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 Assistant Attorney General Edward Cox to S. A. Smith Regarding Expense Reimbursement, October 26, 1918
Assistant Attorney General
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.
See also:
Letter from S. A. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Captured Bootleggers, Reimbursement of Expenses, October 23, 1918
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Letter From Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer regarding Beer Labeled "Great Northern Dining Services," April 17, 1918
Kersey E. Gowin
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."
See also:
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging and Prostitution in Minot, October 29, 1917
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer regarding Drunkenness in Camps, April 1, 1918
Kersey E. Gowin
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 be present "on the wind-up" and adds that he is sending a letter he has received from a Mr. Elton, so that Langer can "see where I am at on that account."
See also:
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 Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Keg Party, Fundraising to "Beat the League", April 13, 1918
Kersey E. Gowin
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."
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Payment for Snow, April 15, 1918
Kersey E. Gowin
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."
See also:
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 Kersey Gowin Pledging Protection and Payment for Snow and Requesting Report on Situation in Minot, April 17, 1918
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Death of Dan Brennan, April 8, 1918
Kersey E. Gowin
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 his efforts if Langer is to start things up again, and if not, asks whether Langer could place him in another state where there is work for him.
See also:
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 Kersey Gowin Regarding Death of Dan Brennan and the Minot Situation, April 12, 1918
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Keg Party, Fundraising to "Beat the League", 1918
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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
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.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Langer's Stay in Fargo, Judge Coffee, April 18, 1918
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Certification of Nomination of William Langer For North Dakota Attorney General in General Election, August 1, 1918
Thomas Hall
This an official document, dated August 1, 1918, from the North Dakota Department of State certifies that in the Primary Election of June 26, 1918, William Langer was nominated as the Republican candidate to the office of Attorney General for the year's General Election to be held on November 5th, 1918.
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Special Rules on Feeding Stuff, US Food Administration, 1918
Herbert Hoover
United States Food Administrator Herbert Hoover distributed this memo in February 1918 highlighting new rules on the production, storing, and distribution of feed. The US Food Administration was responsible for the domestic food market during the First World War.
Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States and served one term from 1929 until 1933.
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Letter from Logan County Sheriff George Laney to Attorney General Langer Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, August 26, 1918
George Laney
In this letter, dated August 17, 1918, from Logan County Sheriff George Laney to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer, Laney replies to Langer's letter of August 17, writing that while there has been gambling in Napoleon in the past, he believes that the practice has stopped, with the exception of the party mentioned in the previous letter (A.W. Draeger).
See also:
Letter from Logan County Sheriff George Laney to Attorney General Langer Regarding Gambling in Napoleon, August 26, 1918
Letter From Attorney General Langer to Logan County Sheriff George Laney Regarding A. W. Draeger, December 5, 1918
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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
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.
See also:
Letter from F. H. Lohr to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Night Kersey Gowin was Killed, Situation in Minot, April 29, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Cass County Sheriff, November 18, 1918
William Langer
Attorney General William Langer sent this letter to Cass County Sheriff Andrew Ross on November 18, 1918. Langer asks the Sheriff to meet with Cass County State Attorney Fowler regarding the "liquor situation" in Fargo.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Don C. Smith Regarding Law Enforcement Situation in Marmarth, ND, September 23, 1918
William Langer
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.
See also:
Letter from Don C. Smith to Attorney General Langer Regarding Law Enforcement in Marmarth, September 19, 1918
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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.