The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-13

The trial of Edward Chimberski on
the charge of sending obscene let
tiers through the mail to young lady
at Jackson, Mimi. was completed in
the United States court Wednesday.
The evidence in the case was substan-
TALLY as stated Tuesday. The prose-
cution attempted to discredt some of
the evidence given for the defense.
The case was most ably argued by
District Attorney Stringer and Attor-
ney III. J. Knox, and after an impair
tial charge by Judge Lochren the jury
retired at 11:30 p. m.
Attorney Cray stated to the court
that he had received a notice of dis
missal in one of the personal injury
suits of Allen VS.. the Omaha road,
from the plaintiffs attorney. Judge
Lochren stated that he had already
ordered both of these cases stricken
from the calendar, on account of no
appearance on the part of the plain
tiff.
Edward Steven Humble, postmaster
of Dundee, Mimi, was arraigned on
an Indictment charging him with de-
tanning and opening letter passing
through his postoffice. He entered a
plea of guilty to the first count in the
Indictment. District Attorney
Stringer moved for sentence.
f. J. James, of Pipestone, attorney
for Mr.. Humble, made plea for the
leniency of the court, and related the
following: The defendant, who is
thirty-three years old, has been post
master of Dundee for many years,
station agent for the Omaha road for
seven years, and agent for Hubbard
& Palmer for several years. He was
married ten years ago and has one
child, a daughter of seven years.
Some years ago the defendants sus-
picions were aroused as to the chastity
of his wife. She went to st. Paul and
he commenced divorce pro-
ceedlngs on the ground of
alleged adultery, naming a Dundee
man as correspondent. No answer
was made to this proceeding, but be-
fore decision was filed a reconcilia-
tion took place, the wife promising to
give no cause for suspicion in the
future. Seven or eight months ago
the defendants suspicious were
again aroused and he learned that his
wife was corresponding with other
men and visiting them at their rooms.
On Aug. 1st lady friend from Iowa
came to visit Mrs. Humble. The
latter was infatuated with this young
lady's brother. Mr.. Humble satisfied
himself that the two were In cores
pondence. He intercepted a letter
which was proof convincing of the
writer's infatuation for the man. He
charged his wife with writing the
letter, and submitted it to his wife g
mother and to several friends. His
wife left him next day and her guest
also left. Divorce proceedings have
been started and are now pending in
the Mobiles county district court. Mrs.
Humble had sent the daughter to St.
Paul, but Mr.. Humble had managed
TO get her back. Mr.. Humble had
procured atfiidavits from nearly
every business man in Dundee testi.
Tying to the woman's unchaste repu-
taGion, which was so bad that the
ladies there refused to associate with |
her.
Mr.. James produced a statement
signed by residents of Dundee, as to
Mr.. Humble's industry, his good
habits and their perfect confidence
in him. Many letters to this effect
were also presented, one being from
Supt. Spencre and another from
Hubbard & Palmer. The defendant
had yesterday received a cablegram
announcing the death of his mother
While on her way to England.
District Attorney Stringer said that
ne concurred in the request for the
extreme clemency of the law. He had
never seen the letter until recently
Ind it did not go before the grand !
ury. He did not then have the full S
less OF the facts in the case. If he |
lad had these facts, and the defen-
lant had not been postmaster at the !
line, he thought that he would have S
eclined to present the matter to the t
rand jury. But in view of Mr.. Hum J
lies official position it would have +
zen necessary. He was thoroughly I
atlsfied from other than the state t
1ents of Mr. James that the general I
ond1tlon as stated is true. n
Judge Lochren, said, after reading n
ne letter which Mr.. Humble inter- S
apted, that he was somewhat in
oubt whether even technical Of i