The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-09-28
A BRUTAL MURDER.


all the circumstances both directly con-
nected with the murder and the abuse
which the poor woman has suffered for
years, indignation becomes so intense
that one feels hell itself does not furnish
torments sufficient to properly punish
the brute who stained his hands with his
wife's blood after having for years de-
prived her of every kind of happiness.
On the night mentioned, directly after
supper, Rathsack got his axe and began
to sharpen it. His wife, as usual, had
been hard at work and he had been idle
and it appears that he wanted to get
some money which she had but refused
| to give him. She asked why he was
sharpening the axe, and remarked
'Perhaps you are going to kill me-"
He instantly replied, "yes, I am" She
ran for the door and he sprang after her,
striking her on the head with the edge
of the axe. When she fell he struck her
again, both cuts passing through the
skull to the brain. He then rifed her
pockets, seized bundle of clothes which
he had previously done up, and left. 1t
is said that before leaving he attempted
to kill the youngest child, but was pre-
vented by his mother, who allowed him
to escape before giving the alarm. Rath-
sack strenuously denies having made
any attempt on the child's life. Medical
assistance was Immediately summoned,
but it was evident the woman could not
live long. She did survive until Sunday
morning, although unconscious during
| the entire time.
From the fact that the old lady used
to Join her son in his drunken sprees, aid
him in robbing his wife of her hard
earned money, and join him in otherwise
abusing her, it was believed that she was
| implicated in the murder. Her allowing
him to escape before giving the alarm,
gave color to the suspicion. But it is
i extremely doubtful that she was aware
of her sons intentions, if indeed he had
premeditated the murder for any length
| of time. The preparations he had made
for leaving, and taking the little money
from the dead body of his wife certainly
gives an appearance of design to the act.
But adquate cause is wanting and the
more probable theory is that in fit of
frenzy at the refusal of his wife to give
] him money, together with the force of
habit. beating her on every pretext, led
| him in this instance to exceed the brutal
ity of any of his former acts.
On Friday there was no clue to the
fellows whereabouts. The officers were
completely baffled. An arrest was made
in Sheboygan and Sheriff Murphy went
down directly but found it was not the
right man. On Friday night the mayor
offered reward of 5000 and this stimu-
lated the search for the murderer. Had
he been caught on Thursday night, he
certainly would be lynehed. Some of
! the men in search for him carried ropes
for the purpose. Saturday gave no trace
and the opinion began to be entertained
that he had drowned himself. On Sun
day, short while after his wife died he
was seen by two or three persons in the
marsh a little above the scene Of the
murder. The alarm was instantly given
and a number started in pursuit. Michel
| son, Rathsack says, was the first to dis
cover him. The murderer was sitting
near spring of water, having stick in
his hand and the bundle of clothes on
| the ground beside him. Michaelson
started for assistance and Rathsack ran
| from the spot little distance and climb
ed tree. Captain Perry Edwards, who
had joined in the search, saw a man
coming down from the tree quite rapidly
and recognized the murderer. When he
found he was discovered he did not de-
scend any further. HenrySandford CON-
| ing up ordered him down. On Rath-
sacks refusal, Sanford told boy to get
an axe to chop tho tree. When Rathsack
heard this he put his hand in his pocket,
took out jack knife, opened it, deiiber-
| ately felt its edge and then plunged it
into his abdomen. He unclasped the
tree at the same time and fell a distance
of 20 feet. Either he was stunned by
the fall or feigned to be, as he closed his
eyes and showed no signs of life, but he
could not suppress breathing. The
sheriff was sent for and kathsack was
taken to the Jail, followed by large
crowd who, however, made no hostile
demonstration.
Mrs. Rathsack was woman somewhat
above her station and is well known to
many of the wealthier class of women of
the north side, who knowing the manner
in which she was maltreated at home,
treated her with unusual kindness. She
went out washing and by her earnings
supported her three children, her hus-
band and his mother. She was forced
to do this always, even when pregnancy
aud the demands of maternity required
rest She was forced to purchase peace
by giving her husband money with which
to supply himself with liquor. When
some pressing household want would
make her withhold the customary allow
ance, she was beaten cruelty and the
money taken from her by force. Often
she was thrown out by the old lady, who
joined her son in his brutality as we'll as
in his drinking. Her affection for her
children transcribed that felt by most
mothers. Nothing pleased her more |
than to receive some little present for her |
children from those for whom she work |
ed, and her mothers love even went SO