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 Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith Regarding Enforcement of Liquor Laws, July 5, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 5, 1917 from Attorney General William Langer to Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith, replying to Smith's letter of July 2 requesting that Langer appoint some men to help in enforcing liquor laws in his area. Langer pledges his support, provided Smith "exhausts all means" at his disposal in Beach. Langer suggests that Smith "hire a couple of men and pay them $3.00 per day," saying that he thinks he can arrange it if it will suit Smith. Langer mentions that the state "paid out considerable money prosecuting John Smith and it strikes me that you certainly ought to be willing to appoint a few deputies first."
See also:
Letter from Golden Valley County Sheriff S. A. Smith Regarding Enforcement of Liquor Laws, July 2, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Grand Forks County Sheriff A. F. Turner Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 19, 1917 from North Dakota Attorney General Langer to Grand Forks County Sheriff A. F. Turner requesting samples of Malta and several other beverages to be purchased with witnesses present and sent to Prof. E. F. Ladd of Fargo.
See also:
Letter from Grand Forks County Sheriff A. F. Turner to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 17, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Grant County Sheriff Don Stevenson Regarding Enforcement of Liquor Laws, July 5, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 5, 1917 from Attorney General William Langer to Grant County Sheriff Don Stevenson replying to Stevenson's letter of July 2 confirming he would enforce liquor laws. Langer expresses his pleasure that Stevenson is "taking every necessary action to enforce the liquor and every other law in your county."
See also:
Letter from Grant Country Sheriff Don Stevenson to Attorney General Langer Confirming That He Will Enforce Liquor Traffic Laws, July 2, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to J. P. French asking French to Investigate Source of Threatening Letters, 1917
William Langer
Letter, dated January 20, 1917, from Attorney General William Langer to J. P. French asking French to investigate Isaac Vennevick of Bismarck, who has been sending threatening letters to Langer and other officials. In the latest letter, Vennevick has threatened to shoot to kill and to burn down the Grand Pacific Hotel. Langer asks French to investigate throroughly and make a report.
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding "Live One," November 8, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated November 8, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Kersey Gowin, Langer replies to Gowin's recent telegram announcing that Gowan had taken a "live one." Langer writes that this is fine and urges Gowin to "keep on getting them."
See also:
Telegram from Kersey Gowin to Attorney General Langer Regarding a "Live One" Taken "Off of No. 4," November 8, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom About Plans to Meet, December 10, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 10, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to ND State Senator Oscar Lindstrom, Langer responds to Lindstrom's letter of December 7 about meeting in Bismarck, expressing gratitude that Lindstrom will arrive shortly.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding Their Plan to Meet in Bismarck, December 7 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Their Upcoming Meeting with Oscar Lindstrom, December 11, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom, December 30, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom, December 30, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 30, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, Langer writes that he has an urgent matter to discuss with Lindstrom and that Lindstrom should phone Langer as soon as he receives the letter.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom About Plans to Meet, December 10, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, January 25, 1918
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom Regarding Meeting, December 5, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 5, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to ND State Senator Oscar Lindstrom in response to Lindstrom's letter of December 3, Langer writes that a complaint has been filed, and due to certain "peculiarities" with the case he thinks it best that the two of them meet to talk over the matter.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding a Time to Meet, December 3, 1917
Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding Their Plan to Meet in Bismarck, December 7, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Pembina County Sheriff C. Atkinson Regarding Enforcement of Liquor Laws, July 5, 1917
William Langer
In this letter dated July 5, 1917 from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer to Pembina County Sheriff C. Atkinson Langer replies to Atkinson's letter of July 3, thanking him for his cooperation in "enforcement of the laws on the liquor question."
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Colonel E. Marcussen Regarding the Oscar Lindstrom Case, December 11, 1917
William Langer
In the letter dated, December 11, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Salvation Army Colonel E. Marcussen regarding the case of ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, Langer explains that Ensign Marshall in Bismarck has turned the Lilndstrom case over to Langer and that Langer expects to speak with Lindstrom later in the week. He assures Marcussen that they will do the best they can for Mrs. Lindstrom.
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 11, 1917
Letter from Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, December 13, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Their Upcoming Meeting with Oscar Lindstrom, December 11, 1917
William Langer
In the letter, dated December 11, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall, Langer refers to their upcoming meeting with ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom and asks Marshall where to call him when Lindstrom arrives.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom About Plans to Meet, December 10, 1917
Letter from Salvation Army Ensign Marshall to Attorney General Langer Regarding the Oscar Lindstrom Case, December 13, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall Regarding Their Upcoming Meeting with Oscar Lindstrom, December 15, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 15, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Salvation Army Ensign Marshall regarding Langer's upcoming meeting with ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, Langer writes that Lindstrom should be in Bismarck later in the week and that Langer will phone Marshall when Lindstrom arrives.
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 Oscar Lindstrom, January 25, 1918
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 Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen Regarding the Oscar Lindstrom Case, December 17, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 17, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen regarding the case of ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, Langer writes that he expects Lindstrom to arrive this week and will write Marcussen soon after.
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 11, 1917
Letter from Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, December 13, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott Asking What Drinks Are Being Sold in His County, July 13, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 13, 1917 from Attorney General William Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicot of Hettinger, ND asking Collicot to "ascertain what drinks are being sold in your county," including Malta and other malt beverages, as well as whether W. B. Right Cut chewing tobacco is being sold.
In the top margin of this letter, which appears to be a carbon copy, is typed in different ink: "Sheriff's letter, to all sheriffs" and at the bottom, also in different ink, is a postscript asking Collicot to buy samples of all soft drinks and tobacco and hold them while he sends a list to Langer.
Below that it typed: Finished writing to all on the sheriff's list, July 25, 1917.
See also:
Letter from Sheriff H. E. Collicott to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 17, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott of Hettinger Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott Regarding W-B Chewing Tobacco Sample, July 19, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott of Hettinger Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 19, 1917 from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott or Hettinger requesting samples of Malta and several other beverages to be purchased with witnesses present and sent to Prof. E. F. Ladd (North Dakota's Food Commissioner) of Fargo.
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 Sheriff H. E. Collicott to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 17, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott Regarding W-B Chewing Tobacco Sample, July 19, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 19, 1917 from Attorney General Langer to Sheriff H. E. Collicott regarding W-B chewing tobacco sample he received from Collicott that day, stating that he is having the sample analyzed. He makes reference to an enclosed copy of a letter to [Food Commissioner] E. F. Ladd, which he says will give Collicott "a clearer understanding of the case."
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 Sheriff H. E. Collicott to Attorney General Langer Regarding Sales of Malt and Tobacco, July 17, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to the James Hought Coal Company Regarding Liquor and Gambling in Noonan, ND, November 24, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated November 24, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer to the James Hought Coal Company, Langer replies to the latter's letter of November 22 regarding violations of liquor and gambling laws. Langer thanks them and requests a list of names and places related to these violations.
See also:
Letter from "W. E." for Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Liquor and Gambling in Noonan, ND, November 24, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 19, 1917 from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath requesting samples of Malta and similar beverages be purchased with witnesses present and forwarded to [ND State Food Commissioner and ND Agricultural College president] E. F. Ladd for analysis.
Langer references Heath's letter of July 17th, which included among other labels one for the beverage "Malta," which Langer believes is intoxicating. He gives instruction for purchasing samples and forwarding them to Ladd.
Langer also requests that Heath purchase of cider, as he wishes to stop the sale of hard cider in the state. He asks Heath to keep track of all money spent for the various samples and them them in a bill to the county commissioners, who will pay them.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath Requesting Samples of W-B Tobacco, July 19, 1917
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Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath Requesting Samples of W-B Tobacco, July 19, 1917
William Langer
Letter dated July 19, 1917 from North Dakota Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath requesting samples of W-B cut chewing tobacco. Langer asks for four or five samples to be purchased in the presence of a witness, to have the witness also sign the package, to send the package to Langer by registered mail, and to present the bill to the board of county commissioners.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to W. C. Heath Requesting Samples of Malta, July 19, 1917
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Letter from "W. E." for Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Liquor and Gambling in Noonan, ND, November 24, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated November 24, 1917, from North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer's secretary W. E. to Kersey Gowin, W. E. refers to a letter Langer received from the James Hough Coal Company in Noonan, ND reporting violations of gambling and liquor laws. W. E, encloses the letter in question and Langer's reply and says she will forward any more letters Langer receives from them, and adds that Langer left the previous night for Fargo and will return Monday.
The letter W. E. mentions enclosing was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from Attorney General Langer to the James Hought Coal Company Regarding Liquor and Gambling in Noonan, ND, November 24, 1917
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Letter from Willa E. for Attorney General Langer to Kersey Gowin Regarding Letters Received from Individuals Reporting Law Violations, November 24, 1917
William Langer
In this letter, dated November 24, 1917, from North Dakota Attorney General William Langer's secretary Willa E. on behalf of Langer to Kersey Gowin, Langer's secretary refers to enclosed letters and tips received from individuals reporting law violations and asks Gowin to comment on the usefulness and safety of forwarding these tips.
The letters referred to as being enclosed were not found with this letter in Langer's papers.
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Speech Delivered by Attorney General Langer: The Record of The First State Nonpartisan Administration In The World
William Langer
In this speech given at an unknown date between 1917 and 1920, North Dakota Attorney General speaks about the formation and accomplishments of the Nonpartisan League in the state. The Nonpartisan League joined forces with the Equity, the Grange, and Farmers Union to regulate and audit taxes in North Dakota. Under Langer and the Nonpartisan League, state administrative forces, such as the State Board of Equalization, also united to reform laws governing corporations, such as the Northern Pacific Railway Company. All of Langer's efforts were meant to ease and balance the burden of taxes on North Dakotans.
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Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding a Time to Meet, December 3, 1917
Oscar Lindstrom
In this letter, dated December 3, 1917 from North Dakota (ND) Senator Oscar Lindstrom to ND Attorney General William Langer regarding their plans to meet and talk. Lindstrom informs Langer that that he will be in Chicago on Friday and may be able to stop in Bismarck on his way back.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Salvation Army Ensign to Ensign Marshall Requesting that Marshall Find and Speak to Oscar Lindstrom, November 15, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom Regarding Meeting, December 5, 1917
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Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding Their Plan to Meet in Bismarck, December 7, 1917
Oscar Lindstrom
In this letter, dated December 7, 1917, fromNorth Dakota (ND) State Senator Oscar Lindstrom to ND Attorney General William Langer regarding their plan to meet in Bismarck, December 7, 1917, Lindstrom writes that he will stop in Bismarck on his way back from Chicago.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Oscar Lindstrom to Attorney General Langer Regarding a Time to Meet, December 3, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Oscar Lindstrom About Plans to Meet, December 10, 1917
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Letter from Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen to Attorney General Langer Regarding Oscar Lindstrom, December 13, 1917
Marcussen
In this letter, dated December 13, 1917, from Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel E. Marcussen to North Dakota (ND) Attorney General William Langer, Marcussen responds to Langer's letter of December 11, 1917 regarding the case of ND state senator Oscar Lindstrom, writing that he acknowledges that Ensign Marshall has turned the case over to Langer.
See also:
File of Correspondence About the Oscar Lindstrom Case from 1916 and 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Colonel E. Marcussen Regarding the Oscar Lindstrom Case, December 11, 1917
Letter from Attorney General Langer to Salvation Army Lieutenant-Colonel Marcussen Regarding the Oscar Lindstrom Case, December 17, 1917