The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-06-28
MANKATo FREE Press.
A FULFILLING CASE.
THE EXAMINATION OF ii. w. LAR
SON COrlr1ENCED.
Contradictory Evidence introduced by
the State and Defense--An ADJOURN
ment Until Friday--Pubiic Opinion
Leans Toward the Defense--Phy=
sicians Discuss the Medical Aspect
of the Case.

sicianS Discuss the MediCai Aspect
of the Case.
The. examination of III. w. Larson,
who is charged by Mrs, Adolph Oachs
with having committed rape upon her
last Wednesday, began at Mapleton
Tuesday afternoon, as stated IN tnese
columns Tuesday. County Attor-
new Benedict appeared for the state
and U. G. Argetsinger for the defeno-
ant. The evidence brought out was
of a most conflicting nature, ana 10
say the least the case is a most curious
one. Mrs. OacbS is apparently posi-
tive that the crime was commltted
unon her person and clearly identlnes
Mr.. Larson as the man. On the con-
trarv. Mr.. Larson as strongly denies
it. and the people of Mapleton, VINO
were at first much prejudiced agalnsC
him, are now very largely believers IN
his innocence. He himself states
that man who would do what 1t is
claimed he did ought to be hung. HIS
reputation is excellent, and his &C
tions before and since the alleged
crime are certainly in his favor.
Mrs. Oachs was placed upon the
stand and told her story substantially
as already published in these columns.
She laid down with her tWo-years-olo
child at one O'Clock in the afternoon
to sleep, and it was at two O'CLOCK
that she claims to have awakened ano
found a man holding handkerchief
saturated with chlOrOform to her nose
and mouth so that she smelled ano
tasted the chloIofOrm. She says she
began to kick light cOlored satche
that was at her feet, when the mar
told her that it would do her no gooc
to kick or scream and that he WoulC
kill her if she did. He placed hi:
hand on her breast and this was the
last that she remembered. When She
recovered she was somewhat sick a
her stomach. She found her Chile
covered with a lace curtain that sht
had left on the floor. She did not tel
her husband until two o'clock thu
next morning. She expects to become
a mother in about two months. Sh'
said that she got good view of thu
man and that he was Larson.
Mr.. Oachs and his hired boy testi
fed that they saw apeddler pass then
and go to the house, which was fort.
to sixty rods away. He returned il
about fifteen minutes, which included
the time of his walking both ways ant
the time spent at the house. The,
could not identify Larson.
Mr.. Larson took the stand on hi
own behalf and told the same story a
was published in these columns yester
day. He had a canvass satchel. HI
was in this city Saturday and lief
some notes for collection at the Mank
katO Savings bank. He returned tt
Mapleton, where he was arrested. HI
was in business in Albert Lea TO
some years, but failed, and thel
travelled for firm for some years I'm
til it failed. He then began to ped
die. r..
A Mr. Adams, who lives near Ma
pleton, was put on the stand and ties
titled that Mr.. Larson was known t.
him and bore an excellent reputation
The case was adjourned until Fri
day, at the request of the county at
torney, who wished to look further in
to the matter.
Oachs lived in this city and drov
the meat wagon for the Cassidy Pack
ing company until few days ago
when he moved to near MapletOn
Mrs. Oachs is a fairly intelligen
woman and did not require an in
terpreter to give her testimony.
Physicians state that chloroforn
does not cause immediate insensi
bility, and when administered 500
after meal causes vomiting, but Mrs
Odchs did not do this. One sui
stantiating fact for her story is tina
she testified that the peddler brok
open the door, which was locked, an
the catch was was found to be broke
Off. 1t is question whether tim
enough elapsed for Larson to hay
done what was charged while he We
at the house. Mrs. Oachs' clothin
was not disarranged nor were thel
any marks of violence.
The theory that finds most fav'
with those who believe in Larson's i
nocence is that Mrs. Oachs had