Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-03-26


from the large amount of evidence
material before us. Two of the BOYS
I-Kroening and Joe Smith-will be
tried at the September term of circuit
court, consequently those who read it
now will better understand what may
be printed at that time concerning the
case. OF necessity the story is dis
jointed. because of being told by many
different witnesses and because of
interesting parts of it not being told
at all
Zone Of the most interesting Grim
inal trials in the history of Moody Co.
was begun in circuit court Wednesday
morning and lasted until Friday night.
In no previous trial has there been
similar feeling shown. The crime of
robbery, with the attendant circum-
stances, makes the case one in which
the people demonstrate great concern.
James Smith, Joe Smith, Gus Kroen-
ing and Clyde Kepharte had been
charged with the crime of robbery at
the home of Andrew Erickson. Bins
mon township, on the night of Jan.
goth, and were arrested Feb. 14th.
The trial of James Smith was begun
on Wednesday, the defendants having
expressed themselves as wanting sep
arate trials and demanding such, the
law giving them the right, prospect
i've Of the wishes of the Judge, he not
being privileged to exercise any dis
erection. Over fifty jurors were called
before jury of twelve was empaneled.
The State put the following witnesses
Oh the stand: Andrew Erickson. Ben
Erickson, Edward Erickson (who were
at the house the night Of the robbery,
the sheriff and four others"
Andrew Erickson testified that cer-
| tain parties came to his house. forced
| themselves in and demanded his mon
ey He and his wife and his son Ed
ward were in the room, and his other
son Ben was up stairs. Upon his re-
fusal to respond, the parties fell to
| shooting and a scuffie ensued that
lasted from 10 to 10 minutes He
tussled with one of the fellows while
his son had the other. Could not
positively swear that he recognized
the fellows, but believed that one of
Them was James Smith and said SO to
the rest of his family when he went
up stairs. He was shot through the
kitchen door from the outside of the
house.
Edward Erickson was with his par
ents in the lower room. Related the
/ circumstances of the scuffie-how he
and the robber he was fighting with
worked themselves into the stairway
how he was shot four times, how he
pulled the mask off the fellow and the
man looked kind of red in the face,
was of small stature and light. Be-
lieved it was Joe Smith.
Clyde Kephart, the boy robber who
turned states evidence by being put
it the sweatbox, confessed that he was
is years old, had known James Smith
five years. had gone to school with
him; that he was acquainted with Joe
Smith and had known Kroening but
short time. Was in Dell Rapide the
Goth day OF Jan. Had previously had
conversations with Jim Smith regard
ing the robbery. On the 18th of Jan.
at John ID. Smiths had talked with
both Joe Smith and Gus Kroening af-
ter they came home from revival
meeting. They asked him if he did
not want to 60 down to Erickson to
get some money, saying he had lots.
They talked again on the 10th of Jan.
and agreed to meet again. Did meet
/ again with Gus and Jim and joe
Then they planned that James Smith
and Gus Kroening would 90 into the
house of Erickson while Joe Smith and
he stayed outside to watch They
had revolvers and agreed to go and
rob on Monday night. Jan. 20. On
Monday night he left home about half
past seven in the evening and met
Jim, Joe and Gus at the school house
and from there they went to Erickson
Jim and Joe tied handkerchiefs over
their faces and went in and he and Joe
staid outside TO watch. Heard shots
in the house and they came out but
went back in again. They were in
the house altogether about three
Iquarters of an hour. The night was
quite dark, kind of misty. After
coming out the second time they said
they got watch and chain and told
me not to say anything. We then
went home, got home just before the
clock struck ten. Agreed TO divide
the spoils. On cross-examination the
witness thought that Gus had gone in
first, heard noise inside, were forced
out and then forced their way back in
again. The night was foggy. not
much, but "a little Bit Every body
knows what little bit means Could
see man several rods off. Met Jim
the next day and learned that Ed
Erickson was so badly wounded that
he would probably die.
The Extra" says that Kephart
made consistent witness.
Mrs. o. l. Huseboe testified that
Clyde Kephart and James Smith came
to the postoffice at Trent the night