itizen An Independent Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Central and Northern British Columbia Prince- George, B.C., Thursday, June 7, 1945 $2.00 Year lCjian Found Guilty of Murderins Eugene lessmer Near Finlay Forks, March, 1944; .rown Witnesses Link Slayer With Death fzapon and Articles Stolen From Cabin. ill Go to Gallows September 18 L scarcely coherent gutturals, Alex Prince, Sikanee Indian, |ed that his infirm foster parents be cared for, as Chief ce Wendell B. Farris of the B.C. Supreme Court sentenced Tuesday to expiate the murder of Eugene Messmer, Finlay trapper, on the gallows September 18. fGuilty," said Francis G. Ward, foreman, at 2:03 p.m. on of the Assize Court jury which retired at 12:07 noon ui hour's review by Chief Justice Farris of the jigsaw jiics of the crown's circumstantial evidence, built around i science; and defence's submission that lemon extract was asis of the whole tragedy. Stay of proceedings was entered in a second murder charge 'm' the death of Hans Pfeuffer, Messmer's partner. orney General R. L. Maltiand.t ; with P. E. Wilson,. K.C., de-crown's case with despatch ay afternoon from when Const. McKenney, district detach-B.C. Police, chopped the body ner from the Finlay River where Sergt. J. A. "Jake" e, ballistics expert, put science j>rk in Victoria to identify the ler weapon as that of accused. � Df BACK TWICE Carl Ewert described how ner had been shot through the | while erect then again while , a battered copper jacket be-kmoved from the shoulder Joint lancing up through the back s, as determined by an autop-rtessmer's left arm was across brehead and both hands were ned. He described as possible, ery unusual," that Messmer have used an index finger a mitt to work the trigger. (asked by defense, ntents of the home cabin in-1 Const. McKenney testified, or five partly filled small > of lemon extract, all but one, oholic, and an empty bottle ; slop bucket. Miller of Deserter's Canyon, lies below Fort Ware, testified he desolate, sparsely settled mess country in which the tra-| occurred, with but half a dozen i a 25 mile radius. t Oeorce H. Clark, in charge fie Investigation, described the ' north i-i mid-March. 1943. ne Warden Alfred J. Jank re-I locating a .300 Savage he had 1 for Messmer. behind a I in the cabin of accused JJs foster parents and recogniz-toopen view, a zippered leather _,*� Messmer had shown him 1343. along with other arti-�n from the Ospiko River � McKenney related how ac-nded him a .30-30 rifle in Roy~-McDougall. Finlay ,mtRlfler. maintained for In- Gunst identified a camera '� Messmer in 1941 and Clif-kWLeod Siiiars ldenfclfled R 'Id Messmer, May 31, foster father of ac Andrew Prince, in- l a questlon case that "Alex ;' He answer" taccusedhadbeen home seven days. ! cL*h? Said he had seen thn'+ v. n Messmer1s cabin Whenever gave it to ac 1 ^'nwPPer Jacke"t f ragm'ent 'HvJInUpon lts ^traction (1"�"""J and of taking The CARIBOO FEDERAL ALEX PRINCE $17,000 Damage Action Set Over To Fall Assizes Chief Justice Farris granted adr jourmuent until the Fall Assize, on, application ot Mi-. Wilson lor the defendants, of a suit lor damages by C. F. Rowe, plaintiff, against Met-calfe Construction Co., Hamilton Construction Co., and Kansas City Bridge Co., involving $17,000. Records of the companies contracting for tha American Government on .'the Alaska Highway lntd been transferred to Kansas City and the firms were engaged in various war work projects throughout the United States, it was staled in the application. A decree for dissolution of marriage was granted Cpl. Douglas Hugh Todd ot Dunuurn, Sa.sk... and formerly of Fort St. John and Vancouver, from Bernice lone Todd, whom he married Sept. 12, 1939, in Spokane, with costs being assessed Raymond Coulter, co-respondent. Cpl. Todd was represented by Mr. Young. Chief Justice Farris made an order amending the petition ot Mona-Perry then granted ner a decree absolute of divorce from John Perry, respondent. P.E. Wilson, K.C., represented the petitioner. A divorce action bf Pte. Stanley Hale was deferred until September when the court was advisod the petitioner, en route back from Germany had just reached Ottawa and was unable to appear. Respondent is Ruth Hale. Polls Close At 6 P.M. Monday As in 174 polling divisions in the 320,000 square miles of Cariboo federal riding, voting for Central and Prince. George., will get underway Monday at 8 ajm. in the Elks' Hall. The community hall will serve South Fort George. By 6 pjn. some 16.820 voters in the riding will have had a chance to exercise their franchise to elect one of the following candidates: WILLIAM IRVINE, C.C.F., at We-taskiwiti, AJta. THOMAS JAMIESON, Progressive Conservative, of Ponce Coupe. VOLNEY LANE PHILLIPS, Social Credit, of Dawson Creek. JAMES GRAY TURGEON, Liberal, of Vancouver. An advance poll opened today above B. G. Parkers' store, at 331 George Street, and will be continued until Saturday, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m., for itinerants such as commercial travellers, and transportation personnel, bus drivers, truckers, pilots, stage drivers and railwaymen. Political observers consider the C.C.F. reverse in Ontario will have some effect on the C.CJF. vote in federal affairs. The Progressive-Conservatives on the contrary look to the Ontario result with renewed hope, while appreciating its significance in being indicative of a desire for stable government, by a tried party within Ontario on dominant local issues. Stacked against this is the per- i sonal prestige and popularity of ! James Gray Turgeon. With the four candidates in Cariboo completing their arduous tour ' of principal centres in the vast riding, special efforts have been de- '� voted to have electors exercise their � franchise. Prince George Junior Chamber of Commerce, while ruling against pro- , viding transportation, have initiated a campaign with the assistance of stores and advertising to solicit electors to "Vote As You Like � But' | VOTE." The campaign is a national effort I of Jay-Ce.es. Assize Court Acquits Mother Mrs. Grace Martinson of Aleza Lake was acquitted of manslaughter in Assize Court on Tuesday when Chief Justice Wendell B. Farris of the Supreme Court of B.C. took the case from the jury upon completion of crown evidence. � Chief Justice Farris told the jury that he could find no section of the Criminal Code of Canada which could deal with the case and which required a mother to stay home constantly with her children. Mrs. Martinson, evidence of her heroic efforts to save her two children, Elsie Laura, 7, and Charles Ernest, 4, still showing where she sustained burns on hands and face, was in court but a short time before being freed of the charge, laid subsequent to the double fatality on May 11. The bodies of the children were consumed in flames which destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mikel Martinson while the father was at work in a nearby mill and the mother was absent from home shopping at the general store of Lome Lyle in Aleza Lake. Roy E. Higgins was acquitted on Wednesday on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to his wife. Virgina, by an Assize Court jury which made a recommendation unique in court annals that both be interdicted for life. Mr. Wilson on behalf of the Crown advised that the panel was short 16 jurors when the Assizes opened and asked for an order, with the trial list postponed until 2 pjn. an grooves of \k the S? f y accused showed fragment compnred 'pa test bullet as th>e posslbtll- toW ^Rt the e tt� rare rif- asked to retire, upon Women Liberals Raise *200 For Fund The Women's Liberal Association now has $200 toward monies intended for a war memorial fund, as a result of the exchange store operated Saturdays in the Scout Hall and other means of raising funds for the community effort. which Attorney General Maitland advised crown's case was completed and that, while at a latter trial, crown had tried to prove admissions (See INDIAN TO HANG. Page 4) Veterans Endorse Turgeon's Return To Federal Tasks Despite a drenching downpour of rain, Pineview community hall was crowded Monday by 92 people, some from 23 miles away. They heard G. B. Williams and Frank Clark speak on behalf of the principal speaker, Gray Turpeon, Liberal candidate seeking re-election in Cariboo. Mr. Williams referred to the general esteem in which Mr' Turgeon is held, quoting in part from the New Century Review of the Dominion Command. Army & Navy Veterans' official publication: Veterans throughout Canada who appreciate and value the efforts being made on their behalf, will be pleased to know that one. of the outstanding spokesmen for the rights and privileges and ex-service men and women has again been nominated for the Dominion House in Cariboo, J. G. Turgeon, himself a veteran of the First World War. Veterans are particularly indebted to Mr. Turgeon for his practical interest in their problems. Mr. Turgeon hns acted wholly regardless of fraternal affiliations and all ex-servicemen have had an equally strong appeal to its sympathies and assistance. It is earnestly hoped, the speaker nuoted from the orficial publication. that his presence in the capital will be assured by the voters of Cariboo. Similar expressions were read from the Retail Merchants' Association of Canada, B.C. Division, thnt "perhaps even those who may be opposing you nt the coming election will forgive us ff we very genuinely say Blaze Evicts 3 Families Three families were rendered homeless by flames which caused damage approximating $2000 toward 7:30 ajn. Monday by destroying personal effects and tools of Pete Kos-ic, barber, and sweeping through the ground floor of Charles Bentz's building on George Street. Mewling of a tiny cat awakened one of the four families in the build-mg about 20 minutes before the blaze was first discovered and enabled their escape by the wooden ladder at the rear of the building. Promptness of the fire department in laying four lines of hose to speedily check the blaze is credited for saving the entire block of buildings. The adjoining restaurant of George Kolias was damaged by smoke and water and the need to remove a false roof to get into the fire. Fire Chief D. G. Fraser stated the fire is believed to have originated by a water heater in the backroom of the barber shop. An appraiser arrived Wednesday to determine the actual damage, partly covered by insurance. William Irvine Capitalism Stands Between Returned Men and Freedom P.-T.A. Ejecting Slate of Officers Members of Prince George Parent-Teachers' Association will devote a meeting on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Junior-Senior High School to the election of officers for 1945-46 and to receiving reports of committees. The past year has resulted in a marked increase in members and in activities connected with city schools and importance of the progressive work of the organization prompted Mrs. E. W. Styles, president, to request today that a full attendance mark the elections. A social hour will follow, refresh-ments to be served under the dir-ection of Mrs. C. Ross. William Irvine, C.CJP. candidate1 for Cariboo, who will be holding rallies on Friday in South Fort George and on Saturday in the C.CF. Hall, at 8:30 pjn., is urging public ownership of monopolies toward maximum production, fair prices, full employment and a higher standard of living. "People of Canada," he states, "need and want a greater degree of social security." "The whole social security program should be revised and rebuilt on a sound, economic basis, with a view to the widest and most democratic application," he said, in charging that the government has Ignored the fact-finding Marsh report. "All competition with the monopolies," he charged, "in post war production, has been avoided, and the ship of state is directed again toward the shoal of unemployment and want. The C.C.F., he states, offers an alternative; Instead of the slipshod methods and prorr*sed handouts of the Liberal and Conservative parties, the C.C.F. proposes a complete economic program. MAXIMUM PRODUCTION This program, he described, is planned to ensure maximum production, full employment, democratic distribution, adequate old age pensions at 60, adequate pensions for widowed mothers, and children's allowances to every child as a supplement to adequate.wages. It calls for cash benefits for temporary disablity, maternity benefits, including pre-natal and post-natal care; and a floor under salaries, and farm incomes. "We believe," he stated, "that a ten billion dollar national income each year after the war will easily meet all these requirements ,of a civilian life." "It is no more difficult to produce food, build houses, hosptals. schools, libraries, roads, highways and railways than it was to build battleships, tanks, bombs, guns and explosives for, purposes of war. "The reason why Canadians were not permitted to produce enough for their own needs before the war,'1 he claimed, "was because the means of production were owned and controlled by private enterprise.". BUSINESS DICTATORSHIP "The government did not interfere in the public interest. Private enterprise was the dictator. "Since private enterprise did not, would not produce enough, there was no justification for the circulation of money, which is useless unless there are things to buy: and in 1933 we did not produce half enough for a decent living for our population. The C.CJF1. proposes: To keep the producing system going at maximum output. To socialize monopolies that they may serve public interest. To socialize financial institu-' tions that the monetary system may-serve as the'handmaiden of industry and be used to finance our potential abundance. To provide adequate income to insure distribution of all consumer goods. (See IRVINE. Page Five) KAY CLARK Vv^ns Drama Scholarship A fitting follow up to the outstanding drama and music festival here is the announcement that Kay Clark, local Junior-Senior High School student, has been awarded a drama scholarship at the Banff School of Pine Arts this summer. The announcement was received by her father, Sergt. George Clark, from Major J. Bullock-Webster, provincial director of community drama for the B.C. Department of Education, who was the adjudicator. Major Bullock-Webster had high praise for the acting ability of Miss Clark as the lead in the play "Auf Wieder-sehn," which was directed by Mrs L. F. Knight. Miss Clark will attend the dramatic school from July 25 August 25. Tenders for New Library Are Called Tenders for a provincial library building to cost approximately $22,-000 to be built on Third Avenue at Victoria Street are being called by the Provincial Department of Public Works. Bids received will be opened In public at 12 o'clock noon on Friday, June 29, at Victoria. The stuccoed one-storey building will contain a children's room off the entrance to the right with offices, for trie librarian to the left. A work room fronts on a packing room, while the main library portion for shelves of books will contain a good-sized reading room. The structure will be on concrete foundations and heated by a stoker-fired furnace. First announcement was made by Hon. Harry G. Perry, education minister, at opening of the new school. First Aid Instructor Honored ROYAL PURPLE SESSION Ladies of the Royal Purple, Auxll-iary No. 48, will hold their Inaugural � meeting on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Elks' Hall, after having installation of charter members recently. that we are indeed looking to your return to Ottawa." Mr. Turgeon dealt with the pro- ; blems faced by many of his audi-! ence. those that confront a farmer,! and dealt with the various phases of control and co-operation extended i farmers and plan* designed to as- ' sist returned veterans. Mr. Clark spoke briefly, having arrived late due to the weather. Frank Clark, first aid-instructor, is seen above receiving from Dr. John G. MacArthur, president of Prince George Branch, SU Johns Ambulance Society, a framed illuminated scroll conveying to him tho Commandery Vote of the Order. The signal honor came to him for long- service in instructing first aid classes In Prince George.