The record-union., 1897-12-16
JOHN BAUMAN PROSECUTED.
HOW HIS PROPERTY WAS DE-
STROYED.
Gus Nelson Suspected, but There
Was No Direct Proof of
Guilt.

ployed by John Bauman, a tenant on
the Brockway farm, just south of the
city, While lying in wait one night in
the hope of experimenting the perpetra-
tor of certain acts of vandalism, dis
covered d man acting in what he con-
sidered a suspicious manner, and ar
rested him. The prisoner proved to be
Gus Nelson. an employe of Mrs. Brock
way and as it was claimed that he was
abroad on mission similar to that of
Bauman's men, he was discharged.
A few nights prior to that incident
some one entered Baumans premises,
ruined three sets of harness by cutting
them into pieces. and also cut and
slashed the canvas top to one of his
dairy wagons.
Bauman still suspected Nelson of
! these acts, and again caused his arrest
on a charge of malicious mischief The
case was called for examination in
| Justice Henrys court yesterday, and
after the testimony for the prosecution
was all in District Attorney Ryan asked
the court to discharge Nelson, as it had
not been possible to directly connect
him with the acts complained of.
Bauman, who runs a dairy on the
bTOchNdy Testified that lOI sew
eral months articles had been stolen
from his place, and wagons, ETC., dam
aged. He had occupied the premises
for two years under q five-year lease.
After several of these acts of vandal
ism had been committed he invented a
peculiar wooden device for locking his
barn door in the hope that stop
might be put to the operations of the
midnight vandal, whoever he might be.
A model Of the barn door, with its
novel locking device, was exhibited in
court, and attracted considerable at
tention. While he was constructing it,
he said, Nelson was present and watch
ed him. No person who was not IA
miliar with the manner of operating
the bolt that held the door on the in
side could, in his opinion, open the
door without breaking it from its fast
enings. The combination was known
only to himself, the members Of his
family, and to Nelson. Yet the person
who had cut his three sets of harness
had worked the combination perfectly
by the use Of wire rod which he kept
for the purpose.
He then employed two men (broth-
ers) named Miller to work for him.
About midnight one night they awoke
him and stated that they had caught
Nelson hiding among the trees near
the barn. He asked Nelson what he
was doing there at that time of night,
after he had been told to keep away,
and the latter replied that he was there
just for fun.
Bauman further stated that he had
never had any trouble with neighbors,
and had not had occasion to discharge
any employe. He kept four dogs, and
they would not permit strangers to
come about, and the most vicious one
of the canine quartet was tied to the
wagon the night it was mutilated.
Nelson had been about the Brockway
ranch for three years, and the dogs
knew him and would not make any
trouble if he came among them.
Lou Miller testified that he had been
engag ged by Bauman to watch the prem
ises. About the second night he was
there, secreted in the barn, some one
threw a stone through the window
This was about 10 o'clock. 1t was
moonlight, and he saw running away
man who resembled Nelson in size,
dress and general appearance.
Several nights later he and his broth
er found Nelson skulking close to the
barn, and arrested him. His dress,
hight, etc, tailed with that of the
former visitor. When they came upon
Nelson he appeared to be greatly con-
fused, and talked so strangely that
they could scarcely understand him
He did say. however, that he was there
just for fun.
Sometime afterward, Miller said
Nelson told him that he was there be-
cause Miss Brockway had some hay
and hop poles stored in a shed on the
Bauman premises.
This was virtually all the testimony
taken, and while 1t was such as to cast
strong suspicion on Nelson, still it
was not deemed sufficiently strong to
warrant risking the case before a Jury.
hence the District Attorneys action in
asking to have the charge dismissed.
Whoever may be the guilty person.
the outrages that have been perpe-
trated on Bauman are such that he
deserves a charge Of shot, if he could
have been detected in the act, or a good
long term in the State Prison. Bau-
man thinks somebody has been work
ing a scheme 10 SO intimidate him that
he might throw up his lease to the
premises. In other words that some
one desires to get him away from there.