New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1897-04-14

to sour ticket wereatheists, but when
asked particularly about the members
on the opposition ticket he had to admit
that Koch and Eckstein we're not Turn
ers, one being Catholic and the other
a Lutheran. Peterson claimed to have
heard over two hundred make the re-
mark that Lind was an atheist, but the
only one he could call to mind was Her.
man Schapekahm. Even in this case he
could not. give Schapekahm's words.
That was last fall during the great po-
litlcal campaign. The witness also adj
mitted having written letter to Michael
Doran in which he accused Lind of
objecting to Dan Lawler for governor
on account of his being Roman Catho-
lie. He admitted having signed the af-
tidavit to that effect which was circulated
about the state over Peterson's signature.
Jacob Klossner Jr. testified that Mr..
Lind at his home was not considered an
agnostic or an infidel. While he was on
the stand, practical admission of the
falsity of the Dispatch article was made.
Mr.. Klossner was asked if there was any
thing IN Mr.. Lind's conduct that was
not in harmony with the views he ex-
pressed in his Minneapolis speech. Mr..
Mum objected on the ground that the
question was not proper rebuttal. "We
have put in no testimony except as to
Mr.. Limbs general reputation" said Mr..
Mum. "Then the case is settled,' re-
marked Attorney Pierce. Judge Bum
evidently entertained the same view, for
he said: II am not sure that the objec-
ton is not we'll taken, but if it is it re-
moves one issue from this case" The
question was not pressed.
G.. A. Ottomeyer was called as the
first witness in rebuttal. He said that
liz was U10 P1Co1uouG VI Iuc OuI1Slldu
Endeavor Society of the Congregational
church and that he had never heard Mr.
Lind's reputation as Christian gentle
man called in question until after the
article in the, Dispatch appeared which
is alleged to be libelous. He said that
as far as lie knew Mr.. Lind had repu-
tation for being Christian. He had
seen him in Church number of times.
Benedict Juni made another capital
witness in Mr.. Lind's behalf. He denied
that Mr.. Lind had the reputation Of be-
ing an atheist and insisted that his acts
and public utterances were always those
of a Christian. Questioned as to the is
sues of the school fight, he stated en-
phatically that the teaching of infdelity
in the schools was not an issue and he
never knew of It's being taught. The
school fight, he said, started from row
between the millers, and sp1tework was
more of an issue than anything else.
The fact that the vote of the city was
about evenly divided showed conclusive
ly that it was not contest between the
Turner's alone and the church people.
w. G. Alvin also denied that Mr..
Limbs reputation was that of an atheist
or that he had ever scoffed at religion
on the street corners. He commenced
to tell of the public meeting held at
Turner Hall, at which time Lind and
Judge Weber made addresses, but was
prevented by the attorney for the Dis
patch from proceeding. he said that
the charge that infdelity had been
taught in the public schools was not true.
Chas. L. Roos was also called as
witness for Mr.. Lind. He denied ever
having told Editor Hayes that Lind was
all atheist and added that there would be
no object in his doing so, for he knew
that he was not. In response to ques-
ton as to the religious beliefs of the
Turner's he said that some were atheists,
some agnostcs and some materialists,
but the society made no demands upon
the BELIEF of any member he was left
to follow his own mind and conscience
and believe as he wanted to. The wit
ness was not az atheist, neither was Prof.
Nix. Attorney Mum tried to trap Mr..
Roos upon this point, but failed dismal
ly. The witness knew his position and
gave pointed definitions of the terms
aatheist," *agnostic' and 4materialist.'
By an unintentional question of Munn's
the witness was also permitted to define
Mr.. Lind's position on matters of religion.
He was asked if he had ever heard any
one talk of Mr.. Liud's belief. He said
he had and proceeded to relate con-
versation 5etween himself, Prof. Nix,