Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, July 29, 1905, Page 3

‘ * ~ pias ee SS ae IDENTIFIES HAMMER. Witness Is Positive Hammer That Siew Gebhardt Hung in Koch’s Office. Mankato, Minn., July 22.—The state played a stronger card yesterday in the Koch ease than it ever has before by introducing testimony to show that the bloodstained hammer found near Dr. Gebhardt’s body the night of the murder previously hung upon the wall of Dr. Koch’s laboratory. This is the testimony that the prosecution ex- pected to get in at the second trial, but failed. Yesterday the witness without reserve identified the hammer and greatly strengthened the state's chain of circumstantial evidence. Mrs. August Berndt, a new witness, said that while she was picking up kindling wood in her lot at about 9:55 on the night of the murder, she heard some person run past in the road at a high speed toward the slough that lies be tween the city and the Koch residence. Ole Ulen of Hanska testified the same that he did at the second trial, and the defense was unable to shake him. He told of a conversation had with the defendant at his branch office at Hanska in June or July, 1903, in which he alleges Dr. Koch had asked him Whether he could or would kill Geb- hardt. PUT HAMMER IN POCKET. State Introduces Evidence to Show Koch Got Hammer From Office. Mankato, Minn., July 23. — Miss Lena Weiderman, testifying in the Koch trial yesterday, not only repeat- ed her former statement that from a porch she saw Dr. Koch in his office between 9 and 9:30 o’elock the night of the Gebhardt murder, but also said he stopped, reached out and with his right hand made a motion as if to put something in his pocket. The latter assertion was not made by her at the second trial. The state would show that Koch placed in his pocket the hammer that killed Gebhardt. Unless the state goes into the poison phase of the case it is likely to rest to-day. If that is left out the defense expects to close in three days. It is expected that Asa P. Brooks will be put on as soon as the state rests. Sheriff J. W. Julius of New Ulm gave the state much more help yester- day by his testimony than he did at either, of the other trials. He proved to be one of the best witnesses for the prosecution, although much that he said in direct-testimony was modified on cr xamination. The state was enabled to get one thing before the jury that it heretofore has failed to in- troduce, and that was testimony re- garding a conference held at the law office of Hoidale & Somsen on the af- ternoon of the second day after the murder. The sheriff said he was refused per- ivission to see Dr. Koch, who was in consultation in a rear office with At- torneys Somsen and Sommerville, Asa P. Brooks, who saw the murderer over the transom, Dr. Vogel, E. G. Koch, W. E. Koch and some of the defendant's sisters. . DEFENSE OPENS ITS CASE. Accuses Childs of Suppressing Evi- dence in Effort to Convict Koch. Mankato, Minn., July 25,—After the woon recess Saturday Gen. Childs said to the court that the state had sub- poenaed Asa P, Brooks, but that it did not intend to use him as a witness. If the defense desired to have him he was here in court. The court ordered Mr. Brooks to remain the de- fense had opened its case to the jury. Gen. Childs announced that the state now rested. L. L. Brown, for the de- fense, wanted the record changed so that he could offer several motions be- fore the state rested. He had not thought that the state would close so soon. The court said that the record would have to stand. Mr. Brown then presented his motions, and the court overruled them. Three or four of the motions were to the effect that the state be ordered and compelled to call Mr. Brooks to the stand, and the last motion was that the court call him at its discretion. W. D. Abbot opened the case to the jury for the defense, speaking more than two hours. He said the defense expected that the state would consume a great deal more time than it had done. He said the defense would proceed as rapidly as possible under the circumstances. He outlined the evidence the defense until intends to present, and among other | things said that the defense would prove that Gen. Childs had suppressed evidence at this trial in order to se- cure the conviction of the defendant. Gen, Childs arose and characterized | the statement as outrageous. Mr. Ab- bot asserted that the defense would prove this statement Farmers to Have Elevator. Bird Island, Minn., July 23. — ‘the farmers in this vicinity have organ- ized a farmers’ elevator company with Nick Bruels president and Chas. Kenning secretary. They will handle grain and coal. Train Decapitates Boy. Marshalltown, Iowa, July 23. — Charles Johnson, nineteen years old, of Museatine, fell from an Iowa Cen- KOCH REPEATS HIS TESTIMONY. Asa P. Brooks Also on Stand in Mur- der Trial, Mankato, Minn., July 26.—Dr. Geo. R. Koch yesterday took the stand in his own defense at his trial for the murder of Dr. L. A. Gebhardt of New Ulm, and Asa P. Brooks, the only eye witness of the crime also was called by the defense. Their testimony was largely a repetition of the testimony they. gave Mr. Brooks testified in the morning and Dr. Koch in the afternoon. The defendant answered promptly and with as few words as possible, in a pleasant, though low voice. The audi- ence listened with close attention and the jurors seldom withdrew their glances from his face. Twenty-two witnesses who testified for the state at the second trial were not called at the present trial. MAN AND HORSE DROWN, Horse Trader’s Buggy Overturned in Minnesota River. Appleton, Minn., July 25.—A horse trader named Walker was drowned in the Minnesota river four miles south of here. The bridge across the river is out of service pending repairs, and the horsemen have been camped on the Lac qui Parle side for some days. Two of them came to Appleton for. groceries, crossing in a boat and swimming their horse and buggy. On returning, one of them walked across on the stringers, intending to get the boat for his companion, who, not car- ing to wait, drove into the river, which at this point is about fifteen feet deep, with a rapid current. The buggy was overturned and the man and _ horse both drowned. PEACE ENVOY IN ST. PAUL. Baron Komura and Party Entertained in Minnesota’s Capital. St. Paul, July 25.—Baron Jutaro Ko- mura and party were in St. Paul six hours yesterday, while on the way to New York to confer with President Roosevelt concerning negotiations with Russia to terminate the war in the Orient. On the urgent request of the plenipotentiary his visit in St. Paul was not marked by any demon- stration. He and the members of his party spent the time resting at the Hotel Aberdeen. Dinner was served at 6:30 o'clock at the hotel, and the party left on the 8:40 train over the Burlington in Mr, Hill’s private car, which has conveyed the peace party from Seattle. HAS SON NABBED; PAYS FINE. Father, Who Alleges Assault, Also Gives Lad $25. * Sioux Falls, S. D., July 25.—A farm- er named Johnson, who lives near Baltic, north of Sioux Falls, adopted a unique method of heaping coals of fire upon the head of his son. The son, it is alleged, pummeled his fath- er, who made complaint to the sher- iff's office in this city. The son was arrested, and as a result of his trial before a justice of the peace at Baltic, was convicted. At this juncture the father relented, and not only paid the fine of $25 which had been assessed against the undutiful son, but also presented the lad with $25 in cash. GOPHERS MAY HEAR JOHN D. Albert Lea Will Try to Secure Him for Next Chautauqua. Albert Lea, Minn., July 25. — The second annual Chautauqua held here came to a close last night. It has been a great success from point of attendance and general interest. There have probably been 20,000 ad- or during. the ten days. Law- son, Bryan, La Follette and Hobson were the big attractions and each had a large following. Plans for next year are being talked of and an effort will be made to secure John D. Rocke- feller, Grover Cleveland and other or- ators. INJURIES FATAL TO TRAMP. His Feet Cut Off by Train, Resulting in Death. Hayfield, Minn., July 25—Two men had their feet taken off at Renova, just south of here. One was employed on the new railroad grade work. He was takén to St. Paul and will recov- er. The other was beating his way north on a freight train en route to Canada, where his parents live. He died before the amputation was fin- ished. This is the third accident of this character occurring at that place this summer. MALTING PLANT BURNS. Jefferson, Wis., July 25.—The ele- vator and malt houses of the Lyttle- Stoffenbach company at Jefferson Junction were damaged to the extent of $50,000 by fire. The origin of the fire has not been discovered. The e:e- vator is almost a total wreck. 100 Years as Natural Life. London, July 23. — Sir James C. Browne, author of various works on mental and nervous diseases, in an address before the public health con- gress, declared it was a good working hypothesis to regard the natural life of man as 100 years. Call Special Session of Congress. Lincoln, Neb., July 23.—Senatsr E. J. Burisett has received a letter from tral @raiu near here yesterday morn-: Secretary Loeb in which it was stated ing. His head was severed from his ' jt is the president's intention to call a | killed in a runaway near Freeberg, at bocy. in the two former trials- RUST SCARE\IS DYING OUT- Samples of 5 Grain Men. Minneapolis, July 26—Wheat rust reports ¢ontinued to reach Minneapo- lis yesterday, but the scare which prevailed throughout the greater por- tion of last week had subsided over Sunday and there was a pronounced reaction in the market. Sample stalks were received yesterday from near Glencoe, Gibbon and Dawson, and un- der expert analysis all showed unmis- takable proofs of black rust. Contin- ued good weather has perhaps contrib- uted more than anything else to ease the minds of the Minneapolis grain dealers as to the prospects. Further investigation of the unfavorable re- ports of last week has convinced them that although black rust does un- doubtedly exist in many sections of the Northwest, there is no place where it has spread to any altrming extent as yet, SMASH IN WHEAT PRICE. Chicago Market Driven Down 3 Cents and Minneapolis 5 Cents. Chicago, July 26. — The price of wheat for September delivery broke 13-8@11-2c to 33-8@31-2¢ a bushel on opening trade here yesterday. Ad- vices indicating that the reports of damage by black rust to spring wheat had been greatly exaggerated, were chiefly responsible for the vast volume of selling orders that flooded the pit. A Chicago expert who is investi- gating conditions in the Northwest re- ported that in North Dakota practical- ly no damage had been done. The slump at Minneapgalis of 5¢ had a weakening effect on the market here. The close was 87 3-8c for September and 873-4 for December, being a loss of 3c from Saturday’s close on both options. Minneapelis closed at 943-4c for September and 911-8c for December, against 991-2c and 96c, respectively, on Saturday. MOCK DUEL IS FATAL. Young Man May Die as Result of Shot. Big Rapids, Mich., July 26.—Frank, only son of Judge L. G. Palmet, was perhaps fatally shot yesterday in a mock duel. Palmer and Glen Carpen- ter, his lifelong friend, in fun stood back to back, and after pacing off an agreed number of steps, turned and snapped the triggers of their revol- vers. Witnesses were horrified to see Palmer shot through the stomach. The revolvers had both been exam- ined and were supposed to be empty, but evidently one cartridge had been overlooked. Both young men were about nineteen years old. THINK GIRL WAS MURDERED. River Gives Up Body of Which Throat Was Cut, Muscatine, Iowa, July 26. — The body of a young girl about twenty-two years old has been found in the river here.. Her throat had been cut. The coroner's jury brought in a verdict of murder. The victim has not been identified but it is thought she be- longed to a well-to-do family, as she wore diamonds and was handsomely dressed. GETS LICENSE TO NAB BUCK. Blue Earth County, Minn., Sheriff Se- cures Extradition Papers. Washington, July 26.—Bennett Will- iams, sheriff of Blue Earth county, Minn., was at the state department yesterday and obtained the necessary extradition papers for O. O. Buck, who has been arrested in the Isle of Pines. Buck is wanted in connection with the defalcation of the Bank of Mapleton, Minn., and is now held at Havana. BREAKS ARM; HAS LOCKJAW. Death Comes to Man Aimost on Eve of Wedding, Le Suet, Minn., July 26. — Matt Cantwell of Le Sueur, a painter and photographer, is dead from lockjaw, resulting from the accidental break- ing of both arms above the wrists by falling from a tree while attempting to hive a swarm of bees. He soon was to have been married to Miss Laura Cox of Le Sueur. Spurious Coin Circulated. Fargo, N. D., July 26. -— Assistant United States District Attorney Town- send has authorized the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a Minot “vag” on the charge of. coining imita- tion nickels and quarters. When ar- rested he had about $15 worth of the spurious coin in his possession, but it was such a poor imitation that the of- ficérs doubted’ whether he could be held or not, but an effort will be made. AT SRY, Child Killed by Lightning. Aberdeen, S. D., July 26—The five- year-old child of Mrs, Gruett, living eight miles north of Eureka, was killed by lightning: Three other chil- dren were burned by the electric fluid. The children were sleeping on the floor, and the bolt entered at the chimney and ran across the floor. Killed in a Runaway. Caledonia, Minn., July 26. — Joseph Frank, agei fourteen, wus’ instantly . *necial session of congress or Nov. 11, '7 o'clock yesterday afternoon, ' ZENITH CITY GROWS. Wheat Ease Minds of! Duiuth and Towns on Iron Range Show a Big Increase. St. Paul, July 26. — Official figures given out by the state census bureau yesterday.show that the population of Duluth is 64,946, compared with 52,969 in 1900, a ‘gain of 22.6 per cent. St Louis county during the same period increased from 82,051 to 117,510, a gain of 43.2 per cent. Outside of Du- luth the county made a gain of 84.2 per cent. The cities on the range have shown splendid growth, the re- turns from the principal ones being ax follows: ; 1905. 1900. Hibbing .. 6,566 2,481 Virginia 6,056 2,962 Bly’... 4,045! 8,717 Eveleth . 5,333 2,752 ITALIAN FACTIONS FIGHT. Pievolvers, Knives and Other Weap- ons Used in Battle at Racine. Racine, Wis., July 26. — The two factions of Italians seeking to gain |p; control of the Italian colony in the northwest section of this city, engaged in a fierce fight yesterday. Revolvers, dirk knives and other weapons were used. A general riot call was sent in. Two Italians were arrested. It is claimed by Italian women that several men were injured and taken away. Several have disappeared. The police spent hours in searching houses and found in some regular arsenals. Re volvers, guns, stilettoes, dangerous looking knives, sharp as razors, were found secreted in homes, together with boxes of cartridges. ROBBERS IN CUMMINS’ HOUSE. Infant’s Outcry Routs Burglars in the Governor’s House. Des Moines, ‘Iowa, July 26. — The outery of an infant prevented Gov. Cummins being robbed. Burglars had entered his palatial residence in Grand avenue through the kitchen window about 4 o’clock yesterday morning. The governor's grandsou cried out and awoke the household. The front door was heard to slam im- mediately afterward. Investigation showed where the intruders hac groped about the house and had left burned matches. They took a box of cigars from the dining room table, barely missing several hundred dol- lars in an adjoining room. ASKS AID FOR THE SUFFERERS. Governor Seeks Relief for Flooded Districts. _St. Paul, Jnly 26. — Gov. John A. Johnson made a public appeal yester- day in behalf of the flood sufferers in Aitkin county and designated the newspapers and the Commercial clubs of St. Paul, Duluth and Minneapolis as the committee to solicit subscrip- tions for the afflicted people. Labor Commissioner W. H. Williams, who was sent by the governor to investi- gate conditions in Aitkin county, re- ports that ninety families are in need of immediate assistance, that provis- ions are needed for the people and hay and grain for the cattle and horses, GETS DRINK; LOSES PRISONER. Montana Deputy Sheriff Too Intent on Thirst-Quencher. Helena, Mont., July 26. — George Ricketts, a sheep shearer, wanted in Cascade county on a charge of killing William Hedge at Stanford on July 4, gave a deputy sheriff of Gallatin coun- ty the slip after being arrested. At Logan the officer went into a saloon for a drink while waiting for a train, evidently believing that Ricketts was following him for “some of the same.” But Ricketts was not thirsty. He dodged around the building and es- caped. Heart Broken, Takes Poison. St. Paul, Auy 26. — Miss Mathilde Schusler, aged thirty-five years, a ‘housekeeper employed in a men’s boarding house, died at the city hos’ pital from the effects of carbolic acid. Miss Schuster took the poison at 11:30 o'clock while in her room, and from a letter she left she said her heart was broken, Drowned in Spirit Lake. Fergus Falls, Minn., July 26. — O. Kling, an iron manufacturer of Chica- go, was drowned in Spirit lake, this county. He was visiting his brother there ‘and swam out to catch a boat which had drifted from shore. Se On Se te Winnipeg Wins All But One. Duluth, Minn., vuly, 26.—Winnipeg won first in every eyent but one in the regatta of the Duluth Boat olub in the harbor yesterday in a series of closely contested races. St. Paul won the senior fours. Killed by a Falling Beam. St. Paul, July 26—Joseph Trinke, a mechanic who has been employed iu the Omaha roundhouse, was struck on the head with a falling beam in the roundhouse cinder pit. His skull was crushed and he died half an hour later at the city hospital. Philadelphia, July 26. — Toadstools mixed‘ with mushrooms and eaten at a birthday party has caused the death of four of the six members of the fam- ily of Joseph Francor,a farmer who resided near Landisville. N. J. ‘NEWS OF STATE HAS TWO MILLION. Many Counties show Greater Increase Than Was Expected. The official returns from twenty-six counties show a total population of 505,604, against 418,718 five years ago, an increase of 86,886. The later returns seem to indicate that the total figures for the state will reach close to 2,000,000, as many coun- ties have shown a greater increase than was expected at the beginning of the census taking or at its close. The official figures for twenty-six counties are as follows: Wadena . Red Lake Redwood Stearns Kanabec Meeker Mille Lacs . Beltrami Carlton Rosseau . Washingt Witkin ine Brown Renville McLeod Ss Lac Fillmore Steele Anoka Carver Jackson . Todd .. Nicollet .. The official figures for the more im- portant towns of these counties: 1900. Pine. City - Breckenridge St. Cloud ... Sauk Center Faribault Northfield Bemidji Cloquet Red La Thief River Princeton Milaca .. Litehfield Wheaton Wadena . Redwood Falls St. Peter Long Pra Staples Jackson Lakefield Anoka .. Owatonna . Spring Valley Preston Rushford Madison Dawson Morris Glencoe Hutchin: Olivia Renville . Chaska YOUNG MEN SEEK CHEAPER LAND One Reason for Decrease in Popula- tion in Southern Counties. ‘The decrease in population in Southern Minnesota counties during the past five years, shown by the census returns thus far, is accounted for by Supt. G. H. Wright of the state census bureau as the result of chang- ing conditions, and not through the fact that this section is not as pros- ‘perous as it was in former years. Census returns from counties in the northern part of Iowa show a similar condition. “There is only an imaginary line di- viding Iowa from Minnesota, and cen- sus returns from the northern portion of our neighboring state show the same decline in population as in the southern counties in Minnesota,” said Mr. Wright... “Those sections of the two states were settled earlier than the other sections, and they have en- dured the same experiences that ail older settlements suffer. Land in the southern part of the state has reached a high price, and farmers are not slow to take advan- tage of that. They sell their holdings at big prices, and purchase land in the northern part of the state, North Da- kota or Canada, where land is cheap- er. Then some people have the pio- neering habit. I have known some who have struck out three times for the wilderness. “Then take the groun-up children. The daughters marry and move away with their husbands. The sons go to the sections of the state where they can purchase cheaper land. Some- times the father, who has become prosperous, buys land for his son in the northern part. of the state, say, and starts him up that way. “We believe also that there was some padding done in the southern counties when the census was taken five years ago. They wanted to make a good showing, and they are suffer- ing from it now. I received a letter from an auditor in one of the southern counties, who stated that he believed the count this year was correct, al- though it shows a decrease in popula- tion. He expressed the belief that the enumerators five years ago must have gone to the cemeteries for some of their names.” COPPERAS IN PEAS. Copperas is used to give ae French peas a nice, fresh color, ac- cording to a sample which the state dairy and food commission analyzed last week. Salicylic acid was present in some grape juice, and some sam- ples of blackberry: brandy, strawberry pop and orange cider contained coal tar dye to give the proper coloring, Fifty-nine of the samples inspected by the commissicn proved to be up to le- gal requirements, and forty-nine were Allegaz. i THE STATE. } BG Liidsnnkhetesatuescunaened WELL KNOWN TO OLD RESIDENTS Ger. N. J. T. Dana a Former Resident of St.Paul. | Gen. Napoleon J. T, Dana, who died Saturday at Portsmouth, N. H. was well known to the o}der residents of 3t. Paul and Minnesota. He was asso- ziated with the early military history of Minnesota both as a regular army officer and colonel of the First Minne- sota volunteers, and for a number of years prior to the Civil war was en- gaged in the banking business in st. Paul. Gen. Dana graduated from thé mili- tary academy at West Point in 1842 and was appointed second lieutenant in the regular army that year. He served in garrisons at various points in the South until 1845, when he ac- companied the military occupation ot Texas. He served in the war with Mexico, taking part in the battle of Monterey, the siege of Vera Cruz, and the battle of Cerro Gordo,,where he was brevetted captain for gallant and meritorious service in battle. He was severely wounded in storming the in- trenchments at Telegraph- Hill. Gen. Dana was detailed at Fort Snelling in 1848-9, later going to Fort Gaines and returning to Fort Snelling jn 1853. Dtring his period of service in Minnesota he built Fort Ridgley and Fort Ripley, acting as quartermas- ter, and in 1£55 he resigned from the army with the rank of captain. Between 1855 and 1861 Gen. Dana was engaged in the banking business in St. Paul, a part of the time being associated with the firm of Borup & Oakes. When Col. Willis A. Gorman, colonel of the First Minnesota volunteers, was appointed a brigadier general in 1861, Capt. Dana was appointed to succeed him. He served during the rebellion from 1861 to 1865, being promoted to a brigadier general in February, 1862, and attached to the Army of the Po- tomac. He was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam. Atvthe time of his death Gen. Dana had the rank of major general, retired. He did not return to St. Paul to reside after the close of the war. Fora time the was engaged in railroad work in Illinois, later going East and finally taking up his residence in Washing- ton. While a resident of St. Paul Gen. Dana built an imposing home in Lower Town. It w his custom to send greetings to each reunion of the sur- vivors of the First Minnesota, but at the last reunion recently held in this city no word was received from him. The was about eighty-five years old at his death. WILL REPORT ON FLOOD DAMAGE W. H, Williams Sent to Aitkin by Gov, Johnson. Definite action on the complaints made by residents of Aitkin county that the overflow of the government reservoirs is causing considerable damage to their lands, has been taken by Gov. Johnson. He issued instrue- tions for Labor Commissioner W. H. Williams to proceed to the flooded district and make a thorough investi- gation. “As soon as I reach Aitkin I shall go to see W: D. Kemerer, the county superintendent, and A. L. Hamilton, the editor of the Aitkin Republican, and learn from them what the condi- tions are,” said Mr. Williams. “I do not know anything about the trouble, except what I have seen in the papers. I shall go through the country and find out to what extent the overflow has damaged the lands of the resi- dents, and immediately telegraph to the governor what should be done. “While up there I shall study the labor phase of the problem. Many may have been thrown out of work and will need immediate employment. Our employment bureau will be used for that purpose. Perhaps it will be necessary to bring some of them down to the Twin Cities, in which event it is to be hoped that the citizens will be ready to offer work to them, There are undoubtedly many young men in the flooded district who can go out into the harvest fields and find work until the middle of September. It is better to give them work; I am not a believer in charity.” AGREE TO RIGHT IT. Railroad Officials Stop Proceedings on Albert Lea Complaint. The railroad commission investigat- ed the complaint of Abe Hirch of the Albert Lea Hide & Fur company, that he had to pay more for shipping hides to Chicago than Twin City deal- ers, who have a rate of 15.7 cents. He formerly enjoyed the same rate, but it was raised to 20 cents and his complaints only secured a slight re- duction. The commission was _pre- pared to bring the case before the in- terstate commerce commission, but representatives of the three roads con- cerned, who were present. declared the matter had aever reached them, and agreed to confer with the Albert Lea man and straighten the matter up to his satisfaction. In trying to save some children from injuries by a farmer's runaway team, A. B. Patton, manager of the Interstate Mercantile company of Wi- nona, was run over and badly injured. Two of his ribs were broken and he was injured internally. It is believed that he will recover. The wheels of the wagon passed over his breast and body.