The New York herald., 1877-11-16
WHO STRUCK HUNCK?
A PROBLEM THAT JUSTICE COULD NOT SOLVE
SOME PRETTY TALL SWEARING AND A PRE-

PROBLEM THAT JUSTICE COULD NOT SOLVE
SOME PRETTY TALL SWEARING AND PRE-
cocIoUs WITNESS.
Tho Court OF Special Sessions little troubled
yesterday. For two hours tho OF justice per-
fsey insisted on devating from It's usually gentle
course. II dashed tsmpesuously against tho banks
on either sde and vigorously sought to form aud
unheard OF courses Tho cause OF the unusual agita-
ton case OF assault and battery which Hcr-
mann Hunck tho complainant and John
Knobloch the defendant Who struck Hunckf was
the problem presented for solution Hunck
swore by all thai holy that Kuobloch was
the assailant, while Knoboch pledged his oath. his
property and his sacred honor that wasn't. varl-
Gus witnesses were called and lhey ranged In two
distinct classea-"Hunckites"a and "Knobochitcs." II
evident that much III feeling prevailed between
Tho two factions Tho evidence showed that tho
melee originally sprang IRON between the
eldest sons OF tho respective principals Knobloch,
Jr., was being soundiy puminelcd by Hunck, Jr, on
l55h street. when knobIoch, Sr. went 10 the rescue
This was the signal Tor Hunck, Sr, who was not WILL
ing his FIRST born tho victim OF superior
force. Up 10 this point all was hormony the tcst-
mony. but after this vague AMI MISTY cloud oi doubt
hung over tho proceedings. Only thing was clear
This was that Hunck, ST., was struck powerful blow
ON tho head ny a bale stick la tho bnnds oi-Hnnck
nnd his friends swcar-knobloch; knoDioch and his
friends swear no.
Joseph Wilhclin the first witness called. Mr..
Wilhelm was not more than ton years old. bat he
considerable OF man Notwithstanding. Leaning back
IN the witness chair no gazed hereby ut kuobloch,
bat composed'y answered all questions, not forget
ting, however. 10 tnse each with something dcrosa-
tive to knoblocn. Tue witucss was sure tuat kno-
bloch struck the blow "Didn't l SEQ him with my
own cvcs 7" ho conv incingy asked.
''Is there any feeling between you and and Mr.
KnoDochY" inquired the defendants counsel
Under ordinary circumstances tho question would
have been very humorous feuds between boys vi
leul lutu % u ma.o d a VI.
dcnce IN courts Of law, but everybody ~ the court
tclt that tho question was not oIly proper but
highly pertinent, and so tho Court ruled.
..Well,n said the youthful witness, taking his Dyes
OF tho prisoner knoboch and casting them med.
itatvcly ~ huge par near the window, II suppose
! must admit that there Is littio feeling between
Knobloch ana myself" I" Then, after pause, ''It's a
family matter, Your Honor, and don't care 70 tell Is
ALL"
Tho Court considerably excused the witness and
another took the stand. He also was u slrong adv
hereut oil hunck He saw Tho bale stick. Witnessed
tho blow Identified knobocn as the usshilant and be-
neid tho blood on Huncx's forehead After
tho evidence OF some others Mr. Hanson
took the stand. While scraggy and flaming
red goatee, coupled with long checks, hardly
justified the name, Ar. Hanson proved eless
good witness. he was decided "Kuouochtc." He
present throughout the und know absolutely
that knoDloch did not strike tue blow. Mrs. Nu-
dolph cIcnchcd the nail Tor knoboch by swearing that
Hunck had used some very wicked language toward
him
s.What did he say Sn asked the Court.
The witnesz looked very SOLEMN as she answered.
"He ran all around, crying We're vo5 dot Knoboch.
dill scalp y - To carry his throat witness
explained that ne brandshod tho air picket OF
fence, but as 10 how ns could utilizo such an mple
ment for scalpins purposes she did not make clear
The Court ponderod the case long ana
nesty. rho witnesses were equally divided. Tho tss
imony OF sido evenly balanced that OF the other
No cross exam nation had shaken any or the Wit
ncsscs. The Court WAS perpoXed. All Its skill IN
.drawing OUT IN making clear the obscure IN unrav-
cling the mystery, had been IN vain. And SO In de-
spair It was decided that knoboch was not guilty.