The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-01-18
That KISS OF MARBLE
Mrs. 6erraghty's Cheek Had No
More Life In 1t Than
Wood.
Lawrence 6erraghty is Acquitted
on the Charge of Arson---
Rich Evidence.

The trial of Lawrence Gerraghty,
charged with arson in the second de-
gree in setting fire to the residence of
his mother-in law, commenced before
Police Judge French last Saturday,
and was continued oyer Monday and
Tuesday, H. D. Baldwin, of Baldwin
& Mcleod, appearing for the defense,
and County Attorney Madigan for the
State. Gerraghty was acquitted.
The first witness called to the stand
was Policeman Frank French, Judge
Baldwin having previously made mo-
ton to compel the complaining wit
nesses to put up security for the costs
OF the action and for a dismissal of the
case, These motions were denied.
The policeman then told his story,
with County Attorney Madigan as in
terrogator. He had heard Gerraghty
say about two weeks prior to the burn
ing Cd d-mn their souls, I'll get
even with them; I'll burn them out" "
Gerraghty was much under the infu-
ence, of liquor when he made this
statement, which was brought out in
the course of conversation with the
police officer and the fruit dealer. Up
on being cross-examined the police Of
ficer said that Gerraghty first told him
he was having trouble at the house,
and counseled him as to what he
should do. The officer admonished
Gerraghty to brace up and be man
and his wife would not make any more
trouble.
"You don't know her," was Gerragh-
tvs reply. ''After supper tonight l
kissed my wife goodnight as always
do when l leave home, and it was just
like kissing that quitting his hand to
the show case), or a piece Of metal,
there il ne feeling to II at al -
Ths policeman s remark caused CON
siderable of laughter and the court
was obliged to remind the listeners
that there were ladies in the court
room. His further testimony was on
his discovery at the house at the time
of the fire. He said that he ascertained
after making an investigation, that the
fire had originated in a pantry under
the stairs leading to the second story,
had made their ways through the
stairs into the second story, and would
have burned the house had they not
been extinguished by the fire depart
ment. Judge Baldwin attempted to
cross-examine the witness on the line
of the marital trouble existing be-
tween Gerraghty and his wife, but the
State interposed an objection. Judge
Baldwin, in short but eloquent speech
stated that he desired to show that
there was an attempt on the part of
Gerraghty's wife, her father and motn-
er, the three having formed conspir-
acy, to driye him out of the country,
and if this was true, it is one of the
worst kind of blackmailing schemes
known. If this family has conspired
to do this the Court ought to know,
the Judge insisted. But His Honor
sustained the objection.
The policeman was excused and II.
E. Greene called to the witness stand,
on the part of the State. Greene was
in the fruit store about three-quarters
of an hour before the fire on the night
of Jan. I'd. Gerraghty was there. The
latter said that he would get even with
his wife and mother-in-law, in an an
cry manner. He wanted Greene to go
to New Ulm with him and get on q
spree. told him no, said Greene.
"Hls wife came in soon after. Short
ly after that a lady came in and made
| q purchase, and it seemed to bother