Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-06-24

Monday morning our little city was
shocked by the bringing to light of an
other of those disgraceful crimes against
society and humanity that have become
SO frequent. 1t is, we are glad to say,
but seldom that such crimes as this are
committed within the limits of our town,
where woman and virtue are always res
pected. It brings the blush of shame to
our cheeks, to have to record an act so
disgraceful, as occurring within the
bounds of Austin. The facts-as far as
could be learned at the trial yesterday
morning, before Justice Sheedy-were as
follows: 1t appears that young person,
giving his name as Fred Rettlg, and for q
few weeks past in the employ of Col. j.
H. Mansfield as bus driver, had so ingra-
Maggie McGulphin, a young girl 10 years
old, who with her parents reside in the
western portion of the city, as to persuade
her, on Sunday evening, to 20 out on the
Cedar river boatridlng with him. After
going about of a mile up the river he
rowcd to shore. Becoming frightened, he
sought the river again, and rowed little
farther out of the reach of help; then run
ming to shore, after bitter struggle. in
which the girls clothing was considera-
bly, torn, he succeeded in accomplishing
his hellish design of ruin, believing him
self safe from a witness, and therefore
from punishment; but Providence 50 will
ed it that II. G. Waldecker, one of our
business men, came on the scene in time
to be valuable witness, thereby enabling
justice to be done, and the guilty punish
ed. Rettig was bound over in the sum of
81 900, to await the action Of the grand
Jury in default Of which he was taken to
our county Jail.
---DEATH OF VIM. II. W1THAM-Last
Saturday news was received of the death
of Mr.. Witham in Owatonna. He had
been sick for several weeks. DR.. Gibson
his old family physician, was summoned
to his bedside last Thursday by telegram;
but it was no use-poor Billy was past
all help. His disease was typhoid pneu
mona. For years he has been in poor
health. He was painter by trade, and
had been in the employ of Ames Brothers
of this city nearly all the time they have
been running the foundry, leaving. them
last fall for Owatonna, where he had a
job Of painting for Mclaughlin, Sheldon
& Co. He has resided in Austin for Is
years; was faithful hard working young
man, and good citizen. His age was
AZ years. He leaves wife and four
children. Mr.. Witham was soldier in
the late war, and was member of the
G. A. r. Post of this city. The remains
were brought to Austin Monday noon,
and the funeral services conducted in
G. A. r. hall at 2 p. m, bv Rev. A. W.
Edwards. There was large turnout to
the funeral, the old soldiers in procession
numbering over fifty. The Austin Cor
net Band, of which Mr. Witham had also
been connected, joined the funeral col
umn, and the attendance Of friends was
large. The following resolutions have
been handed us for publication
The Committee on Resolutions of Nc
Intyre Post No. 66, have reported as fol-
lows:
WHEREAS, The Grand Commander of the
Heaven and the Earth has seen fit to remove
from US, by death, our dearly beloved Com
rade, William H. Witham.
Resolved, that in the death of our Comrade.
a. R has lost Prg6t a5d
citizen, and his family a kind and indulgent
! husband and father. That while We mourn
our loss, aud sympathlze with his wife and
children, let US not forget that death Is the
| common lot Of all; and as we believe in a
world Of future happiness and glory, where
| there will be no more wars or rumors OF wars
peace, with no sectional disputes, no North,
! no South, no Blue, no Gray, but all purity and
| white. and but one song, and that the song OF
SladneSS, let US nope mat, W0lle We remain
| in q world of death and tears, our dear COM
| rade has put on the uniform OF purity, and is
| now shouting songs triumphant
| Resolred, further, That Mcintyre Post, No g.
| be draped in mourning, and that a copy OF
| these resolutions be spread upon the records
| Of the Post, and copy forwarded to the wife
| Of the deceased.
BIOGRAPHY.
Comrade William Fl. Witham was born in the
! State of New York, and was one OF the first
| to respond to his country's call, by enlistinR
| in the l06th Regiment N. Y. Infantry Volun'
teers, where he served three years. Soon az
ter leaving the army, he came to Minnesota.
settling in Austin. Comrade Wnham had
! been in poor health since his three years ser
| vice in the army. He had applied for pen
! sion, but through some technicality never re
| ceived it. No doubt his untimely death was
| caused by exposure and hardship while assist
| ing to preserve US a Union. and We hope and
| pray that this great and wealthy Government
| will now assist his bereaved widow and or
| phans, who are left destitute. The Govern
| ment Comrade William helped to preserve
! owed him pension. He did not receive it
| Now let justice be done the widow and or
phans-
Comrades II. ". ELNs,
| G.L. CASE.
| W. Fl. SUTTON,
| Committee
| Az rooua w;ll H,o fnuua IN M u;l