The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1884-08-07

AN INIiUMAN ACT-Some years age
an old man named Carl Warnke, over
20 years of age, with his wife, aged be-
tween 90 aud 40, and two SONS, VIII
liam and Augustus, settled upon n AZ
acre tract In Chase township, some -four
ur five miles southeast of the village.
As near as we can learn, the paying
for the land was to bea sort of joint
family affair. All were to work to-
gether to pay for the place, and all live
together rs one family. Everything
seemed to go well, and when the home
was paid for, the deed was made out in
Williams name. A frame house was
built, and the old couple thought they
had secured home for the remainder
of their days.
Something like year ago, William
married woman who had been living
with man named Peasc, near Reed
City. With the marriage came trouble
In the family of Warnke. William
decided the home to his wife. Some
weeks since, the new wife drove the
old man from the premises, and he had
to take refuge in stable OIL a neigh
boris farm. She also, forbid him set.
ting foot on her land. The old man,
however, would not forsake his aged
wife, and one day, while Mrs. William
was away, the old man ventured to Wis.,
1t his wife; and Mrs. w. returning,
found him there, A stormy time en-
sued, and resulted in the younger wom-
an driving the older one out of the
house, also; locking the doors, and go
ing away (back to Peasc, 1t is supposedly
A neighbor took pity OH the old couple,
and gave them shelter, in his dwelling,
with his family. But the house was
small, even for one family; besides, the
old lady was sick, and decrepit, and
was worrying about troubling her
neighbors, and so they moved into
shed, OH the Warnke place, till they
could find better shelter.
The old man came to Baldwin, and
applied to Sup't of the Poor Radcliffe
for assistance, and Mr.. II. paid visit to
the place. The misery of the old pco-
pie was distressing. AS they wished,
if possible, to live in the house they
had hel ped to build, Mr.. r. advised
them to see Mrs. VIM. Warnke, and
ascertain if she would let them OCCUPY
it. Ifnot, they were to move into
house owned 10y Mr.. Hunsberger.
"Gus" (lG years oldD was still with
them. This was on Saturday, last.
On Monday they were to move. Dur
ing Saturday night William and his
wife returned to the house. Sunday
morning, William beat and kicked his
father, driving him away. The tiend-
ish couple then took tho old lady OIL
her bed, and despite her cries and
tearing her hair, carried her out into
the road, placing n few loose boards up |
over her, in the form Of u shed. They |
then drove off.
Word was sent to Chase, and Under |
Sheriff Cummins, DIR. Fields. and two
or three others went down. The old
couple had again been sheltered by the
Monday forenoon, telegram was
sent to Mr.. Radcliffe, and he again
went down to Chase, and there learned
Df the outrage. The arrangement had
been made to care for the aged couple,
IN Hunsburgcr's house; but it was de-
,ided that William Warnke and his
wife should be punished for their in
luman conduct. A warrant was is
sued by Esquire Tanner, and Under
Sheriff Cummins and Constable Cory.
vent after the pair, returning with
hem to Chase, Monday evening. On
Prosecuting Attorney With
y went down, the couple were tried
,eforc jury, and convicted of assault
md battery. Justice Tanner sentenced
he man to ninety days ut Ionia, and
he woman to serve the same period in
he House of Correction Mt Detroit;
Idding that his only regret was that
Ie could not give them longer term.
The sentence was received with ap-
'lause; when the woman sprang into
corner of the room, and drew revol-
'er. Officer Cummins sprang towards
Ter, and caught the weapon, just as
he pulled the trigger-the hammer
descending and cutting Mr.. C's hand.
revolver was also, taken away from
Pease was In the room, and the ex-
ited and indignant citizens hustled
lin down stairs; deluged him with
vater from n hydrant, and fairly drove
i'm out of town.
The prisoners were brought hand
uffed to the county. Jail at Baldwin,
tuesday, night, and yesterday morning I
we're taken to their respective places of {
10y Cummins.
Farming lands for sale within three \