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

that it was that of an agnostic; that he
had not devoted most of his time to
abusing Mr.. Lind. Examined by Mr..
Pierce, he admitted that he never heard
Mr.. Lind make any statement deroga-
tory to religion or express his views up
on the same; he could not even recall
anyone who had ever said he was an
atheist or an agnostic.
Michael Mullen of New Ulm testified
that he had known Lind for about twen-
ty years; that he (the witness) had taken
no active part in the school controversy,
but was acquainted with the issue. This,
he said, was that the church people were
not satisfied with Prof. Nix on account
of his athelstic principles. Lind's repu-
tation was that of al atheist. On cross
examination, Mullen testified that he
had heard one man say that Lind was
an atheist, but he had never heard Mr..
Lind himself say anything against re-
Hgion. He admitted, however, having
made such. a charge against him. Mr..
Vandiver, he claimed, had told him that
the proofs. of the speech, alleged to have
been made by Lind in New Ulm years
ago derogatory to religion and supposed
to have been published in Indianapolis,
were locked up in the Dispatch safe at
St. Paul. He admitted having talked
with Managing Eaitor Black about it.
Mr.. Pierce then asked Mullen if Lind
belonged to any societies besides the
Turnverein. Mullen said that he did
not. Then Pierce asked if he belonged
to any lodges or secret societies; Mullen
replied in the negative. He was asked
if he was sure about this-positive. He
said that he was as far us his knowledge
was concerned. Then he was asked if
he had written letter to C. D. O'Brien
of St. Paul, charging Lind with being a
rank freethinker and infdel, hypocrite
and an A. P. A., and rebuking O'Brien
for supporting such man for governor.
The witness could not say that he had
ever written such letter.
At this juncture, Thos. O'Brien arose
and coolly showed Mullen letter, dated
July "a, 1896, and addressed to his
brother, Hon. G. D. O'Brien of St. Paul.
Mullen read it, admitted that it was IN
his handwriting and that he had written
and signed it. Objections were raised
to its being read, but they we're over
ruled and the letter was read to the jury
by Mr.. Pierce. This was the most dra-
matte incident of the entire trial. The
letter in substance charged Lind with
being the biggest hypocrite in the
state, and member of the lank-
est freethinkers' organization in the
country; 1t said that he could not carry a
ward in his own town for anything from
governor down to dog catcher, and that
he had no friends outside of the Turner's;
it also implied that he was an A. P. A.,
an organization opposed to Catholics
holding office, and urged O'Brien to
drop him like coal of fire.
The witness further testified that he
had stated that Lind had advised people
to vote for no Roman Catholic for gov
ernor. He could not say to whom he
reported this information, but probably
had done so to several. He knew that
Peterson had offered to make the afida-
Wit. He never saw the affidavit published
and eontended that the circular was used
in a private manner. In reply to the
question as to whether or not the whole
Dispatch matter and circular were start
ed by him, he is reported to have evaded
the question as much as possible. He
denied having furnished the extracts Of
Mr.. Lind's speech. alleged to have been
delivered at Turner meeting held years
ago. He said he had never heard of it
before it was published.
Attorney Pierce also forced the wit
ness to admit that Lind had carried ev-
cry ward in New Ulm for governor, and
not for dog-catcher.
S, y. Peterson was likewise placed in
the sweat-box. He claims of course that
Lind's reputation was that of an atheist,
but he could not recall that Lind ever
spoke of the matter. He had heard him
speak of a revival meeting at which DR..
Stricken was present, and it was his i'm
preston that Lind said it was strange
that DR.. Strickler-a man of his intelli-
gence-should go to a revival meeting.
He couldn't remember the exact Lap
o,1aUa nse0 however, In answer to the