Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-05-10


of paying his expenses to Westfeld.
where the prisoner went to purchase
team.
Frank Maynard testified that he
resided in the Town Of Lincoln in Jan
Saw the defendant at Westfeld on the
18th, and accompanied him to Eber-
hard He said be was going to John
L. Hesler's to purchase a team The
defendant had on a red knit cap and
dark overcoat.
John H. Phelps said he was res
ident of Lincoln, Adams County, near
Hesler's home, and had known him
for twenty-five years. Was not &C
quainted with Fenner. Saw HIM on
Jan. IS last near Westfeld Fenner
asked il Hester had team for ale.
told him Hesler had a mule team for
$500. Defendant said he would pay
him that price Saw defendant come
out of Hesler's toward evening and
witness tried to catch up to him, but
defendant ran away. Saw him on Jan
- 1UlIl2 CONdiQ 10 IlGSICI y.
Il. B. Maynard. resident of Mar
4uette, County, and father of Frank
Maynard, testified that he saw defend
ant in Jan. and was at home when
Fenner brought lady school-teacher,
tt board at his house saw Fenner on
Jan. 16, in the evening, The prisoner
stayed all night and witness conversed
with him Defendant said he came
from Packwaakee on the train. He
said he had purchased a team at Ford
ham that Hesler had sold his mules,
but he would not have paid the price,
$500, for them. He said he had
work at Auburndale where he would
take his team. Defendant went with
the schooi-teacher, at s o'clock next
morning, to the school house, three
quarters Of mile distant Witness
did not know his name, but the school
teacher called him Fred.
Gilbert Hubbel testified that he was
resident of Oxford to Pack waukee.
He was acquainted with the defendant
for two years, and called him Fred
Fenner Carried him to Pack waukee
on Jan. Is. and witness had CON
versation with him about team.
Mr.. John Heslcr sai3 that Fenner
looked at the mules. and said he would
purchase them. lie gave Hester s.
to bind the bargain, and said he would
give him S40O on their delivery at
Junction City. Defendant returned
next day at II o'clock, and left in
company with his father and the mules
at O'Clock for Junction City Fen
ner was dressed in a red 6Iackinaw
suit, red cap, rubhers and ieggins,
with dark overcoat. He described
the team, bob-Sled and blankets, and
identified the articles found in the
woods as his fathers The blankets,
bag and red suit worn by Fenner were
brought into court and identified by
the witness. The wallet was also
identified as that of his father.
Mrs. Barbara Hesler sworn, testi-
fed that she was resident of Lincoln
and wife of j j. Hesler, deceased.
She identified Fenner as the man who
purchased the mules. Heard the
conversation between her
HUSBAND AND DEFENDANT
about the purchase Saw the defend
ant pay S. and saw them leave the
yard together with the mules. She
identified the blankets and wallet
Martha Hesler, daughter of John
Hesler. deceased, said she knew the
defendant by sight Saw him first on
Jan. 16. Her testimony agreed with
that Of the rest Of the family. The
defendant told his folks lived in
Chicago, but he lived all over and had
no home
Mr.. Holmes testified that his home
was at Big Flats. He was acquainted
with HeSIer during his lifetime. John
L. Heslcr aud the man who accompan-
led him stayed the night Of jan. II
at his house. Fhe man dressed in a
red Mackinaw suit he identified
{ Fenner) in court. as the person who
accompanied Hesler to his place,
fifteen miles distant from Heslers.
Other witnesses were examined dur
ing the day, their testimony all point
ing directly to the defendant as the
murderer.
Thursday Nay 10Th.
The morning session brought no
new developments. Is witnesses were