grimson or Langer. Grimson writes that he will go along with whatever Langer decides, and that, if Langer authorizes a new warrant, Langer or someone from his office should oversee the proceedings.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to G. Grimson Regarding Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
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Letter from G. Grimson to Attorney General Langer Regarding Initial Proceedings in Stepp Case, January 18, 1919
Gudmunder Grimson
In this letter, dated January 18, 1919, from States Attorney for Cavalier County, North Dakota (ND) Gudmundur Grimson to ND Attorney General William Langer, Grimson provides a chronological account of the steps he took upon hearing the D** family's accusation that Hiram J. Stepp of Sarles, North Dakota had raped and impregnated their teenage daughter F******* in February 1918. Grimson describes his initial interviews in December 1918 with the D**s, Stepp, and Stepp's nephew Larry who was also a person of interest in the alleged crime, as well as the events that led to Judge Kneeshaw's dismissal of the case against Hiram J. Stepp. Grimson also provides his opinion on the veracity of F******* D**'s account of the alleged crime, his suspicion that Hiram J. Stepp induced his nephew to alter his account of events to raise doubt about the paternity of D**'s infant, and his inkling about the role of local rivalries in the accusations against the elder Stepp. Grimson also asserts that, despite what Langer had been told by someone familiar with the case, he did not side-step his duty as States Attorney, but rather gave the case due diligence and believes the Judge made the right call in dismissing it.
See also:
Statement of Ernest and Matilda D** Regarding Initial Proceedings in Stepp Case, February 10, 1919
Letter From Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
Letter From Mr. and Mrs. E. L. D** to Attorney General Langer Regarding Mrs. Hiram Stepp Threatening Their Pregnant Daughter, February 10, 1919
Letter from Sarles, ND Village Marshal Alvah Phillebaum to Attorney General Langer, February 10, 1919
Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer Accompanying Statement from Mr. and Mrs. D**, February 10, 1919
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Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Caleb S. Haines
Memo from Caleb.S. Haines to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case.
In it, Haines reports his findings from his interview with Anna Bortvet in Estherville, Iowa on September 16, 1919. He writes that Bortvet, a nurse, had previously cared for Maier two years prior to his death, when he was suffering from rheumatism, and that since then she had gone riding with him several times and that they had "kept company."
Bortvet strongly believed that Maier was murdered and did not commit suicide. She told Haines that the nurse who had cared for Maier immediately after the shooting, before Bortvet had taken over his care, told her that Maier had said that he was attacked by a man with a black hat and dark complexion.
Bortvet told Haines she suspected that Russie White, who lived within a mile of Maier, had killed Maier by mistake and that Maier's brother John had been the intended target. Bortvet based this belief on information she was given by a teenage boy who worked for White.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 29, 1919
Copy With Handwritten Notes of Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Anna Bortvet regarding the Carl Maier Case, October 13, 1919
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Copy With Handwritten Notes of Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
C.S. Haines
This is a copy of a memo from Caleb S. Haines to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case. This copy is identical to the original, except that it also contains three pages of handwritten notes from Haines's interview with Anna Bortvet. These notes contain shorthand versions of the information found in the memo itself.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 29, 1919
Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Anna Bortvet regarding the Carl Maier Case, October 13, 1919
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Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer Accompanying Statement from Mr. and Mrs. D**, February 10, 1919
L. F. Hinegardner
In this letter, dated February 10, 1919, from L. F. Hinegardner of Sarles, North Dakota (ND) to ND Attorney General William Langer, Hinegardner refers to an enclosed statement he took from Mr. and Mrs. D**'. He says he is also sending Ms. D**'s report card from her professor to explain why she was at a disadvantage. Hinegardner also asks for a copy of what Langer had from Mr. Grimson when Hinegardner was there.
The statement referred to as enclosed is not included here, but is linked below.
See also:
Letter from G. Grimson to Attorney General Langer Regarding Initial Proceedings in Stepp Case, January 18, 1919
Statement of Ernest and Matilda D** Regarding Initial Proceedings in Stepp Case, February 10, 1919
Letter From Mr. and Mrs. E. L. D** to Attorney General Langer Regarding Mrs. Hiram Stepp Threatening Their Pregnant Daughter, February 10, 1919
Letter from Sarles, ND Village Marshal Alvah Phillebaum to Attorney General Langer, February 10, 1919
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Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer regarding the Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
L. F. Hinegardner
In this letter, dated February 24, 1919 from L. F. Hinegardner of Sarles, North Dakota (ND) to ND Attorney General William Langer, Hinegardner refers to the case in which Hiram Stepp was accused of the statutory rape of F******* D**, which Hinegardner feels was handled improperly. Hinegardner expresses impatience as he waits for promised information from Langer, saying it looks as though Langer has "laid down on the job." He also claims that Langer has shared information with other parties that he told Hinegardner he would not share. Hinegardner concludes that he hopes to receive the promised "big letter" written by Grimson by return mail.
See also:
Letter from G. Grimson to Attorney General Langer Regarding Initial Proceedings in Stepp Case, January 18, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding Acquisition of Legal Transcript, February 14, 1919
Letter From Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to G. Grimson Regarding Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
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Letter from Albert Janssen Regarding Arrest and Guilty Plea, January 21, 1919
Albert Janssen
In this handwritten letter, datd January 21, 1919, from Albert Janssen, a prisoner in Mandan, to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer Janssen notes his legal situation and writes that he only had liquor in order to fight the flu. He asks if Langer might be able to get him released from jail early to tend to crops on his 375 acre farm.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Albert Janssen Regarding Arrest and Guilty Plea, January 27, 1919
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Copy of Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
F. J. Kennedy
This is a copy of letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919. While it contains the original text, it is on different letterhead, with different margins than the original.
See also:
Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 6, 1919
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Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
F. J. Kennedy
Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer regarding the death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919. Kennedy suggests that Maier may have been killed in a case of mistaken identity by a man named Russie White who was intending to shoot Carl Maier's brother, John over a matter involving White's young wife.
Anna Bortvet, the nurse who cared for Maier after he was shot, related this information to Kennedy. Bortvet got this information from her sister who was living in Maier's neighborhood at the time of the shooting and was told some of these suspicions by a boy named Fred Lang who worked for Mr. White.
See also:
Copy of Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 6, 1919
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Instructions for Pool Hall Inspectors, 1919
William Langer
Letter from Attorney General William Langer to State Pool Hall Inspector Earle Tostevin regarding reports from his office, dated September 17, 1919.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Albert Janssen Regarding Arrest and Guilty Plea, January 27, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated January 27, 1919, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Albert Janssen, imprisoned in Mandan, Langer replies to Janssen's letter of January 21, noting that he has no jurisdiction in Janssen's case, as it is in Federal Court.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Anna Bortvet regarding the Carl Maier Case, October 13, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated October 13, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Anna Bortvet (misspelled in this letter as "Bortret") regarding the Carl Maier (misspelled as "Meier") case. Langer writes that he has received Bortvet's earlier letter about living with the Johnsons and tells her that she has done everything she can. Langer requests that she return to Bismarck and meet with him.
Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Copy With Handwritten Notes of Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Beach Police Magistrate Thor G. Plomasen Regarding the Ole Skrukrud Case, December 20, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated December 20, 1919 from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Beach Police Magistrate Thor G. Plomasen in response to Plomasen's letter of December 18, 1919 regarding the Ole Skrukrud case. Langer writes that it is his and Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox's understanding that the defendant wants to plead guilty and that Cox will take care of the issue one way or the other immediately.
See also:
Letter from John F. Sullivan to Assistant Attorney General Cox Regarding the Ole Skrukrud Case, October 18, 1919
Letter from Assistant Attorney General Cox to John F. Sullivan Regarding the Ole Skrukrud Case, October 22, 1919
Letter from Beach Police Magistrate Thor G. Plomasen to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Ole Skrukrud Case, December 18, 1919
Letter from Assistant Attorney General Cox to Beach Police Magistrate Thor G. Plomasen Regarding the Ole Skrukrud Case, December 22, 1919
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Letter From Attorney General Langer to Cavalier County Sheriff Fred Thompson Regarding Rumors of Gambling and Bribery, March 12, 1919
William Langer
March 12, 1919, letter from Attorney General Langer in response to an earlier letter from Cavalier County Sheriff Fred Thompson. Langer writes that he has absolute confidence in Gudmunder Grimson, the States Attorney of Cavalier County. Langer ignores any bribery rumors and notes that "I wish I had as much confidence in every States Attorney as I have in him (Grimson)."
See also:
Letter from Cavalier County Sheriff Fred Thompson to Attorney General Langer Regarding Rumors of Gambling and Bribes, March 11, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to E. H. Tostevin Requesting Investigation of a Liquor Law Violation in Litchville, October 29, 1919.
William Langer
In this letter, dated October 29, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to ND State Pool Hall Inspector Earle H. Tostevin Langer requests that Tostevin do everything he possibly can regarding liquor, gambling and cigarette violations in Litchville, North Dakota. Langer includes the text of a letter from Ole J. Belling, Justice of the Peace in Litchville, claiming a current pool hall is in violation of the liquor law along with gambling and the sale of cigarettes. Belling adds that another pool hall is being erected by a gambler and "booze fighter," and the license of this pool hall should be rejected.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 6, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated January 6, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa attorney F. J. Kennedy in response to Kennedy's letter of January 2, 1919 regarding new information about the death of Carl Meier. Langer thanks Kennedy for the lead and writes that he is investigating the matter further.
See also:
Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
Copy of Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to G. Grimson Regarding Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 24, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Cavalier County, ND State's Attorney Gudmundur Grimson, Langer replies to Grimson's letter of February 22, 1919, writing that he will write back as soon as he has heard from Judge Kneeshaw.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
Letter from G. Grimson to Attorney General Langer Requesting New Warrant for Hiram Stepp, February 22, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Henry G. Owen Regarding Owen's Injury and Hospitalization, January 6, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated January 6, 1919, from North Dakota, (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Grand Forks, ND attorney Henry G. Owen, Langer replies to Owen's report of January 4, 1919 informing Langer that he had had a bad fall and was hospitalized with a broken leg, and inquiring about renting space and buying furniture in Minot. In his reply, Langer expresses his regrets over Owen's bad luck getting injured, and gives his approval to Owen for renting space and purchasing furnishings, cautioning him to "go light on the furniture."
See also:
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Alcohol and Prostitution in Minot, January 2, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Recounting Alcohol Sales in Minot, January 3, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Lawlessness in Minot and His Recent Injury, January 4, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Abuse of Police Power, January 10, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Jay Reed Regarding Dickinson, North Dakota Pool Halls, September 4, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated September 4, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Jay Reed, Dickinson, ND Police Commissioner and President of the Reed Brothers Department Store, Langer replies to Reed's recent letter regarding the pool hall situation in Dickinson. Langer acknowledges receipt of Reed's letter and explains that the State's Attorney is working on a number of cases and Langer is confident the situation will be cleaned up before long.
See also:
Letter from Jay Reed to Attorney General Langer regarding Dickinson, North Dakota Pool Halls, September 4, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to J. H. Johanson Regarding Outcome of Investigation, September 30, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated September 30, 1919, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to J.H. Johanson of Horace, North Dakota, Langer inquires whether the investigation conducted by State Inspector Valentine Koch was satisfactory. Langer requests that Johanson write his response in confidence.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 26, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated March 26, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to John Albers. Langer writes he has a new lead in the Carl Maier Case and he would like to speak to Albers about the matter.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 29, 1919
Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Copy With Handwritten Notes of Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 29, 1919
William Langer
Letter from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to John Albers from September 29, 1919 informing Albers that Langer has sent his assistant, Caleb S. Haines, to investigate the Carl Maier Case in Iowa. Langer requests Albers to meet with him because the matter is serious.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Albers Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 26, 1919
Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
Copy With Handwritten Notes of Memo from Caleb S. Haines to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 16, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, January 28, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated January 28, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Mercer County states attorney John Moses asking Moses to investigate the possible murder of Carl Maier in a three step manner: 1. Find out about Fred Lang; 2. Find out all he can about Russie White; 3. Find the exact date of Maier's murder. Langer cautions Moses to handle the investigation with the utmost secrecy.
See also:
Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 6, 1919
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, February 26, 1919
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 10, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 20, 1919
William Langer
Letter from dated March 20, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Mercer County State's Attorney John Moses regarding the Carl Maier Case. Langer asks Moses to read an enclosed letter from "the County Attorney." Langer instructs Moses to, "note the story about the nurse."
The letter Langer refers to as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 10, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Emmet Country, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 6, 1919
Letter from Emmet County, Iowa Attorney F. J. Kennedy to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Carl Maier, January 2, 1919
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 20, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Lewis Easton Regarding Tax on Movie Theaters, August 23, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated August 23, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Lewis Easton of Buffalo, ND, Langer responds to Easton's inquiries regarding the payment of state tax for a movie theater and laws regarding hunting with dogs. Langer writes that he is enclosing a copy of the laws related to movie theaters, and a legal opinion regarding hunting with dogs.
See also:
Letter from Lewis Easton to Attorney General Langer Regarding Tax on Movie Theaters, Laws Pertaining to Hunting with Dogs, August 22, 1919