Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-01-26
THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
Probably Due to Continued Abuse.

TIIISN LILLE; w lS, Jan. ~, 1850.
Editor of WOOD COUNTY REPORTER,
| Dear Sir.-I saw an article in your
paper of the 10Th, inst, headed 'sWhat
is the Cause" The matter treated of
in that article was the seeming strange
or unaccounted for taking away of
Mrs. Fred Wind, and her new born
infant. Now the circumstances as /
understand them, are as follows: Fred
Wind, is a Polander and lives about
two miles from Pittsvile. The said
Wind (or Whit has been terror to
has been dreaded and feared by his
family. He drove his oldest son boy
about fourteen years old away from
home last summer by violent treatment;
and as the neighbors dare not give the
boy shelter or food, he slept in the
woods and in barns for several weeks
and took an occasional meal at the back
door of some kind neighbor, or even
pifered an occasional meal from a
neighbors kitchen or cellar. But finally
not daring to go home he went away to
a place near Marshfeld where he still
remains. Wind went away in the latter
part Of last summer to work on the
railroad and about the Goth of Septem-
Der came home and found his potatoes
rotting and as his wife had not taken
them out and cared for them, he went
at her and gave her severe whipping
after which her sister Tilla Rachinske
came to me on the 9th day of Septem-
Der last and made complaint against
Fred Wind for whipping his wife
(Minnie Wind) On the 2Sth of Sep
tember Wind was brought before me
prisoner, and his wife and sister-in-law
as witnesses, but Wind came into
court and when | read the charges
against him he promptly plead guilty
and [ fined him lightly on his promise
that he would never do so any more,
but | have heard since that he had
whipped her several times; and on the
evening of the 9TH inst. after dark I
heard that Mrs. Wind and her infant
was dead and I also heard that Wind
had thrown her out of the upper win
dow and killed her and her infant, but
there was no complaint made and | was
called away the next day to Dexter and
to Grand Rapids to attend court on
Monday and consequently was not at
home when some of his neighbors
came to my house on Sunday and Mon
day to have me hold an inquest over
the bodies, or l certainly should have
done SO, for | think the matter should
have been looked after.
| now understand that Wind threatens
his neighbors with violence if they
don't let him alone, and if there is not
something done this thing may lead to
further violence, on one side or the
other, and possibly to murder, and it is
possible that Judge Lynch may be
called to settle the matter. 1t is a fact
that there are very few people that like
to dip their fingers in other peoples
dirt; but ifthe proper complaint should
be made to me l should issue papers
and call the district attorney to my
office, and try to have the matter
properly looked into; but L do not
consider it to be the duty of Justice of
the Peace to take action in a matter of
that kind until the proper affidavit is
made. We hear great deal of talk
but what the evidence may disclose
may be entirely different thing, but l
think the matter should be looked
after
J. @. SEvERNs.