Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-05-25
FROM NEBRASKA.
State Expenses-NOne Left to Tell the
Tale-LOOks Like PrOhi.
bition, Etc.
A.Horrible Catastrophe:

Alarge barn on the farm of a Mr.. Freese,
about mile or two from Arlington,
buried last week and the dead
bodies Of Mrs. Freese, Fred Grateluschen,
his wife and three children and his brother
Louis were found among the ruins. So
far as known there was no person present
other than these seven who lost their lives.
Shortly after 6 o'clock smoke was seen is
suing rom the Freeser farm and party
armed with buckets, axes and ladders, pro-
curingte beams and started for the scene.
When they arrived the south, end of the
building. which was large two story
structure, had already fallen in and the
rest Of it fell shortly after. When they
reached the fire neither Fred Giateluschen,
Mrs. Freese, the son-in -lawy and hired
man nor any of the family were in sight.
Two men went to the house. They found
all the doors open and everything in dis
order, as if the occupants had left in very
great hurry. Search was Immediately. com
menced for the missing persons which re-
suited in the discovery of!the dead body of
q man. All the clothing was burned off
and bnly shred of blackenea flesh chung
to tie skeleton here and there. From the
size of the remains, however, they were
ACCSSSuiAeu DIS SuOscr tITe1t
After the discovery of; Fred Grateluschen
whstever else they could find and continued
the search. They were soon rewarded by
discovering the bodies Of Mrs. Crate
luschen, her three children, Louis Crate
luschen ard the old, lady Freese. Both
women seemed to have, been only
partially dressed.. Nearly all the flesh
was burned off the bodies of all of them.
Many theories have been advanced as to
the probable cause of or motive fer the de-
struction of this family. and at first gen.
orally believed that the burning was an ac-
cident, but the belief is now gaining
ground that they We're murdered and burn
ed in the barn by some fend. A most
thorough examination Of, everything con-
nected with the mysterious affair has been
made, and llparties connected with the
examination arc now firm in their belief
that the deaths we're not accidental. Rem
nants of clothing worn by the victims were
! found among the ruins of the barn. Among
these was a stiff collar fastened to the dress
worn by Mrs. Fred Grateluschen. This
was saturated with blood, and near the
dress there was found about three ounces
of clotted blood, as if some had come from
the victims throat. The remains of Mrs.
Grateluschen showed plainly that the
throat had been cut. 1t appears that Louis
Grateluschen was. madly in love with
Emma Freese, whom. he had cause to believe
loved another, and getting no encourage
ment from her parents, had repeatedly
made remarks to the effect that there would
yet be day Of reckoning. Taking the
facts, as they can be got from Emma
esse Who a was away on o visit rs,s at the
| IN c,xrpoe.a hot T,o,1rS opfioo5 tho 1v
to the barn, murdered them, set the place
on fire, and in his eagerness to make sure
of his work and conceal the crime, fell a
victim to his own wrath.
| What 1t Costs to Run the State.
The state. board of examiners, at their re-
! cent session made an examination of the