davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-22

washington Post: Hon. William D.
Bynums campaign in the interest of
honesty in financial affairs is now playing
the southern circuit The people down
there should all turn out and let Mr..
Bynum tell them how to be good.
Louisville Courier-Journal: The legis-
lature is thinking of a trip to Nashville.
why rot send a turnpike mob at the
same time, and exhibit them together as
Kenrucky's jewels?
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-22

For Morbid Conditions take Beech
ans Pills.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-22
A VERY BAD PRACTICE.

Almost any day one can see young
boys in the city with guns, shooting
either at birds or marks. These are
not merely the common spring guns but
22's that shoot regular cartridges. They
are so small and so handy that the
boys do not seem to realize that they
are also dangerous. With little chill
dren playing in the streets they are
very dangerous. Even if there were no
danger to life, which there is, there is
the danger of putting peoples eyes out.
Only yesterday we saw some boys,
ranging from twelve to sixteen years of
age, deliberately sit down on the edge
of a, sidewalk and fire into a fence
they did several times. This was not
on the outskirts of the town, but in a
main residence portion.
So promiscuous has the shooting of
these small guns become in the city
that if it is not stopped forthwith there
will almost certainly be some fatal or
very distressing accident. One or two
arrests Will put an effectual stop to it.
Rev. Dr. Minot ]. Savage is a good,
healthy optimist, and it is a pleasure
to read what he says about modern civ
iIization and the progress OF mankind
In a sermon he preached last Sunday
he said:
There are reformers who are telling
us that no matter how it was in the
past the world is now out of joint. They
really believe that if they could con-
vert the world to their idea of how
things should be we would be ap-
preaching The millennium. l hear the
political reforlneTs say that the coun-
try is going TO the bad, and in the
discussion of moral and religious sub
jects other reformers picture things
very black. II l really believed all CT
these things / would stop preaching,
because ii, after twenty centuries of
Christianity, the world was growing
worse instead of better, preaching
would have TO be given up as useless.
These Missionaries see no chance IN the
distant future, but are always talking
of the distant past. Despite the stor-
les of che patriarclls that the people
who existed many years ago were of
gigantic form and lived TO great ages,
the average physical condition of the
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Lena Kaufman.

Miss Lena Kaufman testified that
she worked at the American House
last winter. The question was asked
whether witness heard Balser make
any threats, and the defense objected
on the ground that the time was too
remote. The objection was overruled,
and witness said that during the
latter part of January, Balser threat
ened to kill his wife, and said that he
would 60 into the office and get his
revolver and fix her. Balser did office
work.
On cross examination, witness said
that Balser went and got his revolver,
and witness saw it. Balser was the
same way always. He drank some,
but witness never saw him drunk.
Cannot say that he was sober or
drunk, but was always about the
same. Was not on good terms with
Balser, but now have nothing against
him.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
DIR. Davis.

DR.. E. J. Davis testified that he had
known Balser over twenty years.
About twenty years ago, Bal
ser injured his foot in an &C
cldent. 1t was bruised. Last June
was called to treat the same foot.
The foot and leg and the knee were
inflamed. Was called again to see
him and he was better. The odor of
drink was strongly perceptible in his
breath the two times when he
was in bed.
On cross examination, witness said
that from May 30th he visited Balser
daily for ten days, and the limb i'm
proved. The last visit was Oct. Goth,
when the limb was very much im-
proved. Balser was somewhat under
the influence of liquor on two visits.
He was obstinate. Whether man
had taken one drink or his system was
soaked with whisky, would make a
difference with persons breath.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
DIR. JacOby.

This morning, all of the jurors an
swered to their names to their
names.
DR.. VIM. Jacoby was the first wit
ness ssworn this morning, for the
state. He testified to making an eX-
animation of the body of Mrs. Balser
on Nov. I'd. His evidence was not
materially different from'othat given
by DR.. Harrington. He produced the
bullet which he had extracted from
the body. The bullet, which had
been in his possession ever since he
had extracted it, was identified by a
mark, and was offered in evil
dence. Such bullet wound as
Mary NJ. Balser received would
cause death very soon, and
in witness opinion her death was
caused by this wound.
On cross examination, witness said
that he looked for further wounds but
found none. A person receiving a
wound of this character might move
quite little distance before falling,
and might move ten feet and turn
around and walk back.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Jacob Wagen,

Jacob Wagon was the first witness
sworn for the defense and said that
he had known. Balser more or less in
timately in business way for twelve
years. During the two years that Bal
ser kept the American House he was
both sober and drunk, and when
drunk would come around and find
fault. About Oct. 1st, Ralser
came around and wanted meat on
credit for a month, and said that
he could take thirty men to board and
wonld assign the board bill to hun.
An hour or SO after the shooting, wit
ness went to the county Jail and found
him in a drunken condition, badly
under the influence of intoXicants.
He was drunk Saturday.
On cross examination, witness said
that he went to the Jail to get the
papers assigned, but Balser said that
the chief of police had taken his pa
pers. Went up again after dinner
and asked him to sign the assignment,
but he said that he wanted to see
Fred Kron. Have done considerable
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
VIM. Rush.

VIM. Rush testified that he knew
Balser at Lake Crystal, Rapidan and
in this city. Witness kept the Wash
ington House adjoining Balser's
hotel. Balser was intoxicated very
often. When living on the farm, he
got intoxicated every time that he
went to town, and was intoxicated
nearly all the time that witness kept
the adjoining hotel, Since then he
was generally intoxicated whenever
witness saw him. Saw Balser on the
morning of Nov. I'd, just before the
murder. 1t was on Second street in
front of the hotel office door. He
was drunk, as witness noticed by his
speech and walk. He took hold of
the door and helped himself in. Saw
him about twenty minutes before
the murder.
On cross examination, witness said
that DR.. Hielscher came along while
witness was talking with Balser, and
stopped and talked with Balser. Did
not 60 away and leave DR.. Hielscher
talking with Balser. Don't know
what they were talking about. l was
talking with Balser about renting the
American House barn. Talked about
five minutes. Saw Balser drunk a
couple of hundred times during the
last two years. When Balser was
drunk he talked fast. During the last
two or three years there were only
two or three times when Balser could
not attend to his business During
almost all this time Balser has been
in his hotel office attending to his
work.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
e. v. Waters.

E. V. Walters testified that Balser
bought goods of him and Mrs. Balser
most always paid for them. Saw Balser
on the Friday and Saturday before
the shooting. Don't know that l
ever saw Balser while he was running
his place but what he was more or
less under the influence of liquor. On
Friday he was Gagged up" some, and
was drunk on Saturday. Has settled
bills with me when he was under the
influence of liquor. Monday morn
ing before the shooting, saw Balser go
to "the corner" saloon. This was
twenty or thirty minutes before the
murder. He was in there five
minutes. Saw him 60 back to the
hotel. Next saw him after the MUIR
der. Saw Balser being taken to the
lookup and Chief Yates asked me to
go back and look after the woman.
Balser muttered something like,
"That's right, go back and take care
of the woman" Considered Balser
pretty drunk at that time.
On cross examination, the witness
said that Balser acted like any other
drunken man. Have seen Balser drunk
and sober. Balser was laughing all
over that morning while being taken
to the lookup, He did this sometimes
when drunk. During the time that
he was in the hotel, witness thought
that he had seen him so drunk Is to
100 times that he was unable to attend
to his business. One time was on
July 4th or circus day.
Court took recess at noon until
200 o. M.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Niche BalSer.

Niche Balser, the thirteen year
old son of the defendant, was the first
witness sworn this afternoon. He
testified that on the morning of Nov.
I'd, he went out and got ten cents
worth of whisky in bottle for his
father. 1 frequently got liquor for
him in that manner.
On cross examination, witness said
that the liquor titled the bottle an
inch and a half from the bottom.
Father drank half of the whisky and
put The bottle back on the bureau.
Got the whisky at 6 100 d. IN. Usually
got the whisky in the same quantity
aud at the same time. Did this two
weeks steadily and at other times two
or three times week.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
The Defense Opens.

Attorney A. R. Pau opened the
case for the defense. He said the de-
Tense has never undertaken to deny
the facts which the state has proven
up to this time. Certain circumstan-
ceS take the case from murder in the
first degree and place it somewhere
else. We cannot do other than plead
guilty or not guilty of the specific
charge, and cannot plead guilty to any
other charge. You have heard the
evidence on the part of the state, and
portions of it have lined out the claim
made by the defendant. am not here
to justify this defendant or excuse
him one jOta if he did the act
charged and did it knowingly. On
cross examination, l have undertaken
to show that at the time the otfense
was committed, the defendant was in
toxicated. 1t has been shown that
Balser was intoxicated the night be-
fore the shooting We will endeavor
to show that this state Of drunken
nesslasted until long after the shoot
ing. While this intoXication does
not excuse or justify man in such
an offense, he can come in and say he
was intoxicated, and if he proves it,
the jury can consider the degree of
the crime. Murder in the first degree
is the killing of human being with
out cause or justification and with
premediation. Murder in the second
degree is the intentional killing IN
like circumstances but without
generalization. Murder in the first
degree is punished by death, and MUIR
der in the second degree by imprison-
ment for life. We shall put on testi-
mony to tend to prove that there was
no premediation. We shall show by
witnesses that shortly before and af-
ter the shooting Balser was intoxi-
Gated. 1t has been shown that
during the first three days
in Jail Balser lay in sort
of stupor and without eating.
Instead of prolonged spree
ending in delerium tremens,
in this case it ended in
a stupor. We shall endeavor to
show that previous to the shooting,
Balser was forgetful in his business.
These things will not be proved to
mitigate the crime, because the de-
PENDANT was voluntarily in that con-
dition. The simple question of pre-
meditation will be contested.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Louis BalSer, Jr.

Louis Balser, an;elder son Of the de
PENDANT, testified that his father kept
bar at the American House the first
year. His father was drunk often and
drinking all the time. While lived
at home, while father was sober
never saw any trouble between him
and my step-mother, the deceased.
While drunk, father would come in
and ask about the business, and at
night he would check up the register
with me and take the money and put
it away. The next morning he would
not know what he had done with the
money. He paid out money when in
toxicated, Have seen him on sprees.
When intoxicated, father was cross
and irritable.
On cross examination, the witness
said that he had not seen his father
since January or February, 1895, until
after the shooting. Saw him two
other times that winter Once was
at Mapleton, when he was drunk. He
wanted me to come back and tend
bar, but refused. At another time
he had some difficulty with my bro
ther about horse. Father was drunk
once or twice week, so that he stag
gered around, during the four months
that [ helped keep bar, At the Jail
the day after the shooting, father did
not know me, and when | asked him
what he had been doing, he said that
he didn't know anything about it.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Hannah Fronert.

Miss Hannah Fronert, daughter
of the deceased Mrs. Balser and step
daughter of the prisoner, testified
that her mother had six children at
the time of her death, the youngest
being ten months old. Was staying
at the hotel from latter part ofAugust
until three weeks before the shooting
A little over year ago, heard Balser
say to his wife: ''If you don't be still
I'll shoot you" They were in the
sitting room, Mrs. Balser making the
bed. They had had words. Balser
had a revolver in his hand and pointed
il toward her. Seven weeks before
the shooting, in my bedroom, Mrs.
Balser came in and Balser came in.
He wanted her to 90 to his bedroom,
but she said that she would not He
took her by the throat and showed her
against the wall, and after that she
went with him. She gave no reason
why she did not want to go with him.
On cross-examination, witness said
that Ba ser drank considerably, and
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
PLUMBERS LICENSE.
Alderman Adams in Favor of Return
ing the $500.

The matter of returning the 800
plumbers licenses that were paid into
the city treasury by some of the
plumbers will come up before the city
council at the meeting next Saturday
evening.
1t will be remembered that these
plumbers paid the 800 with the un-
Outstanding that they would receive
a permanent license and the city
council has recently changed the Ii
cense to $40 a year beginning from
Jan. l, 1897. Alderman Adams, chair
man on city licenses, is strongly in
favor of returning the 800 to each
plumber. He says: 'The plumbers
are entitled to this money. 1t was
paid into the city treasury and the
city has had the use of this money.
Figuring the interest at eight per
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
HrS. Jamie McNursrie,

Mrs. Gertrude McMurtrie, a daugh-
ter OF the defendant, testified that
her father drank very heavily during
most all the time that he was at
home, while witness lived there,
which was up to last March or April.
After one of his protracted sprees he
was sick in bed and didn't know
where he had been or anything. He
would sleep and talk while in bed, for
two or three days and sometimes Ion
ger. He had sfour or five of these
spells while was at home. When
father was sober, he and his wife were
peaceable. They were in the
habit of having beer in the house,
and drank there. Mrs. Bal
ser would also drink wine,
whisky or brandy. When drunk
father would 90 into the kitchen and
other places where he wouldn't go
much when sober. After these spells
he would deny saying what he had
said when drunk.
On cross examination, witness said
that her step-mother drank enough
for woman, not very much, but
quite often.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
CHANGED HANDS.
rIcConnell & Cummins Have Sold Their
Grocery Stock to A. B. Ewing.

Mr.. A. B. Ewing, who has had
charge of the grocery department for
Mcconnell & Cummins for several
months, purchased the stock of goods
today and will continue the business
at the present stand.
Mr.. Ewing was in business with his
brother, ]. A., county treasurer-elect,
for ten years, and is thoroughly con-
versant with the business. He has
engaged as one of his clerks Mr.. Hugh
J. Roberts, well known in Mankato,
who will take his place in the store
the first of the month.
Mr.. Ewing will keep a complete
assortment of fancy and staple
groceries, and promises that all GUS
toners will be given the benefit of
the lowest cash prices.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Anna Schroeder.

Miss Anna Schroeder testified that
Balser is a relative of hers. Worked
at the American House two weeks in
the first half of October, doing din
ing room work. Did not hear Balser
make any threats against his wife,
Had been making dress for Mary
Balser before the shooting Balser
did office work.
On cross examination, witness said
that Balser was not very drunk while
she was there. He was some drunk
a part of the time. They had beer
in the house three or four times a
week, and Mr.. and Mr.. Balser and
some Of the girls drank it. Balser's
foot troubled him while 1 was there.
Balser's first wife was my mothers
sister.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Fred KrOn.

Fred Kron testified that Balser
would get drunk occasionally during
the past two years. About Oct. 1st,
witness made arrangements with Bal
ser and the railroad foreman, where
by Balser was to receive groceries and
witness was to have the railroad bills
to secure him. Went to the Jail at
two o'clock Nov. I'd to see Balser
about the assignment of the bills,
and he said that he was crazy and
could not do business. He seemed to
be in sort Of stupor, but did not
smell his breath. Two weeks later
he assigned the bills to witness.
Tie customary recess was taken
here.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
COAL GAS ESCAPES.
" ard Chittenden and family, livin

Ward Chittenden and family, living
on Minnesota street, were nearly
smothered last night by coal gas.
They shook some fresh coal on the
fire about 900 o'clock before going to
bed. The gas formed on the top of
this, and the fire being too low to burn
it. it escaped through crack in the
stove and filled the room.
Luckily, they awoke in time to save
themselves, and Mr.. Chittenden and
the child have nearly overcome the
effects of the gas, Mrs. Chittenden
is still quite sick, but will soon re-
cover.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
A STALL BLAZE.

The fire department was called out
about eleven o'clock Tuesday night
by small blaze in the Creamery
Package Manufacturing Company's
building. 1t is thought the fire start
ed from the engine room which set
some of the ropes on fire. The IRE
boys strung considerable hose but the
ire was put out before any water was
turned on. No damage was done to
speak of.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

business with Balser. His genera
appearance in the forenoon made me
think that he was drunk. Could smell
liquor. Balser talked slower than US
ual for him. When under excitement
he would talk faster. BaIser talked
hoarse, like he did when on spree in
September. When Mr.. Kron was at
the Jail, Balser asked him to 60 away
as he couldn't do business.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

cent the city has received eight dol
lars year from each plumber, which
Is a fair license. And another thing,
this license was unlawful and if the
council does not pay back the money,
the plumbers will take the matter
into court and will get it in that way.
| think the city council will pay back
the money, though some of the alder
men are opposed to it,"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

other days, ten cents worth at time.
On cross examination, said that he
got whisky for his father every other
day while he was sick, and occasional
ly at other times.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

The state offered the plat of the
American House first floor and sur
roundings on evidence, with the I'M
Outstanding with the defense that
the distances should be placed on it.
Surveyor j. R. Thompson, who pre-
pared the plat, was summoned to do
this.
The state rested here.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
Frankie BaiSer.

frankie Balser, the twelve year old
son Of the defendant, testified that he
got some whisky for his father at 1000
a, M, and in the afternoon of the day
before the shooting. Got ten cents
worth each day Got whisky for him
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

previous to the bed room incident had
been drinking in the kitchen. When
keeping the saloon at the hotel, Bal
ser would drink ever day and some
times get drunk.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
1T is THAT THE rlURDER WAS
UNPREMEDlTATED
Trying to Show That He is Guilty
of Murder i'm the Second Degree,
Because He Was Drunk and Could
Not Predetermine Upon the Crime
The State Rests and Several
Witnesses Examined For the De-
tense.
Wednesdays Report.

Material progress was made in the
Balser trial today. The state rested
thissmorning, and the defense is near
ly through. The case will be argued
late this afternoon or tomorrow fore
noon, and will in any event undOubt-
eddy go to the jury tomorrow.
The defense is that Balser commit
ed murder in the second degree, in
stead Of.murder 10 the first degree, in
the meaning of the law, 1t claims
that the generalization necessary in
murder in the first degree is absent,
owing as it claims, to Balser's alleged
drunken condition at the time of the
shooting. Its entire efforts are TO-
ward proving this.
The evidence given by the last four
witnesses yesterday afternoon was
substantially as follows:
Isabella Smith.
Miss Isabella Smith, of Marysburg,
said that she worked at the American
House seven weeks beginning July
9th. Heard Balser threaten his wife
twice. About the middle of August
he said he would shoot his wife. Half
an hour later the same evening, he
said: "Girls, if you hear a shot to-
night, you will know where it came
from and where it goes to-" County
Attorney Benedict asked the witness
whether she heard Balser make any
accusation that his wife was not true
to him. The defense objected to this
question, and it was withdrawn. The
witness also testified to the beer
drinking spoken of by the previous
witness.
On cross examination, witness said
that she would occasionally taste the
beer. Mrs. Balser would take glass
now and then. She had baby that
was seven months old when witness
left.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
II. h. Andrews

Capt. T. Fl. Andrews identified the
revolver as a 32-calibre, Smith & Wes-
son.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01

A recess was taken until 900 a. m.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-01
TAX RATE FOR 1896.

of
assessed and equalzed
The figures below representing
P. A. GUNDERS, County Auditor.
Mankato I'M 1906