Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 160, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1917 — IN JAIL AS A SLACKER [ARTICLE]

IN JAIL AS A SLACKER

MARTIN BOEDMAN, OF NEWLAND, FAILED TO REGISTER FOR CONSCRIPTION. Martin Boedman, 26 years of age, was arrested Monday evening by Sheriff McColly and placed in jail, where he is waiting to answer to the charge of being a “slacker.” Boedman has been at Newland, where he has been working in the onion fields for .the past two or three months, going to that place from Hopkins Park, 111., in May. Sheriff McColly received word last Sunday from some parties atr Newland to the effect that Boedman had not registered and he at once investigated the matter. On his arrival at Newland Monday evening he sought out Boedman and questioned him concerning the charge. . The young man stated that he had not registered in this county or any other county. When asked why he had not done so, he stated that he had intended to register but could not find but where he was to register. This was such a flimsy excuse that the sheriff placed him under arrest and brought him to this city. Sheriff McColly was told by Newland residents that they had offered to take him to the registration booth on June 5, but that Boedman would not go with them. Boedman packed his grip before the arrival of the sheriff, with the intention -oOeaving for Chicago this Tuesday morning. It is alleged that he stated to a storekeeper at Newland, when questioned as to his failure to register, that he was going to Chicago and that no one would find it out then. Apparently Boed~mah*s failure to register was not through ignorance and he will no doubt be convicted as a ‘:slacker.” Sheriff McColly notified the U. S. officials at. Indianapolis and they will probably be here in a short time to investigate matters. After notifying them the sheriff received a telegram from George Murdock, of the department of justice, telling him to be absolutley certain that the young man had not registered. The sheriff has secured practically all of the facts in the case and notified the department to the effect that Boedman is undoubtedly guilty of attempting to dodge the draft. Conviction on the charge of slacking carries with it a fine of SI,OOO and a term in prison, and if Boedman cannot show some mighty good excuse for not having registered he will no doubt receive the full penalty.