Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-20
Most Foul and Unnatural.

uhD1oON' W le., u uuO IL ~ o.
rest of A. W. bennett, one of the
graduating class Of the State UNIVERSE
ty, for smothering and throwing his
S-month-old child in Milwaukee River,
has caused much excitement here, es-
pecialiy among the students Of the
University He was hard student,
and would probably have graduated
with honors in a couple Of weeks. 1t
seems bennett became acquainted with
young lady at Lodi, Wis, by the
name of Cain; that they became crimi
nally intimate revealed itself in the
fact that Miss Cain, who was then vi
sitting friends in Stevens Point, in o.
tober last gave birth to male child.
bennett went to Stevens Point, took
the child to Milwaukee, and placed it
in charge of a German woman. In
| December last bennett and Miss Cain
we're married, bennett continuing his
studies at the University and his wife
teaching school near Prairie du Sac,
the home of bennett, where it is un-
derstood she is now engaged, Near
the first of May bennett went to Mil
waukee, secured sack, and, at the
convenient moment, placed brick in
it Placing the package under bis
arm, he went to the house Of the nurse,
whom he informed that he had made
arrangements for keeping the babe
elsewhere The child was nicely.
dressed and given to its father. 1t
had become dark in the meanwhile.
Taking the child in his arms, lie pro-
ceeded toward the Milwaukee & St.
Paul depot, smothe,iny the child un-
der his arm as he walked, and, in
crossing the Menomonee River, placed
it in the bag and threw itin the murky
waters. lie then returned to his stu
dies at the University, which he pro.
secuted with vigor, often joining in the
students festivities when not at his
studies. But the avenger was after
him. About week ago passing tug
stirred up the murky waters OF the riv-
err, bringing to it's surface the bag with
its CHASTITY contents. The police were
at once set at work to find the author
of the crime. Finally, by dilieent
search, they found the man who iden-
titled It's clothes and its fathers name.
His arrest followed last night. He at
once confessed himself the father cf
child, but claimed that be had taken
it from its German nurse, and put it
on the steps Of palatial residence in
Milwaukee. The officers persisted IN
their knowledge Of his crime, 70 which
he finally confessed. He was taken to
Milwaukee by Chief Beck this NOM
ing, and he will doubtless suffer the
full penalty of his crime. bennett is
n years old, Of fair complexion, medi,
um height. and was generally beloved
by his fellow students, his department
for the past three years having been
above reproach. His father is u
wealthy farmer at Prairie du Sac
On Saturday forenoon, Alba w.
bennett, the young man charged with
the murder of bis infant child, was ar
raigned before the Municipal Court in
Milwaukee to answer for bis crime.
He waived an examination and was
committed for trial at the July term.
He appeared careworn and has ur-
doub'edly suffered great anguish of
mind while meditating The sad result
of his horrible act
The prisoners father arrived from
Prairie Gu Sac on Saturday and visited
the Jail. He stated to the authorities
that he and his family were fairly
dunbfounded when they learned of the
affair. They had not been let into the
secret of the young couples troubles
before their marriage.
Mr.. bennett believes in his sons state.
ment that he did not intend to kill the
child. The boy never told him lie
and had in every relation been to him
truthful and obedient child
Alba had not been in his usual
frame of mind for nearly year, and
the father accounted for the murder as
the result Of an ungovernabe impulse
of an unsound mind. All day Friday
the old man was in close conference
with his son. The brother-in law and
several college companions of the pri-
oner have also called to see him.
Judging from present indications de.
tense of insanity will be made. Mrs.
bennett, wife Of the prisoner, went in
to spasms when she heard the sad news
Of her husbands fall, and only the
prompt attendance Of physicians pre-
vented her death. She is too i'll to
leave home.