Blue Front
This corner, lots 11 and 12 of Block 17, on the southeast corner of Minnesota Avenue and Third Street were sold by the Townsite Company to Susannah Carson in 1897. She sold them in 1899 to Mary Kelliher. Eventually, they became the property of the Fitger Brewing Company. This was the site of the earlier Stockholm Saloon. The name “Blue Front” does not appear until 1910.
Frank Tague, who is conducting the Blue Front restaurant, left this morning for Omaha, where he will visit with his parents for two weeks. (Jan 4, 1910)
Andrew Lysacker, who conducts the Blue Front saloon on Minnesota avenue, between Second and Third St., was arrested on a charge of operating a dumb waiter by which it was alleged that he carried liquor to the rooms over the saloon. Mrs. Oranger was arrested on the charge of running a house of ill fame over the saloon. E. E. McDonald appeared for the defendants and City Attorney Torrance for the prosecution. The case was continued until next Tuesday to accommodate the counsel for the defense. (May 26, 1910)
Julius Dahl, a member of the Bemidji police force, who was suspended last night by Acting Mayor Kirk until Mayor Parker returns Saturday, was fined $50 and costs or 60 days in the county jail in the municipal court this morning on a charge of assaulting Jack Oranger Tuesday evening.
Oranger testified Tuesday morning to the racy actions of Policemen Dahl and Smith, while on the stand in the Eva Langdon case, in which that woman was fined $50 and costs for running a house of ill fame over the Blue Front saloon. A. W. Lysacker proprietor of this saloon, was fined at the Tuesday trial $100 and costs for operating a dumb waiter by which liquor was carried to the second floor. It was brought out in the testimony this morning that Dahl took offense at the statements made by Oranger, and Tuesday evening while on the corner of Third street and Minnesota avenue Dahl threw his star to Policeman Smith and then struck Oranger. Dahl continued to serve on the police force and last evening Mr. Kirk suspended him, pending the return of Mr. Parker.
Lysaker has been cited by the council to appear next Monday evening and show cause why his license should not be revoked. It is broadly hinted on the streets that action against Mr. Smith will be taken by Mayor Parker on his return Saturday or by the city council Monday night. (June 5, 1910)
In Bemidji government agents Sero and Brents clapped the lid on the selling of malt. Five places where “soft” drinks are sold were visited and the proprietor ordered to get rid of his stock of malt before the day is over. At noon most of them had already complied. At the Blue Front place on Minnesota avenue five cases of malt were confiscated, taken out on the street and dumped. The agents say the malt contained four per cent of alcohol and were in fact labeled as beer. (Oct 6, 1910)
‘BLUE FRONT’ WOMAN FINED
Tricked by Government Agent, Grace Jones Pays $103.
Grace Jones, arrested in the Minnesota avenue resort known as the “Blue Front” was found guilty before Special Municipal Judge Pendergast yesterday afternoon on charges of running a disorderly house and of having sold liquor without a license.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Special Officer N. J. Sero, and is in line with the government’s renewed determination to stop the sale of liquor in the Indian district. The evidence in the case was secured by two men disguised as lumber Jacks. These men testified that they purchased liquor and that women in the place approached them almost as soon as they entered. Judge Pendergast fined the woman $100 and costs of $3. She was defended by Attorney Scrutchin. She desired to appeal to the district court but was unable to secure bail and paid the fine. (Oct 19, 1910)
After Lysacker lost his license, there were two liquor license applications for the building known as the “Blue Front” saloon, these being by Lars L. Lind and Robert Nelson. The aldermen decided that the applications should be laid on the table until the next meeting and the qualifications of both men looked into. (Feb 21, 1911)
MAYOR J. C. PARKER CAUSES TWO ARRESTS
Charles and Grace Jones Taken Before Judge Pendergast on Several Serious Charges.
Pleads Guilty to Having Run House of Prostitution and Selling Liquor Without License.
Yesterday afternoon warrants were sworn out by Mayor J. C. Parker for the arrest of both Charles and Grace Jones, on three charges, two being against Mrs. Jones, one for running a house of prostitution and the other for having sold liquor without a license, the warrant against Jones was for having sold liquor without a license.
Jones has been operating a restaurant in the building which has been known as the “Blue Front” saloon building. When arraigned before Judge Pendergast in municipal court last evening, Mrs. Jones entered a plea of guilty to both the charges made against her, and was fined $100 and costs for each warrant, a total of $206. Judge Pendergast found Jones guilty of having sold intoxicating liquors without a license and fined him $50 and costs or $53. It is very evident that Mayor Parker wishes to put a stop to all places which are being run in a questionable manner, and his action yesterday, goes to prove that he will not tolerate such conditions as he found to be existing in the “Blue Front.”
This is the second time in the past six months that both Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been arrested on September 15 Jones was arrested and fined $50 and costs for selling liquor without a license and on October 19 Mrs. Jones was arrested for conducting a house of prostitution and fined $100 and costs.
The city council refused to grant Jones a liquor license several weeks ago, there being a unanimous feeling among the aldermen that he was an unfit person to hold such a license. It is intimated that other arrests will follow shortly. (Feb 25, 1911)
The Blue Front was destroyed in a major fire on Jan 13, 1912 which wiped out three saloons and several other places of business on Third Street. The fire was believed to have started in the two-story frame building on Minnesota Avenue known as the “Blue Front” building occupied by Lars Lind but Mr. Lind did not believe this to be true. “There had been no fire in the kitchen since 8 o’clock,” said Mr. Lind, “and it looked to me as if the flames broke out in the next building. It was a blessing that the fire started when it did or some persons might have perished. My two children, 9 and 11, scampered out of bed and ran almost naked to the barber shop where they were saved. No one else was in danger.”
The furnishings in the Lind place were owned by Robert Nelson who at one time carried $3,000 insurance which he had reduced to $700. Mr. Lind will continue his business if he can find a suitable location.
It was also announced by Theodore Tharaldson, agent for the Fitger Brewing company, that his company would erect two new brick buildings, one on Third street, next to the Brinkman hotel and the other on Minnesota avenue where the Lars Lind place, formerly known as the “Blue Front” stood. The Fitger company owned the buildings that were destroyed and also owned the lots. Mr. Tharaldson received word from headquarters today that it had been decided to put up “brick buildings that will be a credit to the town,” but the specific plans have not been decided upon. (Jan 24, 1912)
Application was made by Lars L. Lind and Harry Gunsalus for the transfer of location, of their liquor licenses, the same being granted, all aldermen present voting aye. (Feb 23, 1912)
When the new building put up by George Kreatz at the southeast corner of Minnesota and Third was completed, Lars Lind, along with Gill and Akerberg and Kittleson took rooms facing Minnesota Avenue. Ed Anderson and Harry Gunsalus occupied rooms facing on Third Street. The second story was planned as a rooming house. (Sept 10, 1912)
All saloons were closed on Nov 30, 1914 in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling regarding liquor restrictions within the areas of the Indian Treaty of 1855.