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W. F. Rhinow to J. A. A. Burnquist, page 1

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St. Paul Minn.
August 5, 1'920.

The Honorable J. A. A. Burnquist

Governor of Minnesota
St. Paul Minn.

Sir:

In conformity with your instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report of my investigation of the facts surrounding the lynching of three negroes by rioters in Duluth on the evening of June 15, 1920:

1. Duluth Minnesota is governed by a commission form of government. The legislative and executive authority is vested in a mayor and four commissioners, the duties of the mayor and commissioners classified as:

Division of Public Affairs

Division of Finance

Division of Public Works

Division of Public Safety

Division of Public Utilities

There is under consideration in this report only the Division of Public Safety. The mayor and commissioners are elected by vote of the people, and commissioners are assigned to specific duties in charge of a division of the city's administration by a vote of the commissioners including the mayor, a total of five votes. Three votes of the five are necessary to elect to assignment.

Commissioner W. F. Murnian was duly elected by the people and assigned to the Division of Public Safety, and it is presumed that upon entering his duties as a Commissioner, he took the oath usually administered to city officials,--to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Minnesota; to enforce the laws of the State of Minnesota and the ordinances and regulations of the City of Duluth. He is charged with the organization, discipline and, efficiency of the police force; is privileged to select a Chief of Police, but all other members of the police force are selected by civil service examination.

2. Evidence submitted during the investigation disclosed that on June 14th "The John Robinson Circus" was exhibiting in Duluth at a place known as the "Circus Grounds" and that among those who witnessed the evening performance was a Miss Irene Tusken, aged eighteen, residing at 4836 West 6th Street, Duluth Minn. It is alleged that about 9:30 p.m. several negroes assaulted and ravished the young woman named. Six negroes were accused and subsequently arrested at Virginia during the day of June 15th.

The story of the assault upon the young woman spread rapidly and indignation ran high. Rumors were afloat in West Duluth as early as 3 p.m. that the negroes would be lynched that night, and a policeman on duty overheard plans for the lynching at Police Headquarters as early as 5 p.m., and according to his statement, did not report the facts until 7 or 8 p.m. About 5:30 p.m. several young men on a green truck travelled [sic] down West Superior Street, the principal street in the city of Duluth, waving a rope and shouting to the bystanders to join a "neck tie party” at Police Headquarters.#2.

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