The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-06-08

of saloon keeper; last September was
bartender for Harry Walraven, where
he had been employed six years;
knew John e. Layne and VIM. Con-
way; Layne was not doing anything
at that time, which was in July, and
again saw him in August, nearly
every day in Walrayen's saloon: Layne
was in the saloon almost constantly,
talking much with Walrayen. Met
Conway about two weeks after meet
ing Layne, in saloon in company with
latter Layne told witness that he
brought Conway with him from
Worthington: Layne Iunched at sa-
loon nearly every day, did not work
for Harry but drank some: saw Layne
have IS calibre revolver, looked like
American bull dog, wanted to pawn
it for fifty cents but witness would
J not take it, but let Layne have a
dollar. Stated that Layne went home
with Harry one night about week
J before the murder: Layne was in the
saloon about five minutes. on the night
of the murder, about o'clock and
bought a bottle of Whiskey: did not
J see Conway in Walraven's saloon on
the night of September End. Wal
raven was in the habit of carrying
considerable money while the banks
were closed and was in the habit Of
leaving So in change in the drawer
: when he went home; Layne paWned
| ring at the saloon the week before
the murder: witness left saloon, the
night of the murder, at 1925 and left
: six men there engaged in playing
cards. There were two back doors
: down stairs; witness locked front and
| back doors: learned Of the death of
: Walravfn at 2:30 by Geo. Phillips
witnessuwas in bed but got up and
went to Walrayen's house; he then
went back to the saloon to see if the
fellows were there. They came down
: and went out after he informed them
of the murder; Conway asked for
Layne several times when he called
at the saloon; don't think Conway
was in the saloon after the murder:
Layne was frequently there after the
murder. The men who were playing
cards could get out by passing
over the roof of the back porch of
building-had no other way of getting
out af9cr Harry left; this was a way
knoWnlo these men for getting out.
Harry rented, part OF building to
Chas. Stewart, which was used for
the gambling room; this gambling
room had been running couple Of
years; had rented rooms to Stewart
about two weeks previous. Harry
had had the building about five years
} Did not know that John e. Layne or
VIM. Conway had been in this gamb-
ling room at all.
Mrs. L. n. Holmes was called and
testified that she lived nearly opposite
Walraven home. Mrs. Holmes
did not retire until after midnight on
night of the homicide; heard struggle
as Of men struggling on some hard
substance and fearful cries, followed
by terrible crash: did not distinguish
any words: described crash and cries
with terrific barking of dogs, and a
noise which might have been pistol
} shot: thought it was policeman
struggling with drunken or insane
man; it was quiet for about a minute
and then came the sound of moan,
and after getting up and going to the
window distinctly heard the means
come from where the body lay; heard
talking; heard man say ''hello," who
stood opposite her window, could not
tell whether there were more than
one person or not, but thought she
could distinguish form: heard a
window raise in Mrs. Walraven's
house and woman's voice which said
'sWhat's the matter? I'm all alone,
wait minute and I'll come: woman
came out of house and on coming to
body said ooh Harry, you are shot,"
heard no more foot steps.
The state will probably conclude its
side today in the Conway trial, and
the defense will begin Immediately
following. As no evidence has yet
been heard at any time On the side Of
the defense, this will be awaited with
unusual interest by the general
public.
Henry KortZ was the first witness
sworn this forenoon, and testified
that he resides in North Mankato.
Conway had worked for him, and
Layne came over three times and
talked with Conway. Saw Layne in
Walraven's saloon Saturday morning
before the homicide, and while [ was
making change with Harry the latter
took his pocket book out and laid it
on the counter Layne asked him
how much money he had in his pocket
book, and Harry told him that there
was about S400 in it. Conway worked
for me from Aug. 18th to 18th, on a
foundation. Layne came over on
| fo1z n6 wit