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 George Laney Regarding the Henry Biersdorf Case, April 14, 1918
William Langer
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.
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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
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.
See also:
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Payment for Snow, April 15, 1918
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
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Death of Dan Brennan and the Minot Situation, April 12, 1918
William Langer
In this letter, dated April 12th, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Kersey Gowin, Langer replies to Gowin's letter of April 8th, in which Gowin expressed his grief at the death of Assistant Attorney General Daniel V. Brennan. Langer assures Gowin that if he finds anything for Gowin to help with, he will call on him, and asks that Gowin continue to keep him informed about the situation in Minot, ND.
See also:
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Dan Brennan, April 8, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Langer's Stay in Fargo, Judge Coffee, April 18, 1918
William Langer
In this letter, dated April 18th, 1918, North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer writes to Kersey Gowin that he will be staying in Fargo and to send mail in care of Gardner Hotel, adding that if Gowin needs him in Minot he will be there at any request.
Langer also writes that he has had no luck getting Judge Coffee to come through to give Langer and Gowin a list of names.
Langer encourages Gowin to "drop him a line" if his presence is needed at the time of "the arrests."
See also:
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
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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
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.
See also:
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 for Snow, April 15, 1918
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Letter From Attorney General Langer to Logan County Sheriff George Laney Regarding A. W. Draeger, December 5, 1918
William Langer
In this letter, December 5, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Logan County Sheriff George Laney (misspelled as "Lanig"), Langer asks that Logan "cut out this gambling so that Mrs. Draeger can have peace in the family."
See also:
Letter from Logan County Sheriff George Laney to Attorney General Langer Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, August 26, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Logan County Sheriff George Laney Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, August 17, 1918
William Langer
In this letter, dated August 17, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Logan County Sheriff George Laney (misspelled as "Lanig"), Langer writes that he has heard rumors "that a farmer by the name of A.W. Draeger (misspelled as "Drarger") has been gambling there [in Napoleon, ND] for years" and asks Laney to investigate the matter.
See also:
Letter from Logan County Sheriff George Laney to Attorney General Langer Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, August 26, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, January 25, 1918
William Langer
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 Regarding Oscar Lindstrom's Planned Visit to Bismarck, January 23, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Bootlegging, September 3, 1918
William Langer
Letter dated September 3, 1918 from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith. Langer refers to Smith's letter of August 29, 1918 regarding bootlegging, and writes that he will do all he can to catch Brady.
See also:
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging, August 29, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, November 13, 1918
William Langer
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.
See also:
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 County, February 25, 1919
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
William Langer
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.
See also:
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 14, 1918
Telegram from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff George Laney Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, ND, August 28, 1918
William Langer
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.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to T. N. Hartung Regarding Threats to Jacob Hehn, August 8, 1918
William Langer
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.
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Letter to McHenry County Sheriff regarding Prisoners, July 1918
William Langer
July 20, 1918, letter from Attorney General William Langer to McHenry County Sheriff J.A. Wik in response to an earlier letter. Langer thanks Wik for his "favor" and notes that the bill will be paid.
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Letter to Slope County Sheriff Regarding Proposition, October 31, 1918
William Langer
In this letter, dated October 31, 1918, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Slope County Sheriff W. J. Johnson, Langer tells Johnson that he has just recovered from the flu and that his wife "has been at the point of death. I have paid attention to practically nothing else since then."
This letter is in response to a request expressed by Johnson, and conveyed by State Fire Marshall H. L. Reade, for Langer to phone Johnson about "the proposition they have under consideration."
See also:
Letter from State Fire Marshall H. L. Reade to Attorney General Langer Regarding Slope County Sheriff W. P. Johnson, October 31, 1918
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Telegram from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
William Langer
In this telegram, dated 16, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Golden Valley Sheriff S. A. Smith, Langer responds to Smith's letter of November 14, 1918 regarding a confrontation over the closing of a pool hall in Beach, ND on the order of the Board of Health.
Langer writes that he has received Smith's letter and that Smith should wire him if the desired warrants are not issued.
See also:
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 14, 1918
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
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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
F. H. Lohr
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 from Minot Saturday, as his wife had taken ill, and that he is uncertain when he will be able to come to Minot again, citing the fact that he is newly married and thus does can not handle the expenses associated with traveling to Minot to work for Langer.
See also:
Letter From Attorney General Langer Replying to F. H. Lohr Regarding the Night Kersey Gowin Was Killed, Situation in Minot, May 3, 1918
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Letter from Salvation Army Ensign Marshall to Attorney General Langer Regarding Oscar Lindstrom's Planned Visit to Bismarck, January 23, 1918
Marshall
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.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Their Upcoming Meeting with Oscar Lindstrom, December 15, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, January 25, 1918
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Letter from State Fire Marshall H. L. Reade to Attorney General Langer Regarding Slope County Sheriff W. P. Johnson, October 31, 1918
Henry L. Reade
In this letter, dated October 31, 1918, from North Dakota (ND) State Fire Marshall H. L. Reade to ND Attorney General William Langer, Reade references a conversation in Marmarth, ND with Slope County Sheriff W. P. Johnson in which Johnson asked Reade to contact Langer and request that Langer phone Johnson "in regard to the proposition they have under consideration." Reade writes that Johnson told him Langer would understand what he meant.
See also:
Letter to Slope County Sheriff Regarding Proposition, October 31, 1918
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Letter from Don C. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Law Enforcement Situation in Marmarth, September 19, 1918
Don C. Smith
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 to come to the city to see for himself.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Don C. Smith Regarding Law Enforcement Situation in Marmarth, ND, September 23, 1918
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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Captured Bootleggers, Reimbursement of Expenses, October 23, 1918
S. A. Smith
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.
See also:
Letter from Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox to S. A. Smith Regarding Expense Reimbursement, October 26, 1918
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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 14, 1918
S. A. Smith
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 will assist him.
See also:
Telegram from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Pool Hall Confrontation, November 16, 1918
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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging, August 29, 1918
S.A. Smith
This letter, dated August 29, 1918, from Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer follows up on a previous conversation between Smith and Langer regarding a bootlegger named Brady whom Smith has arrested before. Smith writes that Brady is still getting booze from Yates, Montana, and whoever is transporting it must be traveling by either Baker or Marmath. Smith asks whether Langer could set someone on Brady's trail at Mandan, as Smith suspects Brady has a fresh load stashed there.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Bootlegging, September 3, 1918
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Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, November 10, 1918
S.A. Smith
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."
See also:
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
Letter from Attorney General Langer to S. A. Smith Regarding Election Irregularities in Golden Valley County, February 25, 1919
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Letter from McHenry County Sheriff regarding Treatment of Prisoners by the Minot Police Department, July 1918
J. A. Wik
Letter from McHenry County Sheriff J.A. Wik to Attorney General Langer regarding the treatment of prisoners in Minot, North Dakota, dated July 18, 1918. Wik writes that he has interviewed the prisoners about their treatment at the hands of the Minot Police Department but none of the prisoners cooperated.