davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
STORIES OF THE DAY.
Senator Brice Coins an Apt Campaign
Phrase.

senator brice coins An Apt
Phrase.
Senator Brice has coined a new
phrase, and a very apt II it is. A day
or two ago he was talking with a New
England senator who is so earnestly in
favor Of the nomination of either Reed
or Allison that he is half the tim
state of angry excitement. This vor,
who is noted for his love Of speculation
in Wall street, his penchant for bluffing
at poker and the stiff hand which he
generally plays in politics and legisla-
ton, said to Mr.. Brice:
I'VE will tie up 100 or $50 southern
votes in contests. We will take posses
sion Of the national committee, the COM
mittee on credentials, the temporary
organization Of the convention, and we
will knock Mckinley out in the first
round"
''That is, you say Won will, " replied
Mr.. Brice, "but I'll venture the predic-
ton you do nothing OF. the sort. At St.
Louis there will DO 20, 900 Mckinley
men bowling for fair play, and you fell
lows will weaken. You will never dare
play your game ont"
Don't you think / have nerve,
Brice?"
Eyes, you have, but it is all pre-
liminary nerve. Walter Wellman in
Chicago Times-H Herald.
Here is the way Frank Mckee now
talks Of his star baseball actor: "Anson
was such q frappe that every time he
entered the theater the steam pipes per-
spired ice water. He is such q chill that
he could put on q linen buster and a golf
hat and discover the north pole"
A rumor comes from New York that
many Of the leading bicycle manufac-
turers have combined against racing
teams and agreed not 10 support any
this season. But there arc a few racing
teams already signed.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

hNdINI ~, iO"N WIS "tPio'SN-
EWTaylor cases OF State VS. II Whisssey,
j Bartell, ID + Sullivan, ID NJ Gruba, j
Heirsmun, Isaac Allen. Vim Bennett,
Chas Mabbett, Dan Cooper, L \ kiel-
land, and Peter Gosberk.
w c Kendall Justice quarterly reports
eases State vs. David + Sullivan, I \
Kjerland, Chas Mabbett, Wm Bennett,
II Whalen, Vim Buhler, Mussey and
Andrew Eliason, Adelbert Sulek, VIM
Holm, J l. Paul, j l. Paul.
+ G. Marston justice quarterly report
ease State VI Dan Knight
l. II Woodwork justice quarterly report
case State VS. George Harnden
ii II Larson Justice quarterly report case
State VIZ Martin Schuls
l. \ Baker Justice quarterly report case
State vs. Geo Harnden
On motion, the board adjourned
to s am. Tuesday.
SAM. TUESDAY, APRIL I, 1896.
Board of commissioners met as
per adjournment, present G. Syver-
son, Daniel BaillIe, Joseph Gruba.
On motion, G. Syyerson was choeen
chairman pro tenn, and the follow
ing bills were audited and allowed {:
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
On motion, the board of count

On motion, the board OF county
commissioners entered into an
agreement with j. +. Kelley. of
Webster, Day County, S. d., for
the furnishing of all blank books,
blanks, office supplies, and station
cry for the use of all county officers
in Day County for one year, the
said j. +. Kelley agreeing to fur
nish them at prices as specified in
contract and schedules of prices on
file in county auditors office. On
motion, the school petition pre-
sented was laid over until the next
meeting of the board. On motion,
the board adjourned to meet Mon
day, June l, 1895.
B II. ICELAND, Co. Aud.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

ing the Princess
Flavia i'll Mr..
play,
THE Prisoner Of
Zenda, at the
st. james the
alter. The report
was confirmed in
New York by
friends of the
novelist. Miss
Willard is de-
scribed as an ex-
tremely pretty
and accomplish
cd apsESS She
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
ANTHONY HOPE ENGAGED.

His Fiancee Evelyn Willard, Who Plays
In His prisoner of Zenda."
A dispatch from London states that
Anthony Hope (Hawkins), the author,
is engaged to Evelyn Millard, the young
English actress who is at present play
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

On motion, board adjourned to
l. pm.
J p. m.-Board met us per ad
iournment, all members present.
Called to order by Chairman PHI.
brook. The bid Of St. Andrews
Mission, of Sissetou, for care of
Bridget Lewis, ii cripple sent from
this county May 3, 1895. said mis-
sion agreeing to care for and sup
port her for Sc per month, was Oh
motion accepted, and the county
auditor instructed to forward con-
tract to said mission for the care
and support Of Bridget Lewis.
Or motion, the following bills
were audited and allowed :
Dntnr nSnNySGi witnaCS Taau nII'I Z = IN
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
Terrors OF the Situation.

The Mckinley boom has encountered
its first serious danger. The campaign
poets have taken it up.-Buffalo Ex-
press.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

Kansas City is to have a 80 day turf
meeting beginning May %, with an an
nounced total distribution of $50, 900 in
added money.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
on SALE.

on SALE.
that by virtue
Eed out of and
ntCourt, in and
J state OF South
F four hundred
pillars, duly en-,
Clerk of said
ecember,lS92.
Daniels and
|r's as Daniels L
and John +.
}. The Colonial
Eage Company
are defend
hvered to me
frame dwell.
ohm f. Blake
the following
nc; the north
|irty-four GA
and twenty.
* t56), in Day
% the highest
|uction, at the
lse IN the City
|uth Dakota,
|on Saturday,
clock p M,
|lid judgment
Execution.
|lTHBUN,
/ Day County,
|outh Dakota.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
SALE.

the conditions
Fecuted and de
and Louisa L
tagors to JOIN
Frank Sheelar
dated October
he office Of the
/ Day County,
|. 1855, at i;l0
cages, on page
the following
|ng and being
tate of South
arter INV OF
Fnship one nun.
|y-six 1861 con.
|he 18th day Of
md transferred
lar and Frank
John Sheelar
|ly recorded in
|sds in aud for
ia, on the 18th
to be due az
Five hundred
|c further SUN
u dollars for
no action has
debt or any
given that by
bid mortgage
hch case made
be ~foreclosed,
will be sold
/ Day County.
|of the court
bid county OF
!. 1896, At two
kcd debt and
~ f$50.Wl dol.
~rSeinents Al
|ta, this 18th
bHEELAR,
Pf Mortgage.
|~ortgagee.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
SPORT UP TO DATE.

A cablegram from Athens says $50
foreign athletes are entered for the
Olympian games.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

The indianapolis Driving club has de-
cided to give q running meeting the last
Of May, with $40, 900 in stakes and
purses. The trotting and pacing meet
ing will be given Aug. 1922. and $40,-
900 has been voted for purses.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

Albert Schock has gone to London,
where he will compete i'll the six day
bicycle race to be held there next
month.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
500 FOOT MACHINE.
Water or no Paw

Chamberiain's Eye and Skin Ointment
Is unequalled for Eczema, letter, Salt
Rheurs Scald Head, Sore Nipples, Chapped
Hands, Itching Piles, Burns, Frost Bites
Chronic Sore Eyes and GRADUATED Eye Lids.
For sale by druggists at rs cents per box.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
TO oRs OWNERS.

For putting a horse in q fine healthy con.
dition try DR.. Cady's Condition Powders.
They tone up the system, aid digestion, cure
loss OF appetite, relieve constipation, correct
kidney disorders and destroy worms, giving
new life to an OLD or over-worked horse. -
esnts per package. For sale BY Druggists.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

President Elliott Of the League OF
American Wheelmen that by
q unanimous vote Of the executive COM
mittec Of the l. A. W. 1t Is decided to
reduce the sanction fec for open raoe
meets from $40 TO %, and % for each
additional day. This fee was raised from
- BY tho national assembly. The fee Of
as for national circuit yuce neets re-
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

On motion, the following justice
reports for the quarter ending
March 81, 1896 was approved:
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

The following bills in ase of
Brown VS. Tobias, justice court,
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16
ION,

1o'F
Dakota
;DOth. 1896.
be following
lis intention
support OF
be made be.
the clerk OF
b Dakota.o on
NO. 1Z1J),
SO ",
es to prove
,tion ofsaid
,uglas. LIS
ebster, S. ID
EEAFE.
Register.
CLOSURE.
mortgage
1893, by
Enna Dit
on, upon
at this
ID eighty
ts,will be
|ortgaged
s., South
t quarter
in town
enty-two
contain
=, which
orofthe
Dunty oil
on the
at one
|, March
|ERS0N,
|rtgagee'
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

iTIlBUN,
! Day County,
|outh Dakota.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-04-16

asked S6 ~ allOWeu..............
JCMaioney guarding jail March
JGRathbun boarding prisoners
sheriff feeS..............
l. Solberff witness fees asked
81 10 allowed. ..........
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
Johanna Fronert's Story.

Miss Johanna Fronert, the pretty,
sixteen year old and only daughter of
Mrs. Balser by her first husband, told
substantially the following story to
the FREE PRESS:
Mother and my step father have
had trouble right along. My mother
always tried to make it as pleasant as
possible for her husband, but he was
cross and ugly. He always quarreled
with mother. 1 have heard him
threaten to shoot mother, and on one
or more occasions saw him actually
point his revolver at her. He acted
this way every time that he drank,
which was most of the time. Mr..
Balser choked mother and threatened
to choke me. He threw me out of the
house three weeks ago, and procured
a warrant for his arrest at that time,
but decided not to have it served on
him. Thinking that / might be a
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
The BaISer Family

Louis Balser is about 81 years of age,
and has resided in the county for
years, at one time having a farm in
Garden City township. For two
years past he has leased the American
house of W. G.. Hoerr and conducted
it, his wife doing most of the work,
according to all accounts. He has
haunted the bar room of the house a
good share of the time, and his fond
ness for liquor often led him to excess.
1t is not thought that he was too
drunk to have an absolute knowledge
Of what he was doing, this morning.
His first wife died many years ago,
and some unpleasant reports were in
circulation, which reflected on Balzer.
When asked about these this morn
ing, Miss Fronert said she knew what
caused her mothers death, but did
not care to state it. One of Balser's
children by his first wife is the young
lady whose romantic marriage with
y dIulC MUM VI VI IL ldSU SPliuS OduoCu
quite sensation.
Mrs. Balser, the deceased, was
thirty-fve years old, and was born in
Madelia and has spent her life there
and in Mankato and Blue Earth
county. She was highly esteemed by
all who knew her. Sheriff Bowen
knew her well when she lived on the
farm near G. H. Piper's. She was
married to Balser fourteen years ago,
and has had six children by him, the
youngest being nine months old. She
also had several by her first husband.
She leaves sister, Mrs. Caroline
Blatzheim, who lives on Seventh
street, and four brothers, Michael
Klingl, who lives on Agency hill,
John and Peter, who live at Mapleton,
and Joseph, who lives in Nebraska,
Her mother also lives in Nebraska,
and expected to visit Mrs. Balser the
tenth of the present month. Her
father is dead, but resided 10 Manka-
to when living. The deceased was a
devout member of the German
Catholic church.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
Crowds of SightSeers.

Sympathetic friends, women and
men, soon crowded into the hotel and
offered their services to the children
who are now left without protector.
Crowds of sightseers thronged through
the lower floor of the hotel, and to
protect the privacy of the family,
Officer Grout was detailed to remain
on guard in front of the inner en-
trance to the parlor, while the street
door was securely locked and bolted.
The office and other rooms continued
to be center for the gathering of the
crowd, which, awestruck with the
horribleness of the murder, remained
in silence, or crowded around anyone
who happened to repeat to another
any information. The cold rain fell,
driving the people indoors, and seemed
peculiarly appropriate as an accom-
panient of the sadness and sorrow with
in, where all was as cherries as with
out.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
The Quarrel.

Different accounts are given con-
corning the cause'of the last trouble
between Balser and his wife. Jeal-
ousy was main reason for the act
this morning, so it appears. Mrs.
Balser had written a letter to her
dressmaker asking her to hasten the
completion of a dress which was being
made for her daughter, Mary, whom
the deceased desired to place in school.
Balser came in just as the letter was
finished and demanded to know what
the letter was about, in manner in
dicating that he suspected
that his wife had written
the letter to some gentleman. The
letter was never mailed, and was
turned over to Coroner Paddock, who
was sent for at once after Balser's
arrest.
The principal cause of the long
standing quarrel, however, was the
ownership of the lease of the hotel
and the furniture. These were in
Mrs. Balser's name, and Mr.. BaIser
had for a long time been particularly
DESTROYS that she sign them over to
him, but this she refused to do.
This morning, an hour before the
shooting, w. G.. Hoerr went to the
hotel to collect the rent due for Sep
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06

ing a word or casting one reproachful
look toward her murderer.
I According to the accounts of the
J mornings doings, given to the FREE
PRESS reporter who was on the ground
within few moments of the occur
fence, as related by those who were
present before and after the shooting,
Balzer was the aggressor. He had
been abusing and threatening his
wife from the time that he arose, at
i:30 o'clock, to the time of the shoot
ing. He had thrown sugar bowl at
ler and had choked her. He had fol-
owed her from one room to another,
ind finally asked her to the bedroom
or private conference. When she
'efused this he had followed her out
nto the hall, and had then choked
Ter until she broke from his strong
grasp and run out of the door and
slammed it behind her. Balser, with
jhe viciousness of a tiger worrying it's
helpless prey, had leaped to the door,
opened it, drawing his revolver from
his pocket as he did so. He saw his
wife going toward Main street on the
Second street sidewalk and had aimed
point blank at her and fired when she
was not more than six or eight feet
from him.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
BalSer Arrested.

After firing the fatal shot, which
was the only one that he did fire, he
handed his still smoking weapon to a
man who happened to meet him as he
turned back into the hotel. He took
his station coolly behind the office
desk, and awaited his arrest He did
not have long to wait, for boy had
run to the city hall and informed
Chief Yates of the affair, and this Of
fcer was on the scene as soon as he
could cover the distance of two
blocks. Chief Phillips accompanied
=. Mr.. Yates, and the two found Balser
in his hotel Office and put him under
arrest and hastily took him to the
city hall lookup, where they searched
the prisoner and placed him in the
first cell, securely locking the outside
doors.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
The Revolver.

The revolver which Balser used was
generally kept by him in a bureau
Drawer in his bedroom. His wife
filed off the end of the firing pin some
time ago, being afraid ,that he
would carry his threat into execution,
but he had a new pin put in. She
again filed off the end, but Balser a
second time had new pin put in.
The revolver is Smith & Wesson,
30 calibre, and when Balser turned
back into the hotel after shooting
his wife, he handed it to Henry Suess,
who happened to be in the office.
Suess gave it to officer Schiman. 1t
had one empty cartridge, and the re-
naming chambers were filled with
ball cartridges.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
MOST INExCUSABLE CRIME.

to the National Citizens bank corner,
where they found and took posses
sion of a horse and buggy. Sheriff
Bowen, who had arrived moment
after Chief Yates had reached the
American House, drove Balser to the
county jail and gave him the first cell
on the south side on the second floor
In the meantime several stalwart
and fearless young men were told to
quietly report at the jail office, arm
ed. When these appeared there, they
were sworn in as deputies and placed
on guard to be ready in case an at
tempt should be made to lynch the
prisoner, which it was feared might
be made during the day or tonight.
The lifeless body of Mrs. Balser was
picked up and tenderly carried into
the bedroom back from the parlor.
DR.. VIM. Jacoby was has hastily sum-
moned and made an examination of
the remains. He found that the bull
let had entered and followed the
course described above. The garment
next to the womans flesh was STAIN
ed with blood for an inch each side of
the wound, but most of the bleeding
had been internally. The woman had
evidently died instantly, or practi-
cally so, and no human power could
have sufficed to preserve life five
minutes.
After the examination, the remains
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06

A murder, most cold blooded and
tterly ineXcusable, according to all
he evidence which has come to light,
vas committed at a few moments
efore 10 o'clock Monday, on the
idewalk on the Second street side of
he American house. The lessee and
roprietor of that hotel, Louis Balser.
hot and instantly killed his wife as
he was fleeing from him to escape the
ORIENT of abuse and maltreatment
Thich he was showering upon her.
The bullet from his revolver entered
Ter left side just above the nipple and
wo inches to the left of it, and passed
through the upper portion of her
cart, through both lungs, and lodged
ust under the skin below the right
'houlder blade. Death was instan-
aneous, and the poor woman fell to
he sidewalk and died, without utter
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
Baiser Won't Talk.

When the reporters called at the
Jail shortly after Balser had been
lodged there, he sat back in his chair
and refused to answer any question
put to him, asking what difference it
made. He would not make any adj
mission, and said that he was too old
to be tripped up into confession or
to say anything that would prejudice
his case. He called on Sheriff Bowen
to bring him coat, as he said that
he was cold. He then asked for some
tobacco. He would not express any
sorrow for the deed and took the
matter as coolly as though he had been
arrested for the smallest misdemeanor
known to the law. The only thing
that he did say was that he never
owned revolver and never had one
in his possession. When asked with
what he did the shooting, then, he
replied:
"Well, it is evident that some fire.
Oh LII w 90 OSSus OuO JOu lCllO"o Odu U
get me to say anything. l am too
sharp for you, and you may as we'll
stop asking questions, for [ am not
going to say anything"
Balser had evidently been drink
ing for his breath was strong
enough to break the window
panes, but he had the most
complete control of his senses. The
FREE PRESS reporter has interviewed
many red handed murderers before,
but never before met with such cool
ness and ability to parry close cross
examination.
Balser stated that he would not
plead guilty.
There was report that Balser, on
being arrested, had said that he was
glad that he had shot his wife and
hoped that she was dead. When ask
ed whether he had made such state
ment, he refused to answer.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
BaISer COnfeSSeS.

When Chiefs Yates and Phillips
were taking Balser to the city hall.
the former asked Balser: "Who did
this?"
Balser replied: 81 did it, SIR"
Yates: "Why did you shoot your
wife"
Balser: 'That will come out later
This was the only conversation
which the two had.
Balser was behind his desk figuring
on his books when arrested. CHIEF
Yates did not consider him to be
sufficiently intoxicated to be at al
irresponsible for his actions.
In Jail this forenoon, Balser asked
Sheriff Bowen to send him his book:
and papers that he might see what he
owed and pay everybody.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
The Inquest.

The inquest was held at the city
hall this Monday, and jury con.
sisting of VIM. Bradley, ]. G.. Fowler.
James Shoemaker J. w. Fowler, A.
T. Mobiles and Harry Brown
was impaneled, viewed the remains
of the murdered woman, and pro.
ceeded to take the testimony of a
number of witnesses, but nothing
new was brought out from
what is given above. A synopsis OF
the coroner's inquest will be given
tomorrow, lack of time and space
crowding it out today.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06
Ora Steamboats, Account.


Miss Ora Steinbach, dining room
girl at the American House, of pleas
ing appearance, said:
II saw Balser choke Mrs. Balser
this morning, and in the dining room
he threw sugar bowl at her, but did
not hit her. She ran to get away
from him, and he tried to make her
go into the bedroom with him, but
the refused and went into the hall.
He followed her and choked her in
the hallway. She ran out doors and
closed the door behind her, and he
opened the door, drew his revolver
aud fired. ] was in the hallway with
them and stood behind him when he
fired. Balser was cursing and slap
ping his wife all the morning. He got
up at half past seven, and drank some
whiskey but was not drunk. He was
always choking his wife, and did so
at twelve o'clock last night. Last
Saturday he choked Jennie McDuffy
and held her by the neck. Jennie was
to come to the house tonight as cook,
and Balser didn't want her. The
trouble between Balser and his wife
the last few days has been some pa
papers that he wanted her to sign, and
which she did not want TO. Balser
has been drunk since Friday"
Lena England, another dining room
girl of engaging appearance, related
some circumstances similar to the
above.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06

TENDER and October. He found Mrs.
Balser who said that her husband was
in bed and in an ugly mood. She
warned Mr.. Hoerr not to go into the
room as her husband had revolver
and was threatening to shoot every
body. She told Mr.. Hoerr to call
again, but when he went it was after
the shooting.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-06

cause of irritation to him, 1 left after
that affair and am working at the
Commercial House. Balser continued
to abuse mother, however. He was
very jealous of mother, and she could
not talk to any other man without his
getting mad. There was never any
cause for this