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.
The digitization of these papers has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding Acquisition of Legal Transcript, February 14, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 14, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to L. F. Hinegardner of Sarles, ND in response to Hinegardner's letter of February 10, 1919.
Langer acknowledges receipt of Hinegardner's letter, as well as the enclosed statements from Mr. and Mrs. D** and Sarles village marshall Alvah Phillebaum.
Langer says that everything said during the proceedings should have been recorded by a stenographer, and says he will contact Judge Kneeshaw to request a transcript of the proceedings.
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 L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer Accompanying Statement from Mr. and Mrs. D**, February 10, 1919
Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer regarding the Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding State v. Stepp, July 9, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated July 9, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to L. F Hinegardner of Sarles, ND, Langer acknowledges receipt of Hinegardner's letter of July 7 and informs Hinegardner that Judge Nuchols will appear on his behalf in the Supreme Court free of charge, and that Langer is glad that Hinegardner is pleased with the way Nuchols tried the case [in the lower court], and that that trial ended in a conviction.
Note: The July 7, 1919 letter from Hinegardner to Langer that this letter is a reply to was not found anywhere in the Langer Collection.
See also:
Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer regarding the Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding State v. Stepp Case, October 2, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding State v. Stepp, March 26, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated March 26, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General Langer to Sarles, ND resident L. F. Hinegardner, Langer acknowledges receipt of Hinegardner's letter "some time ago" and informs Hinegardner that he understands that new trial proceedings in the Stepp case are to take place shortly. He asks Hinegardner to let him know "if anything different from this should come up."
See also:
Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer regarding the Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
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Letter From Attorney General Langer to P. B. Rognli Regarding T. H. Druen, November 12, 1919
William Langer
Letter dated November 12, 1919 from William Langer to P.B. Rognli responding to Rognli's letter of November 7, 1919 regarding a plea Rognli received from T.H. Druen. Langer has reviewed Druen's plea and there is no question in Langer's mind that Druen received absolute justice.
See also:
"A Plea to the Public and the Taxpayers of North Dakota for Justice" by Dr. T. H. Druen, Undated
Letter from P. B. Rognli to Attorney General Langer Regarding T. H. Druen, November 7, 1919
Letter from F. E. Packard for Attorney General Langer to P. B. Rognli Regarding T. H. Druen, November 10, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Rollin Welch Regarding Telegram from Jennie Clark, May 23, 1919
William Langer
Inn this letter, dated May 23, 1919, from North Dakota Attorney General Langer to Sheriff Rollin Welch regarding a telegram from Jennie Clark. The letter contains the text of the telegram, which states that Jennie Clark, a dairy farmer of Sterling ND, believes that her life and the lives of her family are in danger from Frances Elness who, working for John Elness, possesses a deadly weapon and has been using a hay meadow leased by Clark.
Langer asks that Welch investigate the matter and make sure the Clark is protected.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, February 25, 1919
William Langer
Letter from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer in response to Smith's February 24 letter. Langer writes that he is glad things are going well.
See also:
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, November 10, 1918
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, November 13, 1918
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, February 24, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff of Polk County, Minnesota Regarding a Suspect, October 4, 1919
William Langer
In this telegram, dated October 4, 1919, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to the Sheriff of Polk County, Minnesota, Langer makes reference to a suspect named Keyes, and asks the Sheriff to keep all information about Keyes confidential.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Stutsman County Sheriff J. H. Ross Regarding Sam Bazant, December 15, 1919
William Langer
Letter from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Stutsman County Sheriff J. H. Ross in response to Ross's letter asking for help in determining the whereabouts of Sam Bazant. Langer writes that he does not know where Bazant is and has not heard from him in a long time.
See also:
Wanted: Sam Bazant!
Letter from Stutsman County Sheriff J. H. Ross to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sam Bazant, December 13, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Complaints about Handling of State v. Stepp Case, February 14, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 14, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Judge Kneeshaw, Langer refers to complaints he has received from various parties regarding the handling of a case in Sarles, ND involving allegations of statutory rape against Hiram Stepp. Langer encloses letters from the D** family and Sarles village marshall Alvah Phillebaum, and asks Kneeshaw to read them and advise him on whether to have G. Grimson re-arrest Mr. Stepp.
The letters referred to as enclosed are not included with this letter, but are 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 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
Letter from L. F. Hinegardner to Attorney General Langer regarding the Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. P. Vincent Regarding Pool Hall in Fortuna, North Dakota, September 4, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated September 4, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Fortuna, ND Village Clerk W. P. Vincent, Langer replies to Vincent's letter of September 2, 1919 regarding whether an ordinance passed by the village restricting hours and days of operation of the pool hall there would be enforceable. Langer acknowledges receipt of Vincent's letter and writes that he has referred the matter to the State Pool Hall Inspector, E. H. Tostevin.
See also:
Letter from W. P. Vincent to Attorney General Langer Regarding Pool Hall in Fortuna, North Dakota, September 2, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General William Langer to C. J. Murphy Regarding E. F. Meier, September 26, 1919
William Langer
This letter, dated September 26, 1919 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to C. J. Murphy, attorney for the United States Railroad Administration, acknowledges receipt of Murphy's letter of September 25, 1919. Langer thanks Murphy for the information and asks that if additional information becomes available, he send it to Langer.
See also:
Letter from C. J. Murphy to Attorney General Langer Regarding E. F. Meier, September 25, 1919
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Letter from Governor Langer To Judge W. J. Kneeshaw Regarding Kneeshaw's Conclusion Regarding Stepp Case, February 25, 1919
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 25, 1919, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Judge W. J. Kneeshaw, Langer replies to Kneeshaw's letter of February 20 and accepts Kneeshaw's conclusion.
Langer elaborates that Attorney [E. E.] Fletcher of Langdon has informed Langer that "they" (Sarles, ND Village Marshal Alvah Phillabaum, Ernest D** and Matilda D**, according to a letter from Phillbaum linked below) are taking steps to have Mr. [Hiram] Stepp arrested again, and that Cavalier County, ND State's Attorney G. Grimson would issue a warrant. Langer writes that he told Fletcher that Kneeshaw's conclusion would be the final word, but that he had not yet heard from Kneeshaw. Now that Kneeshaw had replied, Langer says he will agree to Kneeshaw's conclusion and regard the case as closed.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to G. Grimson Regarding Stepp Case, February 24, 1919
Letter from Sarles, ND Village Marshal Phillebaum to Langer Regarding Hiram Stepp Flight Risk, February 24, 1919
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Letter From Langer to Phillebaum regarding a new trial to take place, March 26, 1919
William Langer
This letter, dated March 26, 1919, from Attorney General William Langer to Sarles, ND village marshall Alvah Phillebaum is a reply to Phillebaum's letter of February 24, 1919. Langer replies that he understands that the new trial is to take place shortly, and asks Phillebaum to contact him if anything different comes up.
See also:
Letter From Sarles, ND Village Marshal Phillebaum to Langer regarding Hiram Stepp Flight Risk, 1919 [internal note: ms. 1142]
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Telegram from Attorney General Langer to G. A. D** Regarding Stepp Case, February 25, 1919
William Langer
In this telegram, dated February 25, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to G. A. D** Langer replies to D**'s telegram of the same day asking for Langer to have Hiram Stepp detained on charges of statutory rape. Langer writes that, since Judge Kneeshaw has declared the Stepp matter "finally and definitely disposed of," Langer is without any jurisdiction to pursue the case further.
See also:
Telegram from G. A. D** to Attorney General Langer Asking to Have Hiram Stepp Detained, February 25, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to G. Grimson Regarding Stepp Case, February 25, 1919
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Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, February 26, 1919
John Moses
Letter dated February 26, 1919 from Mercer County State's Attorney John Moses to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer regarding the death of Carl Maier. Moses writes that he must travel to Beulah, North Dakota, to get further information about the Maier Case.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, January 28, 1919
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 10, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 20, 1919
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Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 10, 1919
John Moses
Letter dated March 10, 1919 from Mercer County State's Attorney John Moses to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer regarding the Carl Maier Case.
Moses reports from his investigation in Beulah, North Dakota that Maier was found close to a road, shot twice. Maier's brother, John Maier, found Carl and brought him to a doctor. The doctor "Admits that a suicide was probable. . . but did not believe it was probable." Carl lived for several hours after being found. Moses reports that Carl had recently been rejected by a young girl, and that two strangers were in town at the time Maier was shot.
See also:
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, February 26, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, January 28, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 20, 1919
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Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, September 20, 1919
John Moses
Letter from Mercer County State's Attorney John Moses to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer regarding the Carl Maier case. Moses writes that he is sending over papers related to the Maier (misspelled as "Meyer") case.
See also:
Letter from John Moses to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Carl Maier Case, February 26, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to John Moses Regarding the Carl Maier Case, March 20, 1919
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Letter from C. J. Murphy to Attorney General Langer Regarding E. F. Meier, September 25, 1919
C. J. Murphy
Letter dated September 25, 1919 from C. J. Murphy, attorney for North Dakota (ND) for the United States Railroad Administration, to ND Attorney General William Langer, regarding recently dismissed railroad employee E. F. Meier. This letter is a reply to Langer's letter of September 16, and outlines Meier's activity regarding enforcement of prohibition law. Murphy writes that Meier appointed himself a "sort of detective but a poor grade one," who on suspicion opened and separated shipments to a local druggist named Knoll, confiscating medicines that contained alcohol, causing problems for Knoll.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General William Langer to C. J. Murphy Regarding E. F. Meier, September 26, 1919
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Letter from ND Supreme Court Clerk J. H. Newton to Attorney General Langer Conveying Denial of Motion to Dismiss in State v. Stepp Case, September 20, 1919
J. H. Newton
In this letter, dated September 20, 1919, from North Dakota (ND) Supreme Court clerk J. H. Newton to ND Attorney General William Langer, Newton informs Langer that an order has been entered denying the motion to dismiss the case of State vs. Stepp.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to E. L. D** Regarding Denial of Motion to Dismiss in State v. Stepp Case, September 23, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Hinegardner Regarding Motion to Dismiss in State v. Stepp Case, September 23, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. L. Nuchols Regarding State v. Stepp Case, September 23, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to L. F. Hinegardner Regarding State v. Stepp Case, October 2, 1919
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Letterhead Note Paper from the Office of Attorney General Listing Names of Companies.
North Dakota Office of the Attorney General
Sheet of letterhead paper from the office of Attorney General, William Langer. The notes are a handwritten list of company names including ones that appear to read "Equity Grain & Mercantile" and "S.W. Electric Company."
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Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Recounting Alcohol Sales in Minot, January 3, 1919
Henry G. Owen
In this letter, dated January 3, 1919, from Grand Forks, North Dakota (ND) Attorney Henry G. Owen to ND Attorney General William Langer, Owen recounts his (apparently undercover) investigation of liquor sales in Minot. Owen writes of buying whiskey at establishments in Minot, and expresses his intent to "move into the midst of the lion's den on every occasion."
Owen requests the support of "some reliable men of reputation" who can be present during these illegal transactions to serve as witnesses. He also gives some lodging prices and expresses the need for a place to keep his exhibits away from "nosy" bellhops, but says he "will not incur such expense without your approval."
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 Regarding Lawlessness in Minot and His Recent Injury, January 4, 1919
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Henry G. Owen Regarding Owen's Injury and Hospitalization, January 6, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Abuse of Police Power, January 10, 1919
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Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Abuse of Police Power, January 10, 1919
Henry G. Owen
In this letter, dated January 10, 1919, from Grand Forks, North Dakota (ND) Attorney Henry G. Owen to ND Attorney General William Langer, Owen updates Langer on his injury and describes "one of the worst abuses of police power that I have ever heard about," in Minot, in which a young man was shot dead by police as he fled a police raid. In reference to Langer's letter of Jan 6, Owen says he has not yet rented rooms or purchased 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 Attorney General Langer to Henry G. Owen Regarding Owen's Injury and Hospitalization, January 6, 1919
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Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Alcohol and Prostitution in Minot, January 2, 1919
Henry G. Owen
In this letter, dated January 2nd, 1919, from Grand Forks, North Dakota (ND) Attorney Henry Grattan Owen to ND Attorney General William Langer, Owen describes his preliminary findings in Minot. He has made inquiries and been told that alcohol may be bought "by the drayload." He concludes that Minot is "one live town and lots of women to be had for the asking." He hopes to be able to provide more information the following day.
See also:
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 Attorney General Langer to Henry G. Owen Regarding Owen's Injury and Hospitalization, January 6, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Abuse of Police Power, January 10, 1919
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Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Lawlessness in Minot and His Recent Injury, January 4, 1919
Henry G. Owen
In this letter, dated January 4, 1919, from Grand Forks, North Dakota (ND) Attorney Henry Grattan Owen to ND Attorney General William Langer, handwritten on Owen and Owen Attorneys at Law letterhead, Owen writes from St. Luke's Hospital in Minot, where he is hospitalized with a broken leg as the result of a "bad fall" he took on his way to the Great Northern Depot to mail his previous report to Langer.
Owen laments his predicament, noting that it comes at a bad time because Minot is "wide open" with "houses of ill fame galore."
Owen asks Langer to have "Sheets" (presumably Albert Sheets, Jr., Assistant Attorney General) drop him a line, as he has "a lot of long day[s] ahead of [him]."
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 Attorney General Langer to Henry G. Owen Regarding Owen's Injury and Hospitalization, January 6, 1919
Letter from Henry G. Owen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Abuse of Police Power, January 10, 1919
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Letter from F. E. Packard for Attorney General Langer to P. B. Rognli Regarding T. H. Druen, November 10, 1919
F.E. Packard
In this letter, dated November 10, 1919, from F. E. Packard on behalf of North Dakota Attorney General to P. B. Rognli, Packard acknowledges receipt of Rognli's letter and writes that Langer is currently out of the city, but will be made aware of Rognli's letter on his return.
See also:
"A Plea to the Public and the Taxpayers of North Dakota for Justice" by Dr. T. H. Druen, Undated
Letter from P. B. Rognli to Attorney General Langer Regarding T. H. Druen, November 7, 1919
Letter From Attorney General Langer to P. B. Rognli Regarding T. H. Druen, November 12, 1919