davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
August Exports Very Large.

WASHINGTON, Sept 17.-DOme0tic ex-
ports for August were the largest of
any August of which the bureau of
statistics of the treasury department
has any record. They We're valued at
S79, 497 $50, as against sec, 6se, 9s1 in Au-
gust, 1896, an increase of So, SO7, 939.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIETY
DIRECTORY
ATTORNEYH.

ATTORNEYS.
Ewing & EWING. ONCE one door west of
p0stofhce up stairs.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
Consul-General Lee had a long

Consul-General Lee had long secret
conference with President Mckinley
at the white house on the 18th con-
cerning Cuban affairs. 1t was an
nouneed that Gen. Lee would retain
his post at Cuba
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

Methodist Episcopsl-Corner Of Jefferson ave-
nue. and Broadway. Services every Sabbath at
II Q. N. and $50 p. m. Sunday school at s45 g.
N Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening
ct 7:S0 An are cordially invited to all of these
meetinRa. I B Pulliam pastor
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

lola Public LbrsFy--0ver NOrthrup's bank.
Open every Saturday from 70 SD n Stool
and membership tickets for sale at the room
Nm NR Knapp Librarian.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

Allen County Horticultural Society meets
every second Friday Of each month at 2 O'Clock
.. u. ct g A. 3. hall. J. T Treadway, Treas
,. PaRcoaSt Secy.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
MISCELLANEOUS.

VIC. T: U.-Regular meeting every second
ana fourth Friday, at O'clock P. N 4, at the
Presbyterian church
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

BAptiTt-on Sycamore street Preaching Sun
day morning and evening. Sunday school at "a
an Prayer meeting Wednesday evening a
7:So - N Young peoples prayer meeting ev
sy Sunday evening. d. G. Fraser. pastor
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
CITY GOVERNMENT

SCHOOL BOARD: q. A. Ewing. President Geo.
A. Bowlus, Treasurer L. II. Wishard, Clerk.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24
lola CHURCHES.

EpiscOpsl-Services on third Sunday Of the
month. Fred ( 6hmROn, Missionary in charge.
o. B. Church-Preaching every Sunday even
ing ct $50 p. m; Sunday school at 945 a. m;
Young Peoples meeting at p. m. All are cor
diAly invited. Rev. E. A. King, pastor
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

Ref0rmed-Diyine worship in the Christ Re
formed church at II O'Clock g. m. every Sun
day. Evening services every two weeks
- half past seven O'clock p. m. sunday school
every Sabbath st 10 o'clock e. N. AID are cor.
daily invited 70 attend. L. :. Fsnst pas .or.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

5christian-SerViees End and 5th Sunday.
Sunday school 10 a. N. every Sunday, followed
social service. Prayer meeting Wednesday
Vening. Henry Martin. pastor.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

Second Bsptist-Services every second and
fourth Sabbath of each month. Preaching at
u clock q. m. and 7:30 D. m Prayer meeting
wednesday evening. You are welcome
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

Regular meeting of Commissioners hrst Mon
day in January, July and october. and the first
Tuesday in April
L. StiIlwell, Judge 9TH Judicial District, salary
$500. Terms begin Srd Monday in March
LIST Monday in June and LIST in November.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-09-24

REORGANIZATION Ave Preaching ev
cry Sabbath At IL 6 m. and E30p m Sabbath
sehOol 81 &45 Q. N. Prayer meeting Wednesday
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
The Judges Charge.

The attendance of spectators was
light yesterday morning when court
convened. The roll of the jury was
called at 9:15 a. M, and all were pre-.
sent.
Judge Severance read his charge.
1t was eminently fair and unpreiudic.
ed, as well as clear. He said that it
was the jury's duty to weigh and pass
upon the evidence. He read the
charge in the Indictment, and gave
the legal definitions of different de-
grees of murder and manslaughter in
the first degree. At the outset of the
trial, the defendant is presumed to be
innocent, and this presumption must
be overcome by evidence to satisfy the
Jury beyond reasonable doubt OF the
defendants guilt. Murder in the
first degree is the uDjustifiable and
|inexcusable killing of a human being
with the premeditated design to
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
An Affecting Scene.

The court then asked Balser
whether he had anything to say why
the sentence of the law should not be
passed upon him. Baiser had been
Standing without any evidence of
emotion, but at this question he stag
gered little, covered his face with
his coatsleeve and broke down and
cried like child. He answered be-
tween his sObS: Il am sorry for what
l have done. That is all l have to
say" He sat down in his agony of
mind, for there can be little doubt
that he was exhibiting genuine sor-
row and contrition, and not attempt
ing to work upon the sympathy of the
court, for he knew that there was but
one sentence to be pronounced.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
READY FOR BUSINESS.
The Blue Earth Valley Telephone Co.
Opens an Office.

The Blue Earth Valley Telephone
Exchange Co. has opened an Office in
John Klein's building next to the
alley on Jackson street. 1t has it's
line connected, and talked over it
Thursday night for the first time. 1t
is working successfully, and now a
person can talk with any of the follow
ing towns over the wire: Alden, AL
bert Lea and points north and south,
Amboy, sDelavan, Baroda, Beauford,
Blue Earth City. Elmore and points
south, Easton, Fairmont, Garden
City, Good Thunder, Granada, Hunt
ley, Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Mime
sofa Lake, Nashville Center, Winnie
bago City, Woodland, Welcome,
Wells.
The company has built substantially
in this city, using large, high poles,
carrying wires above all other wires.
Near the central Office they are suffi-
cient to carry Is to 100 wires.
The use of the line will be offered
free to our citizens until January 9Th,
and all are invited to call at the office
and try it. Only messenger service
will be charged for. 3aufa.. ,.5.,a
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
A Verdict Rendered.

The jury was out until about ten
minutes before three O'Clock, wien it
agreed upon verdict, and so notified
the court. Attorneys Benedict and
Pau were sent for, and at 3:l2 p M,
the jury filed in and announced that
it had agreed upon a verdict The
written instrument was handed to
Clerk OF Court Thorne, who passed it
to Judge Severance. The latter
glanced at its contents and passed it
back to the clerk with the order that
it be recorded. After it had been
transcribed upon the records, Mr..
Thorne arose and read the verdict,
which was that the jury found the
defendant guilty Of murder In the
second degree. The defendant
waived the polling Of the jury, and the
clerk simply asked, $50 say your fore
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

man, so say you alp" Every juror as
sented.
The court directed that the pris-
oner be remanded to jail, and an
nounced that he would pronounce
sentence at nine o'clock this morning.
He discharged the jurors on the
case.
Balser took5t verdict coolly, but
seemed relieved, for he walked with a
lighter step, and ever since has been
in more cheerful frame of mind, and
acts like changed man. He person
ally thanked a couple of jurors who
went TO see him.
The jury stood seven for murder in
the fist degree and five for murder in
the second degree on the first ballot.
Eight ballots were taken and grad
ually the seven came over to the five,
until linally the jury was unanimous.
The verdict was general surprise,
as almost everyone thought that the
jury could not do otherwise than find
the defendant guilty of the greater
crime, under the evidence and the
charge. The members Of the jury
state that they were not convinced
that iBalser used generalization in the
execution of the murder. There is a
quite general belief on the streets
that the chief obstacle to the jurys
returning a verdict of murder in the
first degree was the knowledge that
Balser would certainly be sentenced
to hang for his crime, and that they
were unwilling to condemn a human
being to death. Attorney Pau i'm
pressed the horror of hanging upon
the jury in most effectual manner,
and certainly made splendid fight
for his client.
County Attorney Benedict con-
Quoted the prosecution in an able
manner, and the public does not
blame him in any degree for the out
come.
The expense to the county of this
trial is variously estimated at from
$4,000 to $4,000.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Moved for Sentence.

Courtopened at 9:45 o'clockSatuaday
morning, with the attorneys, court
officers and reporters present, besides
very few. spectators. Balser was
brought in, and County Attorney
Benedict moved that sentence be
pronounced upon the prisoner The
court directed Balser to stand up, and
administered to him an oath to an
swer truly the questions put to him.
Balser said that he is going on fifty
four years of age, and his last business
had been that Of a hotel keeper. He
was brewer by trade, and had
worked at this for sixteen or seven
teen years.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Sentenced for Life.

The court directed him to stand up
again and listen to the sentence of the
law imposed for the crime of which
he had been adjudged guilty. The
sentence of the court was that the
prisoner be confined at hard labor in
the penitentiary at Saltwater "dur-
ing and for the term of his natural
life" Balser displayed no further
weakness, and was Immediately re-
manded to jail.
Court will be in session for day or
two to accommodate those who desire
to take out their second papers. A
recess will then be taken until Feb.
1st, when Crook will have his trial.
Judge Severance will open two
weeks term of court at Blue Earth
City Tuesday.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

effect his death. The definition of
murder in the second degree leaves
out the words, "with the premeditat-
ed design" Murder in the third de-
gree has nothing to do with this case.
The protection of human life de-
mands the punishment of the guilty.
| need not say that fearful RESPONSE
bility rests upon you, but it is only to
find the facts in the case. The courts
will execute the law. Nor is it the
province of the jurors to carp at the
law. If you fine the facts to be as
alleged in the Indictment, then you
will find the defendant guilty of MUIR
der in the first degree. The killing
must be premeditated, and involve an
operation of the mind. There is no
prescribed time for generalization,
and it does not require the lapse
of any definite period of time. If the
defendant resolved and debated in
his mind for any length of time and
then killed his wife as a result, it
was murder in the first degree.
There is no doubt that the killing
was done in the manner as charged in
the Indictment. The defendant
claims that he got drunk and forgot
the occurrences for a space of
time. The law does not al
low drunkenness to excuse murder,
but in determining the fact of pre-
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

meditation, the jury can take into
consideration whether or not he was
intoxicated at the time. There is some
evidence tending to show this. A per-
son when drunk may act with premed-
itation, and if so the act is not less
criminal. Drunkenness neither eX-
cuses the Offense nor avoids the pun
ishment, when the character of the
offense is determined.
If Balser'w so deeply intoxicated
as to be unable to form a premeditated
design, then he cannot be convicted of
murder in the first degree. The previ-
GUS course of conduct of the defendant
toward thedeceased maybe considered,
as well as any threats that may have
carried him along toward the preme-
Citation of the offense. You will con-
slider the probability or improbabiiity
of the defendants testimony.
The court reviewed the evidence
bearing on the occurrences of the
fatal morning. If the defendants
threats against his wife were made
while intoxicated, you may consider
whether they were idle threats or not.
The correct administration of the
criminal law concerns the safety of
society and drunkenness should not
effect the grade of the crime unless
you are satisfied to a fair degree
that the defendant was so drunk that
he was incapable of making a mental
resolve or determining right from
wrong. The highest affiuences of your
minds should be brought TO the con-
sideration of this case.
The court then instructed the
jury to bring in verdict either
of murder in the first or second
degree or manslaughter in the
first degree. The option of the lat
ter was merely a matter of safety to
comply with the wording of the sta
tuteS. aG
Bailiff Shanahan was sworn in
charge of the jury, which retired at
1000 a. m. s.a
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
DIED SUDDENLY.

Peter Melvin died at his home In
Belgrade New Years morning after
being sick only three days. Mr.. Mel
vim was in Nelson Weeds drug store
Wednesday afternoon, when he was
suddenly taken sick and was taken to
the hospital. Thursday forenoon his
family took him to his home in Bel
grade, where he died yesterday MORN
ing. He twas unconscious from the
time he was taken to the hospital un-
til his death.
The deceased is 10 years of age, and
has been poorly for some time, but
has always able to be about. He
leaves a wife and i've children to
mourn his death.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Balser Talks.

Balser was visited at the county jail
by FREE PREE reporter soon after
sentence had been prounced this fore
noon, and talked freely. He said that
he would like TO thank the jurors, his
lawyers and all who had done any.
thing for him during the trial. He
said that he was pleased with the out
come, but had been prepared for
either verdict. Said he:
"We have all got to die some time,
and / was prepared to die. 1t
made little difference to me which
verdict was rendered. My wife has
suffered and I will have to suffer,
but my punishment will all be in
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Mr.. Pfau's Argument.

Mr. Pfau said in his closing argu-
ment to the jury Thursday afternoon,
that he was not there to claim that
Balser was not guilty of any crime,
but he was there to claim the bond of
forfeiture upon which the state of
Minnesota demands blood for blood,
and an eye for an eye. He was there
to see that justice was done, and would
not ask the jury to do other than
what it thought was right in the
case. When the state, like Shylock,
asks for the pound Of flesh, it is your
duty to see that no drop Of blood is
shed with it unless the bond calls
for blood. Death is an awful thing.
So sure as the jury finds this defend
ant guilty of this charge, so sure must
gallows be erected, for the state is
calling for blood. Do your duty,
which is all that men can do, but do
no more, that your colsciences may
not in the future cause you to wish to
wash your hands of the blood of this
man, whom you have consigned to
death. You are to determine
whether his life shall be forfeited
No matter what our opinions may be
on capital punishment, we must do
what is right and not go beyond.
Mr.. Pau then went into the evil
dence in the case and said that he
would not claim that any of the testi-
mony of the hotel inmates was will
fully wrong, but that some of it was
not in accordance with the facts The
state admits for three days previous
to the murder, Balser was in BEAST
ly state Of intoxication, in spite of
the vigilance of the chief of police,
who was so ready to come in and tes-
tify for the state. The state has un-
limited means to summon witnesses,
YET, like mOrtals, selects those in it's
favor, and rejects those on the other
side.
Mr.. Pau spoke of the mixing Of
beer and whiskeY which Balser did on
the morning of Nov. End. The fact
was proven that Balser was drunken
the previous midnight than ever be-
fore, and that he prolonged his
drinking into the next morn
ing. Drink will operate upon
no two persons alike, nor alike
upon the same man upon different oc-
casions. Why did the sheriff ask Bal
ser whether he realized whathe had
done, unless he thought that he
might not be in condition to realize
it? Balser's three days stupor in Jail
was a natural consequence of his
drunk. Drunkenness wears off in
different manner from different per-
sons.
The attorney sroke of Balser's do
ing the act without any attempt at
concealment or self preservation. 1t
is law of nature that person will
try to protect himself. Think of a
man premeditating this crime and
taking no steps to save himself, 1
say with the counsel for the state
that man who commits such MUIR
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Clothing That Wears Ten years.
JASPER, Mimi, Nov. 2

JASPER, Mimi, Nov. rs, 1896.
Messrs. Pond Bros, Mankato, MINI
Gentlemen:-I write to inquire if you
90 out on the road taking orders, and
If so, how near do you come to Jasper,
Mimi. Jasper is II miles south of
Pipestone on the Great Northern r.
r 1 want good overcoat and suit
of clothes, and would meet you at
Pipestone any time if you come out
that way. The reason l write you is
that some nine or ten years ago you
made several suits for me, and they
were so we'll made, fit me so well on
first trial, that l have been in hope
to get at you some way. La fact am
wearing coat and vest now that you
made ten years ago. 1t was Pond
Bros. s. Jorgensen then and I was at
Adrian, Mimi. Ii there Is any show
to get at you for suit and overcoat
let me hear from you.
Truly yours,
GEO. III. CARR.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

flicted while L live. 1 feel that
L will have no punishment
after | die, because | have prayed for
forgiveness, and feel sure that l shall
receive it. l have taken the sacra-
ments. l have always belonged to
the Catholic church, although l have
not attended often lately, and have
brought up my children in the faith.
"The only thing that worries me is
what will become of my small chill
dren, but / think that my son, Henry,
will look after them. l am sorry
that | shot my wife, and would not
have done so had l not been
drunk. l often urged her to throw
away the revolver for fear that l
would do her harm when drunk, be-
cause of my temper. She also had a
temper, but she is dead now and l
don't care to say anything against
her. When l was sober we got along
very nicely.
[ testified that could not remember
what happened on the day of the
shooting. There were one or two other
witnesses who would have testified for
me, but did not hear. of them until
too late. Several of the witnesses
for the state testified to what was
not the truth. Several of the
hotel girls testified heresay instead of
what they actually saw. There was
never any trouble between my wife
and myself over assigning the board
bills to settle accounts at the stores.
She had agreed to do this the first of
October and did not at any time re-
fuse to sign them.
ION the Friday before the shooting
l was drunk. Saturday forenoon [
left my over coat in the hotel, and in
the pockets were two pint bottles full
of whisky, which l had forgotten
that [ had. [ must have drunk
their contents to make me so full.
"There is no truth in the rumor
that killed my first wife or caused
her death. She died in my arms, and
/ was long at her bedside, with two
Mankato physicians. She died at
child birth. We lived together for
twelve years and never had any
trouble of any kind.
"As regards my suspicious Of my
wife, I don't care to say anything.
Let that remain in my own bosom. 1t
would do no good to tell what [ knew
or suspected, and l would not allow it
to be used on the trial. What it
would have amounted to as defense,
| don't know.
Il think many, many times of the
killing of my wife. and 1 cannot for
get it. 1t will always stay with me
as punishment.
81 don't know whether [ shall be.
pardoned later on, but shall live in
hope of it. 1t is hope in this world
that makes everything, and l will
hope to get out sometime"
Balser subscribed for the DAILY
FREE PRESS, to be sent to him at
Saltwater, and takes an interest, in
the outcome of the trial of other
prisoners in the Jail. He could not
be led to make any statement or ad-
mission that he remembered the &C.
currences of Nov. I'd.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
BOWERS DISCHARGED.

The trial of Frank Bowers, charged
with horse stealing, continued in the
municipal court all day Thursday and
was not finished until Friday
morning.
Judge Shisler decided that Mr..
Bowers took the horse from Mr.. Mays
barn in the presence of Mr.. May and
with his consent, and had no inten-
tion of stealing the horse, so he could
not be held on that charge.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
LIFE SENTENCE
Louis Balser viii Spend the
Remainder of His Days
Behind Prison Walls.
His Sentence Pronounced Satur-
day = He Breaks Down
i'm Court.
The Jury Agrees Upon YER
dict of Murder in the
Second Degree.
Balser Talks Freely With a
Free Press Reporter at
the Jail.
Synopses of Attorney PfaE's
II Argument and the Charge
of the Court.

Louis Balser was convicted of MUIR
der in the second degree by the jury,
after five hours elaboration, Fri
day.
Saturday he was sentenced to
serve throughout the remainder of
his natural life at hard labor in the
penetentiary at Saltwater.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08
Off For Saltwater.

Sheriff Bowen left for Saltwater
with Balser on the four o'clock train
Saturday. He was accompanied
by his wife and thought it unneces-
sary to take any deputies with him.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

John r. Thomas, John Klein &
Co., and APPEL s. Roberts announce
that their furniture stores will here
after be closed after 6 o'clock p. m.
until further notice.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

G. B. Hulbart, foreman of the Wells
Advocate, is spending few days in the
city, the guest of his uncle's family,
G.. B. Bates, Minnesota street. n a
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-08

ATTEND our annual clearance book
sale-January I'd to January 9th.
Warwick's, 407 S. Front street.