River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-02-08
ANOTHER TRAGEDY.
A Wife Murdered-Ths Murderer Arrested
Nearly Case of Judge Lynch's Court.

Friday morning the report came
from the Bohemian settlement that
a woman had frozen to death, but
this was soon supplemented by the
statement that tie woman showed
signs of maltreatment, and was prob
ably killed. A cOroner's jury was at
once summoned by Constable w. IL
Tozer. consisting of the following
named gentlemen: +. Bracket, ). ID.
Dodge. w. ). Ensign, G II. ThurSton,
O. &. Hicks and A. IL. Lord, who i'm
mediately proceeded to the scene of
the tragedy and held an examination
of the case.
Paul Appl was the first witness called
and his testimony was substantially
that he went home the evening be-
fore. and it being late his wife came
out to assist him in taking care of the
horses, and that he left her finishing
the work and went into the house. and
being very tired went Immediately to
bed aud went to sleep. not awaking
until he was aroused at three the next
morning by the crying of an infant
child, when, reaching after his wife,
lie found that she was missing. He
then went out and found her lying
pattly frozen between the house and
barn. Frightened, he went to the
house of Frank FoIdsek. and told him
he was afraid his wife had frozen to
death. Foldsek went over immed-
lately and found Mrs. App about half
way between the house and the barn,
dead. ard lie took mp the body and
carried it to the house.
An examination by the surgeons in
attendance, Drs. Ballard and Gould,
developed the fact that the only
clothing the unfortunate woman had
upon her person, was calico dress, a
single under garment and pair of
calf shoes and short stockings. The
body showed many signs of ill-treat-
ment and marks of blows upon the
head and neck, none of which, how
ever. sufficient of themselves to cause
death. Alter their examination they
rendered verdict rs follows:
That the said Theresa Appl became
disabled 10y violent abuse and wounds
given and made by some instrument
i'm the hands of Paul Appl and from
these. aided by subsequent exposure
to cold. caused by such disabled con-
dition. she came to her death January
%. 1888. ut the town of River Falls,
county Of Pierce, and State of Wis
consin.
Appl was arrested and taken
before Justice Holmes for an examin-
alton. The hearing was postponed
until the 5th day of February, 1888.
and Aprl given into the hands of
Deputy Sheriff Lord. After the latter
had taken his prisoner to his stable,
and while waiting for a team to be
harnessed to carry his man to Els
worth, an angry crowd gathered at
the door and deep threats of lynching
were heard. Mr.. Lord was, however,
equal TO the emergency. and stood at
the door. quietly, but with AN evident
determination TO protect his charge
Finally the outside parties grew tired
of looking into the muzZle of the ugly
looking weapon the Sheriff carries
when on duty. and after trying to
urge some one of the party to take
the chances of the first shot it left the
the field and determined TO await the
result of the examination.
Monday, Feb. 5.-Appl waived ex-
animation and was remanded to Jail
to await trial at the May term of the
Circuit Court,