Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-02-26
ARRESTED FOR A FOUL CRIME,

ter, but passing under the alias of Ar
thur Lewis, was arrested here last Fri
day by Marshal Zautner as the person
who committed the shocking assault
upon Rose Sackman, Feb last, near
North Freedom, Sank county, and for
whose apprehension and conviction
Gov. Hoard by proclamation offered q
reward of $3.50. He was identified by
photograph sent to Marshal Zautner.
Schuster did not deny that it was his
picture, and owned up that his right
name was August Schuster. He adj
mitted that on several occasions he was
at North Freedom for few hours at a
time, but denied having ever known
the Sackman girl. AS to changing his
name, he said he did this SO that his
parents would not get trace of him, he
having had some difficulty with them.
A warrant having been issued for his
arrest, and owning up that he was the
identical person wanted, the officers
had no choice in the matter, and, ac-
cordingly, Marshal Zautner, accom-
panied by the sheriff of Sank county,
took him Friday evening to Baraboo,
near the scene of his alleged crime.
But now comes the strange part of
this destined-to-be Celebrated case"
Schuster has been employed at the
Commercial hotel in this city since
Oct. Is, 1889, and is not known, as is
alleged, to have been absent from his
work during that time except on the
occasion of attending dance at Rich
wood on the evening of Feb. 13. Fur
Their than this, the Commercial pro-
prietors and the employees are positive
about evidence they can bring forward
going to show that on the 7th day of
February Schuster, alias Lewis, was
around the house all day, attending to
work. On the other hand, it is stated
that parties at Baraboo claim to have
seen Schuster ON the streets few days
previous to the assault and shook hands
with him. Miss Sackman is positive
that Schuster, the person represented
by the photograph in the hands of the
marshal, is the identical man who as
saulted her. pa
The district attorney of Sank county,
the sheriff, Schuster's brother, and his
counsel, j. A. Buckley, were here Mon
day looking over the ground before the
examination, which is not expected to
take place for some days yet. Mean
while Schuster is lodged in Jail, this
being deemed safer for him than to be
out on bail, the feeling running 80 high
against him that he would stand in great
danger of being lynched. The case is
30 complicated and enshrouded in so
much mystery that it is destined to be-
come one of the strangest in the crimi-
nal annals of Wisconsin. We append
the particulars of the brutal assault of
which Schuster is suspected, copied
from The Baraboo News:
Great excitement prevailed in this
city last Saturday morning from the re-
port that a young lady living with Chas.
Klump and wife about six miles west
of here, was criminally assaulted and
almost murdered. A number of con-
hicting reports were afoat in regard to
the affair and were. naturally exagger-
ated somewhat. AS near as we can as
certain the facts from the authorities as
being told by the young lady are as
follows:
Some time during Friday afternoon,
it is alleged, August Schuster, son of
Adam Schuster, well-to-do farmer, of
Ableman, visited the farm house of
sior, Friday, afternoon. Nobody was at
home except Rosa Sackman, a young
lady % years of age, who had for q
number of years made her home with
the Humps, and they, having no chill
dren of their own, considered her as
daughter. Klufnp being treasurer of
that town, young Schuster evidently
thought there must be money boarded
away and nlade'up his mind to plumber
the premises. De first begged Miss
Sackman to tell him where the money
waSsecreted and then threatened her.
But neither his pleading or threats
brought him the desired information.
Young Schuster. was beside himself
with rage at the failure of his scheme.
He grabbed a bottle of carbolic acid,
which he had secreted about his clothes,
dashed the contents in her face and
tried to force some of the fluid down
her throat. He bound her hand and
foot and ransacked the house, but found,
no money. Having satisfied himself
that no spoils could be secured, the
niscreant dragged his unconscious VIC
tim towards the river with the inten-
zion of drowning her, when, he became
alarmed at the sound of an approaching
wagon and took to his heels. The un-
fortunate girl Was' not discovered. until
evening, after Mr.; and Mrs. Klump re-
turned home from Bessemer. She was
found about ten rods from the house in
q deep ravine hidden by bushes. 4 She
was benumbed> with cold and almost
lifeless. gH It WAS IL O'Clock that night
before she regAiaede CONSCIOUSNESS and
strength to tell who ssher assailant was.
Officers were notified and are now
searching for the criminal. Miss Sack
mans condition is regarded as quite
serious, aud it is feared that, even
though she receyers from her physical
injuries, she will be SCARED for life.
.Schuster is not believed to be in his
right mind. About a year ago he Great
ed considerable excitementa at Madison
in attempting his life by shooting him
self with revolver in the cQDitOl bufld.