Living history: Sheriff hunts insane farmer

30 years ago

Excerpts from the Oct. 15, 1987 Pioneer Journal

• Sebeka youth killed in accident

On Oct. 12, a rural Sebeka youth, Marc Isola, 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Isola, was pronounced dead at Tri-County Hospital after being involved in a farm accident at approximately 9:50 p.m.

The accident occurred northwest of Sebeka when the youth fell into a semi-trailer which contained grain that was being unloaded by workers.

Rescuers and local law enforcement officers initiated CPR and the boy was transported to Tri-County Hospital in Wadena by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead.

• Two area people killed in accident

Cheryl Falk, 17, New York Mills, was one of two people killed in a two-car collision near Perham early Sunday morning.

The Minnesota State Patrol office in Detroit Lakes reported the the drivers of both vehicles, Falk and Larry Sczygiel, 32, Perham, died as a result of injuries suffered in the accident.

Sczygiel's wife, Betty, 30, was treated at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, N.D. and was later released. Falk was alone in her vehicle at the time of the accident.

Falk died enroute to St. Luke's and Sczygiel died at Perham Memorial Hospital, said a patrol spokesperson.

The state patrol is continuing an investigation to determine the cause of the accident, which occurred on State Highway 78, a few miles south of Perham.

55 years ago

Excerpts from the Oct. 11, 1962 Pioneer Journal

• Taylor to face felony charges

Eugene Taylor, presently serving a 30-day sentence for drunk driving, will be arraigned shortly on the same serious charge of unauthorized use.

"He can be arraigned anytime during the 30-day period he is in custody," said Charles Satterlee, assistant county attorney. "We will take action as soon as possible."

The stolen car was reported Monday night by S.J. Sjabeck of Anoka. His car was stolen while parked along Jefferson St. As soon as the report was heard, police chief Jerry T. Olson called the Highway Patrol and the subject was apprehended a few minutes later on Highway 71 just North of Wadena.

Arrested for drunken driving, Taylor was held overnight and was charged Tuesday with drunken driving. He pleaded guilty to the offense and was sentenced to 30 days.

After the trial in justice court before Justice of the Peace Charles Green, he was taken to the Park Rapids jail where he will start serving his 30-day sentence pending a trial for unauthorized use of an automobile.

He was taken to Park Rapids by Wadena County Sheriff Manley Erickson.

Arraignment for the charges of unauthorized use will be made as soon as action can be brought by the County Attorney.

80 years ago

Excerpts from the Oct. 14, 1937 Pioneer Journal

• Bluffton paving job completed

Traffic is rolling along over the new eight-mile stretch of paving on Highway 10 between Bluffton and New York Mills, the new pavement having been opened to traffic last week.

Motorists, however, have been cautioned to use care in driving on it until road crews complete grading of the shoulders.

Since early August the road has been closed to traffic and motorists have been routed north and west out of Bluffton. The new pavement eliminates one of the worst pieces of road on Highway 10, low lands and peat bogs having made it bumpy and dangerous.

• Sheriff hunts insane farmer

A wide search was instituted this week for Kaleb Dormanen, Red Eye township farmer, who escaped from the asylum at Fergus Falls Sunday.

Sheriff John Bengtson said that Dormanen has been committed to the Fergus Falls institution last summer after having threatened to kill his wife. Now authorities fear Dormanen may return to the farm home to carry out his threats. Sheriff Bengtson has asked anyone seeing Dormanen to notify him immediately.

Dormanen is about 40 years old, thin and tall with a dark complexion.