The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-05-20

The Waukesha murder has loca
interest attached TO it from the fact
that a Manitowoc boy, William Pautz,
was the perpetrator His body was
found Monday floating on mill pond
not far from where he abandoned his
wheel on the fateful Friday morning of
two weeks ago when he shot four per
sons. There was bullet wound in the
head iust above the right ear, and white
handkerchief was tied so closely about
the neck as to be sufficient to cause
strangulation when wetted. His BIZ
cycle guards and $3.50 were found in
his pockets but the revolver was miss
ing. This fact lead to the belief that
he walked out on spring board from
which the boys dive into ten feet of
water, shot himself there and the pis
tol dropped into the water The deed
was evidently done on the night of
the same day the murders were com
mitted, as shot was heard near there
at 9 O'Clock Friday night. and Pantz'
watch qnlt running at 9:2O.
The theory that robbery was the
object is no longer entertained, nor
will the theory of disappointed love
for the servant girl hold good, as his
folks say they never heard him speak
of the girl. There is good reason for Il e
belief that he was insane. 1t Is well
known that at times he was Eighty.
His physical organization was not
symmetrical. He was over SIX feet
tall apd we'll proportional except that
his head was very small, requiring
only &c hat. Last summer while at
work in Milwaukee he complained Of
not feeling well. His brother Edward
advised him to go into the country
where he could have work in the pure
air, and to work for his board if he
could do no better. He did so and
found employment at the Harris farm.
On his return to Milwaukee he seem
ed improved and spoke in a very
kindly way of his employers. The
probability is that while on his way to
Milwaukee the sickness he experien-
ced the year before overcame again.
and like home sick child his instinct
led him to the place he before receiv-
ed relief and his disease broke into
sudden homicidal purpose which he
could not restrain.
His identity was discovered by
means of his bicycle. 1t was learned
that a young man who had worked in
Milwaukee last year rode that bicycle.
1t was found where he had boarded
and his real name Pautz and not
Pouch was revealed 1t was known
he had his picture taken by Milwau
kee photographer and this was secur-
ed. 1t was then easy to find his rel
atires. The real name was kept a
secret Detective Sullivan came to
Manitowoc and interviewed the rel
atives here but soon satisfied himself
they had no suspicion that Pautz and
Pouch were the same person. They
were under the impression that Will
liam was in Milwaukee with his broth
er Ed. Another prominent Milwau-
kee man was also here gathering in
formation.
William spent the winter and spring
on his fathers farm and left May on
his bicycle for Milwaukee. He did
reach that city bnt did not go to his
brothers. He and companion were
seen near where William boarded, the
previous year. Both had dismounted
from their wheels and were observing
some work in progress. They re
mounted and rode off. His companion
was taken to be his brother by the per
son who saw them. Who was with
William has not yet been ascertained
Another inexplicable circumstance is
where William spent tie time from
May 4 when he left here and May Z
when he reached the Harris farm, He
was good bicycle rider and frequent
ly made trips to Milwaukee on his
wheel leaving here in the morning
and reaching Milwaukee in the after
noon. But here are two days unac
counted for
William Pautz was little over q
years old. His father lives in the towr
of Manitowoc. He was at one time
we'll of but met many reverses. Viii
! Hams schoolmates say he was bright
while in school and very kindly in dis
position. The farmers for whom he
worked say he was industrious, vel
behaved and did not seem to have q
vicious inclination. Every member Of
the Pautz family sands well in the
community so that the murder appears
nnaccountable on any other theory
than insanity. The body was inferred
in Waukesha county.