John Deitz Letters

This letter was mailed in time for the East, Jan. 20/07 bound train.

JOHN F. DEITZ,
(Cameron Dam Via)
Winter, Wis.

My Dear Sir and Brother: - I just received a letter from you this morning dated Jan. 18.  I note that you did not have much to say, and wonder at the cause.  Is there anything upon your mind that is worrying you?  or causing you mental anxiety?  Do not be backward, for I know of two fellows who are with you to the last, and not doubt there are many others just like them, who have not expressed themselves as openly, but will when the proper time comes.  What is most uppermost in my mind is the payment of your taxes.  There seems to be considerable trouble over the title of the "dam" 40, and I don't know just how we are going to get the dam thing straightened out.  I sent the money to Hayward last Monday, the 14th and it was returned to me the 18th, the county clerk, the county clerk stating that he could not accept money on the 40 where the dam is located.

The amount that I sent him was $21.59¢.  That is the amount of the tax claimed to be due on all of your land for the year 1904, and the amount claimed to be due for the year 1905 is $44.00, and the amount on whole as per letter from the town treasurer at Winter, is $26.52.

Now then, 21.59; 44.00 and 26.52 added together, make $92.11, the amount they claimup to the 31st day of December, 1906.  As near as I can figure it out, the lumber company has gone and had the title of the land transferred from your wife's name into their own name.  (I mean that this may have been done long ago or prior to your trouble with them.)  Here is what the county clerk writes: 

"Sale of 1905 NW SW 20-38-4 redeem by M. R. L. Co. Oct. 2, 1906, $5.11 tax 1905, NW SW 20-38-4, paid Jan. 31, 1906, by M. R. L. Co. $14.20."

Then in his letter of Jan. 17, he says:

"I cannot give you receipt for last description, as same has been paid once."

Signed Jens Jorgenson, County Clerk

Now I wrote to that Sam White at Eau Claire, and here is his answer:

Eau Claire, Wis., Jan. 15/07.  Sir: - Your answer delayed, but do not know the man at all, and only his brother, by sight; he is reporter for the Telegram, Gust, I think.  Yours truly, Sam White, 307 1st Ave. Eau Claire Wis.

The hand writing does not correspond with the first one sent to you on Dec. 11.  There is possibly a nigger in the fence somewhere.  How to get at I am at a quandry.  We will go back to the tax question again.  I hold the two statements sent me by the county clerk.  If you have anything to show that the taxes have been paid on this land for the years 1904-5, do not hesitate to get them into the hands of someone who will go after it in proper shape and see to it that justice is given to the rightful owner.  Here is what Will says:

"Jan. 14 - John holds certificates on the four 40's assessment 1904, taxes 1905 and on the back 80 for last year, and all the taxes not paid, the 40 the dam is on, NW SW and SW NW, what house is on, and John says that they were advertised last year, and the company is trying to get a snap deed on them, and the officials of Sawyer county are helping them.  Did they give you the taxes on them for last year.  I can go up there and look over the books and if I make a demand to pay them after finding the taxes on the books and they refuse payment, can go after them criminally.  John has got the advertisements in his possession, advertising those two 40s last year.  John has certificates that I got, older than theirs, and can get a tax deed before they can.  I think we can get the officers up there in a "jack pot."  Do not pay any taxes until you hear from me.  Keep your letter from the county clerk for evidence, if he tries any crooked work, we want some evidence.  Let me know if he gave you the taxes on the 40 where the dam is on for last year."

Under date of yesterday he wrote as follows:

"Yours of recent date received and in reply would say I don't think that John owed any taxes to Sawyer  county for 1904-5.  1905 was the first and I bought the certificates and turned them over to John, and bought certificates on the east 80 last year; as for the personal property taxes, they cannot collect them as the treasurer never made any demand and his wife owns the personal property, as well as the real estate.  And if the property is assessed to a party that does not own it, they cannot collect the taxes.  I sent John your letter and I think you will hear from him in a few days.  I think I will go up to Hayward next week, and then I shall know more about the matter."

Signed, 
A. E. Roese