Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-05
DYNAMlTERS.
George and Henry Boyey and jain
Kline arrested as the
bnbeh0t0ry.


The Merrill Advocate contained
statement from each of the parties
arrested, charged with the blowing up
Of the Chinese Laundry in that city the
past week. Here is each mans
explanation:
HENRY BOYER.
made the following statement: con
Sunday night | went into Phil. Wards
saloon at about half-past nine, and did
not go out until l heard the explosion.
was talking with Bob Truax, John
Kline, Billy Dunn and Otto Dahlman
when [ heard the report. We all
wondered what the noise could mean,
when Bob went out, and soon returning
said that the Chinese laundry had been
blown up. I asked Billy for lantern
and we all went doWn-shortly after
ward returning to the saloon, where I
remained until II o'clock. I can prove
this statement by half dozen men.
And I can explain why left town, and
that my absence had no connection
whatever with this matter. Last week,
work was begun upon a boat which
Prescott Calkins, George Gibson and
myself intended to use on one of the
Lakes for a few days fishing. We
intended to start on Saturday, but
Prescott came to me and said that he
been offered a job on the drive at So a
day and would have to give up the
fishing expedition and spoke to George
and he said he would rather 90 on
Monday, aDd We put it off until that
time. Monday we took the 1890 train
for Tomah&wk, and the first intimation
had that I was suspected was uttered
by Joe Downey, who came to the camp
that night"
JOHN KLINE
said: 'tWas in Phil. Wards saloon;
went in with Hank Boyer and was
there when the explosion occurred.
Boyer went behind the bar and lighted
a lantern and we went over to the
laundry. Don't remember who went
with us. We went back to the saloon
and after awhile l went home. In
regard to the cartridges, I did buy
three cartridges and six caps of Bob
Weiss, Saturday night, and took them
home and hid them behind an clubhouse
but | bought them to 60 fishing with on
Sunday, but did not go. After looking
around a little for fellow who had
promised to go with me, and not finding
him, gave up the contemplated trip.
Monday or Tuesday, Bob Truax and |
were standing in front Of Wards saloon
when Bob said he had the parties dead
TO rights, and he asked me if I hadn't
bought dynamite of Bob Weiss, and I
told him I had. I asked him if he
wanted it, and he said he did, and I
went and got it for him. remarked
that the next morning We would go and
see if Weiss wouldn't recognize the
explosives as the same that I bought
and remember the number of pieces.
The next time that / came on the
street, Bob Truax and Joe Downey
confronted me and said that I had
better 60 up to the city hall. went
with them to Canon's Office and
supposed they were going to send for
Weiss and have the matter cleared up,
but they wouldn't send for him. r
understand that Weiss says that I
bought four cartridges, but it is not so.
[ haven't employed an attorney as yet.
GEORGE BOYER
says: can prove when the proper
time comes, that am innocent of the
charge. The first that knew of the
occurance was the next morning as
was making one Of my trips with my
laundry wagon. Joe Bartleme called
out to me in a joking way, that the
Chinese laundry had been blown up
and for me to look out, as they were
after me. John Pose, near the Lincoln
House, made a similar remark, and
others along the street were quite
profuse with like utterances, but I
considered all these expressions in the
light of a joke and paid no serious
attention to them. My feelings toward
the Chinaman have been far from
envious, for | have had all the work I
could do and have been obliged to labor
day and night to turn work out on
time. Have been on the best of terms
with the Chinaman-have visited their
place and they mine. Our relations
have been harmonious and this they
will not deny. Flett & Porter are my
attorneys.