Exhibit d: Death Claims Rebel Who Defied Townley Dynasty

Death Claims Rebel Who Defied Townley Dynasty

E. W. Everson, Fighting Griggs County Statesman, First Sounded Tocsin Of Mutiny Against Dictatorial Nonpartisan League Suzerains

The “original insurgent”-the first member of the Nonpartisan League to revolt at the leadership that brought that organization into the North Dakota political field, died at Walum, Griggs County, Friday.

He was E. W. Everson, member of the legislature in 1917-serving his third term-elected for his last session as a Nonpartisan, turned out in the succeeding year because he had the temerity to challenge the policies of and the leadership of A. C. Townley and his group.

Not for many years has the name of Mr. Everson graced the headlines of North Dakota Newspapers.  But there was a time when he got first attention when his name was blazoned forth in large type, when he was embattled by NonPartisan opponents as the champion of a new order within unit, when he was condemned and assailed by the Nonpartisan Leader as a traitor to the farm movement.

Those were stirring days in North Dakota Politics.

League Exultant In 1917

The nonpartisan league came into Bismarck at the opening of the 1917 session of the legislature exultant at their large successes in the prior election.  They had swept the state house practically clean of officials-Only one, John Steen, remaining of the group which had been in office.  They had gained control of the house of representatives by a majority of more than two thirds of the whole membership:  they had made a heavy sweep toward power over the senate a sweep that was destined to culminate two years later in obtaining absolute control. 

Into this situation came Everson-a heavily bearded, stocky figure-progressive or liberal to the last in his political principles, yet well enough versed in the ways of politics to resent the manner in which the Nonpartisan League had been conducted.

The 1916 elections had witnessed the naming of Lynn J. Frazier as governor:  had witnessed a Nonpartisan convention held in Fargo

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Death Claims League Rebel

E. W. Everson First Bearded Townley, Formed I. V. A.

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Where the whole ticket was picked by the “higher ups”-where the delegates were largely hand picked, and where they had no voice in the proceedings.

Everson Resents Dictation

  As the legislature came into action, the Nonpartisan caucus was organized.  Mr. Everson’s resentment mounted, coming to a point of open warfare when, circulating among the Nonpartisan legislators, he and others addressed themselves to the leaders with an open demand for membership representation in the conduct of Nonpartisan affairs.

This petition-a petition that was to become historic and which represented the first bit of insurgency within the Nonpartisan league-was signed first by Everson, then by others.

In this petition reciting grievances, there was this conclusion-

“That we the undersigned members of the Nonpartisan Farmers league, hereby respectfully petition and urge the officers of the league to make arrangements for the calling of a convention of duly elected delegates from each county to form a constitution and by-laws to embrace therein the initiative, referendum and the recall in order to insure that the wishes of the majority of the members shall at all times guide and determine the policies of the organization:  and also to provide therein for the placing of the organization on a firmer financial basis by the election of officers whose duties are definitely prescribed, whose salaries are fixed, and who will owe this organization a strict accountability for the disbursement of all moneys belonging therein.”

Everson Baits Leaders

One needs to know something of the bitterness of the period to understand how revolutionary all this was.  One needs to appreciate something of the ends to which the Nonpartisan leadership of that period was prepared to go to force obedience to realize that Mr. Everson had set himself in for a terrorizing attack.

A. C. Townley was out of the state at the time.  He was quickly recalled, and the rebellion that had commanded no small support, was quickly suppressed.  All but Everson abandoned the fight:  all but the Griggs county man gave up the demand for financial accounting, for membership control, and for the other things that he contended should be established.

The Nonpartisan Press-the notorious Nonpartisan Leader published in Fargo, then at its peak-pounced upon Everson.  He was accused of “selling out”;  he was cartooned with diamonds in his necktie, embraced by “Big Biz”-a character grown famous in North Dakota and who wielded a mighty influence.  No attack too biter;  no charge overlooked the Nonpartisan leadership made an “object lesson” of Mr. Everson as it dug into his private life, as it made sensational charges woven out of whole cloth.

Make Example of Him

Everson had rebelled, and Nonpartisan leadership determined that others within the organization might have similar ideas, shame be made to see what would happen to them. 

The Griggs county farmer stood his guns, became widely known as the man who wouldn’t quit-became in fact, the man responsible for the initiation of the movement that was to result in the eventual formation of the Independent Voters association, of which he was the first president. 

Born in Toten, Norway, April 29, 1857.  Mr. Everson came to American in 1866 and with his father took homestead in Griggs County in 1888. 

Lived on Homestead

  Since the close of the three terms a representative of the Griggs-Steele district in the state lower house.  Mr. Everson had made his home on the homestead.

In 1884 Mr. Everson married Betsey Mossing who, with seven children three brothers and one sister survive. 

Arrangements for Mr. Everson’s funeral are being delayed pending word from relatives in other sections of the country.

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This article was found in one of the North Dakotan Newspapers shortly after E. W. Everson’s death in March 27, 1931.  If anyone runs across this newspaper clipping going through archives, I would really appreciate if you could contact me and share your find with the Grizzly Groundswell so this can be properly sited.  Also, I would really love to attain the cartoons that attacked E. W. Everson.  I beleive that “Big Biz” was drawn by W. C. Morris for the NonPartisan League Leader out of Fargo.  If anyone would like to donate any ephemera of E. W. Everson and the I. V. A. I would graciously accept and keep safe in Archive for our next generations.

Glossary for words from above article:

Suzerains-Noun-suzerain adjective

1. A nation that controls another nation in international affairs but allows it domestic sovereignty.
2. A feudal lord to whom fealty was due

Tocsin-Noun

1. a signal, especially of alarm, sounded on a bell or bells.
2. a bell used to sound an alarm

Temerity-Noun

1. Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness

Assailed-Verb

1. To attack with or as if with violent blows; assault.
2. To attack verbally, as with ridicule or censure.
3. To trouble; beset: was assailed by doubts.

Blazoned-Verb

1. Heraldry
2. To adorn or embellish with or as if with a coat of arms
3. To proclaim Widely.

-Noun

1. an ostentatious display