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Lawyers Held Prisoner

10/7/2007:

Serving arrest papers has always been dangerous. The Fargo Forum on this date in 1913 reported that two lawyers were imprisoned by the man on whom they attempted to serve garnishment papers.

George Schmaltz, living near Drake, North Dakota, held attorneys Fredenberg and Koehler captive in his home for seven hours.

Joined by others from a threshing crew, Attorney Fredenberg was beaten, kicked, and left lying unconscious on the prairie. Kohler managed to escape unharmed.

After recovering, Fredenberg was administered a second beating by the men. Finally, he reached safety, so badly beaten he was almost unrecognizable.

Schmaltz, his wife and son were all later arrested.

by Dave Seifert

The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Tuesday Evening, October 17, 1913. pg. 2.