Local Men Arrested On Serious Charge

Late yesterday afternoon warrants were issued for the arrest of two of the prominent business men of Valley City charged with a statutory offense against Bertha Boneen, daughter of William Boneen, living on the east side of Valley City.

Both men furnished bonds, in the sum of $2,000 each, in the court of I. J. Moe, and will have their preliminary hearing next Tuesday.

The arrest is the culmination of rumors regarding relations, alleged between the two men and the girl, which have extended over a period of several weeks, but which many thought would be dropped.

About an hour after the warrant was sworn out Tuesday, the father of the girl left the city with his family, and drove by wagon to Oliska {sp}. Neighbors who saw them leave the city notified the states attorney, and when Northern Pacific train No. 8 reached that place, and the family were about to board it, the deputy sheriff stepped off and placed the girl under arrest.

This morning, according to States Attorney Englert, the girl explained that they were going to their former home in South Dakota, by way of Fargo. Later the Father stated that they had intended to go only as far as Fargo, and explained they did not go from Valley City for fear it might be thought they were leaving for good.

Valley City Times-Record, 12/18/1913

Valley City, N. D.—Oliver Mackey and Frank Flora, local business men, are under arrest for an offense which the state will attempt to prove through Miss Bertha Boneen as a witness. Miss Boneen, too, was arrested, officials claim, when she was about to board a train to leave the state, accompanied by her father.

Duluth Herald, 12/22/1913