Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-06-12
A DEADLY BULLET.
UNFORTUNATE WEST SIDE OC-
CURRENCE.
John Fe1lermann, Aroused from His
Slumbers, Shoots an Unknown
Intruder


S1umbers, Shoots an Unknown
Intruder.
At about 1890 O'Clock Sunday morn
ing the family of Mrs. Anastasia Ryan,
widow residing at 3OS West Milwau-
kee street, was awakened by loud
kicking and pounding at the door.
The discovery was made that the mid
night visitor was stranger, and be-
coming alarmed at his persistence Mrs.
Ryan notified her next-door neighbors,
John Smythe and John Fellermann,
who with their families occupy the
house at 306 West Milwaukee street,
while her sonThomas guarded the door.
Mr.. Fellermann, when aroused from
his slumbers, lost no time in respond
ing to the call for assistance. Armed
with his s3S-calibre revolver he made his
appearance in a rather airy costume
and soon ascertained the cause of the
disturbance. In the excitement Mr.
Fellermann fired three shots. one of
which took effect in the strangers
head, and causing him to fall to the
ground. Immediately after the shoot
ing Mr.. Fellermann walked down town,
notified the night police of what had
happened and offered himself for ar
rest. During the forenoon a formal
warrant was issued and he was placed
under arrest. The wounded man was
taken in charge by the police and re-
moved to the city hall, where DR.. Field
attended him. He was unconscious
and the doctor pronounced him be-
yond recovery. About II A. NJ. he ex-
pired. His identity has not as yet
been positively established, but from
an address written in a small account
book found on his person his name
would appear to be John McGrath,
and his residence OakfeId, Fond
du Lac county, Wis. The author
tiles there, however, do not know him.
Any number of rumors concerning
him, his relatives and his occupation
have been rife, but we were unable to
establish the authenticity of any of
them. 1t is the general supposition
that the man was an itinerant farm
laborer and had been doing odd jobs
hereabouts. He appeared to be about
45 years Of age and was attired in work
ing clothes. He is said to have been in
an intoxicated condition Saturday
evening, and was so seen hanging
around Watertown Junction about 9
O'Clock. His body was embalmed and
is detained at H. Nowack's undertak-
ing rooms, in the hope that someone
may indentify it.
Mr.. Fellermann' preliminary exam
ination was called in Justice Stacv's
court Monday morning, District Attor-
ney Ryder appearing for the prosecu-
ton. Harlow Pease and John q. Con-
way have been engaged as counsel for
the defense. The hearing was post
poned until the Goth inst, the defend
ant furnishing bail in the sum of 81
600, with John Smythe and William
Humphrey as sureties.
Ou nOuudy dllGIHOOu coroner IN
quest was held at the city hall before
Justice Henze, a jury having been
previously impaneled to ascertain the
cause of the deceased S DEATH District
Attorney Ryder conducted the exami-
nation Of witnesses, of whom there were
several, and Drs. Field, Whyte and
Moulding, who held an autopsy over
the remains, gave expert testimony.
From the evidence extracted the jury
rendered the following verdict:
An inquisitiOn taken al the city hall in the
city Of WatertOwn, county of Jefferson and
state Of Wisconsin, on the 10th day of June
a. d. 1895, before George Henze, one of the
justices Of the peace Of said county, upon
the view Of the body of one John McGrath
there dead, by the jurors whose names are
hereto subscribed, who being duly sworn to
inquire, on behalf of this state, when, in
what manner, and by what means, the said
John McGrath came to his death, from the
evidence produced, upon their Oaths do say:
That said John McGrath came to his death
on June 8, 1885, by revolver bullet shot out
OF revolver at about the hour of half-paSt
IL clock A, M, on said June 8, by one John
Felermann, who resides on West Milwaukee
street, in the Third ward, in the city of Wa
tertoWn, in the county Of jefferson, state Of
Wisconsin.
In testimony whereof, the said Justice and
the jurors OF this inquest have hereunto set
their hands, the day and year aforesaid
GEORGE HENZE,
Justice.
FERDINAND SCHMUTZLER,