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 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.
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Letter from Foster County Sheriff Theron Cole to Attorney General Langer Raising Concern over State's Attorney's Handling of a Case Involving a Poor Girl, March 18, 1917
Theron Cole
In this letter, dated March 18, 1917, from Foster County Sheriff Theron Cole to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer, Cole expresses his concern over the handling of a case involving a "poor girl" by the Foster county State's Attorney. Cole writes that the State's Attorney has advised him that he has settled the case by taking the normal sum of $200 from the defendant, without submitting the settlement to the county commissioners for approval or securing any bond. Cole adds that this is the way the majority of criminal cases are being handled and urges Langer to look into the case. He adds that he doesn't want trouble between himself and the States Attorney, "as he is a pleasant man," but thinks "he needs the once over, to make him do his duty."
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Letter from Foster County Sheriff Theron Cole to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 18, 1917
Theron Cole
In this letter, dated July 18, 1917, from Foster County Sheriff Theron Cole to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer, Cole replies to Langer's recent request for information on beverages and tobacco being sold in his county.
Cole gives a few specifics in his letter, and also includes a separate detailed list of what is sold and by whom.
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Letter from Sheriff H. E. Collicott to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 17, 1917
H. E. Collicot
Letter dated July 17, 1917 from Sheriff H. E. Collicott and Deputy J. L. Clement to Attorney General Langer in reply to Langer's earlier request for a list of drinks and tobacco being sold.
Collicot and Clement provide a list of products sold in several towns, including the names of sellers, and mention a tobacco sample they sent under separate cover.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott Asking What Drinks Are Being Sold in His County, July 13, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott of Hettinger Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Alcohol Shipment from Montana to Minot, September 3, 1917
Kersey E. Gowin
This letter, dated September 3, 1917, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer reports that a shipment of alcohol is set to arrive in Minot, ND from Montana. Gowin writes that he has become acquainted with a local and asked for 200 to 400 quarts of alcohol, and is informed of 500 pints that were taken to Dad-Marsh's Place. The local also mentions a "dam squeaker" who, if caught, will be lucky to get out of town alive.
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 Bootlegging and Prostitution in Minot, October 29, 1917
Kersey E. Gowin
This letter, dated October 29, 1917, from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer regarding Gowin's initial findings upon being stationed in Minot, ND. Gowin provides many names, locations and details related to ongoing alcohol shipments and sales and prostitution, describes the situation as dangerous and writes that he believes there are several there who would kill anyone who "told." He reports that the chief of police is a nightly drinker in one of the places, and requests that two men and one woman be assigned to work undercover, as he is a known person there.
See also:
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General LangerLanger Regarding Alcohol Shipment from Montana to Minot, September 3, 1917
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Recruitment of a "Girl" to Work "Inside" and a Translator, October 30, 1917
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Payment for Snow, April 15, 1918
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Legality of Searching a Man's Suitcase, December 1, 1917
Kersey E. Gowin
In this letter, dated December 1, 1917, from Kersey Gowan to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer, Gowan gives a general update on his activities and asks about the legality of "searching a man's suitcase or grip." He concludes saying he will be moving next to Crosby and Noonan.
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Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Recruitment of a "Girl" to Work "Inside" and a Translator, October 30, 1917
Kersey E. Gowin
This letter, dated October 30, 1917, from Kersey E. Gowin to Attorney General William Langer, reports on Gowin's efforts to recruit both an unnamed woman who Gowin feels is his "best chance to get on the inside" and a "frenchman" plasterer named Charles Fisher who speaks multiple languages and is also an outsider. Gowin also provides an update on several individuals who are bootlegging.
See also:
Letter from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding Bootlegging and Prostitution in Minot, October 29, 1917
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Telegram from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding a "Live One" Taken "Off of No. 4," November 8, 1917
Kersey E. Gowin
Telegram dated November 8, 1917 from Kersey Gowin to North Dakota Attorney General William Langer.
Entire text:
"Got another live one off of regarding "a live one" off of No. 4 this morning.
K.E.G.
Taken by K."
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding "Live One," November 8, 1917
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Notary Public Certificate, 1917
Thomas Hall and Lynn J. Frazier
Shortly after he was elected Attorney General in November 1917, William Langer became a notary public for the state of North Dakota. Notary publics officially witness the signing of important documents for legal purposes. Secretary of State Thomas Hall and Governor Lynn Frazier signed the certificate on November 28, 1917.
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Beverage Label--Dempsey Extra from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
W. C. Heath
Beverage label--Dempsey Extra--sent by W. C. Heath to Attorney General William Langer in July of 1917.
See also:
Beverage Label--Nontoxo from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
Beverage Label--Malta from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
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Beverage Label--Malta from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
W. C. Heath
Beverage label--Malta--sent by W. C. Heath to Attorney General William Langer in July of 1917.
See also:
Beverage Label--Dempsey Extra from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
Beverage Label--Nontoxo from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath Requesting Samples of Malta, 1917
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Beverage Label--Nontoxo from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
W. C. Heath
Beverage label--Nontoxo--sent by W. C. Heath to Attorney General William Langer in July of 1917
See also:
Dempsey Extra from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917
Beverage Label--Malta from W. C. Heath to Attorney General Langer, 1917